ATLANTA —Today, 9to5, National Association of Working Women, Georgia Chapter, announced the four honorees selected to receive the organization’s “Women to Marvel” Award. Nominated by their peers for their resiliency, bold advocacy and community impact, the honorees will be celebrated May 21, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at a virtual event and fundraiser on Zoom. The event is free and open to everyone. To register, visit https://9to5.org/marvel.
“9to5 is delighted to announce that Ni’Aisha Banks-Devore, Dr. Bambie Hayes Brown, Sherrell Byrd and Kimberlyn Carter have been selected to receive our Women to Marvel Award,” 9to5 Georgia State Director Mica Whitfield said. “During these challenging times, especially for women and communities of color, our honorees have raised the bar on resiliency, bold advocacy and community impact. It is a testament to their leadership, generosity and grace that these truly ‘marvelous’ women were nominated by their peers to receive this award.”
Driven by her passion for service and advocacy, Ni’Aisha Banks-Devore serves on the boards of the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire and the strategic partnerships committee for the National Association of Community Mediators. A wife, mom of four and entrepreneur, Banks-Devore is a community justice fellow with 9to5 GA, public benefits specialist at Savannah Technical College, DECAL Family Peer Ambassador and community mediator and facilitator. She has a degree in business administration and is currently studying nonprofit management and public administration at Georgia Southern University.
A native of Cordele, Georgia, Dr. Bambie Hayes Brown is chief executive officer of Georgia Advancing Communities Together, a statewide membership organization of housing and community development agencies. Formerly homeless and a former public housing resident, Brown is an outspoken advocate for people with limited housing choices and for equitable community development, with 25 years of experience in rural and urban housing, community and economic development. Brown is the founder and chief executive officer of Hayes Brown Enterprises, LLC, a registered lobbyist, real estate broker and certified economic development finance professional. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management, a master’s degree in business administration, a doctorate in theology, a Ph.D. in biblical studies and a certificate in nonprofit management.
Sherrell Byrd of Albany, Georgia, is co-founder and co-chair of SOWEGA Rising, a nonprofit coalition that is tackling some of the toughest issues that plague Southwest Georgia — including criminal justice reform, food insecurity, rural health, historical and cultural preservation, environmental justice and economic injustice. Byrd also founded the Southwest Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce, which supports, educates and provides networking opportunities for African American businesses. Byrd serves on the boards of several organizations, including the City of Albany Community and Economic Development Council, Southwest Georgia Regional Commission, SWGA Food Justice Coalition, Empower Health Community Advisory Council, Southwest Georgia Economic Alliance and Alliance 85.
Kimberlyn Carter holds dual appointments as executive director of Represent Georgia, which includes Rep GA Institute (501c3) — organizations working to train, build, and serve a civic empowerment community that amplifies diverse representation statewide — and Represent GA Action Network (501c4). A corporate trainer, director of strategic partnerships and chief strategist on electoral, advocacy and corporate campaigns, Carter is also an angel investor and mentor to Black-women owned and founded technology businesses. She has participated in international residencies for women in politics held in South Africa, Canada and Mexico and is extremely excited about “Georgia Black Women Rise,” an 18-month leadership immersive for Black Women across the State of Georgia.
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9to5, National Association of Working Women is a national grassroots organization on the frontlines working for economic security for all women — particularly women of color. The organization is a national network of advocates with offices in Colorado, Georgia and Wisconsin.
