Committee approves Latonya Gates for Atlanta Commission on Women

Latonya Gates was appointed to the Atlanta Commission on Women after speaking about her upbringing in Atlanta Public Schools and a decade of community development work on the city’s West Side.

Gates introduced herself to the Committee on Council and described personal and neighborhood efforts she said motivated her interest in the commission. “I actually was, kicked out of all DeKalb County schools, and I feel like APS saved my life,” Gates said, adding that she and her neighbors purchased a block that now includes a behavioral health clinic, an enrichment center and a food pantry on Dunley Hollowell.

Chair Byron Amos moved to approve the appointment during the committee’s communications agenda. The clerk opened and closed the voice vote; the committee recorded 4 yays and 0 nays, and the item was recorded as favorable.

Why it matters: Gates framed the role as a way to marshal resources across Atlanta neighborhoods, saying she seeks to combine support from Buckhead and Bankhead to benefit families on the West Side. Committee discussion on the appointment was brief and the committee approved the nomination without amendment.

Next steps: Committee staff will notify Gates about onboarding and next steps for her two-year term on the commission.