BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. is led by a diverse and dynamic team of community activists,
business professionals, ​ministers and social servants.

NORMA JOY BARNES
President/CEO
Perhaps it started with her middle name - a simple, yet powerful word - Joy. It seems as if Norma Joy Barnes is on a divine mission to bring joy into the lives of “the least of these”, as she strives to make our world a better place to live.
​
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Norma Joy was the first of six children born to Norman and Geraldine Bell, who taught their children to serve those in need with purpose and passion. Norma followed the example that her parents set, with a legacy of volunteer and community service to help empower the lives of disadvantaged individuals.
 
Norma Joy Barnes, graduated from Boggs Academy (Keysville, Georgia) and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology from Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia. Her graduate studies include Georgia State University (Sociology) and Atlanta School of Law.

As a college student, Norma worked as a volunteer with mentally challenged children.  After graduating from college, Barnes worked as a caseworker with Economic Opportunity Atlanta, a casework supervisor with the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, and as an Equal Opportunity Specialist, Investigator and Mediator for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). She retired from the EEOC on August 2, 2008, with thirty-four years of service.

During the past forty years, Barnes has also worked as a volunteer with at-risk youth, teenagers, and disadvantaged women. She served as a Volunteer Coordinator with Joint Action in Community Service (JACS), a nonprofit organization that was funded by the U. S. Department of Labor to provide support services to young males returning from the U. S. Job Corps, and subsequently served on the JACS Board of Directors from 1975 until 1995.

In 1985, Barnes founded the Youth Ventures Program for teenagers in the metropolitan Atlanta area. She subsequently served as a mentor for the Friend to Friend Mentoring Program that was co-sponsored by the NAACP and the Youth Development Center, and as co-founder and project coordinator for Villages International, Inc.  She founded the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta and the Priority Male Program in 2008.
 
​As a result of her community service, Norma was awarded the Regional and National Volunteer of the Year Awards by Joint Action in Community Service (1975), the Lifetime Non-Profit Trinity Award (2013), the Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence (2015), the TORCH (Together Our Resources Can Help) Award from Raising in Community Excellence (RICE), the 2019 Human Rights Award from Church Women United and other honors.   She has appeared on “A Woman’s Place” (AIB), Focus on Atlanta (WUPA), People 2 People (WSB), The T.D. Jakes Show (BET), Religion Roundtable (AIB), Atlanta Live (WXIA), WCLK TV, and others televised shows.  Her work has also been featured in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Atlanta Voice, the Atlanta Daily World, Atlanta Inquirer, Common Ground News, and other media sources.
EVAN TOULON
Chairman of the Board
Evan A. Toulon was born and raised in Queens, N.Y. He attended Lafayette College, in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs. Upon graduating, in 1986, Evan began his career in Sales with Armstrong World Industries, Inc. as a Marketing Representative. After two years with Armstrong, Evan joined R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, where held numerous sales and management positions during his 26 years, serving as Sr. Region Director in Atlanta prior to leaving RJR at the end of 2014. Evan works as a consultant, with a focus on sales, marketing and leadership. Evan is a certified professional in Human Resources Management and Leadership and Supervision. 
 
Having mentored a number of young black men during his corporate career, Evan joined CCMA in August of 2015 with the idea his experience, skills and expertise could benefit young black men who have traditionally been disenfranchised, and lack the resources and direction to succeed in society. Evan has served in a number of roles with CCMA - Host / Facilitator of 2015 & 2016 Black Male Empowerment Expo; Director of Community Engagement; PROPEL  Workshop Presenter; and Marketing Team Leader. Evan was named to the CCMA Board of Directors in 2017, and elected Board Chairman for the term beginning January 1, 2018.  
 
Additionally, Evan does volunteer work with the Real Men Read Program at Columbia  Elementary School. A father of two and a grandfather of three, Evan is an avid golfer, basketball fan and movie buff. He currently resides in Sugar Hill, Georgia. 
WILLIAM LIGON, ESQ.
Vice President
William Ollie Ligon (Ollie) is the Legislative Officer with Fulton County, where he manages intergovernmental affairs.  .He served as the Recruitment and Training Manager with Fulton County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) from 2007-2011. He began volunteering with CASA in 2003 and joined the staff in 2007. CASA trains volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care.

Ollie is a native of Decatur, Illinois.. He is a graduate of Northern Illinois University (B.A.) and Harvard Law School (J.D.) He practiced law with a major law firm and  retired from Amoco Corporation where he initially practiced labor and employment law, and subsequently managed environmental issues associated with the manufacture, use and disposal of the company’s plastics products.
JOHN C. HOLLEY
Treasurer
John C. Holley was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia but was raised in Windsor, North Carolina.  He graduated from W.S Etheridge High School in Windsor, North Carolina and attended North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry in 1961.  He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, the United States Air Force War College and holds a Master of Arts Degree from American University in Washington, D.C.

His career as an Army Officer saw him in a myriad of assignments in Executive Management, Personnel Management, Organization Assessment and Operation and Training,  spanning a period of 30 years. John Holley retired from active duty in June 1991 as a Colonel at Ft Gillem, Georgia.

In January 1992, he became the President of the Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation, a teaching foundation for youth. He retired from this position in October 2010. In addition, he is actively involved in numerous civic and non-profit organizations in his community. Included in this group are Kiwanis International, Boy Scouts of America, The Association of the United States Army, North Carolina A&T University Alumni Association, Member of the Sacred Praise United Methodist Church, 100 Black Men of America, and the 2099 Investment Club.
JERRY BROWN
JERRY “TACUMA” BROWN is native of Glendale (Cincinnati), Ohio and attended the University of Cincinnati and has been living, working and serving in Metro Atlanta for over twenty five (25) years. As a proud U.S. Air Force Vietnam Era Veteran (1961- 1967), Mr. Brown has transferred his leadership capabilities to the government, civilian and community sectors -- building a solid reputation for delivering measurable results in community development, leadership and cohesiveness among community constituents. Known for his commitment and dedication to community, he has successfully demonstrated his ability to work with youth, seniors and groups that require special needs in business administration, housing, health and human services, rehabilitation and capacity-building.

Mr. Brown is a licensed and certified professional for Allstate and Metropolitan Insurance companies and is a graduate of the Ohio State Life Underwriters Training (LUTC). He served as Chairman of the Board for the Male Action Coalition Inc., (MAC, Inc.) a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Male youth Mentoring and Rites of Passage Initiative. In addition, In 2006 Mr. Brown launched his own 501(c)(3) nonprofit venture Atlanta West Development Corp. (AWDC, Inc.) to focus on community housing and development issues in West End Atlanta. He also served as Chair for Neighborhood Planning Unit T (NPU-T) from 1997-2009.

​His appointments include Commissioner, Housing Authority of Fulton County - Fulton County Juvenile Court Citizens Advisory Board - West End Merchants Coalition, Inc. - Fulton County District Attorneys Community Prosecution Program Board - Atlanta Planning Advisory Board (APAB) - Strategic Planning Committee, Atlanta Neighborhood Deputies Program - Senior Advisor for Community Relations, Atlanta University Community Center Consortium - Earned Income Tax Credit, site manager - State Bar of Georgia Citizens Advisory Committee - University Community Development Corp., Inc. - Fulton County Citizens Anti-Criminal Gang Council - Male Action Coalition, Inc - City of Atlanta Neighborhood Crime Task Force - City of Atlanta Commission on Veterans Affairs - City of Atlanta, Elders Crime Task Force - City of Atlanta Veterans Commission - Fulton Fresh West End, site manager - Fulton County My Brothers Keeper Task Force - Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta - HEALing Community Center, Inc. Board of Directors - Black Slate, Inc. Award - Atlanta Planning Advisory Board Neighborhood Achievement Award - Award of Appreciation, Atlanta City Council - 10 Years Of Dedicated Service To Community Award from Morehouse College - “Resolution 1809” Georgia State House of Representatives - “Man of the Year”, Georgia Secretary of State - Vietnam Veterans, Georgia Veterans Commission - Pan African Orthodox Christian Church National Community Service Award
OKERA TUBYANYE
Okera Tubyanye is a 21-year-old young male, and the son of Dorcus Sabrina Tubyangye, a community activist and certified chaplain. After receiving his high school diploma from Georgia Cyber Academy in June 2017, Okera enrolled in the Propel Academy and graduated as number one in his class in November 2017. Subsequent to his graduation from the Propel Academy, he enrolled in the Year Up in January 2018.

The Year Up curriculum includes college-level courses, six months of professional training, and a six-month internship with a local corporation. While enrolled in Year Up, Okera received the “Value of Accountability” Award. After his six-month internship with GE Digital, Okera graduated from Year Up with 14 college credits toward a PC Repair and Network Technology Certificate. Since graduating from Year Up, Okera has earned Software: TestOut Network Pro Certification and Hardware: TestOut PC Pro Certification.

​Okera has also served the community as a volunteer. In this capacity, he served as a Volunteer Counselor with the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program (2017). Since graduating from the PROPEL Academy, he has served as a volunteer for CCMA initiatives, including facilitator at the Interfaith Summit (2018), Life Ambassador for the Live B4U Die Summit (2018), and presenter at a “Propel Yourself to Success” workshop (2019). He is certainly a young man on the move.
QUASANDRIA TURNER
Quasandria “Q” Turner, a native of Atlanta, raised in the Westside community. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s degree in community counseling. Q is a proud HBCU graduate, alumnus of the Unsinkable Albany State University. She is a Certified Anger Management Specialist, and hold memberships in the National Counseling Association, the National and Georgia Rehabilitation Associations, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Q presently works for CareerRise, Inc where she leads the division of Westside Works. Q is a passionate community advocate with over 17 years of experience in workforce development. Her workforce development career began in 2006 at Goodwill of the Southern Rivers in Albany, Georgia. In 2009, she returned home to Atlanta where she continued Goodwill’s mission of changing lives by creating initiatives to connect people to work.

Beyond her workforce development contributions, Q’s breadth of experience includes working in alcohol and drug treatment settings, court-mandated counseling, adolescent residential treatment centers, victims of abuse and trauma, individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and with justice-involved youth.

​In 2021, Q joined CareerRise to lead workforce development initiatives at Westside Works. Under her leadership, Westside Works has expanded its service territory to include offering support to all metro-Atlanta residents, implemented innovative services to support job seekers with significant barriers to retaining employment, and with the implementation of a more expansive menu of diverse services, Westside Works now has the ability to serve all residents in its community, fully embodying a workforce model that supports the needs of a true mixed income community
REV. PAUL H. EASLEY
Public Relations Liaison
Rev. Paul H. Easley graduated from West Virginia State College and Gammon Theological Seminary School of Theology, DMin, Clinical Pastoral Education in Psychology and Counseling Member of the United Methodist Church, West Virginia Conference. His diversified background includes military, theological, social service, civic and volunteer experience.

Rev Easley served as Executive Secretary of the Branch YMCA, Charleston, West Virginia; Counselor of the Bethlehem Youth Center, Atlanta, Georgia; Migrant Minister for Virginia Council of Churches; Boy Scouts of America; Program Leader for Branch Gray-Y programs, Atlanta, Georgia; Drug/Alcohol Counselor Facilitator at Christian Counseling Center, Kansas City, Missouri; and as Chaplain at Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia (1980- 2001).

In addition to his civilian background, Rev. Easley served over twenty-three years as military Chaplain and retired as Full Colonel. He was appointed first Afro-American as “Colonel” of the Regiment of the United States Army Chaplain Corps. Rev. Easley was P.T.S.A. past president of Therrell High School, Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of CRT of Georgia Tech; Churches Home Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia; Youth Hope Builders Academy; and Fulton Leadership Academy.
REV. MATT MURPHY
Interfaith & Ecumenical Liaison
Matt was born to James Murphy, Sr., and Mattie Martha, McDonald Murphy in Chicago, Illinois and has resided in Georgia since the age of 13.  His family made their transition from Chicago to Atlanta in 1972.  He is married to Tonya LaMia Davis-Murphy.  They have one daughter, Ariel Imani Murphy.  
 
Matt began his ministry at Bethel United Methodist Church in Southwest Atlanta, although as a child, attended Berean Baptist in Chicago.  Matt is an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church and has served churches in and outside of the Atlanta Area.  His most recent appointment has been with Headland Heights United Methodist Church in East Point, Georgia.
 
Matt is a graduate of Clayton Junior College (AA Business), Georgia State University (BA History) and Candler School of Theology (MDIV), Emory University.  He has served on the Conference Council on Youth Ministries, Gainesville District Committee on Ordained Ministry, Family Ministries Committee, Housing and Homeless Council, and as Chairperson for the Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee of the North Georgia Conference.  He has also spent many summers as a Theologian in Residence at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, Georgia where he currently serves on the Glisson board.   
 
Matt is currently active in the United Methodist Ministers’ Fellowship, Black Methodist For Church Renewal, Pastors’ School Board, Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, and serves as a volunteer with UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief).  He is the disaster relief coordinator for the Atlanta College Park District. 
 
Matt’s objective in life is to win souls for Jesus Christ with compassion and hospitality  generated through agape love.
SIMON ROBINSON
Corporate Affairs Liaison
Simon Robinson, entrepreneur and dedicated community servant, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Health Education from Stillman College located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Robinson credits his alma mater for preparing him with excellent skills to meet the demands of the competitive 20th and 21st Century workforce.

Over the years, Robinson has been an active alumni member, contributing his time, talent and financial resources to both the local and national alumni associations. Today, Robinson serves as Vice President for the Atlanta Chapter of the Stillman Alumni Association and in 2001 he was named a certified "Alumni Builder", a prestigious award presented by the order of the Magnolias.

Since graduating from Stillman in 1971, Robinson has built a successful career in both the corporate and the entrepreneurial realms. Currently, he is President and Chief Executive Officer of American Systems, Inc., parent company of Simon Sign Systems - a manufacturer of commercial signs, graphics and displays. In 2007, he founded Corporate Concepts & Design - a specialty ad, promotions and team apparel company.

Prior to forming Simon Sign Systems, Robinson held a variety of sales and management positions in Fortune 500 Companies such as Ralston Purina and the Tandy Corporation. While a territory manager in Oklahoma City with the Ralston Purina Company, Robinson single handedly increased sales at his only wholesale account from $900,000 to $4,000,000 in four (4) years. He also became licensed as a Realtor and started a successful car wash venture.

Robinson's professional affiliations include the International Sign Association, the United States Sign Council, The Atlanta Business League and The PUSH/Peachtree Street Project.

Robinson has made a staunch commitment to community service in his support of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Hosea Williams "Feed the Hungry" program, Roots Adoption Agency and Harriet Tubman Elementary School. Robinson is a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. He is also a board member of Crossland Karate, Inc. and in 2014 accepted an invitation to sit on the board of The Community Council of Metro Atlanta (CCMA).

​A Christian since childhood, Robinson is a faithful member of Word of Faith Family Cathedral where he is active with the "On the Move" outreach ministry. Robinson and wife Gwen reside in East Point, Georgia.
EMILY MORROW
Member Emeritus
Ms. Emily Morrow has been elected as Board Member Emeritus of the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc. (CCMA), effective January 22, 2015.  Morrow has served on the CCMA Board of Directors for six years, during which time she contributed to the success of the organization as the Community Relations Liaison, a PMI workshop leader and facilitator, and a distinguished donor. 

Morrow, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia. After relocating to California, she received a Masters Degree in Human Relations and Organization Behavior, and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of San Francisco.

She was employed by American Airlines for thirty-five years in various positions, including Recruiter and Manager of Flight Services. During her tenure with American Airlines she received the Jonathan Livingston Seagull award as Outstanding Supervisor for American Airlines. Morrow retired from American Airlines in 1995, with thirty five years of service.

An active volunteer, Morrow has received accommodations for volunteer work with the Community Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc., Junior Achievement, Stay In School Program, Democratic Convention California, 1984, AirCal-American Airlines Merger, Court Cases Northern California 1988-1995. Morrow holds a lifetime membership in the National Council of Negro Women. She is an active member of the Clark Atlanta University National Alumni Association, the Clark Atlanta University (CAU) Guild, AARP #3792 group, the Highview Road Neighborhood Association, the NAACP and the Booker T. Washington Alumni Association. She is also a supporter of the National Urban League and The United Negro College Fund.

In order to be considered for designation as a Board Member Emeritus, a person must be a current or former member of the CCMA Board of Directors who: (1)  Has served the CCMA Board of Directors with distinction; (2)  Held an important leadership role, and made or continues to make significant contributions; (3) Completed the term(s) for which he or she was appointed; and (4)  Participates in one (1) or more CCMA activities (e.g., events, volunteerism, fund-raising, government relations, networking, etc.).  Morrow has far exceeded these qualifications, and the CCMA is honored to have her as Board Member Emeritus.