Crunches & Couture

Ronda Colvin-Leary: Gwinnett County’s First Elected Black Judge

Gwinnett County State Court judge Ronda Colvin-Leary (left) receives a gavel from State Court Judge Joseph C. Iannazzone after she was sworn-in. Photo: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

The first African-American to be elected to any countywide position was sworn in as a Gwinnett County State Court judge Thursday afternoon.

Ronda Colvin-Leary, a Snellville attorney, won the seat in May. While multiple African-American judges have been appointed to serve on magistrate, juvenile and recorders courts, Colvin-Leary is the first to win an election for state court, the county’s Administrative Office of the Courts confirmed after her election.

Click here to read more about this historic moment (HT Amanda C. Coyne).

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Raised Over $1 Million In 24 Hours For Historically Black Colleges And Universities

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) have played pivotal roles in the African-American community, educating our leaders who would not have been, otherwise, privileged to higher learning.

Presently, many of the HBCUs are struggling financially while facing declining enrollment.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated says “not on our watch”. We care about the vibrancy and longevity of our schools. When the call to raise $1 million in 1 day was issued, it was answered with fervor.

Over $1 million days has been raised to impact HBCUs, seeing to it that their doors stay open for generations to come.

I am beyond proud to be a member of this trailblazing organization.

Book Recommendation: “Introverts Bring Extraordinary Talents And Abilities To The World”

Quiet: The Power of Introverts In A World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so.

“Research by Adam Grant at the Wharton School has found that introverted leaders often deliver better outcomes than extroverts do, because when they are managing proactive employees, they are much more likely to let those employees run with their ideas, whereas an extrovert can, quite unwittingly, get so excited about things that they put their own stamp on things and other people’s ideas might not as easily bubble up to the surface, ” says Susan.

I highly recommend this book.  It should be a required reading for anyone who manages or interacts with introverts in any capacity.

Some transformative leaders in history have been introverts, such as Gandhi, Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosa Parks.  Not only do I share in introversion with these great leaders, but I also share in being called a member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated with honorary Sorors Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosa Parks.

You can watch Susan Cain speak on Introverts of the World in This Ted Talks video, posted here.