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8 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9 Dr. Kirby Godsey said, "It takes entrepreneurship to solve some of the knottiest problems we face, and it takes people willing to rethink old ideas and consider new solutions." (Read more challenges from our downtown Macon superhero on page 66.) This Monroe, North Carolina, born woman found a welcome mat in Macon, Georgia. I aim to continue to be one of those people willing and ready to be intentional and find new, inclusive solutions. Will you join me? Susannah C. Maddux susannah@maconmagazine.com B IBB COUNT Y Superior Court Judge Verda M. Colvin shared this original term (I'll call it a Verda-ism) when she addressed a group of engaged Central Georgians during the Middle Georgia State University Thrive Summit held in May. She spoke about her work in our community that is about service, not self. Google her if you aren't familiar. If the videos of this woman speaking truth to young men and women in her courtroom don't inspire you to be a better version of yourself, I am not sure if anything will. On the morning of her talk, I was busy stressing over the looming magazine deadline without the aid of our fiercely organized, smart managing editor, Renée Corwine, who was traveling in Europe. I'm glad I showed up to listen anyway. Verda spoke with conviction, of her visionality for Macon and her plans as OneMacon co-chair. She shared the truth that despite our $700 million in economic development – a record in 2018 – we still have the fifth highest rate of income inequality in Georgia. "You have to believe it before you see it or else it never will become reality ... because we have no choice," she said. It's her truth speaking and engaging energy around what we know about our city – the good, the bad and the challenging – and the vision she has for a more inclusive direction that remains with me. I see great opportunity in our challenges. Just as Verda asserted, we know we can do this because we have seen the good work that happens when we have a shared, inclusive vision. Just look at downtown Macon. Thanks to our partners NewTown Macon (see the special section on page 33 for more) and their work with countless other committed organizations, downtown is the thriving heart of our city. While we know that this work and growth must happen beyond downtown Macon and into all of our neighborhoods, I firmly believe that any living place must have a vibrant center that creates the pulse for the surrounding communities and the force for the region's way forward. Downtown Macon is that force for Central Georgia. As I trained four interns for summer work while organizing this magazine, I see more clearly why we do this work. We are planting trees for those students, children, grandchildren and young professionals who are here and those who have yet to arrive. It's happening downtown. And, the fruits of our labor are being realized beyond our central business district and urban core. You'll find a number of success stories in these pages. Visionality - Vision that becomes reality through intentional effort E D I T O R I A L L E T T E R m TOP PHOTO: In my book, Verda Colvin is a fierce force. BOTTOM PHOTO: I'm pictured with visionaries Theresa Robinson, Joni Woolf and Jodi Palmer, the panelists at the annual Women in Business event.