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SHEKNITA DAVIS' PEOPLE'S ADVOCACY GROUP WORKS TO INFORM RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES BY LISA PRITCHARD MAYFIELD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT ODOM BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SAID, "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed." While many define success as the sum of their achievements, Macon's own Sheknita Davis knows better. "I have had the opportunity to change my life and impact the fiber of our community," said the grass roots social justice advocate. "We have so much momentum happening in our community. As we enter another decade, it's important to have hope. I refuse to let go of hope." A student at Mercer University's McAfee School of eology and founder of In His Image Agency, a nonprofit people's advocacy organization, Davis has seen her share of impoverishment and adversity – both in others' lives, and in her own. ere were many times in Davis' life when she didn't feel as full of hope as she does now. Her own story is one of good times – and bad. She speaks of growing up in a loving family in Macon's Bellevue community, where she attended public schools. e oldest of three children, she was raised by her mother, stepfather and maternal grandmother. "I lived a typical childhood," Davis said. "I loved reading and going to school. My mother and stepfather were very involved in our lives, especially our education. At an early age, I knew education was important to success." But by the time she was 11 years old, Davis' young life began a downward spiral when her mother and stepfather became addicted to crack cocaine. "Overnight, it seemed, our lives were turned upside down," she said. "I remember being 12 years old and hungry. ere was no food in our home. My younger siblings were ages 6 and 7. I was scared, angry, bitter and frustrated. I felt a whole range of emotions, but mostly I was hurt. I wanted to know where all the people were who should have been helping us, knowing my mother was on drugs. No one came to make sure we were okay, and as a child, I was afraid to let anyone know about what was happening in my home. I remember being very angry at my life circumstances but needed to do something." B FROM POVERTY TO PAYING IT FORWARD F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 2 0 | M ACO N M AG A Z I N E.CO M 4 1