Macon Magazine

August/September 2024 | maconmagazine.com 117 INTERVIEW BY SIERRA STARK STEVENS | PHOTO BY DSTO MOORE Macon Chose Me is a photo series by DSTO Moore highlighting residents who weren't born in Macon but actively chose to move here and enjoy positively representing the community. Taker of selfies. Wearer of hats," her social media profiles say. It's true. Her selfie game is strong; her hat collection equally so. And, given her brilliance and analytical, connection-seeking mind, I wouldn't be surprised if she were aware that the description works on a deeper level. She's taken her self-image and made it a reality in a world that resisted her authenticity. And, idiomatically, she wears many hats. When she was named chief information officer (CIO) and assistant vice president of information technology for Mercer University (MU) this May, she became the first openly transgender employee of MU in a leadership role. When her role was announced, it was the first time she was publicly celebrated by her true name in a professional capacity: Charlotte Renee. It's not something that had always felt possible. For example, she shared, she served in the Army National Guard before it was legal for her to do so. While openly being Charlotte at work wasn't the first time she took pride in how her authentic self-image was mirrored by outside perspectives, after 28 years in her MU career, it was a powerful moment. As for hat-wearing, she's the vice president and co- founder of Macon Pride, registration chair for the Magnolia Soap Box Derby, ticketing chairperson for the Macon Beer Festival, board member for the Pillar EMS Academy, hype-girl on the Downtown Macon Hype Team (often accompanied by her one of her five pups, a Hype Hound), and co-founder of Macon LGBT Youth Group. Charlotte is also on her way to becoming a "Triple Bear" at MU. Since enrolling in 1989, she's earned a bachelor's in computer science, master's in software engineering, and now is in her second year of an educational leadership doctoral program. "There aren't many Quad Bears," she quipped, "but there are a couple, so eventually, maybe I'll grab a J.D." She volunteers with the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity Women Build and has a rich spiritual, social, and family life: a wife of two years, Michelle, who she says is "my rock, my courage, my heart," two beautiful daughters, and a granddaughter. "She calls me MaPa, and I call her Chickie Nugget," Charlotte laughed, holding up a selfie of her and her granddaughter. There's more to Charlotte's story than one page, and she's a magnificent storyteller. (She tells one about the power of human kindness during her first night out publicly presenting as herself, one from her fraternity days waiting tables at Beall's 1860 with a young Mayor Miller, and more). See more Charlotte at Macon Pride this year: Sept. 19 – 29.. MM: How has Macon Pride grown since its founding? CRS: It started in 2019, just a Saturday event, just a little party. It poured down rain. And people sang and danced in the rain. The DJ played rain songs. It was just beautiful. Now, Macon Pride is an official 501(c) nonprofit. We have events and fundraisers throughout the year, with our biggest event, Macon Pride Festival, in the fall. It's an amazing group for advocacy, support, and awareness for LGBTQIA+ people in Middle Georgia and our allies. In Macon, love blossoms and transcends barriers, offering a warm embrace, if you seek it. That's the key. It's what you make it. You can see the history, culture, and community celebrated every First Friday, every event, every concert. I came here 35 years ago, and it was a different town back then. Macon had a few pride organizations that came, performed a function, and then went away. We had some gay bars that were safe spaces. But now, take our dineOUT, shopOUT event. 28 businesses participated. Downtown, there are many LGBTQIA+ businesses, but most are not. And I don't have any problem. I feel affirmed, welcomed, involved. But there are those in the community or surrounding communities who would tear it all down. You know an event has reached a certain level when it attracts protesters, like last year at Macon Pride. A drag show in Perry was recently canceled in Perry due to threats. This is a reason why we need comprehensive civil rights protection, starting with Macon-Bibb County. This is why we need to maintain Macon Pride and national Pride. We need to keep awareness going. Charlotte Rene e Storey M A C O N C H O S E M E

• Cover