Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1538147
38 maconmagazine.com | August/September 2025 What made you want to run for office? I saw a need to work in the community. I've worked in the community in several positions, whether it was working with nonprofits, being a member of the 100 Black Men, my fraternity Kappa Alpha – working with the youth, especially. It was kind of a natural progression, working with local officials. It made me think I could be one. So, with that, I ran, but I thank God showed me where he wants me. He wants me working behind the scenes, and I love it. Aside from your involvement with 100 Black Men and Kappa Alpha, what other organizations do you volunteer with? I currently serve as a trustee at my church, Union Baptist Church, and we have numerous ministries that we work in the community. I'm called upon a lot to assist with a lot of different programs, a lot of mentoring programs. I love to teach, so I'm called to do several lessons, especially when it comes to teaching our youth about government. I've kind of developed a Civics 101 course for teens and youth. I talk about how to interact with local government to our senior groups in the community, to assist them in making sure their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. I love it. You emphasize mentorship here. What makes it so vital? Because our youth is our future. I want to live in a community where I feel safe, and I want to live in a community that's prospering. In order to do that, I know the next generation is the one that's going to make sure that happens. Who are some of your heroes? I've been blessed with some great mentors, Get involved with your city. Follow @maconbibbcounty to see the latest news and alerts. locally. Actually, they went by the name of the "Cotton Avenue Mafia." Former county commissioner Albert Billingslea, local attorney Virgil Adams, local businessman Billy Pitts. I can just go on and name many – Jimmy Smith, Connie Cater, Alveno Ross. Those guys really took me under their wing. Andy Galloway kind of opened some doors for me, introduced me to the right people in the community, people like Alex Hamm, Sean Stafford. The list goes on and on about my local heroes, Reverend David Stanley, just men that took an interest in me and helped me develop into the man I am today. On a more national level, it is people that have just done tremendous things to change the world. It's very easy to say people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy. Just knowing that at the end of the day, they were men who just wanted to make their world better. Any advice for young men who might be like you? To find something you're passionate about and take time to learn it. When I say learn it, I mean take time to know the ins and outs of what it is, the ups and downs of it. If it costs something, know how to budget for it. And when you find that passion, invest your time and energy into it. If you find something that you're giving your time and energy to, you ought to maximize what that is. I'm looking forward to the changes in the landscape. The city looks totally different from five to 10 years ago. The main corridors coming into the city just look better, more inviting. It looks like the big city that it is, but yet it still has that hometown feel. Edna Ruiz Adams is a Public Relations Specialist for Macon-Bibb County.