Marilyn Cruter has been the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Zion Hill Community Development Corporation since 2004. Ms. Cruter is a retired civil rights specialist, having served thirty years with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. She earned a degree in Sociology from Winston-Salem State University.

Since childhood, Ms. Cruter has been devoted to serving others in multiple volunteer capacities through her work, church, neighborhood schools, and civic and professional organizations. While employed with the federal government, she served over ten years as her agency’s volunteer representative for the United Way Annual Combined Federal Campaign. She received a leadership award for giving each year.

Ms. Cruter served on the committee at Zion Hill Baptist Church to organize and develop the Zion Hill Community Development Corporation. She has been a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church for thirty-five years where she serves as a deacon as well as in many other capacities. Ms. Cruter states that her passion to help others is driven by so many inspirational people who have been in her life coupled with her divine inspiration as found in Proverbs, Chapter 3, verses 5 and 6.

Angeline has been a faithful volunteer at ZHCDC for six years. Ms. Flagg previously worked twenty years as a day care/preschool teacher. She attends Neriah Church where Bishop Albert J. Lindsey Jr. is the pastor and Stephanie Lindsey is the first Lady. Ms. Flagg is a member of the Mother’s Board. Angeline attended the Holland Institute of Ministry (H.I.M), where Pastor Bettye Holland Williams is the founder and teacher. Through the H.I.M she earned a Certificate of Advance Teaching in Christian Education. Angeline loves to read, listen to music and enjoys being with her family and friends.

Kym has worked in the corporate world for Nations Bank and IBM, in education as a college professor, in the non-profit arena for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America as well as her own computer training business. Kym is responsible for managing the Achievement Club and the Individual Development Account (IDA) programs. The Achievement Club is where members from various parts of the community meet regularly to select and work on goals together. The IDA program is where members specifically set savings goals together. Kym holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Clemson University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She also studied at Innervisions Institute for Spiritual Development where she became certified as a life coach. Kym has been a spiritual life coach since 2001. She is a firm believer that there is a spiritual solution to every problem. Kym enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and spoiling her six-year old granddaughter.

Tonya has worked in social services in the Atlanta and surrounding areas for over 18 years. Her passion and background includes working with troubled youth, young adults, disadvantaged families and seniors. Tonya’s holistic approach involves life coaching, life skills counseling, and health/wellness awareness. She has continued to encourage and assist individuals towards self-empowerment, self-awareness and self-sufficiency. Tonya is also passionate about advocating for consumers and clients by educating them on accessing community resources and their many rights as consumers.  Tonya has earned her Bachelor’s in Sociology from Morris Brown College and her Master’s in Public Administration Non-profit Management at Troy University. She is currently working towards obtaining her LEED Associate credential this year.  Tonya enjoys traveling, reading and creating natural skin care products in her leisure time.

Celeste has a passion to serve. She has worked in the social service industry for over 17 years.  She processes and reviews supportive housing applications and performs crisis intervention and individual Case Management service for the resident caseload. Ms. Huling has earned a Masters Degree in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University and her Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Human Services.  Celeste is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Celeste enjoys family time and reading.

I am a grassroots community advocate. My personal experiences have laid the foundation for my plight to help the less fortunate today. I have worked in the non-profit sector for over 8 years, serving the unemployed, underemployed, homeless, returning citizens, and those with multiple barriers to sustainability. Amber currently serves on the DeKalb County Continuum of Care Board as a former homeless person, representing those who are currently homeless at the Board table. Amber holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and Master of Public Administration degree from South University. Amber is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Business Administration Degree program, while studying for my LSAT with hopes to getting a Juris Doctorate Degree from Georgia State University.

Broderick has a passion to serve and help other people. He has been working in the social service field since 2002 in several positions Mental Health Associate, Case Manager, Special Education Teacher, Child Protective Service Investigator and Social Service Coordinator. Mr. Brown has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Talladega College. Broderick is an active Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and serve as the advisor of the undergrad Chapter. He also is an active member at Elizabeth Baptist Church and serve as President of the Doorkeepers Ministry. Broderick enjoys family time, traveling, cooking, and learning new things.

Markita has been working in the field of social work for approximately 6 years. Her specific area of interest is in mental health and wellness. She has a passion for genuinely helping and serving the needs of others specifically youth and young adults. She recently joined the Zion Hill team, bringing with her a passion for serving and a positive energy. Markita holds a bachelor’s in Psychology from Southern Illinois University and an MSW from Georgia State University. Markita enjoys fitness, travelling, and aspires to be a body builder.

Sherri has a heart for working with disadvantaged populations including at-risk youth, homeless adults, ex-offenders, and those with mental health and substance abuse issues to help them achieve their goals. She has worked in the nonprofit sector since moving to Georgia in 2002. Prior to that Sherri worked as a Probation Officer in the state of New York. Until recently, Sherri worked in a Supportive Housing Program in Dekalb County. Sherri has her master’s degree in Human Services (Nonprofit Management) from Capella University and a Bachelor’s in Human Services from the University of Buffalo. She is currently working to obtain her CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor). Sherri enjoys playing hand bells for her church, knitting, traveling, spending time with family, and rooting for the Syracuse Orange basketball team.

Dawn joined the Zion Hill CDC family in August of 2006 and has worked tirelessly to bring quality programs to the community ever since. Her role as Executive Director is to provide leadership and vision for ZHCDC. She has a wonderful team who helps her every day in ensuring that the programs of Zion Hill CDC are of quality and merit. It is through this process that Dawn receives great joy in knowing that the community is better as a result of their participation in the many programs offered by ZHCDC. Dawn is originally from Providence, RI and is the mother of 3 wonderful children. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.