BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Marvin S. Arrington, Jr., Esq.,
Fulton County Commissioner
Vice President
OzNesbitt
Former Rockdale Commission Chair & CEO
Treasurer
OPEN
Secretary
Lisa Cupid
Chairwoman, Cobb County
Parliamentarian
Toyia Tucker
Columbus County Commissioner
Member-At-Large
Grendaline Bailey
Macon-Bibb County Commission
The Georgia Association of Black County Officials is a group of elected officials from all counties throughout Georgia.
MISSION STATEMENT
To advocate on behalf of Georgians living and working in underserved communities throughout Georgia and provide resources and environments conducive to building safe, strong, healthy and thriving communities, county by county.
ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSE
The purpose of the Georgia Association of Black County Officials (GABCO) is to advocate to protect the general welfare of Georgians, people of color and underserved citizens of Georgia in matters of health and welfare, education, social and criminal justice, employment and economic empowerment.
We hold our Annual Mid Year meeting during the annual Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) in Savannah.
Georgia Association of Black County Officials (GABCO): Value PropositionÂ
GABCO exists to support, empower, and elevate Black and Brown county officials across Georgia through advocacy, training, collaboration, and innovation, the organization brings tremendous value to Black and Brown commissioners in the following key areas:
Policy Advocacy & Legislative Influence
- Lobby for equity-focused policies impacting Black and Brown communities.
- Develop and promote a legislative agenda tailored to the needs of predominantly Black and Brown districts.
- Organize advocacy days at the Georgia State Capitol to amplify member voices.
Professional Development & Training
- Host workshops on critical governance topics such as budgeting, land use, and crisis management.
- Offer certification and continuing education opportunities in partnership with NACO, ACCG, & academic institutions.
- Create mentorship programs linking veteran commissioners with new members.
- Support training, equity audits, and inclusive hiring practices within county governments.
Networking & Collaboration
- Convene annual conferences, summits, and regional roundtables for peer exchange.
- Establish special interest caucuses (e.g., housing, public safety, infrastructure) to facilitate targeted dialogue and initiatives.
Strategic Resource Sharing
- Provide templates for ordinances, resolutions, and effective governance models.
- Share curated grant opportunities and funding alerts relevant to Black-led jurisdictions.
- Maintain a vetted list of culturally competent consultants and vendors.
Research & Data Insights
- Publish equity reports highlighting disparities and successes in Black communities.
- Supply commissioners with demographic, health, and economic data.
- Offer case studies of successful county-level initiatives led by Black officials.
Public Visibility & Media Amplification
- Promote commissioners’ work through press releases, media interviews, and social media campaigns.
- Launch storytelling campaigns to boost civic engagement and highlight public service impact.
- Position GABCO members as state leaders in driving systemic equity.
Community Engagement Tools
- Distribute town hall toolkits for effective constituent communication.
- Provide civic education materials to increase voter turnout and participation.
- Host workshops and forums to build grassroots leadership and involvement.
Innovation Incubator
- Pilot community improvement programs in broadband access, green infrastructure, and health equity.
- Facilitate partnerships with the private sector and nonprofits to advance cutting-edge solutions.