About The New Georgia Project
NGP Board of Directors
NGP Board Chair
Francys Johnson
Francys Johnson
Francys Johnson is Chairman of the Board of the New Georgia Project. He succeeded NGP's founder, Stacey Abrams, and Senator Raphael Warnock in this organizational governance role. The New Georgia Project and its affiliates are power-building organizations aimed at strengthening Georgia's democracy. NGP (501c3) educates and registers the roughly 700,000 eligible (but unregistered) African American, Latino, and Asian American voters, registering more than 250,000 new Georgia voters since 2014.
Francys, a noted trial attorney, pastor, and educator, is a progressive thought-leader on race, equity, and understandings of power in public policy from Statesboro, Georgia. A graduate of the Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia School of Law, he has taught courses on Criminal Law; Constitutional Law; Race and the law; and the Civil Rights Movement. He is partnered with Dr. Meca Williams-Johnson, an educational psychologist and professor. They have three sons, Thurgood Marshall Joshua, Langston Hughes Elijah, and the late Frederick Douglass Caleb. Francys lives by the command of Micah 6:8 to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly.
NGP Board Member
Takeo Spikes
Takeo Spikes
Takeo Spikes is the CEO of Behind the Mask Media and creator of the award-winning podcast, Behind the Mask. He is also a sports analyst and is well-known as a former National Football League linebacker with 15 years in the National Football League. Spikes was a first-round draft pick, the 13th player selected overall in 1998, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and a First-Team All-Pro.
Takeo received his Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts at Auburn and his M.B.A. from the University of Miami. In 2016, he published his first book, Behind the Mask, a collection of intimate short stories and photographs including some of the greatest linebackers to ever play in the NFL.
Executive Leadership
Chief Executive Officer
Kendra Davenport Cotton
Kendra Davenport Cotton
A staunch public-school and voting rights advocate, Kendra is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and resides in Powder Springs, GA with her husband Michael and their three children, Jarah, Kael, and Rhys.
Chief of Field and Organizing
Keron Blair
Keron Blair
Chief Development Officer
Candice Drummond
Candice Drummond
Prior to joining NGP in May 2021, Candice worked primarily for progressive non-profits focused on policy, research, and advocacy efforts. Her experience includes time at D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, the D.C. equivalent of Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, which shapes racially-just tax, budget, and policy decisions by centering Black and brown communities based in research and analysis, community partnerships, and advocacy efforts to advance an antiracist, equitable future.
Candice holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy with a concentration in non-profit management at the Andrew Young School of Policy, Georgia State University and a Master of Public Management from Johns Hopkins University. Candice resides in Atlanta with her husband and their two children.
Chief Technology Officer
Gabriel Posey
Gabriel Posey
Gabriel previously lived in Nashville where he worked for DigiDems, a progressive political technology group.
He once shook Barrack Obama’s hand.
Senior Leadership
Director of Human Resources
Earvin Hopkins
Earvin Hopkins
Earvin Hopkins is from out west but previously lived in Marietta, GA working as an HR Manager for ABM Industries in Tucker, GA at a bread manufactory for 2 years. Earvin worked in HR for a total of 15 years with a life purpose of walking with people through difficulties in their life. Earvin got his Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degree while working in HR at various prison systems throughout the United States for 5 years, from the State Pen to the Bureau of Prisons he learned first-hand from inmates how to navigate issues & do follow-ups.
He got his HR accolade (PHR) after meeting his mentor in 2016 from the Human Resources Certification Institute, who helped him begin to navigate strategic HR with two principles: doing good work and paying it forward.
Earvin serves as a board member of the Communications Committee for the Society of Human Resources – Atlanta Chapter for 3 years & plans to take a volunteer Chair seat shortly & expanding NGP’s good reputation amongst the HR community of Atlanta.
Organizing Director
Billy Michael Honor
Billy Michael Honor
Billy Michael Honor is the Organizing Director of the New Georgia Project. In this role, Billy directs NGP’s commitment to building power through the base building, grassroots leadership development, and issue-based campaigns.
Billy previously lived in Orlando, Fl, where he was a child actor and public speaker. Billy attended Beulah Heights University, where he obtained his B.A. in Biblical Education. He also obtained a Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center and a Master of Theology degree from Emory University. Billy was also a Religion and Racial Justice fellow with the Aspen Institute and selected as one of the 500 Most Powerful Leaders in Atlanta by the Atlanta Magazine in 2021 and 2022.
Elijah D. Grace
Elijah D. Grace
Elijah D. Grace is the Deputy Field Director for New Georgia Project. Elijah currently oversees the operation of 17 field offices in the state of Georgia, deploying canvassers to conduct civic engagement and voter registration across the state.
Elijah is a Morehouse Alumnus from Chicago, Illinois. Previously, Elijah has held internships with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation & City of Chicago and has worked as a political fundraiser in the Metro Atlanta area
Policy Director
Stephanie Jackson Ali
Stephanie Jackson Ali
Stephanie has worked in progressive politics in Georgia since 2010 holding jobs advocating for reproductive justice, consumer safety reform, immigrant justice, HIV medication access, and – most consistently – voting rights and voter access.
Stephanie is a triple Dawg with undergraduate degrees in English and journalism and a Masters of Social Work in Community Empowerment and Program Development. When she isn’t working, Stephanie is dedicated to her son, her husband, her dogs, and her comic books.
Research Director
Ranada Robinson
Ranada Robinson
Ranada Robinson is Research Director of New Georgia Project. Ranada is responsible for designing and moving forward NGP's mission-driven research agenda and transforming research findings into strategic insights that inform the organization's efforts.
Ranada previously worked as an economic development consultant and has worked for clients ranging from Cheyenne, Wyoming to St. Petersburg, Florida, and even in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Ranada’s overarching goal for everything she does is making historically disadvantaged communities better for future generations. Ranada holds a Master of Science in Urban Policy Studies with specializations in policy analysis and economic development and planning and a Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance from Georgia State University. Ranada is also a graduate of Tougaloo College, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and computer science.
Director of Membership & Volunteerism
Roderick Smith
Roderick Smith
After graduation, he began to plant seeds. By organizing in various states. He planted seeds in Orlando, Miami, and DC. Now, five years later, he’s fully thrived here in Atlanta.
Roderick has had the pleasure of being at the New Georgia Project for the last five years. While here, he has worn many hats (Canvasser, Office Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, Lead Organizer, Deputy Field Director, Deputy Organizing Director, and Operations Manager). His new hat will be Director of Volunteerism and Membership.
He’s focused on building power through volunteerism and membership. In addition, he believes that strong work ethic, consistency, and being “genuine” makes a difference. His overall goal will be letting all Georgians know that they can make NGP their political home.
IT Manager
Brittany Bengert
Brittany Bengert
Brittany Bengert is IT Manager at New Georgia Project. As a member of the Technology Department, she assists each team member in transforming and enhancing our collective technology footprint to better engage with the communities we serve.
Brittany previously served in IT as a Project and Program Manager before coming to the New Georgia Project. Brittany has a bachelor's in Political Science from Kennesaw State University, a Masters in Political Science from American Military University, and a Masters in Strategic Public Relations from The George Washington School of Political Management. Her favorite movie is My Cousin Vinny, and she believes the day after the Academy Awards should be a holiday.
Senior Writer
Annie Lipsitz
Annie Lipsitz
Annie Lipsitz is Senior Writer for New Georgia Project. She is responsible for developing written collateral and messaging that amplifies NGP’s work and impact.
Annie grew up in Atlanta and previously lived in Washington, DC where her multifaceted career included a short stint on Capitol Hill, years as a nonprofit fundraiser, and more than a decade as a Leadership Team member and camp counselor with Girls Rock! DC, which she co-founded.
