On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for State Senate (GA) - District 28
121-D State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Post Office Box 311225
Atlanta, GA 30331
Full Name:
Donzella J. James
Gender:
Female
Family:
Widowed: Elmo; 2 Children: Brian, Kerry (deceased)
Birth Place:
Atlanta, GA
Home City:
Atlanta, GA
Religion:
Catholic
Attended, Business, Georgia State University
Bachelor's, Criminal Justice/Political Science, Morris Brown College
Candidate, Georgia State Senate, District 35, 2022
Senator, Georgia State Senate, District 35, 1994-2002, 2009-Present
Member, Appropriations Committee
Member, Economic Development and Tourism Committee
Member, Education and Youth Committee
Vice Chair, Interstate Cooperation Committee
Member, Special Judiciary Committee
Chair, Urban Affairs Committee
Member, Atlanta Women's Political Caucus
Former Chair, Senate Study Committee on Solid Waste Reduction
Former Vice-Chairman, Special Judiciary Committee, Georgia State Senate
Member, Economic Development & Tourism Committee, Georgia State Senate, 2021-2022
Member, Education and Youth Committee, Georgia State Senate, 2021-2022
Chairperson, Interstate Cooperation Committee, Georgia State Senate, 2021-2022
Member, Special Judiciary Committee, Georgia State Senate, 2021-2022
Member, Economic Development Committee, Georgia State Senate, 2011-2013
Member, State and Local Governmental Operations, Georgia State Senate, 2009-2013
Member, Retirement Committee, Georgia State Senate, 2009-2011
Member, State Institutions & Property Committee, Georgia State Senate, 2009-2011
Executive Board Member/National Assistant Secretary, National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL), 1997-2002
No professional experience on file.
Board Member, Atlanta Technology Institute, present
Board Member, Georgia Soccer Association, present
Member, Get Your Hands Green, present
Co-chair, Keep South Fulton Beautiful, present
Member, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women, present
Member, National Political Congress of Black Women, present
Board Member, Sonje Yo, Incorporated, present
Board Member, Tapestry Ministry, present
Former Board Member, Advisory Committee, Atlanta Job Corporation
Former Member, Advisory Council, Benjamin E. Mays High School
Member, African Women Leadership Organization Executive Advisory Board
Member, Douglas County Delegation
Former Chair, Education Committee of the Tri-Cities Cluster of the Atlanta Project
Member, Fulton County Delegation
Member, Georgia Legislative Black Caucus
Member, Georgia Women's Caucus
Member, Georgia Working Families Caucus
Member, International Women's Think Tank Executive Advisory Board
Former Member, National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees
Member, National Organization of the Black Elected Leaders
Former Chair/Co-Founder, Task Force for Good Government
Editor/Assistant Secretary, Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO), 1994-2002
Member, South Fulton's Vision, 2002
Fleming Fellow, National Center for Policy Alternatives, 1994
Awards:
Friends of Nigeria Award, 2014; Freedom Fighter Award, Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials, 2014; Rising in Community Excellence Award, 2013; Legislator of the Year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2013; JFK Profiles in Courage Honorable Mention Award, 2000; Freshman of the Year Legislator Award, 1994; Legislator of the Year, 1997, 2000; Eleanor Roosevelt Fellowship, National Center for Policy Alternatives, 1999
Favorite Athlete:
Atlanta Braves
Favorite Book:
Faith of a Mustard
Favorite Movie:
Baobab Flowers
Favorite Musician:
Reggie Ward
Favorite TV Shows:
So You Think You Can Dance
Names of Grandchildren:
Kerri, Ryan, Bryce
Number of Grandchildren:
3 Grandchildren
Priority Issues:
Family comes first.
Integrity matters.
Justice should prevail.
Service above self.
Honesty is a given.
Humility is a gift.
Bipartisanship is a must.