Shawndra merriweather

Shawndra Merriweather has been advocating for abused, neglected and abandoned youth for almost a decade. She has a passion for children and has enjoyed working with youth in foster care and the juvenile court system.  She has held positions such as Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocacy Coordinator, Juvenile Mediator and Family Consultant since 2012. Since starting Magdalene’s Gate, Shawndra has also volunteered with several organizations that help youth. The most fulfilling volunteer position was assisting homeless youth on the streets of Atlanta. Mentoring homeless and runaway youth while providing hygiene kits and food enlightened Shawndra of the shelter needs for this vulnerable population. She is dedicated to preventing child sex trafficking and educating parents on the dangers our children face.

Kristine jones

Kristine Jones is a licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a Certified Integrative Life Coach. Her personal experiences and love for teenage girls and women has made her successful in being a mentor and mother to several teen girls in her church. Having overcome the issues that cause teenage girls to question their identity and compromise their value, Kristine believes that God has given her an assignment that will be a blessing to young girls all over the world. Having realized her identity in Christ Jesus and the value that God has placed on her, Kristine is posed to change the life of anyone who will dare listen to her.

Melba robinson

Melba Robinson has an extensive history of working for and collaborating with trafficked and commercial sexual exploitation victims throughout Georgia and various other states. Mrs. Robinson founded STRIVE (Surviving Teens Reaching and Implementing Values Everyday). STRIVE engages survivors of human trafficking through an aftercare group which assist women and girls with transitioning back into their families and communities while equipping and empowering them with the ability to set and achieve their life goals.

Melba currently is a Program Director, where she oversees the development of an anti-human trafficking program, connects with partnering agencies to offer more resources for the women, and provides advocacy, and linkages for the girls and women who have survived trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.  Her vision for the girls and women is to provide a safe environment for them where they can be empowered and begin to work on their journey of wholeness.  

Aisha perkins

Aisha Perkins is currently a licensed realtor in Georgia. She is a firm believer that to whom much is given, much is required. Aisha has a strong commitment to helping others. As a young girl growing up in foster care, she faced many adversities and fought to overcome many obstacles. Her determination has allowed her to be co-founder of Athletic Zone, a training sports facility serving youth ages 5-18. Aisha volunteers in her community and her church. She has a passion for helping others create their own legacy.

Brigette Beaton-wright

Brigette J. Beaton has been an attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Atlanta, Georgia since May 2012, where she counsels agencies such as the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management.  Ms. Beaton is a registered mediator with the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution and a Certified Information Privacy Professional with the International Association of Privacy Professionals.  She is a member of the Louisiana State Bar and the United States Supreme Court Bar. Finally, Ms. Beaton is an Advisory Council Member with Puckett’s Mill Elementary and is a frequent volunteer with the Mill Creek Athletic Association.  She has also volunteered with Partnership Against Domestic Violence in Gwinnett County. 

Angela Boy

Angela has a Doctorate in Public Health and is the Program Manager for prevention and education at the Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the implementation of multiple projects related to child abuse and neglect including child sex trafficking, the prevention of child sexual abuse, and mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect. Dr. Boy also sits on several state-level work groups designed to improve the child welfare system in GA including the statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, the Child Fatality Review Project, and the Child Protective Services Advisory Committee. She also works with other community organizations to address training and education needs around adverse childhood experiences. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of family violence and has a special interest in the impacts of family violence on mothers and their children. On a personal note, Angela is a former foster parent and an adoptive mom who continues to work with foster parents to provide training and support in the metro Atlanta area.

Arkia Brooks-Jones

Arkia Brooks-Jones Arkia Brooks-Jones hails from Montgomery, Alabama, and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Alabama State University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health Administration.

Currently, Mrs. Brooks-Jones serves as a Supervisor in Adoption for the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services. Throughout her career, she has held various positions, including Case Manager, Lead Case Manager, Mentor, Specialist Supervisor, and Foster Care and Adoption Supervisor. In her current role, she is dedicated to advocating for and supporting children and families by implementing a range of essential services.

In addition to her professional commitments, Mrs. Brooks-Jones is a devoted mother, wife, and entrepreneur, managing two family businesses. She has extensive experience collaborating with victims of trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSEC) across Georgia, further demonstrating her commitment to social justice and child welfare. With many years of experience in child welfare, adoption, and family preservation, Mrs. Brooks-Jones is a passionate advocate for the well-being of children and families in her community.