Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens (BGCA) recently announced that the Board of Directors has unanimously named Dr. Shawonna S. Coleman as the next Chief Executive Officer. BGCA conducted its search process with the assistance of Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s CEO Search Team.

Shawonna brings over 14 years of experience in educational leadership, nonprofit management, and advocacy for youth success to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens.  Throughout her career, Dr. Coleman has passionately worked to enhance opportunities, fostering success and increasing accessibility for youth.  She has made significant contributions in both school and nonprofit sectors.  

Shawonna previously served as Director of Educational Foundations at Boys & Girls Clubs of America where she impacted over 210,000 K-12 youth through innovative programs.  Her commitment to educational equity and resource access is evident in her work with Ampact as Executive Director of Georgia Reading Corps & Math Corps, where she secured significant funding to expand AmeriCorps tutorial services across 14 school districts in Georgia. 

Recognized as a Georgia Trend Magazine “Top 40 Under 40” 2024 honoree, Shawonna reaffirmed her commitment to advocating tirelessly for youth across the state of Georgia.  In addition, she is a licensed PK-12 educator and administrator. Dr. Coleman earned a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Jackson State University, a Master of Arts from Belhaven University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Clark Atlanta University.

For Shawonna, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens opportunity is an honor:

“I am incredibly excited to join the Boys & Girls Clubs of Athens. This organization has a profound impact on the community, and I am honored to be part of a team dedicated to empowering youth and fostering their growth. Together, we will create opportunities, address challenges, and ensure that every child has the resources and support they need to thrive. I look forward to working with our dedicated staff, board members, and community partners to build a brighter future for our youth!”

Outside of her professional pursuits, Shawonna enjoys mentoring, exploring new ideas, and spending time with family and friends.  In her free time, you can find her browsing the shelves at Barnes & Noble, crafting, cheering on her JSU Tigers, preparing new dishes, and exploring new countries. She is also a former Club Kid of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Mississippi (Canton, MS) where she attended during summer visits with her family, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a proud native of Jackson, MS. 

As CEO, Shawonna’s responsibilities include leading the organization’s strategic direction, oversight of organizational operations, financials, programming, brand reputation, talent recruitment, resource development, and stakeholder relationships. The CEO also serves as the organization’s primary ambassador and lead communicator.  Shawonna, in partnership with her  team, will oversee the organization’s clubs. The CEO reports to BGCA’s Board Chair.