MEET THE TEAM

Panya Dixon

Executive Director, Member Relations

Panya began leaving her mark on the world in Chattanooga, TN. Wife and mother of three, Panya and her family currently live in a suburb just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Panya embodies the word EMPOWERMENT! In her every move, she projects positivity. The self-described ‘Ambitious Winning Woman’ and certified professional life coach, she offers thoughtful, sincere, and honest words that help nurture and develop the strengths of those around her. Panya helps strengthen confidence, allowing you to take control and regain power over those obstacles that sometimes make us feel powerless.

She is a domestic violence survivor with a testimony that she hopes will inspire others. She is a Certified Direct Service Provider for the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.  Panya is an advocate and speaker educating our community about domestic violence.  The aspiring author will publish her first book in late 2017.

Janine Lattimore

Chief Editor

Janine Lattimore originally hails from Bronx, New York City and after living in Columbus, Ohio for a number of years, migrated to the Atlanta, Georgia area in 1985. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Words are her passion, and in between raising her son, and her work as an administrative legal assistant for a large corporate law firm, Janine is a connoisseur of words – creative writing, editing and proofreading. Her love of all things “wordy” began at an early age, cultivated by supportive family members and teachers. As a result of her work as editor and writer of Classy Living Society’s digital publication, The Classy Chronicles, Janine was presented with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2016 from President Barack Obama. Janine is also a skillful baker – her red velvet layer cake has garnered rave reviews.

She believes that the key to enjoying a blessed and enriched life is in the giving of self and gratefulness for the present. Socializing and entertaining, spending time with family and friends, cooking, shopping and reading books by her preferred authors are a few of her favorite things.

Tarrah D. Gales - Founding Sister

Advisory Committee

Born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Tarrah Gales considers herself a Georgia Peach! Tarrah has over 17 years transactional legal experience working for Fortune 100 & 500 companies and large law firms. She currently works for a publicly-traded company in its Corporate & Securities Practice where she manages corporate governance and compliance with the Company’s insider trading policy.

Inspired by her spirited 93-year old grandfather who instilled in her the values of “service and giving back” when Tarrah was a child; she has continually worked alongside various organizations and charities promoting civic engagement and volunteerism. In her spare time, Tarrah is a lover of books, enjoys vintage & consignment shopping, delights in honing her culinary skills, and appreciates a day at the spa!

Tarrah holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University in Washington, DC and a master’s degree in public administration from Strayer University in Atlanta.

ShaRhonda Elizabeth Simmons - Founding Sister

Born in Harlem, New York and raised in Pikeville, Kentucky, ShaRhonda relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in the 1990’s and began a 20 year career in the customer service industry enjoying varied careers: flight attendant, bartender and beauty consultant. As a flight attendant, fifteen of those years were spent, at thirty thousand feet in the air working for domestic and international airlines. ShaRhonda is proud of her tenure “in the air” and boasts providing passengers with outstanding customer service and having the opportunity to serve our troops as they were being transported around the world to protect and serve our country as some of the most fulfilling moments of that experience.

As a “fashionista” and beauty maven, the woman behind the M.A.C. brush #42 enjoys helping all women discover their outer beauty and look their best by showing them how to accentuate their unique beauty in selecting makeup and clothing choices that compliment their complexions and womanly curves, thus boosting their confidence which allows all women to stand in the fullness of who they are and express their real beauty – what lies in their hearts. ShaRhonda is not only flawless in her personal style, but also in her soul and feels bringing jovial smiles to others is her true passion.

Having traveled the world as a flight attendant, ShaRhonda now stays close to home spending quiet time with two beautiful twin boys, perfecting her new found passion for cooking, watching movies and her favorite show Scandal; yes – she is a Gladiator!

Crystal Danzey

Events Manager

Crystal Danzey, born in Newark New Jersey but was raised in Dothan, Alabama.  Being from a loving family she learned at an early age how important it was to give back.  After relocating to Atlanta in 2003, she began to fulfill her desire and interests in the community by volunteering. In 2011 she joined a non-profit organization called CRE8IVENSIGHTS, a non-profit organization aimed at educating the African American community on HIV/AIDS awareness, thru literary arts and performances. Crystal became involved behind the scenes eventually working her way to the stage. Her debut was in the production play Positively Infected playing the role of DR. Anevey. Her latest debut was on stage in 2013 starring in 3 roles in the stage play Beyond Betrayal. Crystal traveled up and down the East Coast along with the rest of the cast performing at churches, theaters and one special performance in New York City. Volunteering is a passion.