--- title: SR 511. Willis, Michelle Taylor; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr511 cite_as: SR 511, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr511 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr511.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr511/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71883 date: 2025-04-02 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr510.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr512.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr511.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 511 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-04-02 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Donzella James text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR511/2025 upstream_id: 2017588 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - commendation resolution - South Fulton County - Georgia Senate honors - media and publishing --- # SR 511. Willis, Michelle Taylor; recognize ## Text 25 LC 112 3593 Senate Resolution 511 By: Senator James of the 28th A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Michelle Taylor Willis; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Michelle Taylor Willis is a distinguished graduate of the University of Florida2 and a dynamic trailblazer who has earned accolades as a media executive, author, speaker,3 actress, and strategic advisor; and4 WHEREAS, as Founder and CEO of Gagnant Media and Publisher of SoFu Lifestyle5 Magazine—a three-time Publication of the Year recipient—she has amplifi ed community6 voices and advanced storytelling throughout metro Atlanta; and7 WHEREAS, Michelle Taylor Willis has become a respected voice on national platforms,8 sharing her insight as a speaker, panelist, and moderator for o rganizations such as the9 National Urban League, Blacks in Tech, National Bar Association, and United Way; and10 WHEREAS, she has additionally championed positive parenting thr ough her nationally11 recognized book, Raising Significance: A Guide to Well-Rounded, Independent, and12 Confident Kids, which was featured on The Tamron Hall Show; and13 S. R. 511 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3593 WHEREAS, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Michelle Taylor Willis14 coined and trademarked the term SoFu® to unite and elevate the eight cities of South Fulton15 County; and16 WHEREAS, her commitment to the community is further reflected i n her leadership on17 several boards, including service as Vice Chair of the Atlanta-Fulton Library Foundation and18 past officer roles with the Morris Brown College Foundation, United Way Advisory Board19 South Fulton, and Théâtre du Rêve; and20 WHEREAS, her leadership and innovation have earned her widespre ad recognition,21 including honors as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in At lanta, Top 25 Most22 Extraordinary Atlantans, and frequent placements on Georgia's Top 100 lists; and23 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this remarkab le individual be24 appropriately honored during this special time.25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body26 recognize and commend Michelle Taylor Willis for her entrepreneurial vision, community27 advocacy, and exemplary career contributions as well as extend best wishes for continued28 success.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed30 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Michelle Taylor31 Willis.32 S. R. 511 - 2 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution formally recognizes and commends Michelle Taylor Willis, a metro Atlanta media executive and author, for her career and community work. ### Plain-language summary This is a commendatory resolution from the Georgia Senate, a type of measure that honors a specific individual rather than changing any law. It recognizes Michelle Taylor Willis, a media executive, author, speaker, and strategic advisor based in metro Atlanta, for her professional achievements and community involvement. The resolution details her career, including founding Gagnant Media and publishing SoFu Lifestyle Magazine, her book on parenting, her leadership on several nonprofit and civic boards, and various honors she has received. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Willis. The resolution has no regulatory or funding effect; it is purely a formal statement of recognition. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends Michelle Taylor Willis for her career as a media executive, author, and community advocate. - States the Senate's best wishes for her continued success. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for distribution to Willis. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement, as is typical for a commendatory resolution. ### Who it affects This resolution directly names and honors Michelle Taylor Willis. It does not impose obligations on the public, businesses, or government agencies beyond directing the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to her. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal or practical effect on Georgians generally; it is a ceremonial gesture by the Georgia Senate to publicly acknowledge one individual's professional and community contributions in the South Fulton and metro Atlanta area. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Willis's career, including founding Gagnant Media and publishing SoFu Lifestyle Magazine. - The resolution notes her book, Raising Significance, and her national speaking engagements with groups like the National Urban League. - The resolved clause formally commends her for entrepreneurial vision, community advocacy, and career contributions. - The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Willis. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-04-02) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-04-02) - Sponsors: Donzella James - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71883 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr511.md?full=1