KeyWay Report

September 26, 2025 | Club Assembly

President Victoria Seals began the meeting by asking Marilyn Jackson, Director of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, to present an update. Marilyn reported that Harriet Tubman’s house in Auburn, NY, was recently designated as the latest national park in the system, joining the Tubman Underground Railroad, also part of the National Park System.

 Eric John mentioned that Carden Wyckoff, twice an AWER speaker and noted UGA alumna, has been sworn in as a member of the Atlanta City Council to fill the unexpired term of Amir Farokhi, now Leader of the Galloway School.

 President Victoria announced that District Governor Steve Ivory will be visiting and speaking at AWER’s meeting at Georgia Tech on October 3. Victoria urged all AWER members to attend. DG Ivory will give an important update on Rotarians’ work in Rotary District 6900, take questions on his goals for the district for RY26, and provide updates on activities both within the district and through Rotary worldwide.

 Other speakers identified for October include former AWER president Mr. Michael Mumper on October 10 to speak about the potential harmful effects of children’s marijuana use due to new regulations, and Mr. Chris Burke, Executive Director of Community Development for Georgia Tech, on October 17. Former AWER member and Georgia state representative Mr. Roger Bruce will also speak.

 President Seals recognized Mr. Rodney Fields and Ms. Jennifer Fields as newly elected members of AWER. She conducted a short ceremony for their official induction into AWER and provided them with Rotary International lapel pins. The induction ceremony emphasized the Rotary theme "Unite for Good" and the founding principles of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.

 She asked Rodney to share why he sought to become a member of Rotary. Rodney introduced himself as a recently retired military leader with 21 years of service who wants to become more involved in the community. He mentioned his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and his new commitment to serving and mentoring young people. When asked by Jared Evans if he’d like to work on Atlanta’s Streets Alive initiative, Rodney said he would enjoy participating.

 Ms. Jennifer Fields introduced herself as a lifelong Atlanta resident who owns a psychiatric clinic. She mentioned her prior experience with Rotaract during her college years at Spelman and her family’s long history of community service in Atlanta. She reflected on serving others while attending Frederick Douglass High School. She’s joining Rotary and AWER to pursue fulfilling projects, emphasizing her desire to create impact through service and to build support structures that generate meaningful accomplishments.

 It was reported that AWER member Robert Stephens has been hospitalized at Emory University Hospital and is now recovering from spine surgery. Prayers were requested for Robert.

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KeyWay Program Reporters: Jared Evans and Neil Shorthouse