We had the good fortune of connecting with Park Cannon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Park, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Success means learning and leading by listening. Our guiding phrase is Better Solutions for a Better Georgia and our logo features eyeglasses. The reason for this phrasing is because we are forward-thinking and looking out for our community. Without recognizing the need for elected leaders who are willing to put on different lenses and view issues from multiple perspectives, our policy making will remain stagnant and be out of focus. The current outlook of Georgia politics is polarized— complete with disparate groups only envisioning their desired outcomes as possibilities. We stand up as a team and are ready to open others’ eyes one issue at a time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
When I was a 24 year old health care worker and heard that police brutality was still going on in my state, I decided to run for office. Fresh on my mind, is the story of a mother who was beaten by police while she was pregnant and now her 17 year old son who was riding his bike was just beaten by police. The truth is, I am a young person committed to bringing better solutions because the status quo has cost us too much. It has cost us, cyclically and at the expense of people we love and admire. I am proud to be in my fourth term as the youngest female legislator in Georgia and the challenges continue to mount. Staying in touch with LGBTQ, aging, millennial, and business leaders takes time, patience, and persistence.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Center For Civil and Human Rights is a must-see so plan for a 3 hour trip.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
General Larry Platt was beaten by KKK when he was 3 years old and is still fighting for justice. He is an Atlanta icon and at times an unsung hero. Monteria Robinson is the mother of Jamarion Robinson. She continues to fight for justice in the unjust killing of her son here in Georgia in 2016. These two individuals fuel my work and I owe much of my understanding to them.

Website: Www.ParkCannon58.com
Instagram: @parkcannon58
Twitter: @cannonfor58
Facebook: @parkfor58

Image Credits
The Watkins Group

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