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Meet the Inaugural UNUM Fellows: Cohort I

UNUM Fellows’ first cohort includes a diverse set of Southern elected leaders, from rural mayors to suburban school board members to county commissioners and big-city mayors. This select group will embark on a year-long journey to address inequitable and discriminatory policies and practices within their communities. Uniquely positioned to redesign broken systems, they begin this signature program amidst a renewed national movement towards racial and economic justice.

Wardine Alexander

Wardine T. Alexander

City Councilor, Council President Pro Tempore, Birmingham, AL

Learn more about Wardine

Willie Brook, Jr.

Willie F. Brooks, Jr.

Register of Deeds, Shelby County, TN

Learn more about Willie

Katie Cristol

Katie Cristol

Chief Executive Officer of Tysons Community Alliance, Arlington County, VA

Learn more about Katie

Byron Gipson

Byron Gipson

Solicitor of the Fifth Circuit, Richland and Kershaw Counties, SC

Learn more about Byron

Reid Goldstein

Reid Goldstein

Arlington County, VA

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Dorothy Heffron

Dorothy L. Heffron

School Board Member and Vice-Chair, Chesterfield County School Board, Chesterfield County, VA

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Keith James

Keith James

Mayor, West Palm Beach, FL

Learn more about Keith

Brian E. Rowland

Brian E. Rowland

Consultant and Business Strategist, Prairie View, TX
Learn more about Brian

Jennifer Vidrine

Jennifer Vidrine

Ville Platte, LA
Learn more about Jennifer

Virgil Watkins, Jr.

Virgil Watkins, Jr.

County Commissioner, Macon-Bibb County Board of Commission, Macon-Bibb County, GA
Learn more about Virgil