On November 21, 2023, the Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council (DMYC) met at City Hall for its regular meeting. Jr. Commissioners Zynia Hunt and Jordan Cleveland were recognized as the Outstanding Jr. Commissioners. Dinitra Williams was recognized as the Outstanding Community Leader for the month of November. Alfalene Walker, the American Legion Post 515 Historian and local Adoption Awareness Advocate Kaitlyn Tanner were the special speakers for the November meeting.
The monthly Youth Council Spotlight featured two Jr. Commissioners, Zynia Hunt and Jordan Cleveland, for the month of November. Jr. Commissioner Zynia Hunt is the daughter of Melody Henderson and Joseph Hunt. She attends Coffee High School and plays the clarinet in the CHS Honor Band. Zynia is also a member of the National Honor Society. She attends Perpetual Praise and Worship Ministries and is very active in her church. Jr. Commissioner Jordan Cleveland is the daughter of Jinnie and Delane Cleveland. She attends First Academy and is in the 11th grade. Jordan serves as Student Council parliamentarian and is an honor roll student with a 4.0 GPA. She also participates in the dual enrollment program.
Zynia and Jordan chose Dinitra Williams for the Youth Council’s Outstanding Community Member for the month of November. Dinitra is the daughter of Willis (Rush) Williams and the late Shirley W. Porter. She is the proud mother of CJ, Aaliyah, and has three grandchildren. She is a member of Empowerment Center International Ministries and is an administrator there. After serving 20 years with Telamon Corporation, Dinitra entered into youth service by becoming the Youth Council and Teen Court Coordinator with the City of Douglas. Additionally she serves on the Keep America Beautiful Committee (President), Land Bank Authority (Vice-Chair), and Historic Preservation Commission. Dinitra feels that serving her community is a blessing.
The special speakers for the month of November were American Legion Post 515 Historian, Alfalene Walker and local Adoption Awareness Advocate, Kaitlyn Tanner. Ms. Alfalene Walker is the Historian of the American Legion Post 515 and spoke to the group about the benefits of entering military service which can include obtaining a college degree and fulfilling public service needs. Kaitlyn Tanner is a CCA student who is an advocate for adoption. Being an adopted child, Kaitlyn is passionate about her platform on adoption and how adoption builds families. She has created a platform to spread adoption awareness and has helped raise thousands of dollars for Adoption Awareness.
The next Mayor’s Youth Council will be held on January 16, 2024, at 6 pm at City Hall in the Commission Chambers. The public is invited to attend Youth Council meetings. For more details on the Youth Council or Teen Court program, please contact Dinitra Williams, Douglas Mayor’s Youth Council & Teen Court Coordinator, at (912) 331-9398 or call the City Clerk’s office at (912) 389-3405.