Councilmember Joyce Sheperd serves "Real People, With Real Problems, Getting Real Results" and as your personal connection to government and a voice for the residents in District 12. As a long time resident in District 12, she has a vested interest in keeping your community safe, clean and moving forward because your community is her community.
Born in Valley, Alabama, Sheperd’s parents moved the family to Atlanta in 1961 in search of a better life, more opportunity and a brighter future. Sheperd attended E.C. Clement Elementary School, Central Jr. High School and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1970.
After graduation, Sheperd took a job at Zales, where she had her first taste of civil participation by protesting the company’s discriminatory practices.
“It was after my experience with Zales that I began to realize I wanted more in life than to just have a job and make a living,” said Sheperd.
In 1972, Sheperd entered the Atlanta Concentrated Employment Program and received employment with Southern Bell as an office clerk. During the late 1970s, AT&T sought women for employment in non-traditional careers, and Sheperd was promoted as a Service/ PBX Technician.
“I found the communications industry very challenging as a black woman in a non-traditional field. It gave me an appreciation for diversity and demonstrated that with determination one can achieve under difficult circumstances,” Sheperd said.
While the experience with Zales pushed Sheperd to speak out against injustice, Sheperd answered the civil call of action when she relocated to District 12 in 1978. Sheperd purchased her home on Metropolitan Parkway (formerly Stewart Avenue) with her daughter Maisha, and immediately became involved with the Atlanta Public School System and the PTA. She also noticed the ills that plagued her neighborhood and vowed to do whatever she could to bring about change in her own community.
“There was prostitution, drug solicitation, adult entertainment clubs, blight and deterioration all around me. I was determined to create a better surrounding for my family and the community,” said Sheperd.
Sheperd became affiliated with local officials and immersed herself in community organizations. Since then, she’s been instrumental in inciting change in District 12 through grass root leadership efforts and community involvement.
In 2004, community residents solicited Sheperd to fill the seat left vacant in District 12. Sheperd was then elected to the City of Atlanta as a Councilmember for District 12.
Sheperd continues to serve District 12 and push for effective change and empowerment in her community. Her seat on the city council is an extension of her community work which includes participating in the Neighborhood Planning Unit X, the Atlanta Community Advisory Board, Keep Atlanta Beautiful, Co-Founder of the City of Atlanta Neighborhood Deputies Program, the Community Alliance of Metropolitan Parkway CDC, and the Advisory Commission to Commemorate departed Mayors Maynard Jackson and Ivan Allen.
Councilmember Sheperd’s accomplishments include
- Past Chair of Keep Atlanta Beautiful
- Past Chair of Community Alliance of Metropolitan Parkway
- Past Chair of NPU X
- Past Vice Chair of Atlanta Planning Advisory Board
- Past Coordinator For Atlanta Planning Advisory Board Leadership Institute
- Past PTSA President of Capital View Elementary School
- Past Vice President of North Atlanta High School 1992
- A Member of the Capital View Community Garden Club
- The acting Chair of the Neighborhood Youth Coalition (2004)
- Vice Chair of the Community Alliance of Metropolitan Parkway (2004)
- A 31 Year Member of the Communication Workers of America Local 3204
- A 31 Year Telecommunications Employee
She has received numerous awards for her hard work in and dedication to the community including
- Recipient of the Common Cause Public Service Achievement Award 1999
- Recipient of the Author Langford, Jr. Memorial Community Service Award 1998
- Recipient of the Bellsouth Outstanding Community Volunteer Award 1998
- Recipient of the 1996 John C. Birdine Guiding Light for Community Volunteerism Award
- Recipient of the 1998 John C. Birdine Distinguished Leadership Award
- Recipient of the 1992 Atlanta City Council President Community Service Award
- Recipient of the U.S Congressional Golden Apple Award 1992
- Recipient of the 1996 APAB Together Atlanta Neighborhood Achievement Award
- Recipient of the 2000 City of Atlanta Neighborhood Deputies Program Achievement Award
- Recipient of the University of Georgia – J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership certificate of participation in the Atlanta Planning Advisory Board Leadership Institute
- Recipient of the 2000 Atlanta Planning Advisory Board Leadership Institute Certificate of completion for Course of instruction
- Recipient of the 2003 Neighborhood Investment Training Institute Certificate of completion for Principles of Community Building
- Recipient of the 2003 Neighborhood Reinvestment Training Institute Certificate of Grassroots Leadership Development
- 2007 Neighborhood Deputy Program Loyal Supporter Award
- National League of City Leadership Training Bronze and Silver Recipient
- Newly Appointed Board Member of National League of City Women in Municipal Government
- National League of City Member of Central Cities Steering Committee
- Georgia Municipal Association Member
- Georgia Association Black Elected Official Member - Treasurer
- Atlanta Regional Commission Regional Leadership Institute Graduate - 2007