Leadership
The Family Literacy of Georgia team is dedicated to our mission, vision, and values.
Nailah Cozart
Executive Director
Nailah Cozart is a California native who found her way to Georgia after an early career in Silicon Valley. For 15 years, she worked in Human Resources Technology with industry leaders including Yahoo, Inc., Sun Microsystems, and Google, where she specialized in business operations, systems, and people-centered strategy. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Information Systems from Hampton University.
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After stepping away from corporate life, Nailah devoted a decade to being a full-time mom while investing deeply in community development. She focused on strengthening economically challenged communities through strategic partnerships and programming with organizations such as the City of McDonough, Georgia Conservancy, Atlanta Regional Commission, and Building a Better Blacksville. Whether working alongside civic leaders or neighborhood residents, her passion has always been the same: helping communities thrive.
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In November 2024, Nailah joined Family Literacy of Georgia as an Event Planner, launching Parent Engagement Workshops in Spring 2025. What began as a role quickly became much more. As she implemented workshop strategies in her own home with her five-year-old son, she witnessed transformation in his attitude towards reading - by the winter of his kindergarten year, he was reading at a second-grade level. That experience ignited her commitment to expanding literacy access for families across Georgia.
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Now serving as Executive Director, Nailah is focused on scaling Parent Engagement Workshops and expanding the footprint of Little Free Library® book-sharing stations statewide. Her belief is simple yet powerful: when parents of children ages 0 - 8 are equipped with practical, easy-to-use literacy tools -- and when neighborhoods are saturated with accessible, culturally relevant books -- children develop strong reading habits that fuel lifelong academic achievement, economic opportunity, and healthier communities.
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For Nailah, faith, family, and community are the values she cherishes most. She and her husband, Scott, share a large, blended family filled with learning and love. Together, they proudly represent the “Family” in Family Literacy of Georgia -- committed to living, learning, and growing well together.
Patricia G. Sebo-Hand
Chair, Board of Directors
Pat Sebo-Hand is a 48-year resident of Clayton County, Georgia. She served on the Jonesboro City Council for thirteen years before resigning to run for Mayor. Mrs. Sebo-Hand was a 20-year employee of Clayton County Public Schools retiring in 2018. Before her employment with the Clayton County Public School System, Mrs. Sebo-Hand was co-owner of Photos by Sebo photography studio in Jonesboro.
During her tenure as Councilwoman, Mrs. Sebo-Hand achieved several distinctions and accolades including a Certificate of Achievement from the Georgia Municipal Association. Sebo-Hand is also a 2012 Graduate of the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Clayton Program and recently completed the Robert E. Knox, Jr. Municipal Leadership Institute course.
In 2020 she was awarded the City Service Award for her Commitment, Service and Dedication to the City of Jonesboro. Mrs. Sebo-Hand has served on numerous organizations and boards throughout Clayton County. They include: American Cancer Society (Clayton Unit), Clayton Developmental Center, Business and Professional Committee through the Foundation Board at Southern Regional Hospital as well as Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of Trinity United Church of Christ. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Good Shepherd Clinic and is the Chairwoman of the Family Literacy of Georgia Board.
Among her many duties and responsibilities as a Councilwoman. Sebo-Hand is also the Manager of the Jonesboro Farmers Market. Mrs. Sebo-Hand was selected by her fellow Council members numerous times in the past 12 years to serve as Mayor Pro-Tempore.
Shavawn P. Simmons
Founder, Board of Directors
Shavawn P. Simmons is the Founder of Family Literacy of Georgia, Inc.. Simmons founded Family Literacy of Georgia with the desire to increase enthusiasm for reading within communities lacking easy access to books and book diversity. An avid reader, writer, and artist, Simmons is a retired 30-year public school educator. A native of Miami, (Opa-Locka) Florida, Simmons currently directs Family Literacy of Georgia from metro Atlanta in Clayton County, Georgia.
Formerly a Literacy Coach and Assistant Principal, Simmons continues her servant leadership by utilizing her corporate experiences to benefit the community. Ms. Simmons obtained her Bachelor's degree from Fisk University in Business Management and completed her Masters in Advertising at Northwestern’s School of Medill in Evanston, IL. She also holds an Educational Specialist degree from Mercer University with an Education Leadership certification from Florida Atlantic University.
Fueled by her passion for literacy and advocacy for adolescent youth, Simmons strives to help families create safe spaces for children to embrace their differences while promoting life-long reading experiences through Family Literacy of Georgia. Family Literacy of Georgia’s partnership with Little Free Library’s Read in Color initiative has helped to provide communities throughout the state of Georgia with accessibility to free diverse books.
Rev. Dr. Steve Parker
Treasurer, Board of Directors
The Reverend Doctor Steve Parker is a native of Chicago, Illinois and currently lives in Ellenwood, Georgia with his wife Keisha. He matriculated at Hampton University, where he earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and Virginia Union University, where he earned the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees.
For more than two decades, Dr. Parker has commended his leadership gifts to organizations in the Church and corporate spheres. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of The First Bank’s Jonesboro branch.
Dr. Parker is actively engaged in service to his community. He is a member of Family Literacy of Georgia’s Board of Directors (Treasurer), Clayton County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, Clayton State University’s College of Business Advisory Board, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
In his spare time, Dr. Parker enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family.
Roger Radcliffe
Board of Directors
Mr. Radcliffe was born and raised in Detroit MI, a standout athlete in high school receiving local honors in three sports. He comes to Morrow, GA regularly to conduct business and visit family. He joins the other esteemed members of the Family Literacy of Georgia Board to enrich and enhance the families in providing books to their neighborhoods, especially children. Radcliffe wants children to see the value of reading by gaining knowledge of themselves and others.
“Roger” (as he prefers to be called) graduated from Fisk University in Nashville TN with a B.A. in Political Science/Public Administration. During his time at Fisk, he was active in many activities including Special Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs; Chapter President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. A radio host on the campus radio station/announcer for Fisk University football; Roger represented all sororities on campus and hosted several nationally known musicians on stage during concerts. He was a charter member and founding member of the initial Optimist Club of Nashville, TN.
Mr. Radcliffe is a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving two tours in Europe and in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm as a Military Policeman both enlisted and as an officer. His duties included Company Commander; Commander of an Enemy Prisoner of War Enclosure and; Director of Security for the largest Army ammunition storage site in Europe. He also retired with honors from the Michigan State Police including receiving two lifesaving awards.
After retirement, Mr. Radcliffe served the communities of Dayton, OH, and Detroit, MI as Operations Manager and Senior Location Manager for student transportation. Presently while serving as a Board Member for Family Literacy of Georgia, he continues to serve the Jewish community by providing security services to the local synagogue.
Mr. Radcliffe is looking forward to moving to Morrow/Clayton County to better work and serve the community through Family Literacy of Georgia.
Judy Dennis
Secretary, Board of Directors
Judy Dennis is a retired educator with 32 years of teaching and learning experience in Broward and Palm Beach County Schools. Judy has taught all grade levels K-12 in the content subject areas of Choral Music, Reading, and Language Arts. Judy currently works as a NAMI HELPLINE SPECIALIST. Through her affiliation with NAMI, she advocates reducing the stigma of people experiencing mental health issues. She is trained in the NAMI Family-to-Family support group.
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Judy Dennis brings to Family Literacy of Georgia a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion that supports their mission of strengthening communities of color by increasing access to quality books and literacy resources.
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