In The News
Stay updated on all of the current news and accomplishments of the MRLA and its professionals.
December 2021
12.1.21
Hondo Handy’s Podcast shares the journey of Dr. Samose Mays, Director of Parks & Recreation
Residence Inn by Marriott presents the 82nd Episode of the Hondo Handy’s Podcast. The podcast shares the journey of Dr. Samose Mays, Director of Parks and Recreation at Byran County, in Richmond Hill, Georgia. A former two time college drop out and homeless student now has three degrees. He has been a Keynote Speaker throughout nation, as well as an Adjunct Professor at Georgia Southern University. He is also the MRLA Founder, the Minority Recreation Leadership Academy to help minorities to rise in their career in parks and recreation and learn how to be leaders and how to make a difference.
11.28.21
Leadership Bryan Class of 2022
Dr. Samose L. Mays
Founded in 2002, by the Richmond Hill Bryan County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Bryan is designed to bring together a diverse group of potential leaders and provide a forum for a shared viewpoint on the needs of Bryan County. Our mission is to develop a new generation of leadership to enhance the future of Bryan County. Leadership Bryan is an every-other-year program.
7.27.21
We would like to congratulate MRLA steering committee member Amber Porter for successfully passing the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam.
The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession.
7.15.21
Special Thanks and Congratulations are in order to Mrs. Lakeidra Lee as she transitions into her new role at The Teal House as Forensic Interviewer and Family Advocate. In this role, Lakeidra will be working very close with the Law Enforcement and Department of Family and Children Services in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit in addition to providing additional support to the victims of violent crimes.
4.16.21
Doctoral Mom Incorporated is excited to announce that the Dorothy M. Thomas Scholarship is now open!
To qualify, the student must be a mother enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a doctorate degree. This scholarship is funded by Dissertation by Design and the recipient will be awarded $2,000 and coaching services.
Deadline: 04/28/21
Application Link: www.doctoralmom.com/scholarships
Doctoral Mom Incorporated is a nonprofit that supports mothers in doctorate programs.
4.1.21
Shaunte’ Hardy serves as the Summer Camp Assistant Director for Bryan County Recreation in Richmond Hill, Georgia. She has been with the organization since July 2018, where she started at an Athletic Coordinator. She is also the Director of the Special Needs Basketball Camp.
Shaunte’ is the Project Manager for the Minority Recreational Leadership Academy and the Editor for the “Minorities in Parks & Rec” Newsletter. In March 2020, COVID-19 affected everyone’s lives across the world.
There were massive shutdowns of organizations in the United States. For Shaunte’ this happened at the beginning phases of the summer camp registration. Shaunte’ immediately began working on new protocols and procedures that would be implemented into their Summer Camp program.
The process took her many months and a lot of research. Shaunte’ believed that other recreation departments were having the same obstacles and knew they may benefit from a condensed version of her research.
In 2021, Shaunte’ began presenting her ‘Summer Camping in a Pandemic’ to recreation departments across the country. The response for the information and the request for her protocols and research were overwhelming. She has presented the information in conferences as far away as California and in the coming months, she will be conducting educational sessions in Georgia, North Carolina and New York.
In addition to ‘Summer Camping in a Pandemic’, she also has sessions on ‘Child Abuse Detection and Prevention’ and ‘Empowering Seasonal Workers to be Leaders’.
4.1.21
Leadership Spotlight - Henry W. Smith, MD
Dr. Smith is a graduate of Morehouse College and the Harvard Medical School. Outstanding clinic training and faculty experiences at Emory University combined with greater than 25 years of practice experience result in an emphasis on patient-centered care and excellent clinical outcomes.
As a past Chairman of the Cone Health Board of Trustees, Dr. Smith is dedicated to the institutional goal of top tier health care delivery.
Areas of Interest
Areas of interest include invasive and interventional management of acute coronary syndrome.
Education
Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Professional Memberships
Member of the American Heart Association
Fellow, American College of Cardiology
Board Certifications
Cardiovascular Diseases
Interventional Cardiology
3.24.21
A new episode of Open Space Radio is out now! On this episode, we're joined by Dr. Samose Mays, CPRP, CYSA, AFO, the director of Bryan County Parks and Recreation and Georgia Recreation and Park Association district two commissioner, to discuss his journey of going from experiencing homelessness to becoming the director of a park and recreation agency and a leader in his community, as well as how he is leading efforts to increase diverse representation within the park and recreation profession.
