Kristine Jones- Board Member

Shawndra Merriweather

Shawndra Merriweather has been a dedicated advocate for abused, neglected, and abandoned youth for nearly a decade. Her passion for children has driven her work with youth in foster care and the juvenile court system, where she has served in various roles including Guardian ad Litem, Child Advocacy Coordinator, Juvenile Mediator, and Family Consultant since 2012. Since founding Magdalene's Gate, Shawndra has expanded her advocacy by volunteering with several organizations that serve at-risk youth. Her most transformative volunteer experience involved working directly with homeless youth on the streets of Atlanta, where she provided mentoring, hygiene kits, and food assistance. This hands-on experience deepened her understanding of the critical shelter needs facing this vulnerable population and reinforced her commitment to creating safe spaces for those seeking help. Shawndra is passionately dedicated to preventing child sex trafficking and empowering parents with education about the dangers their children may face in today's world.

Melba Robinson

Here's a respectful tribute paragraph honoring Melba Robinson's legacy:

We honor the memory of Melba Robinson, who will forever remain an honorary board member of Magdalene's Gate in recognition of her unwavering support of our mission and her extraordinary dedication to survivors of human trafficking. Throughout her life, Mrs. Robinson demonstrated an extensive commitment to working with and advocating for trafficked and commercial sexual exploitation victims across Georgia and beyond. As the founder of STRIVE (Surviving Teens Reaching and Implementing Values Everyday), she created a vital aftercare program that engaged survivors through supportive groups, helping women and girls transition back into their families and communities while empowering them to set and achieve their life goals. In her role as Program Director, Melba tirelessly oversaw anti-human trafficking program development, forged partnerships with agencies to expand resources, and provided essential advocacy and support for survivors. Her vision of creating safe environments where survivors could be empowered and begin their journey toward wholeness continues to inspire our work today. Melba's legacy of compassion, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to justice will forever be woven into the fabric of our organization and the lives she touched.

Aisha Perkins

Aisha Perkins is currently a licensed realtor in Georgia. She is a firm believer that to whom much is given, much is required. Aisha has a strong commitment to helping others. As a young girl growing up in foster care, she faced many adversities and fought to overcome many obstacles. Her determination has allowed her to be co-founder of Athletic Zone, a training sports facility serving youth ages 5-18. Aisha volunteers in her community and her church. She has a passion for helping others create their own legacy.

Brigette Beaton-Wright

Brigette J. Beaton has been an attorney with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, Atlanta, Georgia since May 2012, where she counsels agencies such as the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Land Management.  Ms. Beaton is a registered mediator with the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution and a Certified Information Privacy Professional with the International Association of Privacy Professionals.  She is a member of the Louisiana State Bar and the United States Supreme Court Bar. Finally, Ms. Beaton is an Advisory Council Member with Puckett’s Mill Elementary and is a frequent volunteer with the Mill Creek Athletic Association.  She has also volunteered with Partnership Against Domestic Violence in Gwinnett County. 

Angela Boy

Angela has a Doctorate in Public Health and is the Program Manager for prevention and education at the Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the implementation of multiple projects related to child abuse and neglect including child sex trafficking, the prevention of child sexual abuse, and mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect. Dr. Boy also sits on several state-level work groups designed to improve the child welfare system in GA including the statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, the Child Fatality Review Project, and the Child Protective Services Advisory Committee. She also works with other community organizations to address training and education needs around adverse childhood experiences. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of family violence and has a special interest in the impacts of family violence on mothers and their children. On a personal note, Angela is a former foster parent and an adoptive mom who continues to work with foster parents to provide training and support in the metro Atlanta area.

Arkia Brooks-Jones

Arkia Brooks-Jones Arkia Brooks-Jones hails from Montgomery, Alabama, and holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Alabama State University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health Administration.

Currently, Mrs. Brooks-Jones serves as a Supervisor in Adoption for the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services. Throughout her career, she has held various positions, including Case Manager, Lead Case Manager, Mentor, Specialist Supervisor, and Foster Care and Adoption Supervisor. In her current role, she is dedicated to advocating for and supporting children and families by implementing a range of essential services.

In addition to her professional commitments, Mrs. Brooks-Jones is a devoted mother, wife, and entrepreneur, managing two family businesses. She has extensive experience collaborating with victims of trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSEC) across Georgia, further demonstrating her commitment to social justice and child welfare. With many years of experience in child welfare, adoption, and family preservation, Mrs. Brooks-Jones is a passionate advocate for the well-being of children and families in her community.

Honorary Board Member- Melba Robinson

Aisha Perkins- Board Member

Board Member- Brigette Beaton-Wright