MEET LAWANNA
Listening, Leading and Delivering for Our Community
City Councilwoman Lawanna Owens-Twaites, Ed.D.
Sworn in: January, 2021
Professional Experience: Recently retired Fulton County Schools Educator, University
Supervisor
Education: Doctorate, Administration & Educational Leadership
I am a New York native, born in the Bronx and I am blessed to be married to Craig R. Twaites. I have two amazing daughters and two bonus sons, all of whom are adults. Additionally, I have served as a Foster Parent and have been recognized as Foster Parent of the Year by Georgia Agape.
My family and I made Union City our home in 2017, moving from Gwinnett. We had grown to dislike the traffic and the crowded environment. So, we decided to relocate to a community where we could retire. We visited and considered several cities like Roswell, Alpharetta, and Cumming, but we fell in love with the tranquility along tree lined South Fulton Parkway and knew this would be the right choice for us.
As a new resident, I quickly came to notice that there was a need for more urban green spaces, an increased need for small business growth, infrastructure investments, and civic engagement. So, I started attending City Council meetings to find out what residents could collectively do, to implement change. This led me to consider service at the local level.
As a City Council member, I totally immersed myself in every training opportunity that I encountered. I believe in doing a job well and that requires education and training. Since becoming a City Councilmember, I have earned several leadership certifications from the Georgia Municipal Association, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia. I have earned a Certification of Recognition and a Certificate of Achievement for completion of a high degree of course work, in addition, I have also completed the training that led to the Robert E. Knox Municipal Leadership Institute Certification.
As a City Councilwoman I was appointed to lead the National League of Cities’ Council on Youth, Education and Families. I have also served on the Community and Economic Development Committee. In addition, I currently serve on the Information, Technology and Communications Committee, and on the Women in Municipal Government Committee.
During my tenure as City Councilwoman, we have seen beneficial economic development, such as the addition of Starbucks, Mercedez Benz and the most recent ribbon cutting for Grady Hospital. We have also welcomed several new single family and apartment communities, as well as our first Tiny Cottage Community.
As an educator, I have worked to ensure that education and training are a focus for our community. We have successfully implemented Citizens Academy, a Science of Reading component to our Summer Camp program. Additionally, we implemented the Saturday Mobile Book Mobiles and added the Teen Program of Project Lit.
An additional focus this year is on building a thriving downtown in Union City, with the establishment of our Downtown Authority Community Committee.
I am a believer in progress through service. I am passionate about making Union City a better place for everyone. As your City Councilwoman, I am dedicated to community connection, and positive change. I am always here to listen and lead. Let’s build a stronger future together.
Lawanna Owens-Twaites, Ed.D.
