Introducing the 2026 Stewardship Board Candidates

Ariana (Ari) Brazier, Ph.D. (they/she) is a Black queer feminist and smiley sad mom-girl. They are a play-driven community-organizer and educator who is motivated to raise joyous, free Black children. They document how Black child play functions as a grassroots method of community-based storytelling, teaching, and organizing. They are the CEO and President of the nonprofit ATL Parent Like A Boss, Inc. (Parent LAB) whose mission is to enhance generational literacies through play in underserved African American communities.

Statement of Interest

I am interested in serving on the SWATS CST Stewardship Board because I am eager to evolve my community-based organizing and research beyond inquiry and visioning. Through a seat on the board, I can learn how best to mobilize my resources toward the sustainable transformation of the material conditions I have been researching and teaching about for 10+ years. I am excited about shifting to a collective, solutionary orientation to the conditions imposed on my community.

Community Connection & Experience

While attending Spelman College, I lived in the West End from 2012-2015. Though my introduction to the West End was during my brothers’ matriculation through Morehouse College circa 2004-2008. Currently, I work and play in the West End through my positions at Spelman College, participation in the Trans Liberation Basketball League, and my independent play-based research study at two local playgrounds. Notably, I have two generations of family members buried in Southwest Atlanta. Therefore, my interest and investment in preserving the area is multifaceted and deeply rooted.

Vision for Community Stewardship

Establishing trusting relationships and sustaining the infrastructure necessary to procure community input and execute community visions in order to be accountable to the mission of the CST. Thereby amplifying the resources available to the broader community.

Organizations & Affiliations

Spelman College; ATL Parent Like A Boss, Inc.

Marcus J Calloway is a veteran real estate professional with a career spanning nearly every facet of the industry, from the banking halls of Bank of America to the front lines of neighborhood property acquisition. Having served as a licensed real estate agent, mortgage broker, and property manager, he possesses a rare, 360-degree technical understanding of how property is bought, financed, and maintained. Beyond his professional credentials, Marcus is a visionary who has long developed independent models for community-centric real estate. He has recently chosen to set aside his personal ventures to fully commit his expertise to the success of The Guild’s mission, believing that collective power is the most effective tool for building local wealth.

Statement of Interest

I am interested in serving on the SWATS CST Stewardship Board because The Guild is building the literal manifestation of the work I have spent my career preparing for. Real estate is my deepest passion, and I have reached a point where I realize that the most impactful way to use my skills is to support a proven, collective model rather than building a separate version on my own.

What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to apply professional-grade real estate strategies to a mission that prioritizes community self-determination over speculation. I want to help ensure the 918 project and future CST assets are not only socially transformative but also operationally and financially bulletproof.

Community Connection & Experience

My connection to the Southwest Atlanta community is rooted in my professional commitment to equitable housing, my extensive background in the local real estate market, and the fact that I grew up in College Park and East Point. SWATS born and raised! I also bring a “toolbox” that covers the entire property lifecycle: my time at Bank of America and as a mortgage broker provided me with deep financial and credit expertise, while my work as a property manager and “We Buy Ugly Houses” buyer gave me a grounded, “street-level” view of property valuation and maintenance. I understand the mechanics of how displacement happens, and more importantly, I understand the financial and legal levers required to stop it. I offer the board the technical rigor of a corporate professional combined with the heart of a community advocate.

Vision for Community Stewardship

In my view, the most important role of the Stewardship Board is to act as the guardian of the Trust’s long-term viability while ensuring it never loses its “soul.” True accountability means balancing the technical requirements of asset management with the human needs of the residents. The Board must ensure that the CST remains financially sound enough to withstand market pressures without ever compromising its commitment to community ownership. My vision for stewardship is to use my expertise to demystify the complex banking and real estate processes for our community members, ensuring that the bridge between the CST and the neighborhood is built on transparency, education, and shared wealth.

Joel Dixon is Co-Principal of Urban Oasis Development and President of investment partner Catalyst Investment Partners, a boutique investment company that aggregates individual investor capital for investments in Atlanta real estate and early stage ventures.

He has been instrumental in helping to raise the public profile of Sims REG and Urban Oasis as well as mobilize financial and political resources for expansion. Having been raised in the city of Atlanta, Joel understands the city and is well-connected with Atlanta’s business and grassroots community leaders.

Prior to launching Urban Oasis, Mr. Dixon has over 15 years of sales and business development experience in high technology and real estate. His past roles include being Senior Solutions consultant for Hannon Hill, a company with deep ties to the burgeoning Tech Venture community in Atlanta. He has a B.S. in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University and Certificate of Mandarin Chinese from Beijing Language and Culture University. Joel is a 2017 Graduate of the Urban Land Institute’s prestigious Center for Leadership.

Community Connection & Experience

I was born and raised in Atlanta, English Avenue neighborhood. I live with my family in Adair Park. I am a partner developer on the 918 Dill Ave project with The Guild and many other projects in SW Atlanta.

Organization or Affiliation
Urban Oasis Development

My name is Nadine Phelps. I’ve lived in Capitol View since 2019. My day job is at a policy and civic engagement non-profit that focuses on the City of Atlanta. In my spare time I enjoy planning elaborate dinner parties, going antiquing, intermittently picking up a hobby craft, and hanging out with my husband and son.

Statement of Interest

I’m a huge fan of the Guild and have been following along on the progress of 918 Dill since the beginning. I recently had the opportunity to take a tour of the space and was so pleased to see the intention poured into every aspect of the property from layout to vendors. I am excited to invest in a project that has such potential to address so many needs the neighborhood has, between affordable housing in a rapidly gentrifying area, to access to fresh produce, and third spaces for community to gather. I have a vested interest in what this property could mean for Capitol View and if elected I hope to apply all I have learned in my time at the Center for Civic Innovation to be of service any way I can.

Community Connection & Experience

I’ve lived in Capitol View for seven years. I am the Chief of Staff at the Center for Civic Innovation, whose mission is to strengthen community understanding, engagement, and power to create transformative policy change. I lead strategic partnerships, development and fundraising, the programs team, and provide strategic and executive leadership across the organization, including supporting board relations. In my time at CCI I have had the honor of supporting both emerging and established non-profits, many of whom are located in Southwest Atlanta, grow and scale their work.

Prior to CCI, I led the Culture and People Operations functions for a music festival production company called Sixthman. Through that role I have a background in event production, human resources, finance, accounting, and client experience.

I care deeply about community and it is my goal to use any insight and experience I have to support advancing a more equitable Atlanta.

Vision for Community Stewardship

I believe the Stewardship Board’s most important role is to look at the whole picture and long view and advocate for what is in the best long term interest of the neighborhood. More than future dividends and profit, the Stewardship Board’s role is to ensure that the neighborhood as a whole, regardless of investment in the CST, is being well served by the decisions made.

Hanifah Shoatz-Bey lives in Atlanta, GA and currently serves as the Director of Operations for Project South, a leadership development and social justice organization whose mission is cultivating strong social movements in the South, who believe that the development of Mutual Aid Centers to be one of many strategies to improve the resilience of communities pushed forward in struggle.

Statement of Interest

I am interested in learning about stewardship. As a long term resident of the city and metro Atlanta I have seen the changes in the city and wish to benefit from its growth. Many times community members like myself miss opportunities like this due to lack of information.
What excites me most is that this opportunity comes right in time as the city gentrifies and many of it’s legacy residents are pushed out by the newer community. This opportunity will help locals hold on to a part of the city for themselves and their future.

Community Connection & Experience

I have lived and worked all over Atlanta. During my youth I grew up in the West End in a home directly across the train track which is now the beltline, I worked in organizations like the Center for Black Women’s Wellness, and the Black Women’s Health Project in the SWATs. My family has a long history in the SWATs. Over 15 years my sister raised our kids across from Perkerson park where we spent countless summers dancing to house music and getting wet at the splash pad.

Vision for Community Stewardship

In my view one of the most important roles that the Stewardship Board will play is advocating and helping tenants advocate for themselves. Often opportunities such as this one can miss the mark leaving the very community that it says it will help to those who already have the access. In my role I hope to strengthen the voices of the marginalized.

Organization or Affiliation

Project South

Shaquetta Smith is a legacy resident of Capital View. Her family has resided here since 1972 and she now is owner of what was her childhood home. She is one of 3 generations of her family that currently lives in this beloved neighborhood. Community involvement was prioritized by her grandmother. It is not simply enough to live here but try to figure out how to be impactful. Shaquetta is not only actively involved in Capital View meetings yet serves as block captain for her street within Capital View. Recently she launched a walking group to have even more engagement with her neighbors. It is common for her to be seen as a neighbor who shows care and concern for others. Whether it be welcoming a new neighbor to the neighborhood or getting flowers and sympathy cards when a neighbor experiences loss, caring about the community she calls home is second nature.

Statement of Interest

It’s one thing to witness change in a community it’s another to actually be the change you want to see. This neighborhood being home of what used to be called Stewart Avenue has not always held a good reputation. To see the improvements in our community over the past decades has been amazing. The Stewardship board represents the opportunity to literally be both invested and have a say in how our neighborhood grows. Generational wealth building is what I stress to my daughter. Real estate has traditionally been the vehicle to accomplish this. What excites me most about this opportunity to shape community owned real estate is that she will have a chance to take a part of this and gain even a greater sense of ownership here. The legacy of taking pride and making a difference in the community you call home can be even further realized. To be pioneers in this process is reason enough in seeing this awesome vision for our community come to fruition.

Community Connection & Experience

SW Atlanta is the community I have been tied to my entire life. I attended Capital View elementary as a child, completed high school community service hours at the Anchor Center which was located where we now have Metropolitan library. I like lots of long standing residents recall life before the beltline or other community improvements. With the exception of my high school years I have always resided in SW Atlanta. Community engagement and involvement is both important and a priority for me in a community I have roots in. I have experience organizing community members from my time commitment as a block Captain. Block captains are known for distributing information to their respective neighbors after it is obtained from neighborhood association meetings. I’m actively seeking other ways to expand community engagement which my reason for launching walking group within neighborhood.

Vision for Community Stewardship

To me the most important role that the Stewardship Board plays in ensuring the CST remains accountable to the community and true to its mission is to always prioritize listening to the cares and concerns of its community members. So many live in neighborhoods that they feel neither heard or seen. The board would be accountable to make sure that isn’t the case in our community. Changes that are brought about after collaboration between the board and community would be celebrated and valued.

Organization or Affiliation

Capital View Block Captain