New Board Chair for Common Good Atlanta

March 19, 2021

Common Good Atlanta, a nonprofit offering college programming in prison, announces Paul Pendergrass as the Chair of its Board of Directors. Paul succeeds John Sparrow, the Founding Chair.

During John’s tenure as Chair, CGA increased its programming by five-fold: from offering classes inside one prison to teaching accredited classes inside four prisons and a downtown course for people released from prison. Under John’s leadership, CGA went from being an all-volunteer organization to having three staff, won the Governor’s Award in the Arts & Humanities for “outstanding contributions to the civic or cultural vitality of the state,” and formed collaborative relationships with Gideon’s Promise, Georgia Humanities, the Community Foundation, and deepened their long-term, constructive working partnership with the Department of Corrections.

“I’m deeply grateful to John,” said Sarah Higinbotham, co-Founder and Executive Director of CGA, “for his vision, his support, and his friendship. Every conversation with John helped clarify our long-term goals, and more importantly, he kept dignity at the heart of our college programming in prison. Equally, I’m excited for what the future holds under Paul’s leadership. Paul is as comfortable in the hallways of Metro Reentry Facility as he is in the boardroom. He brings his long career in communications and a passion for higher education to Common Good Atlanta.”

Sparrow continues to serve Common Good Atlanta in Development, Executive Leadership, and as an invaluable friend to the program. Paul leads a growing and vibrant board as well as Common Good Atlanta’s staff: Sarah Higinbotham, Executive Director, Bill Taft, Director of Academics, Lindsy Haworth, Director of Operations, and Patrick Rodriguez, Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement.