Our Executive Director.
Tonza Thomas Executive Director, Georgia NAACP
Tonza Thomas is a dedicated advocate, community leader, and catalyst for change, currently serving as the Executive Director of the Georgia chapter of the NAACP. With a profound commitment to civil rights, social justice, and equitable opportunities for all, Tonza has dedicated her career to advancing the principles of equality and fairness in society.
TONZA
THOMAS
Born in Columbus, Georgia and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. She is an organizer and civil rights activist, proud grandmother of ten, mother of four, eldest daughter of five. Her mother is a veteran child nutritionist and an Associate Pastor of a full gospel church. Her father is a former Black Panther and veteran of the United States Army National Guard. Ms. Thomas is a member of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Columbus, GA and a descendent of the Bryant Cemetery, oldest Black Cemetery in Stewart County, GA.
Professional Career
Currently a two termed ITC Interfaith Board Member, NAACP Silver Life Member, Executive Director of the Georgia NAACP, former four termed State Secretary of the Georgia NAACP; former two termed President, former two termed Branch Secretary, Co-Youth Advisor, former Chair of Women In the NAACP of the Columbus, Georgia Branch NAACP, and an active member of the American Red Cross/NAACP Disaster Relief Strike Team with deployments for the 2012 Hurricane Sandy Recovery, 2013 Moore, Oklahoma Tornado and 2017 Georgia Tornado Reliefs.
Education Career
Currently attending Troy State University majoring in the Occupational Education bachelor’s degree program. Obtained a Business Administration associate degree at Columbus Technical College and served as former Georgia Phi Beta Lambda-State Officer overseeing twenty-four colleges and universities in Southeast Georgia, former President and Vice President of Phi Beta Lambda, former President and Secretary of the Student Advisory Team, and Student Representative for School of Business at Columbus Technical College.
Hobbie and Talents
Local actress, singer and spoken word artist in Columbus, Georgia while performing at the historic Liberty Theatre and Cultural Arts Center in the playwright "Shakin the Mess Outta Misery" as "Ms. Shine” and debuted her published work "I’d Rather Start from the Bottom") in “Voices-A Collection of Poems". Her talents also presented opportunities as an extra in the 2003 movie, "The Fighting Temptations" starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., Beyonce Knowles, and Mike Epps, and the 2021 BET film “Redeemed” starring Keshia Knight Pulliam and T.C. Stallings.
Personal Motto
"I'd rather start from the bottom than start from the top. To appreciate what I ain't while I ain't got. This life is a gamble; you win, or you lose. Don't be the one getting caught pressing snooze."