Councilmember Helen Zenobia Willis is serving her second consecutive term on the South Fulton City Council after first being elected in 2017 to represent District 3, which includes the Welcome All and Cliftondale communities. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to reducing the pipeline to prison, enhancing parks and recreation, increasing financial transparency, and improving public safety. The City of South Fulton is the third largest city in metro Atlanta and the seventh largest city in Georgia.

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Before taking office, Councilmember Willis was deeply engaged in her community. She actively fought against slider crime, served in various civic volunteer organizations, and played a key role in the city-hood movement by working with neighborhood associations and serving as the community’s lobbyist lead. Her advocacy helped prevent the annexation of South Fulton schools and residential areas by surrounding cities.

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A strong believer in the power of education, Councilmember Willis previously served as a parent liaison and financial board member for Hapeville Charter Career Academy for four years. She believes that a well-educated community fosters a skilled workforce and long-term economic stability.

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In addition to her work in municipal government, Councilmember Willis has supported numerous state and local campaigns, always working to elect strong Democratic candidates. She is a proud Democrat, serving as a Georgia State Committee Member and Fulton County Post Seat Holder. She also represents her district within the Georgia Municipal Black Caucus.

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On the national level, Councilmember Willis was appointed to the National League of Cities’ 2019 Public Safety and Crime Prevention (PSCP) Federal Advocacy Committee, where she was elected Vice Chair. Her dedication to public safety has been evident in her leadership on efforts to combat human sex trafficking—a modern form of slavery affecting communities across Georgia. She authored and passed legislation requiring local businesses to post information about human trafficking, known as the “Hang the Sign” ordinance. She continues to educate the public and speak at conferences on prevention and early intervention strategies.

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Councilmember Willis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Savannah State University and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. She began her professional career with the Georgia Department of Labor before transitioning into roles with a Fortune 500 company and later the second-largest private company in the United States.

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She is married to Lt. Vincent Willis Sr., a member of the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, and together they have a blended family of four children and six grandchildren. Her guiding motto is: “I’m committed to the community and dedicated to progress.” She is proud to serve as a founding member of the inaugural elected body for the City of South Fulton.