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The Town Square Podcast

The Town Square Podcast

By: Trey Bailey Gabriel Stovall
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Not just another podcast, but a place to meet in the messy middle and have difficult discussions with transparency and diplomacy where the outcome is unity, not uniformity.

The primary topics will be the local interests of Newton County, Georgia residents and those in the surrounding community.

All rights reserved. Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success Political Science Politics & Government Relationships Science Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Michelle Norrington & Monica Banks: Building Strong Futures for Newton County Youth — Episode 76

    Michelle Norrington & Monica Banks: Building Strong Futures for Newton County Youth — Episode 76
    Mar 17 2026
    At its best, a community invests in the next generation. In Newton County, few organizations embody that idea more clearly than Building Strong Futures (BSF).On Episode 76 of The Town Square Podcast, hosts Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall sit down with Michelle Norrington and Monica Banks, the co-founders and executive directors of Building Strong Futures. The conversation explores how a small idea that began in church nearly 25 years ago grew into a transformative nonprofit organization helping young people prepare for leadership, careers, and college.Recently named 2026 Organization of the Year by the Newton County Chamber of Commerce, BSF continues to expand its impact through leadership workshops, career development opportunities, and life-changing college tours.But behind the programs and recognition is a simple mission: expose young people to possibilities they may never have imagined for themselves.From Church Program to Community MovementLike many meaningful initiatives, Building Strong Futures began with a simple observation.Michelle Norrington was watching her teenage daughter and noticing something many parents eventually recognize: teenagers often reach the end of high school without truly understanding what comes next.They may not know how to prepare for college, how to present themselves professionally, or even basic etiquette and leadership skills.Michelle brought the idea to her friend Monica Banks.Together, they launched a small program at their church called Building Strong Women.Their goal was straightforward: teach young women leadership, confidence, etiquette, and life preparation through classes and mentorship.The program quickly gained traction.What began with a few girls at church grew into something much larger.Soon other churches and families across Newton County began asking to participate.Before long, they were organizing leadership classes, etiquette workshops, and an annual cotillion to celebrate the growth and development of the students involved.The response was immediate.And the mission began expanding.Why the Program Expanded to Include Young MenBy 2015, Michelle and Monica noticed something important.Parents of boys began asking a simple question:“When are you going to include our sons?”At the same time, the founders saw a growing need across the community—not just for etiquette training but for college exposure, leadership development, and career guidance for both boys and girls.So the organization evolved.Building Strong Women became Building Strong Futures, opening its programs to all students and expanding its mission to focus on broader youth development.The name change reflected a deeper vision.They weren’t just mentoring individuals.They were building futures—plural.And they were doing it one student at a time.What Building Strong Futures Actually DoesToday, Building Strong Futures operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving students across Newton County and the broader metro Atlanta region.The organization focuses on three core experiences:Leadership WorkshopsEach year begins with a series of workshops designed to prepare students for adulthood.Topics include:Financial literacyCollege admissions preparationProfessional image and presentationCareer explorationParent information sessionsStudent leadership panelsLocal professionals volunteer their time to speak with students, offering real-world insight into careers and life beyond high school.For many students, it’s the first time they hear directly from professionals about what different career paths actually look like.Career DevelopmentThe program intentionally exposes students to a wide range of careers.Not every student will go to college—and the founders acknowledge that openly.Students may pursue:College degreesTrade programsEntrepreneurshipTechnical careersThe key message is simple:“Find something you love and pursue it.”By introducing students to professionals from many industries, the program helps them imagine futures they may never have considered.The Annual College TourPerhaps the most powerful component of Building Strong Futures is the annual college tour.Each year, students travel to visit multiple universities, experiencing campus life firsthand.These trips include visits to both:HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)PWIs (Predominantly White Institutions)This intentional exposure helps students explore different academic environments and determine which setting might best fit their goals.Recent tours have included visits to schools such as:Duke UniversityHampton UniversityXavier University of LouisianaColumbia UniversityNYUMedgar Evers CollegeFor many students, these trips are their first time flying on a plane.Sometimes it’s their first time leaving Georgia.And occasionally, it’s the first time they’ve ever stepped onto a college campus.Exposure Changes EverythingOne of the most powerful themes throughout the episode is the idea...
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Dr. Quinita Morrow: Building Businesses, Confidence, and Community in the Classroom — Episode 75

    Dr. Quinita Morrow: Building Businesses, Confidence, and Community in the Classroom — Episode 75
    Mar 9 2026
    On this episode of The Town Square Podcast, Trey Bailey and Gabriel Stovall sit down with Dr. Quinita Morrow, the 2026 Newton County Schools Teacher of the Year and a marketing teacher at Alcovy High School.But if you think this episode is simply about an award, think again.Dr. Morrow represents something much bigger than a title. Her classroom is a place where entrepreneurship is born, where students learn real-world skills most adults wish they had learned earlier, and where relationships, not textbooks, are the foundation of meaningful education.In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Morrow shares her journey from business professional to educator, how she brings real-world marketing into the classroom, and why relationships are the single most powerful tool a teacher can have.And if you listen closely, you’ll hear something else too: a hopeful story about the future of Newton County’s students.From the Business World to the ClassroomDr. Morrow didn’t initially plan on becoming a teacher.Her first dream was to pursue a career in business. But during high school, one teacher made a lasting impact on her life: her 11th-grade business teacher, Ms. Marshall.That teacher inspired her to consider education, but the realities of teacher salaries pushed her toward the corporate world instead. After earning her degree in business, Dr. Morrow took a job in finance at Wells Fargo.But it didn’t take long for her to realize something important.“This is not for me.”She attended a job fair in Newton County Schools—and was hired on the spot.She originally planned to teach for just one year while figuring out her next steps.Nineteen years later, she’s still teaching.And changing lives.A Defining Moment in 2016Like many educators, Dr. Morrow’s journey hasn’t always been easy.In 2016, after losing her father, she reached a point where she wasn’t sure what the next chapter of her life should look like. She had even signed a contract to move to China to teach.Her visa had been approved. Everything was ready.But a close friend challenged her to reflect on whether she was pursuing the opportunity or simply trying to run away from grief.After prayer and reflection, Dr. Morrow sent an email declining the position.That same night, she received an unexpected email from Luella High School offering her an interview—even though she had never applied.She got the job.For Dr. Morrow, that moment reaffirmed something she had already begun to realize:She was exactly where she was meant to be.The Power of Real-World LearningDr. Morrow teaches marketing—but her classroom is far from a traditional lecture environment.Her students learn through real-world application.Every year, her classes develop an entire business from the ground up. Students create business plans, develop branding, build websites, manufacture products, and ultimately sell those products through pop-up shops.This year alone, some students generated hundreds—even thousands—of dollars in revenue through their projects.But Dr. Morrow teaches them an even more important lesson.Revenue isn’t the same thing as profit.“If you made $1,000 but spent $900,” she tells them, “you didn’t make $1,000. You made $100.”Those are lessons many adults learn the hard way. Her students are learning them in high school.Entrepreneurship in ActionOne of Dr. Morrow’s former students, Jordan Jackson, launched a clothing brand as part of the class’s final project.His brand—BLXCK Clothing Co.—stood for Bold Leadership Through Creative Knowledge.The project gained traction through a Shark Tank-style presentation where investors helped him fund equipment for the business.Jordan continued selling his clothing line even after enrolling at North Carolina A&T.And he’s not the only one.Students in Dr. Morrow’s classes have launched baking businesses, apparel brands, and other entrepreneurial ventures.The goal is simple:Let students experiment with business ideas while the stakes are still low.“I would rather you make the mistakes here,” she says, “than in the real world.”The Speaker Series That Brings the World to AlcovyPerhaps the most unique element of Dr. Morrow’s classroom is her speaker series.Every week, she reaches out to entrepreneurs, professionals, and influencers to speak with her students.The process is not easy.Every Monday she sends around 150 emails.On a good week, two people respond.But over time, persistence built relationships—and now speakers often reach out to her asking when they can visit the class.The result is remarkable exposure for students.Her classroom has hosted 180 to 190 speakers each year, including· Small business owners· Media personalities· Entrepreneurs· Corporate professionals· Influencers· AthletesStudents get to hear firsthand what success looks like—and what it actually takes to get there.And often, those speakers return...
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    54 mins
  • Debbie Harper: The Business of Newton County—A 2026 Chamber Playbook –Episode 74

    Debbie Harper: The Business of Newton County—A 2026 Chamber Playbook –Episode 74
    Feb 17 2026
    The Chamber Isn’t Government… and That MattersDebbie Harper comes back into the studio for her second appearance on The Town Square Podcast, and right out of the gate she re-anchors something people still confuse: the Chamber of Commerce is not government. The Chamber is a member-driven organization—which means it works “at the pleasure of the members,” advocating for the business community from the largest industries all the way down to the smallest mom-and-pop operation.That distinction matters because the Chamber’s job isn’t to pass ordinances or levy taxes. Its job is influence, connection, advocacy, programming, and building the kind of civic/business ecosystem where Newton County can thrive long-term.And in 2026, Debbie says the Chamber has momentum.75 Years Strong and Growing Past 700 MembersOne of the coolest headline moments in this conversation is the reminder that the Newton County Chamber is celebrating75 years—established in 1951, with roots tracing back to the Newton County Trade Association.And the modern Chamber isn’t some tiny networking club. Debbie shares that the Chamber topped 700 members last year—representing roughly 25,000 to 28,000 employees connected to those businesses. That’s a huge “voice” in a county our size, and Debbie makes the point clearly: this many members means the Chamber carries real influence—not by flexing authority, but by convening people and pushing coordinated priorities.Trey even laughs about it from the perspective of being a small LLC himself: The Town Square Podcast joined the Chamber at the end of last year and is now stepping into Chamber 101 (yes—Debbie had the date ready).Who the Chamber Serves (Hint: It’s Not Just Small Business)Debbie breaks down the range of membership in a way that makes the Chamber feel more “whole community” than many folks realize:Small businesses (the majority—often defined as 120 employees or fewer)Large industries and major employersNonprofitsFaith-based organizations/churchesAssociate members (individuals)And she notes a cultural trend that’s been growing: larger employers increasingly want to pour back into the communities where they operate—through grants, sponsorships, volunteer hours, nonprofit partnerships, and intentional local engagement. In the conversation, Meta gets mentioned as an example of major industry support showing up in tangible ways (like grants and community investments).The underlying theme: you don’t get a healthy small business ecosystem without stable large employers—and large employers need a healthy local community to attract and keep talent. It’s cyclical.Practical Benefits That Make Membership Worth ItDebbie highlights something a lot of business owners don’t know: Chamber membership isn’t just “events and networking.” There are practical programs that can have real financial impact.Two examples she mentions:Georgia Drug-Free Workplace Program (when certified, businesses may qualify for a state-mandated discount on workers’ comp—Debbie cites 7.5% off).Healthcare options for small businesses, including a partnership pathway connected with the Georgia Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield for certain business sizes.That’s the Chamber at its best: not just rah-rah speeches, but real support tools that help businesses survive and grow.How the Chamber is Led (and Why Board Restructuring Matters)Debbie explains the Chamber’s governance structure and mentions a board restructuring over the past year designed to make leadership more representative of Newton County’s diverse business landscape.Key highlights:A smaller executive committee structureA broader at-large board to ensure big industry + small business + multiple sectors are representedThat’s a subtle but important leadership move: if your membership base is diverse, your leadership should reflect that diversity—otherwise you’ll unintentionally prioritize the loudest voices rather than the most representative voices.Networking Isn’t “Extra”—It’s the WorkThe Chamber calendar is packed, and Debbie acknowledges the strain: a small staff producing a full menu of events. But the strategy is intentional—different events serve different business types, schedules, and stages.Lunch Links (monthly)A structured networking lunch with either:pure networking, ora speaker/program (February features a motivational speaker focused on decision-making in business).After Hours (quarterly, returning trend)Debbie notes Newton County used to be more of a “bedroom community,” but that’s shifting. More people are working and staying local, so after-hours events are making sense again.The first after-hours of 2026 is at Render: Turner Lake (Feb. 19).Signature Events (the big ones)Debbie frames several major “anchors” on the Chamber calendar:Pre-Legislative Breakfast (January)Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet (the one everyone talks about)Business Summit & Expo (March 26)Chamber Golf...
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    1 hr and 5 mins
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