Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Young.
Hi Katrina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is grounded in faith, family, and service. I grew up in Rockdale County and, at seven years old, helped integrate my elementary school, which shaped my understanding of courage and perseverance early on. Throughout my life, I have often found myself in “first” spaces — from becoming the first Black Miss DeKalb Community College to later serving as the first Black Chair of the Rockdale County Board of Education.
My career has centered on education, workforce, and economic development, with a consistent focus on advocating for students, families, and communities. I’ve been honored to serve at the local, state, and national levels through board leadership and gubernatorial and national appointments, always with the goal of creating pathways to opportunity.
At the heart of everything I do is family, which inspired me to write Katrina’s Kitchen Cookbook. Growing up, when Black families came together to break bread, it was about more than food — it was fellowship, faith, laughter, and checking on one another. We may not have had access to vacations or resorts, but we had each other. Each recipe in the book tells part of our family’s story, and I dedicated it to my grandmother, Mozelle, and my mother, Gladys, two strong Black women who taught me the power of love, resilience, and tradition.
Today, I continue serving through my work in economic development, consulting, ministry, and community leadership. This journey has taught me that every chapter of life — from the classroom to the boardroom to the kitchen table — can be a place of impact, and I am grateful for every opportunity to serve and to give back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. One of my most challenging moments came when I sought to serve as Chair of the Rockdale County Board of Education. At the time, I was the only Black member on a seven-member board, and I experienced microaggressions and resistance when I expressed interest in leadership, despite having the experience and tenure to be considered.
Another member who had not served as long was supported for the role, which was difficult and disappointing. However, I truly believe that season became part of my preparation. During that time, I was elected President of the Georgia School Boards Association, representing school boards across the state, and appointed to serve on state and national education committees. Those experiences strengthened my leadership and affirmed my qualifications in ways that could not be overlooked.
When the opportunity came again at the local level, there was no question about my readiness, and I was ultimately elected Chair of the Board. That experience taught me that delays are not denials, and that sometimes the longer road is necessary to prepare you for greater impact and influence.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work focuses on building strong communities through the connection of education, workforce, and economic development. I specialize in business retention and expansion, workforce partnerships, and leadership development, helping businesses grow while also creating pathways for students and residents to access meaningful careers. I am known for building collaborative partnerships across sectors — bringing together schools, employers, government, and community organizations to solve real, practical challenges.
My professional foundation includes third-generation manufacturing, with my maternal grandparents, my mother, and myself all working in the industry, and even my son spending time in manufacturing as well. That experience gives me a deep respect for skilled trades and working families, and it continues to shape how I approach workforce and economic development today. I also served multiple terms on the Rockdale County Board of Education, including as Chair, and later resigned to pursue countywide executive leadership by running for CEO of Rockdale County. I went on to serve as President of the Georgia School Boards Association, representing school boards across the state, along with state and national committee appointments focused on education governance and advocacy.
What I am most proud of is being able to open doors for others — whether that means helping a business expand, creating opportunities for students, mentoring emerging leaders, or preserving family and cultural history through my cookbook. I am especially proud of breaking barriers in leadership while staying grounded in service and faith.
What sets me apart is that I bring both lived experience and leadership experience to the table. I understand industry from the factory floor, education from the classroom and the boardroom, and community from the kitchen table. I lead with empathy, collaboration, and a long-term view of impact, always focused on strengthening families and communities, not just programs or policies.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m very intentional about staying connected to both my faith and my history. I start my day with devotionals and prayer, which help keep me grounded and centered, especially when navigating leadership and life decisions.
I also enjoy reading Black history profiles and cultural storytelling on social media, especially on Facebook, where I often come across stories that highlight unsung heroes, family legacies, and community pioneers. Those stories inspire me and often lead me to dig deeper into family lineage and ancestry, which is something I’m very passionate about. I believe understanding where we come from helps guide where we are going.
That passion also connects to my community work, including helping to create and preserve the Black Heritage of Rockdale, which documents and celebrates the contributions of African Americans in our county. It’s important to me that our stories are told and remembered, not just for today, but for future generations.
Professionally, I stay engaged through leadership and education resources, webinars, and associations focused on education, workforce, and economic development. I also enjoy leadership books and podcasts that focus on servant leadership and building strong teams, because I believe strong communities are built through strong, compassionate leadership.
Overall, the resources that help me do my best are the ones that keep me rooted in faith, connected to history, and continuously growing as a leader and a servant.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://KatrinaPYoung.com
