Nikki Davis
Resident and Community Support Program
Nikki Davis, an Atlanta native, has lived in the Villages of East Lake since 2002.
“I am the embodiment of the East Lake Foundation,” she says.
When she first moved in with her 2-year-old son Jeremiah, she was looking for a fresh start. A loving mother, she had always worked but wanted to grow in her career and find a job that allowed her more time to parent her son.
Determined, she connected with the East Lake Foundation’s Resident and Community Support Program (RCSP), participating in job readiness and financial literacy workshops to identify a new career with higher earnings and improved work-life balance. She secured a new, higher-paying job working for Georgia Power and transitioned from receiving assistance with rent to paying market rate.
Her son Jeremiah graduated from Drew Charter School and received scholarships that allowed him to graduate from Kennesaw State University without student loan debt. Today, he runs his own business.
“The East Lake Foundation is changing lives,” Nikki says. “There are so many things that they offer. Being in East Lake, you see what it is to be connected in a community.”
Toshia Tiller and Sheila Tiller-Tooks
Start:ME East Lake
Sisters Sheila Tiller-Tooks and Toshia Tiller have deep roots in East Lake, dating back to the 1970s when their family moved into East Lake Meadows. The youngest of five sisters, they excelled in school, built families, and pursued careers—Sheila in administration and Toshia in sales.
In 2022, they launched CornbreadSisters, inspired by Toshia’s beloved cornbread recipe. Their first client was Souper Jenny, and now their cornbread is served in restaurants across Metro Atlanta.
Graduates of the Start:ME East Lake program, they gained vital resources to grow their business and won a scholarship. Now enrolled in Georgia Tech’s Food and Beverage Accelerator, they aim to bring their cornbread to store shelves.
Their vision? To make CornbreadSisters a lasting legacy for their children and grandchildren. Their advice? “Find a lane and ride until the wheels fall off,” says Sheila.
Alicia Dawkins
Resident and Community Support Program
Alicia Dawkins has been a pivotal figure in the East Lake community since 2005, starting as a Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps volunteer before moving into the area in 2006 to immerse herself in its opportunities. For two decades, she has engaged in numerous East Lake Foundation and RCSP programs and events, significantly impacting the community.
Her career in East Lake spans various roles at The Villages of East Lake, Sheltering Arms, and Charles R. Drew Charter School, where she currently oversees Strategic Partnerships. A dedicated mother, her two sons have progressed from early education at Sheltering Arms to becoming successful students at Drew Charter School.
Alicia will become a homeowner at the new Trust at East Lake, fulfilling her dream of establishing permanent roots in the community. This milestone marks a significant achievement, showcasing her deep connection and contribution to East Lake’s growth and prosperity.
