Sunshine Hodges and Dominic Turner share how they moved from corporate careers into grassroots philanthropy with the Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy. They discuss using corporate skills to drive civic change, a youth advocacy program in Atlanta Public Schools, building coalitions, and pairing faith with daily action.
Welcome to this inspiring episode of Rise Every Day, hosted by Taryell Simmons. In this episode, we sit down with community leaders Sunshine Hodges and Dominic Turner to discuss their journey from corporate careers into transformative grassroots philanthropy. Together, they share how the Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy is empowering youth and revitalizing underserved neighborhoods throughout Atlanta.
Dominic reflects on his father's enduring legacy of neighborhood improvement in Washington, D.C., which inspired his lifelong commitment to civic engagement.
Sunshine highlights the critical need for operational structure and strategic timelines when executing successful nonprofit events.
Dominic recalls using corporate communication skills to coordinate municipal infrastructure enhancements in Sandy Springs.
Sunshine discusses how pairing faith with disciplined daily action effectively eliminates fear and self-doubt.
The announcement of scholarship awards for eleventh-grade participants in the foundation's Atlanta Public Schools mentorship initiative.
Corporate Skill Translation: Applying corporate management, negotiation, and strategic communication to solve grassroots municipal challenges effectively.
Youth Advocacy Mentorship: Developing structured fourteen-week high school programs to train the next generation of civic advocates.
Strategic Coalition Building: Uniting government agencies, corporate sponsors, churches, and academic institutions around neighborhood revitalization.
Overcoming Career Transitions: Reframing professional disruptions as timely windows of opportunity to pursue purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Sustainable Nonprofit Funding: Shifting corporate philanthropic dollars toward measurable, community-rooted grassroots initiatives.
Leverage your existing professional skills directly in civic initiatives rather than waiting for external credentials.
Balance visionary goals with meticulous operational planning and realistic project timelines.
Build multi-stakeholder coalitions because sustainable community development requires village-wide collaboration.
Overcome apprehension by taking consistent, incremental actions toward your goals each day.
Dominic Turner is the Founder and Executive Director of the Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy, bringing fifteen years of corporate technology experience to civic leadership. Sunshine Hodges is a seasoned sales, marketing, and government relations strategist serving on the foundation's board of directors. To learn more about their programs, mentorship cohorts, and community initiatives, visit https://joincommunityadvocacy.org.
Taryell Simmons: Welcome to another episode of Rise Every Day. Today we have a special episode featuring Dominic Turner, who is here to share his latest ventures. Transitioning from corporate America to community leadership, Dominic is joined by board member Sunshine Hodges to discuss their journey into philanthropy and grassroots community advocacy.
Dominic Turner: Thank you, Captain. It is great to be back.
Taryell Simmons: Please share your background and the transition from corporate America into your nonprofit and entrepreneurship journey.
Dominic Turner: During our last conversation, I was working in the tech sector while pursuing my passion for community advocacy. A year later, I stepped away from fifteen years in corporate America to establish a nonprofit foundation dedicated to bringing vital resources and attention to underserved communities throughout metropolitan Atlanta.
Taryell Simmons: Share your personal journey from the East Coast, how we first connected, and how Sunshine joined this mission.
Dominic Turner: We both grew up in Washington, D.C., attended public schools, and participated in the Mayor's Youth Leadership Institute.
Taryell Simmons: That program made a lasting impact on both of our lives.
Dominic Turner: It laid the groundwork for my advocacy work. Community service runs in my family. My father, a retired military and prison chaplain, began cleaning up our neighborhood block by block. His efforts inspired neighbors, civic associations, and local government to invest millions of dollars in neighborhood revitalization. After his passing, a memorial was dedicated in his honor across from our childhood home.
Taryell Simmons: What is the mission of your foundation, and what drives your work?
Dominic Turner: The Turner Foundation for Community Advocacy exists to bring attention and resources to underserved communities across metropolitan Atlanta. I do this work because it is my innate calling and purpose.
Taryell Simmons: Sunshine, how did you connect with Dominic and become involved with the foundation?
Sunshine Hodges: Dominic and I met over a decade ago. I have always admired his dedication to community service. When he formalized the foundation and expanded into underserved areas, I joined the advisory board. Earlier this year, Dominic planned a scholarship ceremony for youth in June on short notice.
Dominic Turner: Sunshine provided wise counsel, advising us to organize properly before executing our vision.
Sunshine Hodges: With my background in event planning, I helped establish a realistic timeline, securing a venue and funding for a September launch.
Taryell Simmons: Sunshine, what is your personal background and what motivates your advocacy?
Sunshine Hodges: Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, I grew up participating in church-based community outreach and sorority service projects in college. Serving others and making a personal impact has always been my core motivation.
Taryell Simmons: Dominic, what catalyzed your full transition from corporate America into philanthropy?
Dominic Turner: While working in corporate America, I noticed dangerous conditions and lack of infrastructure in my neighborhood following a fatal accident. Using corporate communication skills, I collaborated with city officials in Sandy Springs to install sidewalks, guardrails, and lighting. That success proved corporate expertise can effectively drive civic improvement.
Taryell Simmons: What challenges arise when establishing foundational operations for a nonprofit?
Sunshine Hodges: Securing sustainable funding and major strategic donors is the primary challenge. Leveraging over two decades of sales, marketing, and government experience, we conduct thorough strategic planning to set clear roadmaps and engage board members effectively.
Dominic Turner: Overcoming internal fear and self-doubt is the largest obstacle. Leaning into your natural talents and maintaining consistency turns vision into reality.
Dominic Turner: When establishing the organization, we partnered with Bright Bridge Consulting to navigate legal filings, board governance, and website infrastructure.
Sunshine Hodges: Faith combined with actionable steps dissolves fear. Focusing on daily incremental wins sustains long-term progress.
Taryell Simmons: How did your initial major fundraising event unfold?
Sunshine Hodges: Our success stemmed from aligned partnerships, generous venue hosts, and an engaging silent auction celebrating student leaders.
Dominic Turner: We launched a fourteen-week community advocacy mentorship program partnering with Atlanta Public Schools, specifically engaging eleventh graders at Frederick Douglass High School. Students identify local issues, develop solutions, and earn college scholarships. We awarded over five thousand dollars in scholarships and secured six thousand dollars for the next cohort.
Dominic Turner: Our neighborhood revitalization efforts began with clearing illegal dumping in South Atlanta with the Department of Public Works. We subsequently built a broad coalition involving City Council Member Marci Collier Overstreet, local churches, Trees Atlanta, Park Pride, and SCAD to revitalize the community park and install a basketball court mural.
Taryell Simmons: What advice would you offer aspiring changemakers and nonprofit leaders?
Dominic Turner: Recognize windows of opportunity when they appear, even when disguised as career transitions, and step forward with confidence.
Sunshine Hodges: Define your specific mission, leverage your existing skill sets, and remember that a positive attitude guides your trajectory.
Dominic Turner: We can empower our communities by raising awareness on social media, supporting grassroots initiatives financially, and collaborating across shared platforms.
Sunshine Hodges: Building strong collaborative partnerships and sharing resources strengthens our collective impact.
Taryell Simmons: Where can listeners find more information about your work?
Dominic Turner: Visit our website at https://joincommunityadvocacy.org to learn more and connect with our social media channels.
Taryell Simmons: Thank you Dominic Turner and Sunshine Hodges for joining us on Rise Every Day.
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