Two Augustans have been recognized as being among the best and brightest in the state of Georgia.
Georgia Trend, the magazine covering business and finance throughout the state, put out its 25th annual 40 Under 40 issue Oct. 1. The issue highlights the exceptional accomplishments of select Georgia residents under age 40.
Among those in this year’s issue were Amber Brantley and Kigwana “Kigg” Cherry. Both had also been selected this year for Augusta Metro Chamber’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch list.
The two received emails from Georgia Trend shortly before the issue’s publication notifying them of their placement in the list and urging them to keep the news a secret until it was released.
“I am super excited,” said Brantley, an assistant district attorney in Columbia County. “I just think it’s a blessing, to be honest. So many people get nominated for Georgia Trend. There are so many people in the whole state of Georgia that get submitted for Georgia Trend 40 Under 40, so to get accepted, little old me, was very significant. I just count it a blessing.”
Columbia County Assistant District Attorney Amber Brantley. Photo courtesy Amber Brantley
While Brantley is an assistant D.A. in Columbia County’s new judicial circuit, and its first African American assistant D.A., she was acknowledged in 40 Under 40 for her work as assistant solicitor general in Augusta. Her entry in the list notes her role as a prosecutor in Richmond County’s Domestic Violence Accountability Court, and that program’s success in reducing repetitive domestic violence offenses.
“I didn’t seek after it,” said Brantley. “But I’m very excited I got it. I’m ecstatic. When I found out, I was like, ‘Thank you, God!’”
Cherry, a construction engineer and entrepreneur, shared a similar sentiment about finding out he made the list.
“I really felt blessed that the work that I have done thus far has not gone unnoticed,” said Cherry. “I don’t do it for recognition, I do it for my city; I want to see things grow.”
Cherry’s work with Pop-Up Augusta, a themed dining and entertainment experience he conceived, was the focal point of his entry in the list.
“When I moved back to Augusta, people said there was nothing to do here,” said Cherry, “So I created something to do. I was sharing that experience.”
The piece noted Cherry’s nickname, the “Secret Mayor of Augusta,” referring to his renown in Augusta for a variety of activities and accomplishments. Among those are being vice president of the Greater Augusta Arts Council, vice president-at-large for the Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce and founder of Farmer Musician, an urban farming consulting business.
“It was one thing to get recognition from your city,” said Cherry. “But at the same time now being recognized on a state level, I think it speaks more volumes that the work that I’ve done is resonating beyond just the city of Augusta. The state knows; people see Augusta in a different light, build more networking and connections to help Augusta grow.”
To read Georgia Trend magazine’s 40 Under 40 list visit www.georgiatrend.com.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
