Candidate for Clayton County School Board, District 8
Driving change through advocacy
If you ask anyone who knows Vanessa C. Battle to describe her, the first thing they’ll tell you is simple: she cares. She cares about people, about children, about families, and about the future of Clayton County. Her life’s work has been rooted in helping others move forward whether that meant guiding a first-time homebuyer toward the keys to their new home, supporting a student who needed someone to believe in them, or praying with a family during a difficult season.
Vanessa brings more than 15 years of professional experience in legal services, business operations, and community advocacy, but what truly sets her apart is her heart. As a certified paralegal, she has worked in real estate closings, estate planning, and legal administration, always making sure people understood the process and felt protected every step of the way. She’s the kind of person who doesn’t just handle the paperwork she makes sure you’re educated, confident, and empowered.
Her passion for education and service has kept her deeply connected to Clayton County. Vanessa has served on the Clayton County School Board Advisory for District 8, worked with the Clayton County Regional PTA as a Community Outreach Coordinator, and supported initiatives that strengthen the bridge between schools and families. She has also served in Clayton County Public Schools and now continues that work in DeKalb County Public Schools giving her a real, everyday understanding of what students, parents, and educators need to succeed.
RAISING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT & LITERACY EXCELLENCE
Ministry and service are at the core of who Vanessa is. As a licensed and ordained minister, certified Christian counselor, and chaplain, she has spent years walking alongside people in their most joyful and most challenging moments. Whether through the Association of Clayton County Ministers, her work with the New Order National Human Rights Organization, or her board service with organizations like Prayzefest Gospel Network and Mothers Raising Sons, Vanessa shows up for the community with compassion and consistency.
She’s also a builder of dreams. As the founder of Beautiful Butterfly Inc. and CEO of Creative Minds Partners LLC, Vanessa creates spaces where young people and families can grow, be encouraged, and see new possibilities for their lives. Her work has even been recognized by the Carter Center Mental Health Forum for Education but she’ll humbly tell you her greatest accomplishments are the lives she’s helped along the way.
Vanessa’s journey in public service includes serving as Chief of Staff for former State Representative Mike Glanton, where she learned how to navigate government, advocate for people, and make sure communities had a voice at the table.
At home, Vanessa is simply “Mom.” Her son and daughter are her greatest motivation and her daily reminder of why strong schools matter. As the youngest of seven, she learned early the value of teamwork, resilience, and love. When she finds a rare quiet moment, you might catch her cheering on the Atlanta Falcons, skating, reading a good book, or cooking a meal to share with the people she loves.
Vanessa C. Battle isn’t just running for Clayton County School Board District 8 she’s answering a calling she has been walking in for years. She believes every child deserves to be seen, every parent deserves to be heard, and every school deserves leadership that feels like a partner and a neighbor.
To know Vanessa is to know a friend, a listener, a servant-leader, and a woman who will always show up for her community.
