Nicole Love Hendrickson

GWINNETT BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, CHAIR

WHY WE’RE ENDORSING NICOLE:

In her community at Gwinnett County, Nicole is respected as a bridge builder because of her talent at bringing together diverse constituents and local government officials. Nicole has over 20 years working as a public servant, and most recently, she served as the founding director of Gwinnett County’s Community Outreach program where she commissioned the county’s first comprehensive platform to foster stronger interaction between citizens and local government. We are endorsing Nicole because we recognize that her diverse public service skills and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others is exactly what Gwinnett County needs for their Board of Commissioners Chair.

MORE ABOUT NICOLE:

Nicole has been a Gwinnett resident since 2006. Currently, she lives in unincorporated Lilburn with her husband and their six year old son. Throughout her career, Nicole has worked as a crisis counselor in Baltimore Public Schools, served as the Associate Director for the Gwinnett Coalition of Health and Human Services, and coached Atlanta citizens seeking to impact their community. In these diverse experiences, she has developed expertise in community coaching, resource development & fundraising, and strategic planning.

Nicole has also worked for the Gwinnett County government, and thus fully understands the nuances, intricacies and gaps that exist in Gwinnett County government. She was nominated by current Gwinnett Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash to establish and build out the county’s Community Outreach Program, which has received national recognition as best in class for citizen engagement. As the Founding Director, she established several outreach programs to appeal to different types of constituents including a 10-week Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy, Dinners & Dialogue, and the Gwinnett Youth Commission.

In a county that’s majority-minority, Nicole’s leadership is much needed. Gwinnett is 27.3% Black or African American, 21.7% Hispanic or Latinx, 12.6% AANHPI, and Nicole would provide valuable resources, expertise, and a fresh perspective to the many communities of color residing in Gwinnett. Her platform is three-pronged with a specific focus on the following areas: economic development, regional transportation, and our next generation.

Nicole is a proponent of economic development measures, such as job creation, expanding accessibility to the many small businesses in the county, maximizing vacant retail spaces, and implementing smart zoning policies. Expanding MARTA and public transit within Gwinnett is also a major priority for her since it directly contributes to increased infrastructure, connectivity, and more opportunities for economic development in the county as well. Finally, Nicole is dedicated to investing in resources for the youth of Gwinnett. She advocates for better workforce training, increase in literacy, and creating a safe and healthy community, which can largely benefit communities of color.

The Asian American Advocacy Fund is ecstatic to endorse such an experienced candidate for Gwinnett County Commission Chair. We believe that with her extensive experience working directly for the county and her relationships with different Gwinnett leaders, programs, and residents, she will make an excellent leader as the Board of Commission Chair.