#JoeCarlosPhotographyCelebratesWomen • La'Keitha D. Carlos, Esq.
Joe Carlos III
Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, Programming and Events at Morehouse College
La'Keitha Carlos Carlos Esq.
Chief of Staff to the CEO of DeKalb County (GA)
La’Keitha is a talented leader, attorney, communications specialist, and government executive who advises CEOs, develops strategic operational and communication plans, and creates consensus among cross-functional teams. She is a transformational catalyst for organizational change and a driver of results–whether engaging employees, elected officials, community partners, constituents, or media.
La’Keitha is Chief of Staff for DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond where she leads the implementation of the CEO’s vision for the government and manages the day-to-day operations of the CEO’s office, Intergovernmental & External Affairs, and Communications. She coordinates interdepartmental collaboration on enterprise-wide issues and is known for interpreting complex issues for the understanding of professionals at any level. She leads the team in crisis communications and has helped restore the public trust in DeKalb County.
For nearly 15 years, La’Keitha served as an attorney in both the private and public sector. As a government attorney her work focused mainly on procurement including the overhaul of dated legislation and creation of the “Buy DeKalb Local Small Business Enterprise” ordinance—one of few nationwide requiring local governments to make best efforts to source locally for products and talent.
Practicing law as a litigator at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough , provided the framework for which she later built her corporate practice becoming Corporate Counsel for Harland Clarke Corporation and Concessions International . Leading the sales, marketing, franchise and human resources efforts for both companies developed a depth of transactional expertise that guides the work she does today.
La’Keitha has also led community advocacy efforts for KIPP Atlanta Schools serving as the primary representative for the charter school organization throughout the community and guiding advocacy strategies internally. She leveraged relationships with community stakeholders, elected officials, school leaders and parents that broadened KIPP’s footprint and implemented community-based programs for national brands such as the NFL, NCAA, and Boy Scouts of America.
La’Keitha is known for her inclusive leadership style where everyone at the table gets a voice. Her infectious energy and ability to inspire others has created a lasting impact in her professional and civic organizations.
La’Keitha’s nonprofit and civic service includes: Founder of It’s My Birthday Atlanta, a 501 (c)(3) that provides birthday parties for sick and underprivileged children, Atlanta Public Schools GO Team, the executive board for Buckhead Atlanta chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. , and the social action committee for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, Atlanta Suburban Chapter.
La’Keitha is a member of Leadership Atlanta ’s Class of 2019, a 2018 Law & Justice Awards: Georgia’s Most Powerful and Influential Attorneys Recipient, and a 2018 Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service recipient. She has been named to Georgia Trend’s 40 Under Forty, Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “Power 50 in Law & Business”, and Atlanta Business League’s Top 100 Women of Influence. She is former President of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.
La’Keitha is a proud wife, mom and alumna of Clark Atlanta University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications with a concentration in public relations and Tulane University Law School where she received a Juris Doctorate.
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