Linda Leathers, from left, chief executive officer at The Next Door, Inc., Angela Miller, and Laticka Burgins listen as Eric H. Holder, Jr., United States Attorney General, addresses the crowd Wednesday during The Next Door’s grand opening ceremony. Miller and Burgins are participants in the two programs offered by The Next Door. File Photo.Just a year after a local program opened its doors to help women leaving the prison system transition back into society, the group was recognized by the White House as “Champions of Change.”
“We were absolutely honored and grateful to be considered for this national honor,” said Linda Leathers, chief executive officer for The Next Door Inc., a faith-based organization.
“I really believe it’s a team recognition … it’s a Tennessee success story, and we are most grateful for the support of that region,” she added.
Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping the country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century, according to the White House’s website. Earlier this month, the program’s focus was on recognizing groups and individuals who are making progress in reducing the effects of drug use.
Leathers traveled to Washington on Aug. 5 to participate in a roundtable discussion about the issues affecting the region.