About Michelle Taylor Willis

Michelle Taylor Willis is the Founder and CEO of Gagnant Media and Publisher of SoFu Lifestyle Magazine in Atlanta, and Michelle is the host of “According to Michelle“ and  “Black is the New Green” on streaming platforms.  She also hosted the “According to Michelle” radio show.  She is a graduate of the University of Florida and an award-winning media executive, author, speaker, actress, and master strategist. A Florida native, she has four sons and resides in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Michelle has been recognized as one of the “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Atlanta,” “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Atlantans,” and has made several “Top 100' ' lists in Georgia.  SoFu Lifestyle has been awarded “Publication of the Year” thrice, and has received countless awards recognizing her work in the local and national communities.  Michelle's book, “Raising Significance: A Guide to Well-Rounded, Independent, and Confident Kids," was featured on the Tamron Hall Show.  

Michelle is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and she coined and trademarked SoFu®, the term that represents the eight cities of South Fulton County in Atlanta.  Her tireless work in SoFu® earned her: a proclamation declaring February 18th, 2021, as Michelle Taylor Willis Day in the City of South Fulton, a resolution from the state of Georgia, and a proclamation as “Outstanding Georgia Citizen'' from Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Senator Lester Jackson and Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan recognized November 18, 2021, as Michelle Taylor Willis Day in the state of Georgia at the Capital for the work she’s done in the business and birth communities Michelle currently serves on the Atlanta Fulton Library Foundation and Aerotropolis Atlanta boards and is the past Secretary for the Morris Brown College Foundation, past President of a United Way Advisory Board,  and past president of Theatre du Reve boards of directors. Michelle recently launched the MTW Foundation, an organization structured that builds global leaders from underserved communities around the tenets of literacy, entrepreneurship, and tech.

Michelle made her stage debut in 2019, her  independent film debut in 2022, and received the “Emerging Star for Best Actress” award  2023 from the Radio and Records Organization.  Her passion for acting has spurred her to continue  to build  her TV, film, and theater credits. 

Michelle is a global speaker, and has spoken or served as panelist or moderator for national organizations like the National Urban League, Blacks in Tech, National Bar Association, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, United Way, University of North Carolina, Quake Capitol, and several other organizations, colleges, and universities. 


Follow Michelle on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @michelletaylorwillis, and Twitter and Clubhouse @michelletwillis.

 

Education

University of Florida
B.S., Advertising, 1996

Activities & Affiliations

  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

  • National Association of Black Journalists

  • Atlanta Business League

  • Atlanta Black Chambers

Community Engagement

  • Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation Board of Directors

  • Aerotropolis Alliance Atlanta Board of Directors

  • Greater South Fulton Chamber of Commerce, VP Film and Entertainment, Board of Directors

  • United Way of Greater Atlanta, Chair, Advisory Board South Fulton

  • Theatre du Reve, Chair, Board of Directors (past)

  • Morris Brown College Foundation, Secretary, Board of Directors (past)

  • Morehouse Chapter National Society of Leadership and Success, Advisory Board (past)

  • Banneker High School Workforce Development Program

  • Atlanta Area Boy Scouts, Southern Crescent Region, Advisory Board and Golden Eagle Table Host (past)

  • i Dare U, Board of Directors (past)

  • Children’s Leadership Outreach Program, Volunteer Reader (past)

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