When it comes to building stronger neighborhoods, Jerry Battle understands that trust, connection, and listening come first.

A proud graduate of Northeast High School, Class of ’88, Battle’s roots in Macon-Bibb County run deep. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Knoxville College, a historic HBCU in Knoxville, Tennessee, and later completed his MBA at Strayer University.

As Macon-Bibb’s first-ever Neighborhood Program Coordinator, Battle stepped into a role that was still taking shape.

“When I first started, we knew it needed to be something that connected our County to neighborhoods,” Battle said. “I’m the first to hold this position, so it’s evolved as I began attending Neighborhood Association meetings.”

As he began going directly into neighborhoods and listening, a clear need emerged.

“I heard what neighborhoods were complaining about, but they weren’t speaking as one voice,” he said. “That’s when my role became clear. Helping their voices be heard, getting them organized, and making sure they’re informed about what Macon-Bibb County has to offer.”

Battle has already attended numerous neighborhood meetings across the community, continuing to build relationships and identify needs firsthand. Most recently, he attended the Kings Park Neighborhood Meeting, where a new initiative—Macon Good Neighbors—will begin.

The Macon Good Neighbors initiative is designed to focus on one neighborhood at a time, bringing a coordinated set of County resources directly to residents. That can include extended trash services, cleanups, neighborhood sprucing efforts, and other targeted support aimed at making a visible, immediate impact while strengthening long-term connections between residents and County departments.

Battle’s ability to step into this work is rooted in years of relationship-building across the community. He spent more than 13 years with the City of Macon as a Parks and Recreation Center Director, where he built programs and developed lasting relationships with the neighborhoods he served. He also worked for three years with the Bibb County School District as a teacher and coach.

“It means a lot when a former student or parent I haven’t seen in 15 years says, ‘thank you,’ or when someone I meet in a neighborhood says, ‘Hey, I know you,’” Battle said. “Those moments give me confidence when I’m out talking to residents about their concerns and needs.”

For Battle, Macon-Bibb County itself is a point of pride.

“After being away for years, I came back to a better place,” he said. “I see the direction and the potential, and I’m excited about how our community continues to grow under our current leadership.”

As Neighborhood Program Coordinator, his goals are simple but powerful.

“My goal is to bridge trust and educate residents about the many resources available to them,” Battle said. “I want to help neighborhoods grow and become more self-sufficient by connecting them with organizations and programs they may not even know exist.”

If you have any questions or would like to invite Battle to your neighborhood meeting, you can reach him at [email protected].