Winning with Purpose: How Building the Right Team Led to Six National Awards in Less Than 10 Months

By Shaheen Solomon, Director of Public Affairs – City of South Fulton

DISCLAIMER: I am writing this post from my professional career standpoint.

When I first stepped into the role of Director of Public Affairs for the City of South Fulton, I made a quiet promise to myself: build a team that could tell powerful stories, elevate the voice of the city, and win the trust of the community. I never imagined that less than a year later, that same team would be recognized six times on the national stage for communications excellence.

In the past 10 months, the Department of Public Affairs has been awarded one prestigious MarCom Award and five distinct honors from the Communicator Awards — achievements that still feel surreal to say aloud. But while the awards are validating, they aren’t the reason we do the work. The real reward is seeing residents feel more connected, better informed, and proud of the place they call home.

It started with a bold idea: position South Fulton as a leader in sustainability through the launch of our municipal electric vehicle initiative. What began as a fleet rollout turned into a strategic communications campaign that brought together visuals, messaging, video production, and press engagement in a way that showcased not only innovation, but intentionality. That campaign earned us the 2024 Gold MarCom Award for Strategic Communications — a major milestone that proved how far a small, committed team with a shared vision could go.

Soon after, we began expanding our toolkit. From press kits to print collateral, from branded videos to cohesive social media campaigns, we created content that resonated. That work was recognized again — and in a big way — when we learned that we had won five 2025 Communicator Awards, including the highest honor, the Award of Excellence, in multiple categories for campaigns and series in the government sector. To be placed alongside some of the most notable communications agencies and municipalities in the country was an honor, and one we accepted with pride and humility.

But here's the truth: these recognitions didn't happen by accident. They happened because of people — dedicated, talented, imaginative individuals who pour their passion into every project, large or small. As a leader, my role isn't to micromanage their process. It's to set the vision, remove barriers, and then get out of their way. Great communication doesn't come from rigid control. It comes from trust.

This team knows how to tell the “story within the story.” Whether it's showcasing infrastructure investments, highlighting public safety innovations, or simply ensuring residents know when and where to show up for a city event, their commitment to clarity, creativity, and community is unmatched.

These six awards are proof that something special is happening in South Fulton. We're not just growing — we're evolving. And as we evolve, we’re showing the world that we don’t just belong in the conversation about great cities, we’re helping lead it.

To the residents of South Fulton: thank you for believing in us. Your feedback, your voices, your support — that’s the true foundation of our success. And to the Department of Public Affairs: thank you for reminding me every day what’s possible when talent meets purpose. Let’s keep telling the story of our city, one headline at a time.