‘Capable, worthy and ready.’ New career closet helps Macon students enter workforce

An Eagle Scout project idea that sprouted seven years ago following the death of a Macon school official in 2018 has come to fruition.

Created in collaboration with the Bibb County School District and Central Georgia Technical College’s Adult Education Division, Joanna’s Closet will support adult education students as they prepare for interviews and enter the workforce.

The professional clothing resource center honors the late Joanna Summerow, who served in the district for nine years and most recently held the position of director of before and after-school programs.

District and CGTC officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for the job preparation initiative. Speakers included school leaders and Jonathan Summerow, a son of Joanna, who said he had the idea at age 16 during his family’s grieving process.

“The idea originally formed shortly after my mother passed while I was an Eagle Scout” the now, 22-year-old told The Telegraph. “Having known that she was so passionate about helping others, helping kids in the community — and looking good while doing it — I knew that it would be a perfect way to be able to honor her and put good use of the clothes that she left behind.”

Jonathan said the project will help students obtain professional attire if they do not have the means to do so.

School officials said the closet will become a hub for career readiness, helping students boldly take their first steps into the workforce.

“We want every student to feel fully prepared for what comes next,” Lori Rodgers, assistant superintendent for district effectiveness and federal programs, said in a press release. “Joanna’s Closet equips them with the professional presence that opens doors and reinforces that they are capable, worthy and ready.”

Wanda West, program manager for the adult education department at Central Georgia Technical College, said “Joanna’s Closet removes a barrier that can stand in the way of success and ensures students can enter interviews feeling confident and prepared.”

Jonathan said his mother held him and his brother to a high standard, emphasizing that first impressions matter and that looking clean and professional is important. He wanted to showcase her values and beliefs by paying it forward to the community.

Stephen Summerow, Joanna’s husband, said he is excited about the impact the project will have on youth in Macon.

“This project is very close to our hearts. It is a beautiful thing,” he said. “We want to continue her legacy in this manner, and the best way that our sons can honor their mom is to be all that she wanted them to be.”

Stephen, who is also a pastor at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, said Joanna was known for her “classy” and “polished style” and for encouraging others to present their best selves. She led etiquette classes at the church, preparing young women for business environments, he added.

“This has been an ongoing project for some years now, and so I’m looking forward to seeing the final product,” he said.

Joanna’s Closet will grow through donations of new or gently used professional clothing, shoes and accessories, according to a district press release.

Community members and local businesses are encouraged to support future donation efforts benefiting adult education students throughout Bibb County and Middle Georgia.

Jonathan said the project will benefit anyone who needs help obtaining professional clothing, not just women.

Jonathan said the initiative could one day expand across multiple districts and potentially become a nonprofit, but for now his focus remains on serving students in Macon.

“We want to keep operating within Bibb County as long as we possibly can and as long as it’s needed,” he said.

After briefly pausing to think about what his mother would say in response to his initiative if she were alive, Jonathan said she would say with a smile, “Well done.”