History in the Making: The Professional and Civic Vision of Jo Lahmon

In our second Black History in the Making feature, I sat down with a neighbor who manages one of our city's most vital resources: Jo Lahmon.

As the Regional Manager of South Cobb libraries, Jo oversees what she calls the "People’s University."

While her path to Mableton began in the Mississippi Delta, her journey has taken her through high-security government labs and deep into the heart of our local civic life.

Lessons in Independence: The Delta Roots

Jo grew up in Charleston, Mississippi, as one of eight children. While Jo holds advanced degrees, she traces her fundamental understanding of stewardship to her mother, a woman with an eighth-grade education who was the "smartest woman" she ever knew.

"She could do anything. She had this wisdom about life. My mother was never in debt and she always had money. I don't know how! I have all the education, but she was the one with the answers that always made sense."

This was Jo's first lesson in stewardship: the quiet, unified commitment to ensuring the family was provided for, the land was cared for, and the community flourished.

The Technical Leader: From Oak Ridge to Clay Road

Before Jo was a staple of the Mableton community, she was navigating the high-stakes world of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Working as a technical librarian for the Department of Energy, Jo held a security clearance and supported nuclear scientists and researchers at the highest levels of government.

This background in high-level information management is what she brought to Mableton in 2000. She understands that access to information is the key to power, whether you are a scientist in a lab or a neighbor on Clay Road trying to land a better job.

The "People’s University" on Clay Road

The South Cobb libraries are the primary tool Jo uses to build this vision. Under her leadership, the South Cobb Regional Branch has become the #1 library in the county for computer usage, acting as a bridge for social and economic mobility.

• Digital Navigation: Staff help neighbors navigate everything from job applications to translation tools.

• The Library of Things: From Wi-Fi hotspots to ukuleles, the library loans the tools people need to start new chapters in their lives.

• A Hub for Everyone: Whether it's Pokémon clubs for kids or boba workshops for adults, the goal is to get people out of their garages and into the same room.

Reclaiming the "Common" Community

As a long-time resident of District 1, Jo is a fixture at city council meetings and is deeply invested in Mableton's growth.

However, she offers a poignant critique of how we live today, describing it as "garage-to-garage" living.

"We don’t even come out of our houses unless we’re in the car," Jo says. "We go into the garage, get in the car, and we’re gone. I want us to be more of a community that cares about each other."

Black History as a Future Focus

As we celebrate Black History Month, Jo’s perspective is celebratory and forward-looking. To her, Black History isn't just about the names in the textbooks; it’s about the brilliance of the creators and inventors in our own backyard.

"Black people have invented so many things that make our daily lives better," Jo says. "When I look at the kids at Pebblebrook or our local elementary schools, I see brilliant minds. My job at the library is to give them the tools to be the next creators of history."

Jo Lahmon is an inspiring leader and a dedicated neighbor who is helping mold Mableton into a fantastic, connected place for all of us to live!