About Us

 Dr. Williams's interest in family history and genealogy evolved into a passion for historic preservation within her maternal ancestral communities of Boromville, Creek Stand and Warrior Stand, Alabama. Her preservation activities include nominating the Creek Stand AME Zion Church cemetery to the Alabama Historical Commission's historic cemetery register, spearheading a donor campaign to purchase and erect a historic cemetery marker at the site, and writing the grant proposal that launched The Ridge Project. Dr. Williams is a 2012 National Trust for Historic Preservation Diversity Scholar. She holds a  Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Bowling Green State University,  a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Memphis,  and a Ph.D. in History from Auburn University.

Email:  contact@digtheridge.com 

  Corlis Dallas Clark is virtually a life-long resident of the south Macon County, Alabama community. She is an alumna of the historic South Macon High School (also called the Macon County Training School). After graduation, Ms. Clark completed coursework at Tuskegee University. She earned Lab Technician credentials from Alexander City Jr. College and went on to begin a career with the U.S. Postal Service as a Rural Route Mail Carrier. Her career spanned 30 years. After retirement in 2007, Ms. Clark worked as an adjunct data collector and instructor with an agriculture and nutrition program for youth that was housed at Tuskegee University. Ms. Clark is a member of the Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church, Roba, Alabama. 

  Cedric G. Sanders is a descendant of ancestors from Creek Stand in south Macon County, Alabama. He is an Instructional Designer in the University of Georgia’s Finance and Administration Department. Dr. Sanders’ research focus is African American men’s experiences in obtaining graduate level academic degrees in higher education. His dissertation, Counternarratives of African American Male Doctoral Students at Predominantly White Institutions, highlights the significance of this work and the need for intentional mentorship support, and meaningful interventions to increase the enrollment of African American men in higher education. He obtained his Ph.D. in Learning, Leadership, and Organizational Development with an emphasis on adult education from the University of Georgia. Dr. Sanders is a former police officer and throughout his twelve-year career, he served at Georgia State University and The City of Stone Mountain, promoting community policing and finally serving as a School Resource Officer in the Dekalb County School System. During his career, his passion and focus has always been to encourage other black men to thrive and to promote social justice. He is also the founder of a men’s group called Brother’s Keepers where he has created a safe place for black men to engage in conversations and lead them on a journey of discovering and understanding their power. In addition to a doctoral degree, Dr. Sanders holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Adult Education Instructional Technology from Troy University.   

  The Ridge Board of Directors is dedicated to   

telling the stories of indigenous Native Americans and the  free and enslaved pioneer settlers and travelers on the Old Federal Road into the Alabama frontier during the 1800s, highlighting the transformations of the area from then until now. In 2021, The Ridge Board is celebrating ten years of fulfilling our mission.  We are a member of the Alabama Association of Nonprofits.