Johnelle Simpson delivers keynote handle at Lions of Georgia Conference – The Donalsonville Information

Johnelle Simpson II was the keynote speaker at the Georgia District 18-O Lions Convention on Saturday, April 22nd. He and his wife Rachelle Simpson were introduced after lunch. During her high school years, Johnelle was a member of the Seminole County LEO Club, which was co-sponsored by the Seminole Lions Club and the Donalsonville Lions Club. Johnelle is a community pride and has been since high school.

In 2010, the Seminole Leo club attended the Georgia Leo Gathering and Conference at the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind. This is an annual weekend filled with leadership, opportunity and experiential skill learning (the LEO acronym/motto) through service projects, parliamentary procedural training, officer training and fellowships. The event was attended by 135 Leo club members from across the state of Georgia. At that event, Johnelle was elected Vice President of State Leo by his peers. In a vote of superlatives, he was honored with the “Future President of the US” award. On June 11, 2011, Johnelle was installed as State Leo President by Lions of Georgia Council Chairwoman Grace Clower. She asked him what his goals were for his tenure. Johnelle’s response was, “I will work to increase the participation of clubs in all districts, especially in service to those in need.” He then immediately began organizing and mobilizing officers and committees to organize activities and service projects for his term to plan.

Johnelle has continued to impress his peers, Leos and Lions leaders. After graduating from Seminole County High School in 2012, he attended UGA, majoring in Risk Management & Insurance and Political Science, and served as President of the Student Government Association. He graduated from law school at the University of Tennessee College of Law and is now an attorney with Fortson, Bentley and Griffin, PA in Athens, Georgia. He was featured in Athens Magazine by the Chamber of Commerce and was named one of the Game Changers 2022 in February.

On Saturday, he spoke about his years as a Leo, his life in Seminole County, and his aspirations to be a good leader. He inspired the Lions crowd with his wordplay, spirit of giving and striving for success, and what it takes to work with compassion for others. He loves music and cooking and used these passions to inspire convention attendees. He shared his passion for making sense and pursuing possibility in a positive way. Johnelle shared his three keys to success: keeping a positive attitude, accepting challenges, and remember – at the end of the day – it’s all up to you. His wit and humor as well as his respect for other organizations were shared in storytelling fashion. He encouraged us to keep striving for greatness using lines from songs like “I believe I can fly!”. and quoted his motto “The road to success is not straight; There are curves called errors, loops called confusion, speed bumps called friends, and there are warning lights called family. There are homes called jobs, but when you have something left called determination, an insurance called perseverance, a driver called Jesus, you can reach a point called success.”

Brenda Arnold, State Leo Chair, introduced Johnelle and provided some of his backstory, and two Lions dignitaries provided the response after his speech. Former International Principal Lion Kembra Smith shared her fond memory of Johnelle as Leo, his leadership skills during high school, and his love and eagerness to serve at Camp for the Blind. Christopher Shea Nikell, current director of Paducah-based Lions International, Kentucky Supreme Court Justice, followed by a request to borrow or steal some of Johnelle’s words of wisdom and inspiration. He commended Johnelle for being able to teach something new to those of us who have been Lions of service for many years. There was a standing ovation at the end of his response, thanking Johnelle for his achievements.

Johnelle is a Seminole County Graduate and the son of Twynette Reynolds and Johnell Simpson of Seminole County.