Staff Attorney India Mitchell was recognized on Apr. 14 with the 15th Annual Granicus Digital Government Changemaker Award for her leadership in transforming Clayton County’s public records operations and fostering greater trust with residents.
The award highlights the importance of transparency and effective communication between local government and the community. By improving how public records are managed, county officials aim to ensure that residents have consistent access to information and can trust their local institutions.
Luke Norris, Granicus Vice President of Platform Strategy & Digital Transformation, said, “India Mitchell turned open records from a compliance obligation into a true culture of transparency. By pairing countywide custodian training with a disciplined Records Request Management workflow, she delivered faster, more consistent responses and set a durable standard residents can trust.”
Mitchell said she is proud of her contributions: “I am proud of the work that allowed Clayton County to be counted amongst Changemakers. We needed to strengthen both the tools and the culture that support transparency. Transparency is not just about records; it is about integrity and making sure the public can trust the government that serves them.”
Her efforts have positioned Clayton County as an example within Georgia for proactive approaches to transparency by combining staff training, process improvements, and technology enhancements. The Granicus Digital Government Awards honor organizations excelling in digital service delivery, operational efficiency, community engagement, and public openness.
Meanwhile, recent data show demographic trends in Clayton County schools: enrollment dropped by 2.5% during the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year according to data from Georgia Department of Education. The district enrolled a total of 61,644 students during this period as reported by Georgia Department of Education. Black students made up 68% of enrollment—the largest group—while Hispanic students represented 24%, multiracial students accounted for 3%, and white students comprised only 2% according to state education statistics.
For more information about this recognition or about county governance initiatives aimed at increasing openness with residents, officials encourage visiting granicus.com/awards or contacting Communications Administrator Valerie L. Fuller.
