| State Representative Karen Leeper Bennett is a native of Richmond, Virginia and moved to DeKalb County, Georgia in 1985. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Howard University, where she graduated with honors. Subsequently, she received a Master of Science from Georgia State University, a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a doctorate in physical therapy from Alabama State University.
In 2012, Rep. Bennett was elected by an impressive majority to serve in the Georgia General Assembly as the State Representative for House District 94, representing citizens in portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was also elected by her peers to serve as the chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) for the 2019 - 2020 legislative term. The GLBC is the largest state black caucus in the country. Since being elected, Rep. Bennett has also served as the vice-chairman of the House Gwinnett Legislative Delegation and the secretary of the House DeKalb Legislative Delegation.
Professionally, Karen is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, or DPT, and is the president and CEO of Metro Therapy Providers, Inc. in DeKalb County, which is a pediatric therapy provider service offering physical, occupational and speech therapy. She has been recognized for her achievements as a small business owner by the Atlanta Business League, Black Enterprise Magazine and the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia to name a few. She has also served on several boards, both civic and professional. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Dr. Bennett currently serves as the political and social action coordinator for Georgia. In her community, she has served as her county commissioner's appointee to DeKalb County's Revenue Enhancement Commission, the DeKalb County Citizens Green Space Bond Fund Oversight Committee and as a representative to the Land Use Committee. Bennett has also served as the chairman of the Board of Directors for the DeKalb Business Incubator, providing start-up incubation services to area small businesses, chairman of the board for the New Bethel Senior Center, member on the Board of Directors for the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia, delegate to the American Physical Therapy Association and as an advisor to the Physical Therapy Association of Georgia for matters pertaining to children with special needs. She has many years of serving the state of Georgia's Babies Can't Wait program. She was appointed to serve on the Department of Community Health's (DCH) Continuous Quality Improvement Council for BCW. Rep. Bennett co-founded the Georgia Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., Tri-Alliance, which includes physical, occupational and speech therapists. The Tri-Alliance advises DCH, the Department of Public Health and care management organization's on policies that affect access and affordability to therapy services. Rep. Bennett has been an advocate for children with special needs and their families to have accessible and adequate health care for more than 30 years.
Biographical Sketch Reverend Karen Leeper Bennett 11/20/2012
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Rep. Bennett is known for her dedication, hard work, caring spirit and passionate advocacy in community service and for the rights of others. She is a life member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and DeKalb NAACP, as well as a member of the DeKalb National Council of Negro Women and the Order of Eastern Star. She has also served as a member of the 100 Black Women of DeKalb County. In addition to working as a professional and community advocate, Rep. Bennett is also an ordained itinerant elder in the AME Church and has served as a senior pastor in the Augusta Conference since 2010 and is currently serving as a pastor in the Atlanta North Georgia Conference. Furthermore, Rev. Bennett served with distinction as the Atlanta East District's coordinator of "Women in Ministry" and as the president of the Augusta Conference's "Women in Ministry."
State Representative, Reverend Doctor Karen Bennett and Mr. Leroy Bennett are the proud parents of two adult children, Jabari Bennett, Esquire, and Asha Bennett, Master of Public Health. Rep. Bennett believes that "only what you do for Christ shall last." |