From Alabama
Children First
MONTGOMERY, AL., January 13, 2025 – Alabama Children First has recently added four new board members; Jimmy Morris, Jr., Carter Goodwin, Ralph Bishop, and Marche’ T. Johnson to their esteemed board.
Jimmy Morris, Jr. joins the AL Children First Board from Prattville, Alabama and is the CEO of Morris Builders LLC. Carter Goodwyn is the Vice President at Goodwyn Construction in Montgomery, Alabama.
Ralph Bishop is an attorney as well as a leader and pastor at Mountain Brook Community Church.
Marche` T. Johnson is currently the City Councilor of District 3 in Montgomery. Prior to serving on City Council, Johnson was a logistician in the U.S. Army for 13 years.
Children First is looking forward to working with these outstanding individuals and seeing the positive impact that they will have for the children of Alabama!
Jimmy Morris earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music & a minor in Education from Alabama State University. He also earned an MBA with a concentration in Project Management from Columbia Southern University. He is a graduate of Babson College Goldman Sachs 10KSBprogram, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College Executive Education Program, and Turner School of Construction Management. He’s currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in Entrepreneurship from Walden University. Jimmy serves on the National Specialty Contractors Council for the Associated General Contractors Association of America (AGC), the board of directors of the U.S. Minority Contractors National Association (USMCA) as well as numerous other local and state boards and associations.
Jimmy has received multiple awards and recognitions for his outstanding work- He is a 2008 Who’s Who Among American Colleges & Universities, 2019 50under50 Distinguished Alumni, Alabama State University, 2020 Top 20under40 Young Executive Leader, Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, 2021 40under40 in Commercial Construction from Alabama Associated General Contractors Association (AGC) and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Carter Goodwin’s philanthropic causes were recently recognized when he was named the 2024 Volunteer of the Year by Hands on River Region. He has worked tirelessly with Brantwood Children’s Home. They have said that Carter’s “unwavering dedication and compassionate spirit have been instrumental in transforming the lives of the children served by Brantwood Children’s Home. Carter has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to our organization, leaving an indelible mark on our community through his selfless acts of service and volunteerism.” Carter has also lobbied Montgomery city for a donation of $50,000 to assist Brantwood with building repairs and maintenance. He orchestrated the replacement of the roof on Brantwood’s ‘Big House,’ demonstrating his proactive approach to infrastructure maintenance and ensuring the longevity of this vital facility.
Carter has also worked with numerous other local organizations. He has aided Friendship Mission in funding and renovating their family room, funding and helped Common Ground of Montgomery install a putt-putt course, as well as funded and built a protective fence at Camp Onawa. Carter has also helped with organizations such a Gospel Youth Explosion, Valiant Cross Academy, “Hot Dog Hero” by That’s My Child, Thanksgiving Food Drive as well as lead a team to help clean-up Selma.
Ralph Bishop has been a member of the Alabama Bar Association and Birmingham Bar Association since 1984- practicing law as both a litigator and in-house corporate attorney for over 22 years. Bishop has had the opportunity to work with lobbyists, and state and federal legislators and officials throughout the country. He received his B.S Degree from Auburn University and his Juris Doctorate Degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
Ralph Bishop has been a leader and pastor for 15 years at Mountain Brook Community Church. He has served as their Executive Director of Ministries as well as has worked closely with the Children’s and Nursery Ministry members. Serving as the Executive Director, Bishop served as a catalyst for new ministries and service opportunities within a growing church family that grew from approximately 500 members to over 3000 members during the tenure. He has provided the leadership and oversight for several large building projects throughout the church campus, working closely with contractors, city officials and church leadership. Bishop is excited to join the board and stated that he has “been aware and supportive of Children First since its beginning nearly 30 years ago.”
Marche` T. Johnson was born in Montgomery, AL and graduated with honors from Lee High School. Marche′ Johnson is the City Councilor of District 3 in the City of Montgomery where she is responsible for a constituency of approximately 26,000. She is on a mission to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resourceful community. She is focused on increasing surveillance, visibility, and effectiveness with neighborhood associations. She also has goals to mediate crime by establishing relationships between law enforcement and community members. Prior to being elected to her role as City Councilor, Marche gained experience in lean six sigma, logistics and operations as a logistician in the U.S. Army, where she served 13 years.
Marche’ Johnson holds a B.S. in Psychology and M.S. in Human Services. Marche is a graduate of the James W. Wright Leadership Development Institute, Emerge Alabama boot camp, Emerge Seated Together, Leadership Montgomery Torchbearers Class VIII, and the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program at Cornell University. Marche` is also a published author of a children’s book “Dear Bully.”
Marche` was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and Army Service Ribbon. She was featured in the City of Montgomery’s documentary “382: Organizing for the future.” She organized the first ever TedX for women in the city of Montgomery. She is a recent graduate from Yale Campaign School. She serves on numerous boards across the state and nation. You can always find Marche` actively engaged in schools and community projects across the city of Montgomery!
Alabama Children First is thrilled to have Jimmy Morris, Jr., Carter Goodwyn, Ralph Bishop and Marche’ T. Johnson serving on the board and cannot wait to see the impact they will continue to make for the betterment of Alabama Children.
Children First is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the lives of Alabama’s children and families through advocacy, awareness, and accountability on legislative issues that directly impact their daily lives. Children First was formed because our state’s leaders and child advocates saw a need to advocate for children in the halls of Alabama’s legislature. For more information, please visit www.alabamachildrenfirst.com
