The Ledger

By Becky Holland

After building a career in public safety that spanned two states and more than two decades, Bleckley County native Governor Henderson is coming home with a mission: helping young people recognize their value, purpose and potential.

Henderson, 56, a 1989 graduate of Bleckley County High School, is in the process of transitioning back to Cochran to be closer to family. While he has lived and worked in other places for many years, he says his roots in Bleckley County never left him.

“There is no place like Cochran,” Henderson said. “I am who I am because of being from here.”

Known to family and friends as “Tick,” Henderson earned an associate degree from Atlanta Technical College, an undergraduate degree from Oakland University and a Juris Master degree from Wayne State University. His professional career included nearly 20 years in public safety, beginning in corrections from 1994 to 1998 before serving as a law enforcement officer in both Macon and Atlanta.

Along the way, he met his wife, a nurse from Michigan, in the mid-1990s. Today, his 22-year-old son attends Michigan State University.

Despite building a life outside Georgia, Henderson said he always felt drawn back to the community that helped shape him.

One of the biggest influences in his life was his father, who died when Henderson was young.

“My father was my greatest inspiration,” he said.

That inspiration, combined with his life experiences, has fueled his desire to help young men avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that can derail their futures.

“I walked the same streets in Cochran that young people walk today,” Henderson said. “I saw the challenges. I saw what could happen if I made the wrong choices. By the grace of God, I made good decisions and was blessed by the outcome. I want young men to understand that positive opportunities are there for them, too.”

To help make that happen, Henderson is launching a nonprofit organization called Potential Hope and Dreamers Academy.

The academy’s mission will be to help young people identify their worth, discover their purpose and develop the skills necessary to become productive members of their communities.

The program will focus on principles rooted in both civil rights history and biblical teachings. Henderson also plans to address topics such as behavior management, anger management and personal responsibility.

His vision is to partner with schools, churches and community organizations while also exploring opportunities for the academy to serve as an alternative resource within the juvenile justice system.

“I came back because I saw a need,” Henderson said. “I just want to help.”

As he settles back into life in Cochran, Henderson has developed a routine of taking a daily one-mile walk through town. Those walks often bring mixed emotions.

“It is refreshing to be home,” he said. “But it can also be painful to see places that have been torn down, neglected or fallen into disrepair.”

Even so, his focus remains on the future and what can be rebuilt—not just buildings, but lives.

For young people trying to determine their path, Henderson offers simple but practical advice.

“Identify your goals and what you want to be,” he said. “Once you know where you want to go, you have a model to start from.”

As Potential Hope and Dreamers Academy takes shape, Henderson is currently seeking individuals interested in serving as secretary and treasurer for the nonprofit. He also hopes to connect with churches, schools and agencies interested in partnering with the organization.

Those interested in learning more can contact Henderson by email at ghenlaw@gmail.com.

“I just want to help,” Henderson said. “That’s why I came home.”