About us

Different women. Same purpose.

The GEMS Collective is a circle of women in Metro Atlanta who give, grow and show up for one another, and for the community around us.

Where sisterhood meets service.

How it started

It began with one question to a few close friends.

One of the most meaningful experiences in my personal development came from being part of a women’s organization. Through it I grew personally, strengthened my business acumen, built valuable relationships, and learned how powerful it can be to feel connected to something bigger than yourself while giving back to others.

That experience stayed with me. Over time, I realized I wanted to help create that same kind of space here in Metro Atlanta, one that reflected the women I know, the lives we live, the goals we have, and the impact we want to make.

So I reached out to a group of close friends and asked if they would be willing to build something with me.

They all said yes.

That confirmed I was already surrounded by like-minded women who wanted more than just another social group. We wanted purpose. We wanted connection. We wanted to give back, grow together, strengthen our families and create something meaningful.

That is how The GEMS Collective was born.

Natasha Carter

Founder

How it started

To empower women, strengthen sisterhood, and create lasting community impact.

Different Women. Same Purpose.

Allied Purpose

We move in the same direction. Different gifts, different stories, one shared reason for being here.

Presence

We show up — for the women beside us, for our families, and for the community around us.

Impact

We measure ourselves by what changes because we were there, not by what we say we believe.

Our name

Four values, one word.

GEMS stands for the four values our founders built this collective around.

G

Giving

Serving our communities through our time, talents, resources, and collective impact.

M

Mentorship

Women learning from women, pouring into one another, and helping the next woman move forward.

E

Empowerment

Creating spaces for women to grow, learn, share, and become more confident in who they are and where they’re going.

S

Sisterhood

Building genuine friendships, showing up for one another, celebrating life, and creating memories together.

G

Giving

Serving our communities through our time, talents, resources, and collective impact.

E

Empowerment

Creating spaces for women to grow, learn, share, and become more confident in who they are and where they’re going.

M

Mentorship

Women learning from women, pouring into one another, and helping the next woman move forward.

S

Sisterhood

Building genuine friendships, showing up for one another, celebrating life, and creating memories together.

What we share

Leave every space better than we found it.

Our founders wrote their stories separately. The same conviction runs through all six.

Leaving every space better than we found it.

Natasha

Leave people a little better than she found them.

DeWana

Stand beside one another when life gets hard.

LaTrece

Show through action that the community matters.

Patricia

A little better than she found it.

Shirley

Leave a meaningful footprint on the hearts of others

ADRIENNE

Founders & leadership

The women who said yes.

A veteran, a realtor, a cosmetic chemist, a wellness founder, a postal service leader and a lifelong advocate for families. Six very different stones, set together.

Natasha Carter

Executive Founder

U.S. Air Force veteran of 13 years, mother and entrepreneur, who asked a few close friends to build this with her.

DeWana McKinney

President

More than 20 years serving children and families, and a leader who believes service rarely needs a grand gesture.

LaTrece Dash

Founding Member

REALTOR® and owner of Château Realty LLC, with a heart for women rebuilding after a season they never expected.

Patricia King

Administrative Program Manager

Licensed esthetician, cosmetic chemist and herbal practitioner who helps women find their worth through self-care.

Shirley Rock

Founding Member

Twenty years with the United States Postal Service, mother of four and grandmother of three.

Adrienne Gibson

Founding Member

Healthcare professional and wellness entrepreneur who has mentored young people since 2012.

Join us

Come and find your tribe.

We are building a sisterhood where every woman feels seen, supported and encouraged to grow, and then takes that back into her family, her business and her community.