The city of College Park, Ga., is pleased to announce the appointment of Emmanuel Rainey as Director of Recreation and Cultural Arts, effective Wednesday, September 6. In his new role, Rainey will manage and oversee programming for the department, which consists of the Wayman and Bessie Brady Recreation Center, Hugh C. Conley Center and Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex. Additionally, Rainey supervises city parks, the Bill Badgett Football complex and the  City Auditorium on Main Street.  Each center offers various activities for both youth and adults.

His passion became his occupation fourteen years ago when a mentor persuaded him to apply for a recreation leader job at Brady Center, located in College Park. Rainey was later promoted to Supervisor for Tracey Wyatt Recreational Complex. Passionate about his community, Rainey had been coaching and mentoring children in this area for over two decades before beginning his career in local government.   

“What I love most about my job is working with kids and our community to help our city thrive,” said Rainey.  He continued, “I get to create a lasting impact in my neighborhood through a variety of creative programs and initiatives.”  After his time at Brady Center, Rainey then worked as Supervisor for the Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex, where he developed programs such as senior fitness classes, youth dance and basketball groups and fitness promotions with nearby hotels. 

Now as Recreation and Cultural Arts Director, Rainey hopes to unite his department by combining the three current centers into one cohesive unit for programs. He hopes to bring new, innovative ideas to the current programming and extend classes offered to include more cultural arts such as drawing and music, as well as starting more active senior programs. He also wants to initiate a rebranding of the department as a whole to represent their mission to enhance the livelihood of all ages through cultural arts and recreation. 

Outside of work, Rainey enjoys jazz music, quiet time and spending time with the youth and community of the tri-cities area. He currently sits on the Tri-Cities High School Board Foundation, various student-government council boards and is part of The Prince Hall WC Thomas Lodge #112. He also serves as Associate Minister at Christians for Change Baptist Church in Riverdale, Georgia, and on the board of the Old National Merchants Association.  A College Park native, Rainey attended Georgia State University and The University of Iowa after first serving as a Hospital Corpsman with the United States Navy. 

“The best part of my job is watching people have fun and freely having a good time,” he continued. “I love excellence and will strive to be the best-of-the-best in recreation capabilities in my new position.”