The Honorable Judge Penny Brown Reynolds is a nationally respected leader, bold visionary and highly dedicated public servant, former jurist, attorney, public theologian, and ordained pastor. She is a history maker and international public figure whose journey is dedicated to the fundamental principles of justice, equality, civic engagement and social justice advocacy. Judge Brown Reynolds provides a unique and inspiring prophetic preaching and speaking style where she unapologetically confronts today’s challenging issues often ignored by the media.
During the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the March on Washington, civil and human rights organizations called upon Judge Brown Reynolds to give voice to the issue of “Poverty in America” during this historic occasion. She was selected as one of America’s leading intellectuals by CNN and Essence Magazine for the groundbreaking series, Reclaiming the Dream, in association with the Black in America CNN special. As a Life Member of the NAACP, Judge Brown Reynolds was the only jurist in history to serve on the Atlanta Chapter NAACP Executive Committee. She is the proud founding chair of the Judicial Section of the Gate City Bar Association, an affiliate of the National Bar Association.
Judge Brown Reynolds has brought the same passion and commitment she delivered to the law, while serving as a distinguished judge in Atlanta, Georgia for nearly a decade, to serving those in ministry, as Associate Pastor at the Midway Missionary Baptist Church, College Park, Georgia.
Judge Brown Reynolds’ life-long commitment to academic excellence has been demonstrated as she received her Bachelor of Science degree, Cum Laude, from Georgia State University, after only three years of study, graduating in the top 5% of her class and received her Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law. She was also awarded the Georgia State University Outstanding Student Award, the University’s highest award. She graduated first in her class, with highest honors and a perfect 4.0 GPA from the Interdenominational Theological Center (I.T.C.), Atlanta, Georgia, earning a Master’s degree, receiving the James H. Costen Award for Excellence as an Emerging Leader.
Judge Brown Reynolds achieved a distinguished position in Georgia’s history as the first African American to hold the position of Executive Counsel, making her the first Black to serve as a lawyer for a Governor in the Southeast. Both Ebony and Jet magazines recognized her for this historic accomplishment. She appears on the cover of numerous publications, including the January/February 2014 issue of Trendsetters To Trendsetters Magazine, the January 2013 issue of The Trumpet Magazine and The Eleventh Edition of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta.
She is a former prosecutor, state Assistant Attorney General, first African American Chief of Staff and legal counsel to Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor. Judge Brown Reynolds has an impressive track record as an entrepreneur where she touches millions of people with her internationally syndicated daytime television court series, Family Court with Judge Penny, receiving an Emmy nomination for her work on the series.
Judge Brown Reynolds’ ministry is not limited to the pulpit; she is the author of 7 Steps to Peace of Mind, an inspirational engaging and transformative guide on how to live a better life and how to obtain peace of mind. She also co-authored, Women and the Law: A Guide to Women’s Legal Rights in Georgia, and has several published articles.
Judge Brown Reynolds was recognized for her strides by The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. where she was awarded the “Woman of Wonder Award,” saluting her as the nation’s National Community Leader of the Year. The National Urban League awarded Judge Brown Reynolds the Woman of Power Award for her accomplishments and distinguished service. She received the Spiritual Enlightenment Award from the Trumpet Awards Foundation. In addition, at its 10th Annual Creating Opportunity Conference, the Rainbow Push Coalition presented Judge Brown Reynolds with the Trombone Award, for being an outstanding national business leader. The Woman Looking Ahead Magazine selected Judge Brown Reynolds as Georgia’s Woman of the Year and she has been named to Atlanta’s Top 100 Black Women of Influence.
Judge Brown Reynolds received the Pinnacle Leadership Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Community Service Award for her work with women by the Women of Multi Ethnicity and Nationality Organization. For the last ten consecutive years, Judge Brown Reynolds has been named to the Atlanta Business League’s 100 Most Influential Women. In addition, the Frank Ski Kids Foundation, Inc. honored Judge Brown Reynolds as a Local Living Legend for her many accomplishments. She has served as President Emeritus of the Georgia Chapter of the International Women’s Forum Judge Brown Reynolds is admitted to practice law in the state of Georgia and is a licensed Mediator. She is a member of the National Bar Association Judicial Council, the American Bar Association, the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Gate City Bar Association, Lawyers Club of Atlanta, League of Women’s Voters, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She received the honor of being recognized as a Barrister in the prestigious Lamar Inn of Court, Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia and was selected to Who’s Who in American Woman. She has served as a member of the Georgia Commission on Women.
Judge Brown Reynolds is President and CEO of Divine Destiny Enterprises, LLC and the founder of a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families, women, youth and children and providing a voice for the poor. She is the founder and executive producer of the annual Judge Penny’s SisterTalk: A Women’s Empowerment Conference with over 5000 attendees from around the country.
She and her husband Reverend Edward S. Reynolds are the proud parents of two grown sons and one granddaughter, Pelly Marie.
