Monroe is a small southern town mostly untouched by the suburban sprawl of Atlanta. It is a place of contrasts – old and new, white collar and blue collar. Home to more than 13,000 folks – about half black and half white. A bedroom community of proud natives, content neighbors, and hopeful newcomers seeking space. Quiet. It lacks a fancy grocery store, street art, and a place to buy liquor; but it's abundant in reclaimed cotton mills, antiques, bibles, and well-mannered folks. Conservative. Its shades of gray and democrats can be counted on one hand. A stretch of land thick with roots and a future to be defined.