Author Archives: Westside Future Fund

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The dignity of the individual will flourish when matters concerning his life are in his hands.” More than 50 years later, those words inspired Hope Wollensack, Executive Director of The Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund (The GRO Fund), to launch a nonprofit dedicated to doing just that: putting power back […]

The April 18 Transform Westside Summit, held at The Gathering Spot, invited community members to reflect on how honoring the past — especially through historic preservation — can help shape a stronger, more unified Westside. This month’s Summit focused on 234 Sunset Avenue, the historic Vine City home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and […]

For Elisha Dumas, the opportunity to live on the Westside marks the beginning of a new chapter at age 27.   “I’d been staying with my mom for so long,” he said. “The home was the next step of having something of my own and being able to build equity for my family.” Originally from New […]

At the April 28, 2025 ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly restored 220 Sunset Avenue residence, Westside Future Fund was honored to share a powerful statement from Dr. Constance Jackson Carter, one of the six children of Rev. Maynard Jackson Sr. and Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson, who once lived at the residence as child. In […]

In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the […]

At the March 21 Transform Westside Summit, the spirit of Women’s History Month was front and center as we gathered to honor the powerful legacy of women on Atlanta’s Historic Westside—and look ahead to the future being built through collective action, community voice and collaboration. Westside Future Fund (WFF) President & CEO John Ahmann and co-host Ebony Ford, a […]

Atlanta’s historic Westside has been home to generations of remarkable women whose courage, vision, and love for their neighborhoods have helped shape the city as we know it. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re taking a moment to recognize the incredible women whose stories have shaped Vine City, English Avenue, and the communities beyond. […]

For Rodrick Collier, becoming a homeowner through Westside Future Fund’s Home on the Westside program is more than a milestone—it’s a transformative experience rooted in legacy, location, and love for community. A firefighter by profession and community advocate at heart, Rodrick has deep ties to Atlanta’s Westside. In fact, he once served this very neighborhood through his […]

In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the […]

The February 21 Transform Westside Summit, held at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, brought together community leaders, residents and partners to reflect on the progress made in affordable housing in Atlanta. The Summit featured a dynamic conversation with Terri Lee, President and CEO of Atlanta Housing and John Ahmann, President and CEO of Westside Future Fund (WFF), as we celebrated […]

Atlanta’s historic Westside is a living testament to the city’s rich past and enduring legacy. Throughout the community, streets and landmarks tell the stories of trailblazing leaders whose contributions shaped Atlanta—and the nation. In honor of Black History Month, we are launching a blog series exploring the namesakes of four significant streets that run through […]

Atlanta’s historic Westside is a living testament to the city’s rich past and enduring legacy. Throughout the community, streets and landmarks tell the stories of trailblazing leaders whose contributions shaped Atlanta—and the nation. In honor of Black History Month, we are launching a blog series exploring the namesakes of four significant streets that run through […]

Atlanta’s historic Westside is a living testament to the city’s rich past and enduring legacy. Throughout the community, streets and landmarks tell the stories of trailblazing leaders whose contributions shaped Atlanta—and the nation. In honor of Black History Month, we are launching a blog series exploring the namesakes of four significant streets that run through […]

Atlanta’s historic Westside is a living testament to the city’s rich past and enduring legacy. Throughout the community, streets and landmarks tell the stories of trailblazing leaders whose contributions shaped Atlanta—and the nation. In honor of Black History Month, we are launching a blog series exploring the namesakes of four significant streets that run through […]

For Jon Ingram, joining Westside Future Fund (WFF) as Chief Development Officer is more than a professional milestone—it’s a homecoming. Raised with deep roots in Atlanta’s Westside, Ingram brings both a wealth of experience in nonprofit development and an intrinsic understanding of the community WFF serves. A Career Built on Service and Community Engagement Ingram’s […]

On the weekend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, over 1,200 volunteers gathered in Atlanta’s historic Westside to honor his enduring legacy of justice, equality, and service. Westside Future Fund’s 2025 MLK Day of Service showcased the power of collective action, inspired by Dr. King’s vision of a future built on opportunity and equity […]

The first Transform Westside Summit of 2025 was held January 17 and marked a pivotal milestone in Westside Future Fund (WFF) history as the organization celebrates its 10th anniversary. The event reflected on a decade of transformative progress while charting a bold path forward to continue honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a […]

In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the […]

Westside Future Fund (WFF) announces the addition of two accomplished leaders to its Board of Directors: Wonya Lucas, renowned media executive and former President & CEO of Hallmark Media Networks, and Colline Hernandez-Ayala, an innovative designer and architect at Perkins & Will. Both bring a wealth of experience and passion to WFF’s mission of driving […]

The December 20 Transform Westside Summit featured an inspiring and thought-provoking program centered on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Atlanta’s Westside. Hosted by John Ahmann, President and CEO of Westside Future Fund , the event highlighted the transformative work of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) under the leadership of Jay Bailey, its President and CEO. The event […]