Open Hand – a 35-year-old nonprofit that delivers nutritional meals to people in need – is having a year for the record books.
Author Archives: Maria Saporta
Maria Saporta, executive editor, is a longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. From 2008 to 2020, she wrote weekly columns and news stories for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Prior to that, she spent 27 years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, becoming its business columnist in 1991. Maria received her Master’s degree in urban studies from Georgia State and her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two young adult children. She launched SaportaReport in February 2009.
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Three Atlanta foundations reaping rewards of sharing office space
Three foundations – Tull, Dobbs and Lanier Foundations – moved in together in August..
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As Susan Shows announces retirement, Georgia Research Alliance names Tim Denning as next CEO
A transition of leadership is underway at the Georgia Research Alliance, a pivotal public-private partnership that has catapulted the state into a top place for scientific research and innovation. Susan Shows, president and CEO since September 2020, has been with GRA for 22 years. She made it official Wednesday, announcing that she’ll retire as CEO […]
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Delta’s Ed Bastian reflects on his tenure as CEO in Atlanta Rotary visit
Few CEOs have ever experienced what Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian went through beginning in March 2020 when the world came to a halt because of the Covid pandemic when Delta’s business went from the best of times to the worst of times in one month.
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Prince Hall Masonic Lodge to be restored thanks to Blank Foundation gift of $1.5 million
Nearly all of the money needed to restore one of the most significant historic buildings in Atlanta – the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge on Auburn Avenue – has been raised.
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Blank Foundation makes record $22.4 million in grants to Atlanta’s Westside
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced Sept. 21 that it is deepening its investment in Atlanta’s Westside.
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Music Midtown ‘adds to Atlanta being a real city’
I’ve witnessed the evolution, the hiatus and the rebirth of Music Midtown – one of the largest festivals that takes place in the city. As best I can count, that’s 23 years of Music Midtown.
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AJC plans to move to Midtown in 2024
After for than a decade being headquartered outside the city limits, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution will move its offices to Midtown, according to Andrew Morse, AJC’s president and publisher.
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MSM’s new Satcher Institute to tackle global health inequities
The Atlanta-based Morehouse School of Medicine made yet another leap in the world of global health Sept. 14 when it announced it was establishing the David Satcher Global Health Institute.
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Eugene Jones leaving as Atlanta Housing Authority’s CEO
Eugene Jones Jr., CEO of the Atlanta Housing Authority since October 2019, has submitted his resignation to Mayor Andre Dickens and his board chair, Larry Stewart. Jones convened members of the AHA team Tuesday morning to let them know he was leaving, according to people who were present. His last day will be Dec. 31. […]
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Atlanta’s role as a hub for global health is too important ‘to let it die’
For decades, visionary leaders have showcased how Atlanta is a center for global health. The vision still holds true – despite a setback with the dismantling of the Center for Global Health Innovation (CGHI).
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Piedmont Park Conservancy names Chicago’s Doug Widener as new CEO
The board of the Piedmont Park Conservancy has selected Doug Widener, the executive director of Chicago’s Lincoln Park Conservancy as its next president and CEO.
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Atlanta’s Marcus Autism Center breaks new ground on early detection
Two scientific research studies published today reveal that the Marcus Autism Center, a subsidiary of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, has developed the first “biomarker-based, eye-tracking diagnostic technology” now available to help diagnose autism.
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Possible contested race for ARC board chair could pit Andre Dickens against Kerry Armstrong
For the first time in a decade, it appears there will be a contested race for the role of board chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission.
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Montreal impresses metro Atlanta’s LINK delegation with focus on public amenities
Transit. Bicycles. Pedestrian streets. Public art displays. A festive spirit. Awareness of climate change. Those were just some of the themes metro Atlanta leaders expressed upon their return from Montreal during the 26th LINK trip that took place from Aug. 15 to Aug. 19.
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Reflections on race: Atlanta journalist Rick Allen shares his journey
Rick Allen’s fourth book – Reckoning with Race: An Unfinished Journey” – tracks his evolving views and questions about race.
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Metro Atlanta LINK delegation heading to Montreal this week
A delegation of about 130 people from metro Atlanta will be attending the 2023 LINK trip in Montreal, Canada – from Tuesday afternoon Aug. 15 to Saturday morning Aug. 19.
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Norfolk Southern’s Alan Shaw: ‘We’re not done. We’re going to continue to get better’
By Maria Saporta When Alan Shaw became CEO of Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern 15 months ago, he had no idea what the future would bring. Less than a year later, on Feb. 3, a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic vinyl chloride derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Three days later, the decision was made to have a […]
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Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott makes $3 million grant to GEEARS
The Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) has received a $3 million grant from MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and an extremely generous philanthropist who is known for making unsolicited gifts.
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Atlanta Land Trust completes $13.9 million campaign for permanent affordability
As Atlanta struggles to develop affordable housing, one model for permanent affordability is gaining traction. The Atlanta Land Trust has just completed a $13.9 million campaign to develop three housing communities in the city with a total 120 units – 90 of which will be permanently affordable.
