The MARTA Board of Directors has appointed Deputy General Manager of Operations Collie Greenwood to the newly formed Fulton Technology & Energy Enhancement Authority.  Georgia House Bill 762 created the Authority to identify, target, and alleviate specific elements related to the underdevelopment of technological resources and energy burdens which result in poverty, then develop programs to address them. The bill acknowledges that these deficiencies hinder the development and redevelopment of impoverished pockets of Fulton County, and deny residents the opportunity for prosperity.  “While Fulton County does have agencies and programs that work to eliminate blight, improve education and workforce resources, and alleviate poverty, none of these are designed to provide specific assistance in improving technological and energy resources and reducing the energy burden on residents of these pockets,” said sponsor of HB 762 State Representative Mesha Mainor.  The Authority is governed by a board of seven members, serving four-year terms, who are appointed by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and agencies that serve Fulton County, including the Development Authority of Fulton County, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and MARTA.  “MARTA plays an important role providing access to jobs and education for those living at the poverty line, and we take seriously our commitment to energy conservation and technological advancement,” said MARTA Board Chair Rita Scott. “Collie Greenwood oversees operations at MARTA and his involvement in zero emission technology required to launch our new electric buses demonstrates to the board that he is the right fit for this new Authority.” Added Greenwood, “I believe technology and energy enhancement play important roles in city building and improvement and I am honored to join this talented, multi-faceted group in pursuit of such an important, shared mandate.” Greenwood joined MARTA in July 2019 as Chief of Bus Operations and was promoted to Deputy General Manager of Operations in January of this year.   This is sponsored content.

Hosted by Atlanta’s CBS46 Meteorologist Ella Dorsey, Unity for a Difference was an ambitious event that recognized distinguished contributors to Families First’s mission of building resilient families so all children can thrive.  Honorees included:  CEO of Leadership Atlanta Pat Upshaw-Monteith with The Community Impact Award.  UPS CEO Carol Tomé with The Social Equity Award. President of AT&T Georgia, Venessa Harrison with The Making a Difference Community Service Award Jim and Ann Curry who received The Montag Family Volunteerism Award.  Significant moments were in abundance at Families First’s Unity for a Difference event as all of the honorees shared insights into the invaluable work Families First provides within the Atlanta community.  “Families First appreciates the transition to a more equitable world. While challenging in the end, it is achievable,” said honoree Venessa Harrison.  “I have spent my entire career in the non-profit sector. In my position at Leadership Atlanta, it has allowed me to meet and work with some of the most transformative leaders with the brightest smiles, and the biggest hearts in the city of Atlanta,” fondly reflected honoree Pat Upshaw-Monteith. “Working alongside organizations like Families First, we are driving progress on diversity, equity, and inclusion so that all people have a chance to reach their highest potential,” shared honoree Carol Tomé.  “We understand that the family unit, in whatever way you define that, is the key to opening the door for a better future for children. And our personal mission is to open as many of those doors for children as can possibly be opened,” shared honorees Jim and Ann Curry.  Beyond the honorees, there were also many testimonials as to what unity is to each person as well as how people in disadvantaged positions were able to build resilience and persevere through the obstacles in their way.  Notably, Ebony Williams, with some help from Families First, found her and her children’s pathway to resilience and shared some of the insights she gleaned from her experiences with Families First.  “When I got with Families First, it was epic. They opened so many doors for me, they allowed me to have a home, they allowed me to have my own independence. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I am thankful. I am just thankful.”  Williams continued to expound upon the importance of building resilience and how it continues to be an integral part of her and her family’s lives.  “Setbacks can be difficult for a person, especially when you’re achieving so many different things. But you just have to be resilient, keep your head up, and keep moving forward.”   And what began with a bang, thanks to Kennesaw State University’s College of the Arts drum performance and included a dynamic dance performance, Runway, ended just as triumphantly and resoundingly as Atlanta Drum Academy closed out the ceremonies for Families First and their Unity for a Difference event with an inspiring performance.  If you happened to miss the event or would like to watch it again, Unity for a Difference 2021 is available for free on Unity For A Difference 2021 – YouTube. Remember, every view helps raise awareness about Families First and the amazing work it carries out in the Atlanta community. It must also be emphasized the significant amount of gratitude Families First holds for its many sponsors. As Tori Forbes-Roberts, Unity for a Difference Co-Chair and Senior Vice-President at Delta Airlines said, “Together, our sponsors are uniting with Families First to bring social equity and unity to the forefront.” Families First is very grateful for all of the help and support its sponsors provide.  Without the incredible support and help from our sponsors, none of this would have been possible. Thank you.  Georgia Power, Cox Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, Jabian Consulting, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, PNC, Publix Super Markets Charities, BlackRock, Phillip and Laura Law, AT&T, Montag Wealth Management, The Home Depot Foundation, United Healthcare, UPS, Lucy Carpenter Vance, Starbucks, The David & Lynne Homrich Family Fund, Courtney & Jaclyn Showell, Georgia-Pacific, Truist, Charlie & Mary Yates, Sheila Weidman-Farley, SHERPA Global, Julio Carrillo and Shane Cannady, Kirk Rich, Megan Davies, Vish Narendra, Marcia Nuffer, Bernadette Hartfield, Justice David Nahmias, Coxe Curry & Associates, Wellspring Nonprofit Resource, & Ashish and Kavita Mistry By: Grant T. Michelle, Families First Summer Intern  Grant T. Mitchell is a Knoxville based writer with experience contributing to The Daily Beacon with a weekly column since Spring of 2020. He has been a co-host on WUTK 90.3 FM since Fall of 2020. Grant attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and has experience writing for film review articles as well as non-profit and public relations professional writings.   This is sponsored content.

Last week, the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) announced ATL Action for Racial Equity, a multi-year, multi-step action plan designed to help address the ongoing effects of systemic racism impacting the Black community. In just a few days since launch, 30 additional metro Atlanta-based companies ranging in size and industry joined the initiative – to-date totaling more than 180 participating organizations. These companies and leaders will leverage the size, scale and expertise of the region’s business community to advance racial equity. Invitations to the initiative remain open, and MAC is inviting all businesses across metro Atlanta to sign on.  ATL Action for Racial Equity focuses on measurable actions across corporate policies, inclusive economic development, education and workforce development – critical areas in addressing the region’s immobility and inequity challenges. See quotes below from the region’s business leaders on why they chose to participate and why this initiative is important, now more than ever. Reach out to [email protected] to learn more. Ed Bastian, CEO Delta Air Lines and 2021 Board Chair, Metro Atlanta Chamber: “In metro Atlanta, our differences are our strength. We work together to make our community and the world better. We are not perfect, but we are committed to preserving and holding up this region’s legacy, especially now. As we tackle economic recovery, public health and the disproportionate impacts on our Black community, our business community must do its part. This is a moral and economic imperative as we work to grow our region’s competitiveness today and into the future.”   Jimmy Etheredge, CEO North America, Accenture: “Accenture is proud to collaborate with the Metro Atlanta Chamber and business leaders across Atlanta to take action on building a more equitable future for our community. Together, we are acting, we are leading, and we are driving change.”  Steve Koonin, CEO, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena: “We proudly support ATL Action for Racial Equity and promise that our franchise will continue taking the steps and supporting the causes that lead to equity for all in our city.”  Rohit Malhotra, Founder and Executive Director, Center for Civic Innovation: “The Center for Civic Innovation mission and day to day operations are designed to fight for an equity-centered Atlanta. The business community in Atlanta has a long and complicated history with equity in our city— we’re glad to see the Metro Atlanta Chamber call on companies and institutions to take measurable actions that align with their publicly stated values and sentiments. It is in this city’s best interest for this effort to succeed.”  Jenna Kelly, President, Truist Northern Georgia Region, Truist Bank: “At Truist, we firmly believe in building more just, inclusive, and equitable communities by standing for social justice, denouncing racism in all forms, and partnering with people and organizations who are as committed to equity we are. As we continue to have intentional dialogue around the role we can play in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we’re excited to join the ATL Action for Racial Equity to do our part in making a positive difference throughout Atlanta.”  Mary Schmidt Campbell, President, Spelman College: “If metro Atlanta is to close the region’s stark wealth gap, we all have to commit to bold innovative solutions. Spelman College, committed to the educational excellence of the 2000 Black women who attend the College, is also committed to the educational excellence of students in our neighborhood schools. For the past three years, our students have enjoyed major success in improving the reading scores of students in our neighborhood Washington Cluster Schools. We intend to launch a program that will accomplish improvements in math proficiency. This commitment to the improvement of K-12 education is aligned with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s business and community imperative to advance racial inclusion. We are proud to partner with MAC in their strategic approach to advocating for equity.”  Kyle Porter, CEO, SalesLoft: “The social justice and equity issues facing our companies, city, and nation are complex and intense. At SalesLoft we are committed to the necessary introspection, self-reflection, and action to be a more inclusive company because we believe it’s the right thing to do for our team, customers, and marketplace. SalesLoft is joining the ATL Action for Racial Equity because our internal efforts will be magnified and our progress accelerated through collaborative community work. Our community will become our ally and accountability partner providing the space to heed best practices, share wisdom, and generate ideas that will positively impact us all.    Russ Torres, President, Kimberly-Clark Professional: “At Kimberly-Clark, we believe racial equity and justice are moral issues that must be addressed through comprehensive actions to enact meaningful and sustainable change. We are moving with urgency. Therefore, we are proud to partner with ATL Action for Racial Equity in this mission. Their disciplined, multi-year plan leverages the collective strength of metro Atlanta employers to support focused corporate policies that foster inclusive workforce and community development. With more than 1,500 Kimberly-Clark employees in the metro Atlanta area, this initiative is uniquely personal to us. We believe the success of our company depends on creating workplaces, communities, and experiences where inclusion and diversity are evident and thriving. Together with ATL Action for Racial Equity, we look forward to creating a vibrant and more inclusive region that offers opportunity, growth, and long-term value for all.”  Elie Maalouf, CEO, Americas, InterContinental Hotel Group: “We applaud the Metro Atlanta Chamber on this initiative and stand with our peers in the Atlanta business community to advance diversity and inclusion. This commitment and collaboration reflect IHG’s values and inclusive culture, and builds on our own efforts to bring lasting, sustainable progress for the region and our colleagues.”  Paul Bowers (Chairman and CEO) and Chris Womack (President), Georgia Power: “At Georgia Power, we deeply value the diversity of our team and the communities we serve. That’s why we are committed to creating an environment where employees and customers feel a sense of belonging and can be their true authentic selves.  We’re proud to be a part of the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s ATL Action for Racial Equity efforts to do the same here in Atlanta. We believe businesses working together to ensure equality is how we can make a collective impact, and we’re …

By Jim Durrett, president of Buckhead Coalition and executive director of the Buckhead CID In 2020, responding to increasing concerns about crime and its impacts in Buckhead, the Buckhead Coalition took a leadership role in working with many partners in the development and implementation of what has become the Buckhead Security Plan. We continue to promote investment in this plan and urge you to take a look at it if you are wondering what you can do to help.  Beyond the care and feeding of the Security Plan, we have developed a Public Safety Platform to clearly communicate what we support as immediate, actionable steps that should be taken by the City of Atlanta to effectively address crime in Buckhead and across our city.  Our six-point platform is grounded in the consideration of not only the ordinances that have recently been adopted by the City of Atlanta in response to recent criminal activity and announcements from the City’s administration related to public safety, but also consideration of what we have learned from others as we have deliberated about our role as advocates for the Buckhead community. The platform is not a list of everything that needs to be done, but we believe them to be necessary and of greatest priority.  Buckhead Coalition – Public Safety Platform  As recruitment of police officers advances with due urgency, achieve proportionately fair staffing levels within Zone 2 of the Atlanta Police Department.  Conduct more rigorous policing, criminal prosecution and sentencing of individuals illegally possessing firearms and/or committing gun-related crimes.  Begin rigorous policing of nuisance properties using the tools that the city already has in the alcohol code to enforce the law.  Work with Fulton County to ensure that their courts are open and effectively prosecuting offenders who too often return to repeat their offences.  Resolve the impasse with Fulton County regarding the Fulton County Jail and the Atlanta City Detention Center.  Eliminate aggressive water/beverage sales and street racing by using new tactics.  Ultimately, we must all work together to address the root causes of criminal activity. The Buckhead Coalition will continue to explore how we may play a productive role in such an effort, as do many of our individual members already.   This is sponsored content.

By Sara Haas, Director, Southeast Market, Enterprise Community Partners Columbia at Capitol View in Adair Park has ample green space, sits along the Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail, and provides quality, affordable housing to the residents of all its units. But until quite recently, it didn’t look like this. Not too long ago, Capitol View, a 120-unit apartment complex built in 1948, was in disrepair, and though it remained affordable to people with lower incomes, things were changing fast. Adair Park was gentrifying, and residents worried that their rents would soon balloon to unaffordable levels. But developer Columbia Residential stepped in, partnering with public, private, and philanthropic entities and utilizing federal tax credits to renovate the property and ensure it remained affordable.  Capitol View, before it was preserved, was a microcosm of what is happening all over Atlanta. The housing market is booming, and the Atlanta metro is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. With that influx of new people comes the need for housing, and rents are steadily rising. According to federal guidelines, an affordable home should cost no more than 30 percent of a household’s income. The 2019 American Community Survey reported that the median household income in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area was $71,000.  An Enterprise analysis of this data found that there are an estimated 560,000 rental units in the metro area that are affordable to households earning no more than 60% of the median, meaning monthly rents are $1,065 or below. This housing stock is affordable to Atlanta’s service industry, teachers, retirees and more. Of these, 495,000 – 88% – are unsubsidized, which means there are no resources or regulations that keep them affordable as neighborhoods change. Atlanta can and should continue to build more affordable housing, but the region must act quickly to protect and preserve the subsidized and unsubsidized affordable housing we already have.   On the policy front, Atlanta can start with property tax relief. As neighborhoods gentrify, property values, and thus property taxes, increase, making it difficult for landlords and developers to keep costs down without raising rents. Creative solutions to rising property taxes could prevent them from having to make that choice.   It is also important to ensure affordable rentals that are up for sale fall into the right hands. Atlanta can consider a “right of first refusal,” as several other regions have adopted, which gives mission-driven companies and nonprofits intending to keep units affordable the opportunity to purchase properties without competing against predatory developers and investment firms. On the financial side, Atlanta should work to increase the amount of preservation capital and level of organizational support flowing to mission-driven developers so they can keep their units affordable and have the resources to acquire properties with expiring restrictions,  particularly when affordable regulatory restrictions through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program—the most successful creator of affordable housing in history—end after 15 or 30 years. Preservation capital can come from a range of sources: Enterprise’s Conventional Equity program is one example of how private funds can support preservation. Philanthropic funding helps to fill the gap between government subsidy and private investment. And emerging public, private, and philanthropic coordination efforts like the HouseATL Funders Collective can also help direct resources toward affordable housing preservation. Our region has recognized the value of partnership: the Metro Atlanta Housing Strategy includes a Metro Atlanta Preservation Collaborative in which representatives from the 10-county metro area meet quarterly to strategize around proactive preservation efforts. This type of collaboration is essential to saving—and growing—Atlanta’s affordable housing stock. Finally, Atlanta’s housing preservation strategy must involve property owners every step of the way. We must continue to educate  housing owners on the many resources available to help them maintain their properties and keep costs down, from the federal Section 8 housing choice voucher program to local training programs on how to minimize operating costs. Bringing in new public and private partners can lead to innovative programs that support landlords in new ways; for example, in Los Angeles, Enterprise partnered with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Foundation, Avail, and local nonprofit the Coalition for Responsible Community Development to launch the Local Rental Owners Collaborative (LROC), which utilized philanthropic funding to address rent arrears that accumulated as a result of Covid-19. LROC provides relief for tenants while ensuring small landlords have the funds to maintain their buildings and keep them affordable.  As Atlanta continues to expand and the need for housing grows, preservation must remain a central part of the strategy to ensure that housing can remain affordable for everyone. By combining new policies with resources and support from across sectors, we can get there.    This is sponsored content.

Operation HOPE today announced that Craig Boundy, Chief Executive Officer of Experian North America, has joined the HOPE Global Board of Advisors. Boundy leads Experian’s North American business lines, and plays a key role in driving the company’s commitment to helping marginalized communities get fair and affordable access to lending. In October 2019, Boundy led Experian to join Operation HOPE as a partner to enhance financial inclusion across the United States. This partnership combined Operation HOPE’s education and counseling programs with Experian’s credit education knowledge, capability and services like Experian Boost. Joining the HOPE Global Advisory Board is another step for Boundy to carry out his vision for Experian’s corporate responsibility and commitment to increasing financial literacy and using data and analytics to help people manage their financial lives. Boundy joins a distinguished Board that consists of some of the country’s top executives in business, banking, nonprofits and NGOs. HOPE Global Advisory Board members provide guidance and support for Operation HOPE in its commitment to provide financial literacy education and economic empowerment for individuals and small business owners living in under-served communities. “Having a strong board culture is vital to Operation HOPE’s long-term success. This requires the addition of leaders, like Craig, who’s values align with our overall vision,” said John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE founder and CEO. “As we continue to grow and serve communities in need, his unparalleled expertise will also accelerate our ability to disrupt the status quo and affect meaningful change.” “I am proud to join Operation HOPE’s board to help further its mission of empowering the financial health of diverse communities,” Boundy said. “Together, we can help improve access to financial education, tools and services that ultimately benefit society as a whole.” An accomplished global business leader, Craig joined Experian in 2011 as Managing Director of Experian UK and Ireland before becoming CEO of North America in 2014. Prior to Experian, Craig was CEO of Logica in the United Kingdom, having joined the organization in 2008 as CEO of Global Operations. Before that, he served as Chief Operating Officer for Cable & Wireless’ business in Europe, the United States and Asia. Previously, Craig served as Sales Director and then COO at Energis. His early career was with British Telecommunications. Experian North America prides itself on its workplace culture of inclusion and recently received its recertification as a Great Place to Work for the third year in a row. The company ranks in the top 40 Fortune Best Large Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance, and the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For 2021. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation granted the company a perfect score in its Corporate Equality Index, and Experian has been named by Forbes as one of the top 100 Most Innovative Companies in the world. About Operation HOPE, Inc. Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through our community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters and homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Project 5117 is our multi-year four-pronged approach to combating economic inequality that aims to improve financial literacy, increase business role models and business internships for youth in underserved communities, and stabilize the American dream by boosting FICO scores. Operation HOPE recently received its seventh consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability by the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: www.OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Media Contact Lalohni Campbell Per Se Media Group [email protected] This is sponsored content.

By Dr. Kashef Ijaz, Vice President-Health, The Carter Center Following on my commentary last month regarding health care capacity building at the community level, it’s fitting now to acknowledge our government partners’ eagerness and ability to exercise ownership of programs taking place within their borders.  A prime example is the Carter Center’s Public Health Training Initiative. PHTI is a joint effort between The Carter Center and the federal ministries of health in partner countries to increase the number of health professionals who will focus on improving maternal and child health — a significant need in many countries. The initiative focuses on: Enhancing the learning environment of adult students enrolled in state health science training institutions. Improving the competency of health science educators and health professionals by training them how to employ effective teaching methods. Producing learning materials tailored to each country’s context and health needs. The goal is a better-trained health workforce that has been educated in a system that is self-sustaining. Some of the graduates will become tomorrow’s instructors, so the improvements are perpetuated through succeeding cohorts of learners and care generally advances.  Since 2017, The Carter Center has worked with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health to fortify the health care workforce in six states in Nigeria, enhancing the skills of community health workers to improve maternal and child health. Recently, the Nigeria Public Health Training Initiative transitioned from a Carter Center-assisted project to state-level ownership in each state. “Nigeria has a great need to train and keep healthcare professionals in the country,” said Alhaji Abubakar Tambuwal, provost of the College of Nursing Science, Sokoto state. “The Carter Center worked with us to help strengthen this training so our health workers can provide essential life-saving care, such as safe pregnancy and delivery services for mothers and child immunizations.  “With tools, training, and resources from The Carter Center, the project advanced to the point where it could be fully absorbed by Sokoto state. The Center has done its job here, and so have we!” In addition to training in didactic methods, The Carter Center provided classroom furniture, desktop computers, office furniture, laboratory equipment, textbooks, teaching and learning aids, computer training, internet service, and equipment demonstrations. The impact is evident in academic performance, Tambuwal said. The pass rate at his school on both the nursing and midwifery certification exams increased from 65% in 2016 to 100% in 2019, he said.  A public health training initiative also was completed in Ethiopia from 1997-2010. The Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative worked successfully in partnership with seven Ethiopian universities and the Ethiopia Ministries of Health and Education to address the dangerous void in rural health services for 75 million Ethiopians.  In addition, we intend to continue public health training in Sudan, which aims to enhance the skills of 10,000 midwives and community health workers, as well as 9,000 medical assistants, sanitary overseers, anesthesia technicians, and surgical attendants. Sudan is focused on reducing infant and maternal mortality, and The Carter Center hopes to facilitate as much as possible to help reach that goal in a real and sustainable way.   This is sponsored content.

By Aixa Pascual Last year, Mamie Rogers and her husband, Star Lee, patched their leaky roof. The leak wouldn’t stop, and they had to add fresh patches earlier this year. Even then, water continued to seep through the roof of their southwest Atlanta home. The retired couple couldn’t afford a new roof, which they estimated would cost about $7,000. The pandemic, unexpectedly, provided a permanent fix for Mamie and Star Lee. This past year, COVID-19 federal relief funds went to provide a range of services for home-bound older adults. This freed up monies for Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), metro Atlanta’s Area Agency on Aging, to provide one-time funding for home repairs to allow older adults to age in place. So this spring, Mamie and Star Lee, a Navy veteran, were able to replace their roof, which was 18 years old. Thanks to an ARC grant given to Meals on Wheels Atlanta that funds home modifications for adults age 60 and over, their house got a new roof. Read on, at What’s Next ATL.   This is sponsored content.

Our Public Policy team has been following every twist and turn of President Biden’s first 100 days in office, captured in this primer that examines the landscape in Washington, DC, currently, and also assesses Congressional and Administration priorities through the remainder of 2021. Features of this report include: Biden Administration: Status of First 100 Days Priorities President Trump Executive Orders Revoked by President Biden Biden Administration Nominations Tracker Assessment of the Next 100 Days 117th Congress Departures American Jobs Act vs. GOP Infrastructure Framework View Report   This is sponsored content.

Guest post by Sonjui Kumar, Board Chair of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta and one of the Founding partners of Kumar, Prabhu, Patel and Banerjee, LLC and Aparna Bhattacharyya, Executive Director of Raksha, Inc.  At 8 a.m. on the morning after the Atlanta Spa shootings on March 16, the Asian American community of metro Atlanta came together on a hastily organized Zoom call. Over 60 people joined the call. There were a few men, but primarily it was the women, the Asian women of our city that came forward bringing their skills, their experience, their resources, and their connections, to help the mostly Asian female victims who had been tragically killed the night before. These were the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) women you often see in the forefront of our community, but so many that you do not – the therapists, and the interpreters, the advocates, and the non-profit leaders, all focused on helping the victims of the shootings, their husbands, their children, their friends and families. This was our moment, our call to action, and we answered it, and slowly, deliberately, did what had to be done, always keeping the unique needs of our population in mind. Immigration concerns, language access, privacy, families. What has struck us in the last few weeks is how we are wired to do this work quietly and purposefully, without the usual conflicts.  A few years ago, a well-known Atlanta journalist stated at a leadership event focused on power and influence in the city, that there were no Asian American leaders that had made a mark on metro Atlanta. We understood that statement for what it was, false, not intentionally but ignorantly. There are hundreds of us, working in our corners of the metro, helping individuals in their times of need, often survivors of violence or crimes, keeping them informed, helping them become citizens, registering them to vote. Our roots in this part of the country are not that deep, half a generation for some, one for others. But still in these short years, we have created a community that is broad, talented and ready to act when needed. As we write this, Asian American women are leading some of the most critical non-profits in Atlanta, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta, Center for Pan Asian Community Services, , Raksha, Inc, We Luv BuHi, Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, Georgia Muslim Voter Project, Korean American Coalition, and the Asian American Advocacy Fund, organizations that greatly enhance the quality of life in Atlanta for everyone. Whether it is political engagement and getting AAPIs to vote, meeting the critical needs of AAPIs impacted by food and housing insecurity, addressing immigrant survivors of violence, AAPI women leaders are behind the scenes fighting for the diverse needs of this city and this state.  We believe without doubt that the shooter was targeting Asian Americans. Whatever the courts find, the fact that he chose these businesses and these workers as the recipients of his hate is not a coincidence. For us, this was the definition of a hate crime.  We learned so much during this crisis. We learned that there are groups of people nationally that have dealt with mass shootings and every other type of disaster that can impact a city. We, through an informal string of referrals, got plugged into the ecosystem of others who had handled funds for survivors of mass shootings. They were kind and generous with their time and information, giving us documents, protocols and guidance as we navigated an area that was completely new to us. It only took a few calls for us to figure out what we had to do and how to do it because of the work that they had done already. We are extraordinarily grateful to all the community foundations, victims’ advocates and the residents of El Paso, Dayton, Ventura County, Charleston and Orlando for sharing what they had learned during their moments of crisis. We also learned that there are organizations and people, professionals, who have made assisting others their mission and purpose. We learned how to use their experience without letting it subsume our own instincts. The Asian American community in Atlanta did what it’s supposed to do, it came together, it supported those who were working on the ground with the families and the survivors. But there was a lot of time spent on trial and error that could have been avoided. We did not know who was supposed to take the lead, we just knew that we needed some centralized leadership. There was a lot of work to be done in a very short period of time. The burden fell on a few people and although they rose to the occasion, it could have been shared, and it could have been more efficient.  We urge you to learn more about our communities and our leadership in Atlanta not just in May, during Asian American Heritage month, but 365 days a year.      This is sponsored content.

For Mikail Albritton, it comes down to three words: “visible, tangible and lasting.” He is describing the impact that he wants to have serving Atlanta’s Edgewood community this summer as an Emory Community Building and Social Change (CBSC) fellow. Albritton, a junior in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, hopes to pursue a career in research-based epidemiology.  In the Edgewood community, Emory joined a coalition consisting of the Zeist Foundation, Moving in the Spirit, the Wylde Center Edgewood Learning Garden and the Mayson Avenue Cooperative. With a seed gift from the Kenneth Cole Foundation in 2002, Emory launched the CBSC program, which soon became a national model for integrating research and classroom learning with community engagement.  In this 10-week summer program for upper-level undergraduates, students commit 30 hours per week to a project and are paid for their time The program gives students a leg up on careers in the nonprofit sector, education, politics, public interest law, medicine, public health and socially minded business. Emory also offers a Community Building and Social Change minor.  Since the program launch, approximately 200 fellows have helped spearhead more than 35 collaborative projects, most of them arising from four areas of concentration: housing/neighborhoods, social policy and schools, health and environment/sustainability.  Founder Michael Rich, professor of political and environmental science, designed the program based on the reality that, for the difficult issues communities face, government, business and the nonprofit sector must come together.  The other key? Careful listening.  “We have to follow the lead of community residents as well as organizations and businesses within the community. And that requires a new style of education — one that focuses on how we craft partnerships across sectors with the community,” says Rich. Kate Grace, the CBSC program director, notes: “Emory is most effective when it helps to maximize existing infrastructure in the various neighborhoods.” The CBSC and DeKalb County launched the DeKalb Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative, which in turn enabled partnerships with neighborhood groups such as the Towers Action Group (TAG).  Says Victoria Anglin, a TAG leader, “Given the fellows’ ideas and technical experience, they helped us push for sidewalks along Glenwood Road. That area has seen the loss of life due to the lack of sidewalks. We owe our start in this important endeavor to the Emory CBSC fellows.” Helena Zeleke is a fellow whose primary focus is on the Clarkston community. She grew up in this part of Atlanta, her church is there, and many Ethiopian businesses that she and her family support are in the city. When asked what she was hoping to get out of the program, Zeleke, a rising junior in Emory College, politely but emphatically signaled that it was not about her. “I’m pursuing this to give back,” she noted. “Usually volunteering or service is seen as an opportunity to get experience or a fun day somewhere new, but the fellowship really focuses on organizing for a community and making sure that you’re doing service for the right reasons,” she added.  “Life-changing” is a word many students, partners and community members reach for to describe the impact of the program’s projects. Rich appreciates the acknowledgment of the program’s value but is perhaps more thankful for the realism the program imparts. “There is sometimes disappointment that change doesn’t come more rapidly or that it doesn’t become transformative. But, in a sense, that helps us better understand that this work takes time, patience and persistence. In the end, we’re in it for the long haul,” he says.    This is sponsored content.

Americans, especially Black Americans will come together this week for the annual festivities recognizing Juneteenth.   For anyone who may not know by now, Juneteenth is an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and has been celebrated by African-Americans since the late 1800s. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African-Americans in Galveston, Texas, were told they were free—a full two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued.  Like many others in this moment in time when it is so clear that racism is engrained into the very fabric of this country, I wonder do we need to declare Emancipation again? This time, not just on pen and paper or with our voices, but with action.  The mission of YWCA of Greater Atlanta is “eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.” The fact that we still have a mission this bold indicates we are not emancipated. The words of Dr. Martin Luther King resonate as loud today as they did when he said them, “No one is free until all of us are free.”   So, how can we find true freedom—freedom that SHOULD be celebrated and embraced? It starts with you as an individual. Let’s root out the cause of racism and become an anti-racist society. YWCA invites you to take a stand. Join us in this pledge.  STAND AGAINST RACISM: TAKE THE PLEDGE We take a Stand Against Racism every day by raising awareness about the impact of institutional and structural racism and by building community among those who work for racial justice. STAND AGAINST RACISM PLEDGE Mindful of the continuing affliction of institutional and structural racism as well as the daily realities of all forms of bias, prejudice and bigotry in my own life, my family, my circle of friends, my co-workers and the society in which I live, with conviction and hope: I take this pledge, fully aware that the struggle to eliminate racism will not end with a mere pledge but calls for an ongoing transformation within myself and the institutions and structures of our society. I pledge to look deeply and continuously in my heart and in my mind to identify all signs and vestiges of racism; to rebuke the use of racist language and behavior towards others; to root out such racism in my daily life and in my encounters with persons I know and with strangers I do not know; and to expand my consciousness to be more aware and sensitive to my use of overt and subtle expressions of racism and racial stereotypes; I pledge to educate myself on racial justice issues and share what I learn in my own communities even if it means challenging my family, my partner, my children, my friends, my co-workers and those I encounter on a daily basis I pledge, within my means, to actively work to support public policy solutions that prominently, openly and enthusiastically promote racial equity in all aspects of human affairs; and to actively support and devote my time to YWCA, as well as other organizations working to eradicate racism from our society. YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women. I join YWCA in taking a stand against racism today and every day. After you take the pledge, take a moment to tag us and tell us:  @ywcaatlanta  FaceBook | Instagram   *This pledge has been adapted by YWCA USA from the Pledge to Eliminate Racism in My Life, YWCA Bergen County which is an adaptation of the Pledge to Heal Racism in My Life, Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, April 10, 2006. Sharmen May Gowens CEO/YWCA of Greater Atlanta [email protected]  www.ywcaatlanta.org   This is sponsored content.

By Wendy Stewart, President of Bank of America Atlanta Successful entrepreneurs are a signal of a healthy economy, and by definition take on financial risks in the hope of profit. But the role of an entrepreneur comes with many challenges – from financing, logistics and competition, to the many unknowns associated with running an enterprise. As we have seen in the past year, out-of-the-box thinking and responsible growth are necessary for creating sustainable and meaningful change in communities. Bank of America works with many Atlanta entrepreneurs to help increase access to capital, consulting and mentorship to build businesses that drive economic growth. Building upon our commitment to create more economic opportunity, generate jobs and advance racial equity in Atlanta, we are partnering with Sweet Auburn Works (SAW) to enhance resiliency and sustainability in a region of Atlanta that is both historically significant and historically underserved. SAW is a nonprofit dedicated to the revitalization of the Sweet Auburn Historic District, a two-mile corridor of Auburn Avenue known as “the cradle of civil rights.” The District was the commercial, cultural and spiritual center for Black communities in Atlanta prior to the Civil Rights Movement, housing the city’s first Black-owned office and first Black-owned daily newspaper, and is most commonly known as the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. SAW’s new Walking with Heroes campaign accelerates the community’s vision for investments in real estate, infrastructure and business development in the Sweet Auburn area, paving the way for a renewed spirit of economic vibrancy. The plans include the “Hero Walk,” which will create a lasting impact for residents and visitors and strengthen the District’s revitalization. The one-mile Hero Walk connects the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and John Lewis Freedom Parkway with Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and Historic Oakland Cemetery. Our partnership with SAW’s Retail Accelerator Fund will provide $500,000 in grant funding for local entrepreneurs of color and equitable economic revitalization, as part of Bank of America’s $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, which includes support to minority entrepreneurs. Specifically, the Retail Accelerator Fund will provide: Critical business improvements, including architectural and design buildouts Access to consulting and design professionals to implement forward-thinking retail concepts SAW staff to assist with selecting real estate, leveraging city resources, and providing programmatic support Networking, mentorships, technical assistance and education to ensure their businesses remain sustainable throughout their entrepreneurship journey Diversification of retail offerings Create a more vibrant ecosystem throughout the district With over 100 years of history in Atlanta, Bank of America’s community-centered approach remains the same, as our partnership and support of revitalization in Sweet Auburn began in the 1990s with single-family homes. Today, we look at continuing our legacy addressing critical issues like entrepreneurship that ensure opportunities for our community are within reach.   This is sponsored content.