The Mayor’s Summer Reading Club—the beloved GEEARS initiative that fosters early literacy with partner-led programming and free, original books—is entering its 12th season! The central goal of the Mayor’s Summer Reading Club is to create an environment in the City of Atlanta which supports brain development, early literacy, and learning by encouraging family engagement throughout […]
Category: Thought Leadership
Posted inHigher Education
Emory-led ENRICH trial proves minimally invasive stroke treatment superior, sets new care standard
Groundbreaking results from a six-year clinical trial investigating treatment for hemorrhagic strokes, led by researchers at Emory University School of Medicine, show the minimally invasive approach under study is safe and superior to the current standard of care, marking a major advancement in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), the deadliest form of stroke. The findings were […]
Posted inSmall Business
The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Celebrates Small Business Month
The month of May has been designated Small Business Month, a national recognition of the many contributions small businesses make to the American economy. It has often been said that ‘as small business goes, so goes America,’ but many are unaware of just how significant that statement is. The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council is […]
Posted inCorporate Community Impact
Failing Forward: Turning Failure into Growth
By Toccara Arnold Alam, Board President, Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social impact professionals must constantly innovate and take professional risks, because our communities and their needs are always evolving. Thanks to the Internet and social media, we often only see the positive side of what others are working on […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Goodwill Celebrates Military Appreciation Week
May is Military Appreciation Month, a time designated to honor and recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and service of the members of the armed forces, past and present and Goodwill of North Georgia is celebrating the month by highlighting its programs for those who have served in the military. Goodwill of North Georgia acknowledges the contributions […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Discovering WORTH Atlanta: A Homeownership Collaborative
By Atlanta Habitat for Humanity staff In the bustling urban landscape of Atlanta, homeownership represents more than just a place to live – it signifies stability, investment, and a pathway to building intergenerational wealth. However, behind the city’s gleaming skyline lies a stark reality: Black homeowners are disproportionately displaced from their homes and are less […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Westside Future Fund Celebrates T. Dallas Smith’s Chairmanship To Board Of Directors As Organization Enters Next Chapter In Its Neighborhood Restoration Efforts
Westside Future Fund (WFF) celebrated the appointment of T. Dallas Smith as Chair of its Board of Directors in a private reception this month. A prominent figure in Atlanta’s real estate sector and a native son of the historic Westside, Smith has a profound commitment to community development and a personal connection to the neighborhoods […]
Posted inDesign and Our City
What Really Makes the Krog Street Tunnel Special?
Another good question! And a question that gets to the heart of what makes our whole city special both culturally and architecturally. In our last post, on the state of public art in Atlanta, we left you at the scene of Resurgens Requiem, a historic performance by the acclaimed Spelman Glee Club during this year’s […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
InForums across Greater Atlanta to spotlight maternal health, women’s wellness, and food accessibility
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s InForum series is back for another round of community engagement and data-sharing. Three upcoming events will inform audiences on region-specific challenges with a solution-oriented approach. Learn more about each below! Metro Atlanta InForum Focus: Healthy Mothers, Healthy Communities: Addressing Maternal Health Disparities When? Tuesday, May 7 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
Georgia Early Literacy Acts already gaining traction
The Rollins Center for Language & Literacy (Rollins) is partnering with state, regional and local agencies, districts, schools, businesses, and nonprofits to advance universal literacy from the 3rd trimester of pregnancy when auditory channels are forming through early learning, literacy, and building the foundations for deep reading brain construction. These partnerships expand on Rollins’ work […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Westside Future Fund Celebrates Homeownership Success with Justin Jones
We are thrilled to share the exciting news of Justin Jones’ home closing through Westside Future Fund’s Home on the Westside program. Justin embodies the spirit of community retention as both an alumnus and current employee of Morehouse College, residing right here on Atlanta’s Westside. With the support of Westside Future Fund and our partners, including Invest […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Rocket Community Fund, National Black Empowerment Council, and Goodwill® of North Georgia Launch “Homeownership Wealth Initiative”
Rocket Community Fund, National Black Empowerment Council (NBEC), and Goodwill of North Georgia today announced the launch of the Homeownership Wealth Initiative, a pilot program designed to equip Atlanta residents with the knowledge and resources needed to achieve homeownership and build generational wealth. This six-month program is designed to prepare 600 participants for homeownership. The […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Inspired By A Legacy Of Striving For Change: The Role of Parks in Achieving the Beloved Community in Atlanta’s Historic Westside
Atlanta’s Historic Westside is a beacon of activism, where courageous Black leaders from the late 19th century through the Civil Rights Movement and up to the present day have tirelessly championed change and justice. Despite facing severe adversities, including violence, these leaders have significantly influenced not only the neighborhoods of the Westside but also the […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Visit a local park to celebrate Earth Month in the “City in a Forest”
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager Happy Earth Month, Atlanta! (Although in our eyes, every month is Earth Month!) April is a great time to get outside — with the trees beginning to leaf out, flowers blooming in abundance and birds singing their songs. Not only is this an ideal time […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Sports Based Youth Development programs have the power to break the cycle of poverty
By Kelli Stewart, co-founder, L.E.A.D. Center for Youth If you’re born into poverty in Atlanta, you have a 4% chance of breaking free. My husband CJ is part of that tiny percentage of people who were able to break the cycle of poverty. Now, as the Chief Visionary Officer of our nonprofit organization, L.E.A.D. Center […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
900,000 fewer kids enrolled in college since the pandemic; direct intervention is essential
By: Taylor Ramsey, Executive Director, OneGoal Metro Atlanta Last month, OneGoal Metro Atlanta hosted our third annual Student Summit at Clayton State University where 600 OneGoal juniors and seniors from across the metro area came together for a day of inspiration, connection and empowerment as they pursue their postsecondary goals. During the event, students explored […]
Posted inSustainable Communities
Turning Building Performance Data into Environmental Action
Today, those who own, lease, and operate buildings are increasingly exploring sustainability improvements that can be implemented at scale. The major drivers for this trend: an increase in data available for understanding building performance, the promise of lower utility bills, and a $1B federal investment to update energy codes and implement building performance standards through […]
Posted inHigher Education
New Emory study shows air pollution increases risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
A new Emory University study has found that adults exposed to high levels of air pollution were at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In a study of 1,113 participants between the ages of 45-75 from the Emory Healthy Brain Study, all of whom were from the Atlanta metropolitan area, the researchers found positive biomarkers […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Free Fitness Program: A Community Gem
The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP) has kicked off its highly popular Free Fitness program, reaffirming its dedication to enhancing the health and well-being of residents across BeltLine communities. With a steadfast commitment to ensuring that fitness opportunities are accessible to all, the initiative aims to remove barriers and promote active lifestyles for individuals of all […]
Posted inMoney Matters
Most Middle-Income Americans Say They Didn’t Get a Good Financial Education in School
One of the most important skills needed to achieve financial security is understanding the fundamentals of following a budget, reducing debt and saving for retirement. Yet, despite being the world’s largest economy, the U.S. doesn’t even crack the top 10 list for financial literacy worldwide. That lack of education can be particularly harmful for middle-income […]
