By Damian Ramsey, MSW The long awaited financial aid overhaul that took place this year has been coined the “FAFSA Fiasco.” Revamped for the first time in 40 years, the new FAFSA was supposed to simplify what has historically been an overly complicated process to secure aid to pay for college (2-year, 4-year, or technical […]
Category: Thought Leadership
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Take Action to Help Our Neighbors Stay in the Homes They Love
According to a recent report from national real estate data provider Attom Data Solutions LLC, Atlanta experienced one of the highest spikes in property taxes in the country last year. Property taxes for single-family homes in metro Atlanta increased by an average of 15.2% from 2022 to 2023. Metro Atlanta had the fifth-largest year-over-year average […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Goodwill Pleasant Hill Success Story: Xavier Scott
Xavier Scott came to Goodwill’s Pleasant Hill Career Center with a strong desire to work. He and his mother knew that with the proper support and coaching, he could succeed in his employment journey. Xavier’s Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) counselor referred him to Goodwill of North Georgia’s Career Services because he would have access […]
Posted inSmall Business
Breaking Barriers: Rodney Strong’s Impact on Supplier Diversity and Inclusive Procurement in Georgia
The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council is approaching its 50th year of service to Georgia’s business community. Founded by progressive corporations that saw the value in diversifying their supply chains and offering business opportunity to everyone, the GMSDC has been training and developing Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) firms and facilitating mutually beneficial business partnerships since […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Westside Future Fund Announces Third Annual Ride For The Westside Celebration
Westside Future Fund’s (WFF) annual “running, walking, and biking” event Ride for the Westside (RFTW) is back for a third year! WFF is grateful to Chick-fil-A for being the inaugural presenting sponsor for this year’s event. Bringing together residents, community organizations, businesses, and supporters of the historic Westside, RFTW celebrates the legacy of some of Atlanta’s […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Atlanta Braves host Pride Night, offer specialty ticket packages
On Tuesday, June 18, the Atlanta Braves will host the Detroit Tigers for Pride Night at Truist Park. Fans have the option to purchase special Pride ticket packages with access to a pregame party at the Coca-Cola Roxy and a Braves Pride t-shirt. Ticket packages range from $42 to $99, with $4 of every purchase […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
Summer Can Heat Up Child Care Challenges. We Have Tips and Resources!
Summer child care can be daunting What’s the most challenging part of being a working parent or caregiver? Many will tell you—child care! Finding high-quality, accessible care, snagging a spot in that program, and paying for it—parents have told GEEARS that such tasks can pervade their parenting and their careers. Sometimes child care even changes […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Westside Future Fund Celebrates Sean Scott’s New Home Through Home On The Westside
Westside Future Fund celebrated the closing day for new Home on the Westside homeowner Sean Scott. Scott purchased a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the English Avenue neighborhood. This is the third closing WFF has celebrated through its signature program in 2024. Scott is an Atlanta native and currently works as an IT professional with the […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Goodwill of North Georgia: A Commitment to LGBTQ+ Inclusiveness and Support
Goodwill of North Georgia has long supported the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, believing that inclusiveness is not only key to a successful organization but also crucial for improving the quality of life for employees who may face discrimination based on their lifestyle. The organization has implemented several initiatives in support of the LGBTQ+ community. […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Breaking barriers to build Black wealth: The journey of 5 Strong
By Quameiha Raymond-Ducheine, storytelling associate As graduation season approaches, 55 newly selected 5 Strong Scholars eagerly await their first semester. The auditorium at Atlanta Metropolitan College is brimming with excitement as scholars gather for their monthly college preparation session. These sessions equip students with the tools needed to excel in higher education. The primary mission […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
May Summit Recap: Beyond Brick and Mortar: How Affordable and Market Rate Housing Cultivates Community Vitality
The May 17 Transform Westside Summit brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the balance between affordable and market-rate housing in creating vibrant, healthy and inclusive neighborhoods and highlighted the neighborhood revitalization efforts of the Grove Park Foundation. Candace Wheeler, Communications Manager, Westside Future Fund, and Ebony Ford, Director of Community Building & Engagement, Quest Community Development Corporation, […]
Posted inDesign and Our City
Where Is Atlanta’s Town Square?
We’re a big city. An international city. A dynamic city. A creative city. A city with roots. A city of communities. Always on the move. A city with plans. People find themselves in Atlanta, fall in love with it, decide to stay. People come up in Atlanta, take off to make it big, and find […]
Posted inEmpowering Atlanta
Fifth Third Committed to Feeding our Communities
Fifth Third Bank’s nearly 20,000 employees celebrated “Fifth Third Day XXXIII” on May 3 and throughout the month by volunteering and donating to fight food insecurity in the communities where they live and work. In Georgia, over 400 team members donated their individual time and treasures to support the cause. On May 3, celebrated as […]
Posted inHigher Education
Emory awarded $6 million to study PTSD screening for pregnant Black women
Emory University School of Medicine researchers, in partnership with the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), have been awarded a five-year, $6 million award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to conduct a study aimed at improving health outcomes for pregnant Black women. The study will assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening approaches among pregnant Black […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
Nature & Nurture: How Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s Camp Kiwanis Fortifies Youth Leaders
By David Jernigan, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta We’ve all heard stories of city kids arriving at overnight camp, apprehensive about the wilderness and none too thrilled to disconnect from their devices. By the end of camp, those same kids are gazing at stars with wonder and tranquility, swapping stories […]
Posted inCorporate Community Impact
Navigating Mental Health as a Corporate Social Responsibility Leader
By Toccara Arnold Alam, Board President, Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta In the ever-changing climate of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), professionals often find themselves tirelessly advocating for others and championing complex causes as they strive for positive change. Yet, amidst their noble endeavors, it’s easy to overlook one crucial aspect – their own wellbeing. This […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Get Inspired to Go Native This Summer
By Nikki Belmonte When we consider how we as individuals in a rapidly growing state like Georgia can contribute to improving the quality of life for ourselves and our neighbors, those of us with land – from sprawling acres to a postage stamp yard – have an opportunity to lead and influence. Low intensity development […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Don’t miss United Way of Greater Atlanta’s premier event for young philanthropists
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Night for a Brighter Tomorrow is a time to celebrate the impact that both Young Professional Leaders and LINC (Lead. Impact. Network. Change.) have had on the Greater Atlanta community. In addition to recognizing both groups’ collective impact, the event serves as a premier networking opportunity for young philanthropists throughout […]
Posted inGlobal Health & Development
Peer Navigators Provide Personal Support in Puerto Rico’s Fight Against Opioids
By April Biagioni Peer navigators from the CDC Foundation’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program are on the front lines of the opioid crisis in Puerto Rico, engaging with communities across the island. Many have lived experience with substance use, so they’re not just talking the talk; they’re walking alongside individuals struggling with the issue, […]
Posted inSustainable Communities
Two Atlanta-based Developers Working with the Reinvestment Fund are Joining Forces to Preserve Affordable Housing
In a joint venture, two Atlanta-based Housing Developers are partnering in the acquisition, renovation and re-stabilization of the Square at Peoplestown in the Summerhill neighborhood. The multi-million dollar project supported by Reinvestment Fund and led by two BIPOC-owned development firms—Atlantica Properties and Domos—represents a significant shift toward the preservation of affordable housing in the community. […]
