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 […]
Category: Thought Leadership
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 […]
Posted inFinancial Inclusion
Operation Hope CEO John Hope Bryant’s #1 Amazon Best Seller ‘Financial Literacy For All’ Available Everywhere Today
Operation HOPE announced today that its Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant has released his sixth book, ‘FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR ALL.’ Upon its April 16th release, the book received high praise, reaching #1 on Amazon for Business Finance, where it remains a best seller. The launch date also coincides with Financial Literacy Month, which focuses on improving financial […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Corridor Revitalization & Preservation with Atlanta Way 2.0
Community leaders, stakeholders, and special guests convened at The Gathering Spot for Westside Future Fund’s March 15 Transform Westside Summit to discuss the revitalization and preservation of the MLK, Jr. Drive Corridor. Hosted by John Ahmann and Ebony Ford, the event featured insightful discussions and presentations aimed at driving positive change in the historic Westside neighborhoods. The morning […]
Posted inThought Leadership, Workforce Development
Goodwill of North Georgia’s Hamilton Mill renovated with support from Southface’s GoodUse grant program
Goodwill of North Georgia celebrated the grand re-opening of its Hamilton Mill store on Thursday, April 11, after undergoing internal renovations since February 2024. The Goodwill team has been working tirelessly to renovate many of its locations to revamp the shopping, donating, and working experience for everyone who supports the nonprofit. The Hamilton Mill store […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
Sine Die Brought Big News for Georgia Families with Young Children
In the wee hours of Friday, March 29th, GEEARS’ Executive Director Mindy Binderman emailed the GEEARS board and staff. The subject line: “We DID it!!!!!” What did Mindy mean with this jubilant message? That the dogged advocacy of the GEEARS staff, along with that of our partners, resulted in some major 11th-hour wins for Georgia’s […]
Posted inPhilanthropy
Esteemed entrepreneurs set to headline panel at United Way’s Women’s Leadership Breakfast
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 16th Annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast is here! This year’s event will center women’s voices in a conversation about entrepreneurship and economic stability, featuring esteemed panelists from various industries, a discussion about financial instability and homelessness in Greater Atlanta, and a chance to support women entrepreneurs at a women-owned business market. […]
Posted inWorkforce Development
Goodwill continues celebrating second chance month
In honor of Second Chance Month, Goodwill of North Georgia is proudly highlighting returning citizens who have successfully completed one of its 14 career centers, secured new employment, and started a new chapter in their lives. Over the past five years, the organization has helped over 4,500 returning citizens connect with new job opportunities, empowering […]
Posted inEmpowering Atlanta
Fifth Third and UNC Kenan Institute Launch “Empowering American Cities” Initiative
Fifth Third today announced the launch of Empowering American Cities, the outcome of a collaborative relationship with the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Empowering American Cities delivers relevant, local economic information tailored for business leaders looking to grow their operations. “Midsize cities are the heart and […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Finding Home on the Westside: The Story of Kristen Folsom
Kristen Folsom has always felt a connection to the historic Westside. She remembers coming to Atlanta, as a child, to visit her cousin who lived on Fair Street. “I knew then that I wanted Atlanta to be my home and I wanted to be in this area,” said Folsom. She eventually pursued her dream of […]
Posted inMoney Matters
Tax Refunds Come at Opportune Time for Middle-Income Americans
Spring is finally in the air! Amid all the blooming flowers, increased daylight hours and warmer weather, it’s also time for one of the nation’s least favorite chores: tax season. But with the average tax refund clocking in at more than $3,000 so far this year, according to the latest data from the IRS, middle-income […]
Posted inHigher Education
Emory innovations and their inventors recognized at annual ceremony
Emory’s Office of Technology Transfer recently held its 18th Annual Celebration of Technology and Innovation, where it honored outstanding scientists, research and innovations at Emory. The event kicked off with an awards presentation spotlighting superlative projects in seven categories. Awardees represented several schools across the university, including the Schools of Medicine and Nursing, the departments of pediatrics and […]
