As Georgia State works to transform its downtown footprint with its ambitious “College Town Downtown” projects — an array of efforts to create and recreate vibrant, people-centric spaces for faculty, staff, students and neighbors that define and animate the Georgia State experience — it’s simultaneously transforming an area south of Interstate 20 into a three-sport […]
Category: Thought Leadership
Posted inPoverty & Equity
Turning off the Tap
If a tap breaks, we don’t stand by as water floods the floor—we turn it off at the source. Yet when it comes to homelessness, our systems often do the opposite: we focus almost entirely on emergency response after the flood has already occurred. Shelters, emergency rooms, and law enforcement are essential, but they are […]
Posted inHigher Education
Avant South Fuels Atlanta’s Growing Tech Ecosystem
While honoring Atlanta’s legacy as a crossroads of the South, this year, Avant South will explore innovation and growth through the lens of transportation. In its third year as a conference exploring Atlanta’s potential as a top tech and entrepreneurship hub, Avant South joins forces with Atlanta Tech Week to present a two-day showcase of […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
New Literacy Microcredential Launches in Partnership with KSU, Learn4Life, and Atlanta Speech School
Kennesaw State University (KSU), the Atlanta Speech School, and Learn4Life are proud to announce the launch of the Impactful Read Alouds in Early Literacy Microcredential, a first-of-its-kind professional learning opportunity designed to strengthen early literacy in Georgia communities. This new microcredential empowers families, civic leaders, volunteers, and community members with practical tools to foster a […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Passing the baton to the next class of Atlanta city leaders: What will be your greenspace legacy?
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager It’s that time again — election season in the city. This November, the Atlanta City Council President and all City Council seats are reopening (in addition to other positions, including Mayor, School Board, Municipal Court Judges, and Public Service Commission). This year, three city leaders […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Building Financial Resilience: Atlanta Beltline and Bank of America Partner for Economic Empowerment
Atlanta faces some of the highest income inequality in the nation, with median household incomes showing stark disparities across communities. This October, as we observe National Financial Planning Month, the Atlanta Beltline is celebrating by expanding our commitment to community empowerment beyond trails, parks and housing. In partnership with Bank of America, we’re launching workshops […]
Posted inFinancial Inclusion
Owning the Future — Capital + Code
By John Hope Bryant The headlines have been heavy. Tragedies, killings, and rising tension weigh on our nation’s spirit. It would be easy to lose faith in the Dream. But as my friend Michael Milken said for years, intelligence is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. When people get coaching, dignity, and access to capital, ladders […]
Posted inSmall Business
GMSDC Celebrates 50 Years at Spirit of Alliance Awards, Launches GrowForward Campaign
The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) marked a major milestone Friday evening, celebrating its 50th anniversary during the annual Spirit of Alliance Awards at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The event honored companies and individuals who are advancing supplier inclusion and helping shape Georgia’s economy. “For fifty years, GMSDC has turned supplier inclusion into results […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Why Conservationists Should Care about Housing
When we think of land and water conservation, housing might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it should be. Because how—and where—we house people is one of the most important environmental decisions we make. In cities and towns across the country, the lack of affordable housing near job centers and public […]
Posted inHigher Education
Emory will be tuition-free for students whose families earn $200,000 or less
Students whose families earn $200,000 or less will attend Emory University tuition-free starting in fall 2026. This transformative scholarship, Emory Advantage Plus, represents a significant expansion of the university’s financial aid program and continues Emory’s longstanding commitment to support talented students by making a preeminent education more attainable. All new and returning domestic undergraduate students who […]
Posted inGlobal Health & Development
Service Before Self
On 400 acres of scenic farmland in Fayetteville, Georgia, there is an inspiring organization dedicated to serving youth and veterans called Camp Southern Ground. Founded by GRAMMY award-winning artist Zac Brown, Camp Southern Ground offers residential summer camp experience for kids aged 7 to 17, and workforce and wellness transition programs to help veterans transition to […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Bird-Safe Buildings: Small Changes, Big Impact
By Adam Betuel, Birds Georgia Twice each year, billions of birds take on the incredible journey of migration. Migrating primarily at night, the birds use our setting sun and stars as their guide, making occasional stops along the way to rest and refuel. The journey is long and difficult, and, in recent years, a threat […]
Posted inGlobal Health & Development
The Power of Partnership: Bridging the Gap in Healthcare Access Through Public/Private Collaboration
In today’s volatile healthcare environment, access to quality care is at even greater risk—especially for the most vulnerable among us. Charitable healthcare providers across the U.S. are under intense pressure: facing funding cuts, uncertainty around Medicaid distributions, and surging demand from patients in crisis. As these providers fight to do more with less, organizations like […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
Legacy in Full Color: YWCA Greater Atlanta’s New Mural Honors the Past, Inspires the Future
On September 4, YWCA Greater Atlanta hosted a powerful evening of reflection and celebration at its North Highland Avenue headquarters, unveiling Legacy in Full Color—a new mural honoring more than a century of women who have shaped both the association’s history and Atlanta’s civic life. Created by Atlanta muralist Lacey Longino, the artwork is a […]
Posted inHigher Education
Breakthrough Cancer Therapy Moves to Phase 2 Trials
A promising cancer therapy developed by Georgia State University researchers and biotech startup Da Zen Theranostics is taking a major step forward, entering Phase 2 clinical trials. The treatment, which harnesses targeted radiation to destroy tumors with precision, could mark a turning point in how cancer is treated — and in the lives of patients […]
Posted inFinancial Inclusion
Why Americans Can’t—And Shouldn’t—Lose Hope
Many Americans feel we are in a moment of darkness. The vast majority of citizens no longer trust that hard work pays off and belief in the American dream has hit a record low. But if you live long enough, you learn that history moves in cycles. Some seasons are bright, others are dark. Some leaders inspire, others […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Get ready for autumn adventures with Park Pride’s Park Picks: Fall Edition!
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager Welcome to Park Pride’s Park Picks: 2025 Fall Edition! As autumn grows nearer and the weather begins to cool (although, knowing Atlanta, this could be the infamous false fall!), this is a great time to plan a few park outings around the City of Atlanta […]
Posted inSmall Business
Rodney K. Strong on Atlanta’s Legacy of Inclusion and the Fight Ahead
Rodney K. Strong has spent more than four decades shaping how public agencies and private companies open doors for small and minority-owned businesses. This fall, the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) will honor him with its Blue Legend Award on September 19, 2025, at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, recognizing a lifetime of work that […]
Posted inFinancial Inclusion
Closing the Gap in Black Homeownership
I was recently interviewed by ABC News’ Janai Norman to discuss troubling new data on Black homeownership. The Financial Times found that Black Americans are almost twice as likely to be turned away for mortgages as white applicants with the same income. LendingTree reported similar numbers—Black applicants nationwide are 1.7% more likely to be denied. The truth is, this […]
Posted inHigher Education
Alumnus Leaves Entire $100M Estate to Georgia Tech
A historic $100 million bequest from the late Georgia Tech alumnus John W. Durstine will forever transform the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. The landmark gift — the largest single gift in Tech’s history — will establish endowed chairs, professorships, and faculty awards, ensuring that the Institute continues to recruit, develop, and retain […]
