Emory University recently welcomed senior leaders from four international institutions for the annual Global Universities for Societal Impact (GUSI) board meeting, hosted by Emory Global Engagement and the Halle Institute for Global Research and Learning in late June. The hybrid event brought together representatives from the University of Bonn, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, University of St Andrews […]
Category: Thought Leadership
Posted inHigher Education
Atlanta is Home to One of Higher Education’s Best Investments
Ensuring the value of a degree is a key component in restoring public trust in the higher education system, following a period of fluctuation — 42% of Americans express confidence in the system today compared to nearly 60% a decade ago. The value of a Georgia Tech degree continues to be demonstrated through a strong […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Building Community Through Movement: Atlanta Beltline Race Series Gives Coveted Series Medal in 2025
One of the most popular ways that Atlantans experience the Atlanta Beltline is through running and walking. Our fitness programs are designed to encourage physical activity and support residents and visitors in pursuing healthier, more active lifestyles. One way we celebrate that is through our three-event race series, in partnership with the Atlanta Track Club: […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Will Change Health and Nutrition Supports: How to Help Families Prepare
The passage of the reconciliation package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” means that many Georgians—particularly those who rely on social safety nets like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid—could face hardship in the coming years. To prepare for these challenges, an understanding of the contents of the bill is essential. […]
Posted inGlobal Health & Development
Delivering Care in Pine Ridge, South Dakota
The Oglala Lakota Sioux reservation of Pine Ridge in South Dakota is one of the largest in the country and is home to approximately 18,000 people, many of whom live in remote areas across nearly 2 million acres of land. For the past year, obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) Ryan Duggal, MD, has been serving as a staff […]
Posted inPoverty & Equity
When Housing Is Uncertain, Learning Suffers: Why Back to School Starts with Stability
According to the National Center for Homeless Education, children experiencing homelessness are 87% more likely to drop out of school than their housed peers. And for the students who do stay in school, the impacts are still profound: research shows that they are more likely to struggle with attendance, concentration, behavioral health, and academic performance. […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Finding Home on the Westside: The Story of Fernando Esquivel-Suarez
Fernando Esquivel-Suarez arrived in Atlanta from Colombia two decades ago, never expecting the city to become his “forever home.” Today, he’s a dedicated Professor of English and Ethnic Studies at Spelman College, a role he’s held for 13 years. His journey to Atlanta began with his pursuit of Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at Emory University, […]
Posted inCorporate Community Impact
Corporate Days of Service Are a Meaningful Way to Support Atlanta
By Cheryl Kortemeier, Executive Director, Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta In a city known for civic leadership and social innovation, corporate service is deeply embedded in Atlanta’s business culture. By rolling up their sleeves and showing up, Atlanta companies strengthen both their teams and their communities. For many companies, hosting large-scale days of service in […]
Posted inGlobal Health & Development
Supporting a Model for Newborn Recovery Care
When Jill Kingston and her husband started fostering newborns exposed to substances in 2013, they could not have imagined where that journey would lead. Through the experience, Kingston saw firsthand the impact of substance use disorder on mothers and babies and the struggles families faced when children were born into homes with mothers with substance […]
Posted inHigher Education
Psilocybin delays aging, extends lifespan, new Emory study suggests
As revenues from the anti-aging market — riddled with hope and thousands of supplements — surged past $500 million last year, Emory University researchers identified a compound that actively delays aging in cells and organisms. A newly published study in Nature Partner Journals’ Aging demonstrates that psilocin, a byproduct of consuming psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, extended […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
July Summit Recap: Justice Where It Matters – Advancing Neighborhood-Based Legal Empowerment
The July 18 Transform Westside Summit focused on the intersection of housing, justice, and community well-being, spotlighting the vital work of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) in creating systems-level change across Atlanta through pro bono legal and social services. Hosted and moderated by Westside Future Fund President & CEO John Ahmann, the Summit highlighted how historical systemic disinvestment continues […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Volunteer Spotlight: Andi Shen & Love Atlanta
Andi Shen, a longtime volunteer and current partner leader with Love Atlanta, has played a key role in the organization’s impact on the historic Westside this year. Though it was her first year working directly with Westside Future Fund, Andi has been volunteering with Love Atlanta for nine years, helping to organize volunteers across the […]
Posted inAtlanta Housing
“Community Begins with Home”: Why I Partner with Atlanta Housing
By Pam Storm As a native Atlantan, born and raised in College Park, I have witnessed this city evolve dramatically over the years. The skyline has grown, new industries have taken root, and our cultural footprint continues to expand globally—from music and film to technology and entrepreneurship. Yet amid all that progress, Atlanta retains something […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Teaming Up For Georgia’s Pollinators
By Nikki Belmonte, Georgia Native Plant Society Step outside during this sizzling summer and you will likely see a pollinator hovering, crawling or flying around in search of food. A pollinator is any animal that helps carry pollen from one flower to another, allowing the plant to become fertilized and produce fruit and seeds. More […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
Help 50,000 Kids See and Succeed — For Free!
By Dr. Rebecca Parshall This school year, Learn4Life is launching The Atlanta Vision Project — a bold effort to bring free eye exams and glasses to every elementary student in metro Atlanta who needs them. And there’s a simple, no-cost way for you to help: the PEACH Education Tax Credit. This isn’t a donation. It’s […]
Posted inPoverty & Equity
The Case for a Neighborhood-Focused Response
Why Hope Atlanta Is Investing in Place-Based Strategy Neighborhoods shape everything—from housing access and job opportunities to mental health outcomes and generational wealth. In fact, a person’s ZIP code is one of the strongest predictors of their health—even more than their genetic code. That’s why Hope Atlanta has adopted a Place-Based Strategy that aligns housing, […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
Groundwork for Change: How Integrity Home Solutions Powers Property Care, Youth Leadership, and Volunteer Impact on the Historic Westside
When it comes to revitalizing Atlanta’s historic Westside, transformation doesn’t just happen — it’s built, block by block, by those willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work. For Westside Future Fund, that work is made possible every day by a trusted partner: Integrity Home Solutions. Founded in 2019 by two brothers with […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
A Tradition of Leadership: YWCA Greater Atlanta’s Academy of Women Achievers
Since 1984, YWCA Greater Atlanta has honored extraordinary women whose lives and work embody its enduring mission: to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The Academy of Women Achievers is a living tapestry of leading women dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the Atlanta area and helping […]
Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
Building a network of greenspace leaders through Park Pride’s Park Stewardship Academy
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager It may be summer break now, but class is almost back in session! Our Director of Education, Eli Dickerson, is excitedly preparing for the third year of the Park Stewardship Academy (PSA). PSA is a three-month educational and skill-building program that equips community members with […]
Posted inHigher Education
Atlanta’s Brainpower Hub: How Georgia State Is Rewiring the Future of Neuroscience
At a university known for innovation, Georgia State’s Brains & Behavior (B&B) area of focus is making its mark by connecting research from across the institution into a powerful, collaborative hub free from traditional silos. At the program’s recent annual retreat, at which it celebrated its 20th anniversary, more than 250 experts and students showcased […]
