$100M Fund Will Preserve Existing Affordable Housing Close to Transit  MARTA applauds Morgan Stanley and its partner, National Equity Fund (NEF) for a major boost to MARTA’s affordable housing effort as part of its transit-oriented development (TOD) program. The partnership will establish the Greater Atlanta Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Preservation Fund, supporting long-term preservation of affordable housing near MARTA rail stations by incentivizing and providing gap funding for owners and landlords of affordable units. Morgan Stanley is committing $100 million through NEF to assist regional partners in preserving  transit-oriented affordable multi-family housing at risk of the following: market-rate conversion or financial/physical distress; expiring Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-funded affordable housing including properties at, or near, the end of the LIHTC compliance period; or properties with or without rental subsidies. “While MARTA is aggressively supporting the development of affordable housing units on our properties, new development takes time,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “In a region that consistently ranks among the worst for economic mobility, the quickest and easiest way to have an impact is to preserve existing affordable housing near transit. Transit can be the great equalizer, providing access to education, jobs and healthcare.” In 2010 the MARTA Board adopted an affordable housing policy that requires 20 percent of residential rental units at MARTA’s TODs be affordable to those earning 60-80 percent of the Metro Atlanta Area Media Income (AMI) and for-sale units affordable to those earning 80-100 percent of the AMI. In November 2019, the MARTA Board approved the release of mixed-income housing TOD Request for Proposals (RFPs) for stations it owns in Federal Opportunity Zones at Bankhead, Five Points, Vine City, Ashby, H.E. Holmes, West End, and Lakewood/Fort McPherson. The development potential includes the possibility of 900 affordable units for persons earning 80-120 percent of the median household income by zip code, which allows MARTA to deliver the housing affordability desired by the communities in which its stations reside. CEO Parker applauds the Board’s support of MARTA’s efforts to reach deeper affordability. MARTA TOD affordable housing units by the numbers:  Built – 114 Under construction – 153 In negotiation – 566 Planned – 900 Total affordable units systemwide – 1,730   Edgewood/Candler Park Phase I – 22 units built Phase II – 53 units under construction Avondale Phases I & II – 92 units built Phases III & IV – 100 units planned   King Memorial 100 units under construction Kensington 250 units planned   Learn more about all of MARTA’s transit-oriented development at MARTA (itsmarta.com).   This is sponsored content.

By Metro Atlanta Chamber The Atlanta Sports Council (ASC) announced today that the city has won the bid to host the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Regional, including the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, at State Farm Arena in 2025. The winning proposal was submitted in February and crafted by the ASC in partnership with the Atlanta Visitors Convention Bureau, Georgia Tech and State Farm Arena. Georgia Tech will serve as the host institution for the games. “We are thrilled to work with the NCAA and the city of Atlanta again to bring the Men’s Division I Regional Basketball games back in 2025,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council. “After the unfortunate cancellation of this year’s Final Four, we are thrilled to bring a key part of the NCAA Tournament back to metro Atlanta. We are thankful for our partners at the Atlanta Visitors Convention Bureau, Georgia Tech and State Farm Arena for assisting us in creating another successful bid to bring a premier sporting event here.” The ASC plans to oversee the execution of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Regional under the organization’s Championship Hosting Division which has been utilized for the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship, Super Bowl LIII and the 2020 NCAA Men’s Final Four. The ASC has partnered with the NCAA on several events in recent years. In 2018, Atlanta hosted the Division I Regional, where basketball fans watched a Cinderella story unfold as No. 11 seed Loyola (Chicago) advanced to the Final Four®. The city was also set to host its fourth NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2020, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event would have been the first basketball game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Atlanta Sports Council hopes to bring another NCAA Men’s Final Four event to the city in the near future and is turning its focus to baseball as the city hosts the 2021 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park. Additional information about the Men’s Division I Basketball Regional and the MLB All-Star Game will be released as available. About the Atlanta Sports Council  The Atlanta Sports Council (ASC), a division of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, facilitates the growth and development of sports in metro Atlanta by serving as a recruiter for major regional, national and international sports events. The organization plays an important role in improving the quality of life for residents in the region through sports, working to drive economic growth and visibility and acting as an advocate for area teams and annual sports events. For more information, visit https://www.metroatlantachamber.com/councils/atlanta-sports-council.   This is sponsored content.

BY KEVIN GREEN, MIDTOWN ALLIANCE PRESIDENT AND CEO It’s a wrap. 2020 was a year for the history books. It was also a year of discovery as we learned how dependent we are on each other and found new ways to support one another. Midtown residents on balconies every night celebrating our healthcare heroes, thousands of citizens demonstrating for racial equity – these are scenes of 2020 we won’t soon forget. It was a year of highs and lows that provided an opportunity to reexamine what is really important in our lives and as a society, and the potential for positive change moving forward.   And as you can read in our newly published Midtown Alliance 2020 Progress Report, our organization stayed as busy as we have ever been. Like everyone, we modified our daily operations to address new challenges, but the overriding premise of our work remains unchanged. In the long run, walkable, mixed-use urban places like Midtown will continue to thrive as choice locations because these areas provide the dynamic lifestyle and quality choices that attract people and talent. These fundamentals are proven and solid, and our work continues unabated.  While we owe everything to our fearless first responders and frontline workers, we believe that organizations like ours have an obligation to be “second responders,” to help our community stay resilient and emerge stronger. And times like this invite a fresh look. Midtown is a dynamic community with a mix of residents, businesses, academic institutions and arts and cultural powerhouses that make significant contributions to our city. This is a unique and powerful combination of assets and amenities fueled by creative and passionate people. How do we work together to tap this talent and passion and channel it towards more positive outcomes? How do we get important things done quicker? These are among our shared challenges as we look to the year of recovery ahead.  As we look ahead to 2021, Midtown’s momentum persists. So much of the work we are advancing takes on new meaning in the context of the trials we’ve been through in 2020 and are still going through in 2021. We’ve learned a lot from these experiences that we’re applying to our work in the year ahead:  More Parks and Plazas Open air outdoor spaces have become even more crucial. People who spend time in Midtown can look forward to more open space additions and improvements in 2021, including construction commencing on the Art Walk, the creation of new “parklets” and a revamped 10th Street Park.  Supporting the Arts Our local art community has been devastated this past year and needs opportunities to re-establish its critical place in our local economy. Teaming up with private property owners, we’re making space in Midtown buildings for artist residencies, physical spaces where talented artists can both create and make a living.  More Transportation Options Many people made the best of 2020 by walking and biking more, and in Midtown we have seven transportation projects ready to advance towards construction that will support these positive new habits. The projects, totaling $21 million in investment, will bring more protected bike lanes, new sidewalks and pedestrian amenities to the district. Another seven projects advancing through the design and engineering phase will deliver bridge enhancements, new roadway connections, new traffic signals and more. Take a look at our projects page for more info.  Stronger Public Safety Partnerships This past year has emphasized the need for strong public safety programs citywide. In this challenging environment, we have staffed up our Midtown Blue public safety program, modified operations and forged even stronger partnerships with APD and our local, state and federal partners. We will continue to work with our city leadership to implement new strategies and address root cause issues that will make our city safer and more resilient.   Many of us are not sorry to see 2020 in the rearview mirror. There are many reasons for optimism as we head into 2021 – another year for the history books that will bring recovery and a new appreciation for what’s important.  You can stay plugged in to our work in Midtown by signing up for our monthly updates here.    This is sponsored content.

At the December Housing Forum, we were reminded that the Atlanta region is segregated with a history of racist housing policies and practices. As we learned from a mapping presentation from Mike Carnathan of the Atlanta Regional Commission, this isn’t ancient history — “segregation’s role in the systems of metro Atlanta lead us today to the lowest rate of upward mobility in the nation, the highest rate of suburbanization of poverty, and a central city that has the highest income inequality in the nation.” What’s next? How can we make it right? What can we do about it as a region? In a conversation with Robin Rue Simmons, Alderman with the City of Evanston, IL, we will examine the City’s work in local reparative housing justice. Evanston passed the nation’s first funded local reparation policy for Black residents to correct housing injustices of the past and build toward a less segregated community. We’ll ask Prentiss Dantzler, Assistant Professor at the Urban Studies Institute at Georgia State University, about the playbook for reimagining and rebuilding a less segregated community. Prentiss’ work lies at the nexus of urban poverty and inequality, housing policy, race and ethnic relations, and community development practice. To give us a sense of the latest metro affordable housing needs, Mike Carnathan with Atlanta Regional Commission will also unveil its new Regional Housing Demand study. Join us for the first Forum of 2021 as Forum founder and moderator Bill Bolling will also share the latest updates regarding the eviction crisis and more. REGISTER NOW for the Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Housing Forum here. 2021 FORUM SCHEDULE CHANGE, WAYS TO WATCH & ENGAGE   Schedule Change: Given the unprecedented number of issues related to affordable housing, our 2021 Housing Forum schedule is moving from four quarterly to six bi-monthly events. Mark your calendars for these dates: February 3, April 7, June 2, August 4, October 6, December 1 Continue the Conversation: Another change in 2021, we will be piloting a small group discussion after each forum event. Additional details on how you can engage and participate in these discussions forthcoming. How to Watch the Forum: Unless otherwise noted, all 2021 Forums will take place virtually, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. We will continue to broadcast the forum live on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Your Thoughts on our 2021 Topics? Please take a moment to answer this one-question survey. Share your thoughts about topics we are considering for 2021.   This is sponsored content.  

By: John Hope Bryant Disasters are unpredictable. Even with prior warning, we are rarely, if ever, prepared for the mental and emotional tax excised on us individually and collectively as a community. Right now, we find ourselves in the middle of a global health crisis, an economic shift felt by millions, and in the throes of battling a series of back-to-back natural disasters. Amidst these trying times, we must remember – disasters do not stop, and we cannot sit by idly, becoming victims of circumstance. The best way to fight back against the unknown is by being prepared. Devastation strikes without discrimination and it is never clear when it will impact you and your community. It is often said that the best offense is a good defense, preparedness is just that. Financial preparation for emergencies can save you and your family tremendous heartache and stress after disaster strikes. The simple actions you take, or do not take, today can greatly affect your future and way of life. Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recorded that more than 25 million Americans were impacted by a natural disaster in 2017; and, in the past three years alone, natural disasters have accounted for nearly $500 billion in damage and losses. While it is not possible to control the disruptions that nature can sometimes bring into our lives, we can control our response to them through financial literacy. Financial literacy is the cornerstone of preparedness; the two go together. When you understand the mechanics of money and resources – and how it can be leveraged to bring you to your desired future – you attain a sense of control and empowerment you may not have had before. Many times, individuals can tend to focus on what they do not have as a reason for delaying emergency preparations. Rather than focusing on what you do not have, think about shifting your focus on what you do have and maximizing its output and potential. Remember, consistently taking small actions yields big results over time. Here are a few things that you can do to be prepared for any kind of financial emergency you may find yourself in: Make saving a priority. It is important to understand that federal disaster assistance will not make you whole after disaster strikes – you must make saving and proper insurance a priority. For your savings, consider creating an additional “cash-on-demand” savings account that you add to periodically that you can take with you in case you are required to evacuate in a hurry. Maintain insurance. After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the average flood insurance payout to homeowners who flooded was $120,000. Conversely, homeowners who took on water and applied for FEMA for federal financial assistance through FEMA received $4,000 to 7,000 on average. Therefore, it is important to understand your risks and ensure your assets have the proper level of coverage. Review your policy options, policies, and other relevant paperwork consistently to ensure that information is up to date. Have a written plan. A comprehensive financial plan serves as your road map reminding you of your desired destination and the actions required to get there. Make copies of all important financial and legal documents. Many times, when disasters strike, property is severely damaged or destroyed. Unfortunately, for many, they lose access to important documents like mortgage information and birth certificates which are helpful in applying for recovery assistance. Additionally, in today’s technological environment, make sure your important documents are available digitally by storing them in the cloud, email, or mobile device. If you need assistance in this process, Operation HOPE may be able to help. For nearly three decades, Operation HOPE has been empowering Americans through financial literacy with a standing commitment to prepare individuals and families for financial disasters, of any kind, and seeing them through to recovery. Through HOPE Coalition America (HCA), the organization provides preparation coaching, at no cost to clients, to help them get back on their feet should they be adversely affected by disaster – be it natural or manmade. Additionally, their financial wellbeing coaches are trained to walk alongside clients in their most vulnerable times to help them regain a sense of dignity and normalcy in their lives. They can help clients build emergency financial plans, negotiate their mortgage payments, apply for eligible post-disaster FEMA assistance, speak to lenders concerning the terms and condition of their loans, and more. Life is an adventure, plan for it and be ready for the unexpected. September is National Preparedness Month and it is the perfect time to make a commitment to ensure you and your family are financially prepared – by doing so, you are investing in your future. For more resources, visit the Ready Campaign and the Financial Literacy and Education Commission.

By Charles Redding, MedShare CEO & President MedShare exists in order to improve the quality of life of people and our planet by repurposing quality medical supplies and equipment to help improve health outcomes for countless people without access to quality health care. In order to fulfill our mission, three essential ingredients are required – funding, quality supplies & equipment, and volunteers.  When these three things come together we are able to create what we fondly call, “MedShare Magic” – making the impossible, possible. “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” ~Elizabeth Andrew As is widely the case in the nonprofit realm, MedShare would find it almost impossible to realize its mission without the help of volunteers. They are the not-so-secret ingredient in our ability to create MedShare Magic. Volunteers are not unique to MedShare. More Americans than ever are volunteering, according to a federal study released by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The 2018 Volunteering in America report found that 77.34 million adults volunteered through an organization. Altogether, Americans volunteered nearly 6.9 billion hours worth an estimated $167 billion in economic value in 2017, based on the Independent Sector’s estimate of the average value of a volunteer hour. Many of MedShare’s volunteers show up every year to support our mission, including by serving as board and regional council members. People often hear me refer to our volunteers as the “heartbeat” of our organization.  Without them, we simply could not do the things that we do to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities around the world.  MedShare is very fortunate to benefit from the service of over 20,000 volunteers a year across three geographical regions – Greater Atlanta, the San Francisco Bay Area and the New York metropolitan area. Even with the Covid-19 pandemic and the requirement for social distancing, 16,000 volunteers gave their time to MedShare this past year. The question I am most often asked regarding our volunteers is, “How do you attract so many volunteers and keep them engaged and coming back year after the year?”  We have found that the key is attracting the right volunteers and providing a meaningful and fulfilling experience. We understand that a successful volunteer experience inspires a sense of community and togetherness, while also being rewarding for the individual. A meaningful volunteer experience requires concise directions, clear expectations, and great coaching. While volunteers often show up for causes that are meaningful to them, they must feel that they are really making a difference. With this in mind, all MedShare volunteers are warmly welcomed and carefully guided through our product sorting process.  We ensure they understand that they are appreciated and an integral part of our mission. All volunteers are provided with a tour and overview of the medical supply sorting process and safety protocols.  Our highly trained volunteer management team also shares impact stories so that volunteers understand the difference that they are making in the lives of others.  As an added benefit, volunteering at MedShare is also a great opportunity to learn about global health and social and economic inequalities.  Many corporations, civic groups, educational institutions and faith-based organizations provide volunteers to MedShare. We strive to recognize and utilize the unique talents of the individuals who volunteer with us. We appreciate the contributions of our volunteers, thank each individual every time they serve, and formally recognize our volunteers each year.  Volunteers tell us that they are changed as a result of their experience with us, but we are the ones who are changed as a result of their selfless acts of kindness and gift of service to us. Here are some examples of the feedback we have received from volunteers: “When I pack a box of medical supplies, for those few precious moments I feel like I’m reaching out across the globe and helping improve the health care and well-being of some lovely, well-deserving person. It is a wonderful feeling. I am grateful that MedShare gives me the opportunity to help others.” “It makes me feel good to know I am helping people all over the world.” “After three hours of sorting or boxing medical supplies I know I have made a difference for the well-being of someone in the world.” Although we have reduced the number of volunteers to ensure proper social-distancing in light of Covid-19, we continue to benefit from the generosity and contributions of our volunteers.  Our heart is beating a little slower, but I look forward to the day that we reopen to all volunteers who want to share in the gift of service and help us create more “MedShare Magic.” How You Can Help? Please consider volunteering at your favorite charity or nonprofit organization. The upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18, 2021, is considered a National Day of Service and a great time to start.  MedShare hosts volunteer sessions twice daily on Tuesday through Saturday each week. Our volunteer management teams at all three MedShare locations are ready to help you or your volunteer group set up a great session of sorting medical supplies while maintaining strict Covid-19 protocols. Please check our website for the most current information on group sizes and hours of operation. To get started scheduling your session, visit http://www.medshare.org/volunteer. Southeast Warehouse and Distribution Center 3240 Clifton Springs Road Decatur, GA 30034 USA 770-323-5858 Western Region Warehouse & Distribution Center 2937 Alvarado Street San Leandro, CA 94577 USA 510-567-7070 Northeast Region Volunteer and Collection Center 701 Penhorn Avenue, Unit #3 P.O. Box 2075 Secaucus, NJ 07096 USA 201-866-6090   This is sponsored content.

Dentons’ US Public Policy practice is pleased to release its annual Policy Scan, an in-depth look at policy at the Federal level and in each of the 50 states. In this document we provide a first look at the key policy questions for the next year in the states, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the new Administration. Additionally, we examine the people who will be driving change. US Policy Scan 2021 takes deep dives into the turbulent political and policy waters swirling around agriculture, cannabis, education, energy and the environment, financial services, foreign policy, health care, housing and community investment, immigration, infrastructure, smart cities and communities, national security, Native American communities, tax, technology, trade, and voting rights and government reform. All with an eye toward providing you with a clear, comprehensive and reader-friendly description of what US public policy will look like in 2021. Download US Policy Scan 2021 Other features include: 2021 Congressional and State House Session Calendars First 100 days of the Biden Administration Biden cabinet nominees and senior White House staff appointees New Committee Chairs and Rankers Analysis of 2022 US Senate races Key decided and pending cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. And as in years past, we have also included a review of state legislative activity in 2020, an overview of legislation passed by the House Democrats in the 116th Congress that didn’t see movement in the Republican controlled Senate, and the policy drivers that will shape state legislative and executive branch activity in 2021. We hope you find this report helpful and informative.

By United Way of Greater Atlanta In late September, United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Tocqueville Society met for the second edition of its “Coffee & Conversation” series. These interactive, panelist-led dialogues have acted as a meeting ground for Greater Atlanta leaders across aisles of work to discuss the issues most directly affecting our region. This month, Tocqueville Society’s leadership unanimously decided it needed to set aside time to dissect issues of social injustice and racial inequity. Chris Peck, former Vice President for UPS and current Tocqueville Society Chair, was joined by fellow Tocqueville Society members Aiko Bethea, Glenn Mitchell, Shan Cooper and Milton J. Little, Jr. to uncover the opportunities executive leadership had to advance social change at scale. Peck, serving as moderator for the discussion, opened the conversation by making some poignant remarks about COVID-19’s disproportionate effect on the Black community. “Years of disinvestment and systemic barriers to opportunity have placed residents of these communities at a severe disadvantage from their peers, leaving them vulnerable to the worst economic and health effects of COVID-19.” But COVID-19 isn’t the only prejudiced pandemic wreaking havoc in America. There has also been the long-standing disease of racialized violence, which has cost us the lives of such American citizens as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery this year alone. Before these tragedies surfaced, the PEW Research Center released findings indicating that majorities of both Black and white Americans thought Black people were treated less fairly than white Americans in dealing with the police and the criminal justice system as a whole. This year, that sentiment translated to solidarity. A Gallup poll indicated in late July that about two in three Americans supported the nationwide protests about racial injustice. “The civil unrest that has followed [these deaths] signals that our community is more prepared than ever to start confronting these issues head on,” said Peck. With these thoughts in mind, panelists began weighing in on how leaders could seize this moment to advance racial equity goals. Aiko Bethea, principal and founder of RARE Coaching and Consulting, was the first to chime in. “We’re at another inflection point,” said Bethea. “There is a hunger, there is an appetite for wanting to have impact, for wanting to make a change.” Bethea further explained that, to uncover that change, those who are accustomed to teaching would need to take time to listen. “I think that, oftentimes, the people of color have the knowledge and need to be in the seat of the teachers,” said Bethea. “But the people who are used to being the knowers don’t move out of the way to be curious and be a learner.” Shan Cooper, who currently leads the Atlanta Committee for Progress, emphasized that leaders would need to engage more actively with the lived experiences of our community members to accelerate the learning Bethea described. “If we’re going to solve the challenges that we face, collectively we have got to be willing to talk about it and have truthful conversations about it,” said Cooper. Glenn Mitchell, a managing partner at Ernst & Young (EY) in Atlanta, proudly described how his organization is facilitating many of those conversations on equity en masse. “Honestly, conversations that weren’t there in the past and now they are and they’re very open,” said Mitchell. “It’s bringing, in my case, thousands of people together.” Mitchell went on to explain that EY, as a company, is doing everything it can to eradicate discrimination and racism both in the workplace and the surrounding community. The company has taken measures to evaluate their internal talent and business processes with a specific focus on equity and race, and recently reported a $3 million investment in organizations committed to fighting social injustices. Milton J. Little, Jr., a graduate of one of the colleges receiving money thanks to the new investment from EY, was delighted to hear the news. “Glenn, as much money as you can send to Morehouse College, that would be wonderful,” said Little. Little, who has been President and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta since 2007 and previously served as the COO of the National Urban League, was quick to point out that this conversation on equity has long been of central importance to his career. “I’m blessed to have come to Atlanta with a forward-leaning board that makes sure that we’re not simply creating a quota system for diversity at the board level,” said Little. “We are actively looking for diversity of thought, diversity of geography, diversity of perspective, diversity of expression.” And that value for diversity in board leadership is simultaneously reflected in United Way’s work with the Child Well-Being Movement. United Way adopted the Movement in 2017, committing itself to engage and bring together people and resources to drive sustainable improvements in the well-being of children, families and individuals in the community. When the Movement launched in 2017, nearly 500,000 children were living in areas that lacked the opportunities and resources needed to reach their full potential. These areas were largely communities of color, where 24% to 84 % of families of four had an income that was at or below 250 percent of the poverty line for the state of Georgia. Little stated that – when this work first began – the community wasn’t ready to have a “full-throated conversation about race.” “We used Child Well-Being as a proxy for what the community didn’t want to talk about,” said Little. “You look at the demographics where Child Well-Being is lowest, it is inescapable that it is about race, it is about ethnicity and it is about place.” But whatever discomforts previously existed about race have all but disappeared in 2020. United Way of Greater Atlanta launched its United for Racial Equity and Healing Fund in July to tackle the systemic issues underlying the correlation between race and zip codes, place and equity. Funds will be invested in organizations in Greater Atlanta that are primarily focused on racial inequity challenges in their communities and on a regional level. Through …

Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease every year, and more than 10 million people worldwide are living with the disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University have received a landmark commitment to accelerate the scope and impact of Parkinson’s disease studies and to position Georgia as a hub for collaborative research on this and other neurological diseases. The multiyear commitment from the McCamish Foundation will drive transformational research that harnesses science, engineering, and technology at Georgia Tech and Emory to better analyze the complexities of the brain and transform the treatment of Parkinson’s and other disorders of the nervous system. The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), an academic collaboration between Georgia Tech and Emory, is uniquely positioned to lead this new kind of translational neuroscience discovery driven by engineering innovation. “This generous commitment will enable Emory and Georgia Tech to build on our powerful biomedical partnership as we work to combat Parkinson’s and other devastating neurological diseases,” Emory President Gregory L. Fenves says. “New treatments and cures require a deep commitment — I am grateful for our friends at the McCamish Foundation who will help us make the progress and find the answers that patients and families so urgently need.” Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera adds, “For 22 years, Georgia Tech and Emory University have collaborated to improve the lives of individuals diagnosed with many of the world’s most challenging diseases. Through the sustained support of transformational philanthropy, the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering has become a national model for academic partnerships. This visionary and generous commitment from the McCamish Foundation will allow us to expand and accelerate collaboration and discovery to the point that an exciting new treatment for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders could be within our reach.” Gordon Beckham Jr. has felt the impact of Parkinson’s personally, with the loss of his father, Hank McCamish, to the disease. Beckham now sits on the board of directors of the Parkinson’s Foundation and works to raise awareness to beat the disease. He says his goal is to build a strong research community in Georgia that will create new frontiers in the treatment of the degenerative disease. “The McCamish Foundation has been in discussions on and off with Georgia Tech, since my dad’s passing, about innovative approaches to dealing with Parkinson’s,” says Beckham, CEO of the Atlanta-based McCamish Group LLC and president of the McCamish Foundation. “We have always been impressed by the amazing depth of talent at Tech.” The McCamish name is well-known at Georgia Tech. Alumnus Hank McCamish, class of 1950, is the namesake of Tech’s basketball arena, McCamish Pavilion. Over the years, the family has supported numerous causes at Georgia Tech. This commitment is one of the largest in the Institute’s history and is the first of its kind for the Institute.  “More recently, we met Susan Margulies and learned of the formal biomedical engineering collaboration between Tech and Emory, two of the top institutions in the country in their respective fields,” Beckham says. “At the same time, the University of Georgia (UGA) is making major investments in Parkinson’s research. Given all this momentum within the state of Georgia, with BME as a nexus, the McCamish Foundation felt the timing was right to try something new at Tech and Emory while also leveraging the existing powerful collaboration between Tech, Emory, and UGA.” “We already participate in robust research collaborations with Georgia Tech and Emory,” says UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “We look forward to expanding our partnerships in order to leverage the complementary strengths of our three institutions to bring new hope to those who suffer from this terrible disease.” Beckham says The McCamish Foundation dreams of a day when all Parkinson’s related conversations begin with, “Remember when.” The McCamish commitment will support faculty research on neurological diseases, including establishing a seed fund to support high-risk, high-reward research ventures. It will also provide fellowships for graduate students and create regular interactions among researchers at Tech, Emory, and UGA, including an annual national conference focused on Parkinson’s disease. The idea is to give researchers space to collaborate and brainstorm unconventional ideas that hold the greatest promise for significant discoveries. “Our vision is to create the next frontier in neuroscience and neurotechnology by confronting the enormous complexities of the dynamic brain and nervous system,” says Susan Margulies, the Wallace H. Coulter Professor and Chair in the Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. “Our brains engage with, adapt to, and are influenced by the world around us. Studying the changing chemical and electrical brain dynamics is a direct path to detecting and treating Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders.” About the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering is a partnership between Georgia Tech and Emory University. Combining the best of research and education, the department is dedicated to improving health and well-being by creating medical breakthroughs driven by engineering innovation and translational research.    This is sponsored content.

By Brittany Collins, Director of PAACT: Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive and Mindy Binderman, Executive Director of GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students As we enter 2021, one cannot help but reflect on what a tumultuous year 2020 has been, and how it has forced us to reimagine traditional ways of thinking and doing. GEEARS launched the PAACT initiative last year, and despite all of us had to overcome, we created new relationships and deepened existing ones as the importance of access to affordable child care, paid leave and child care supports, and equitable health care took center stage. PAACT also rallied to provide critical support to Atlanta’s families with young children, as well as the early childhood ecosystem that cares for them.   The past year has required us to have flexibility, empathy, and significant courage to make “good trouble” and to keep our eyes on our North Star – PAACT’s commitment to ensure that young children in Atlanta, regardless of income, race, or family background have equitable opportunity and access to thrive.  We are reminded of the words of late Congressman Lewis, who said: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”  Most recently, PAACT and its partners engaged parents and raised awareness of key early childhood issues by hosting virtual parent nights featuring some of Atlanta’s most engaged community-based leaders from CHRIS 180, Raising Expectations, Father’s Incorporated, and Atlanta Thrive.   With facilitation by CHRIS 180, a leader in behavioral health services for families in Metro Atlanta, parents in attendance heard from mental health professionals while also getting to share their experiences. Attendees were able to speak freely about the challenges they and their children faced in 2020.  We heard that many of Atlanta’s children are interacting increasingly more with technology and increasingly less with peers, and that challenging behaviors have escalated and are happening more frequently, potentially because their routine has been significantly altered. Parents also voiced concerns of their own mental health challenges impacting the mental health of their children. The featured speaker Kathy Brown-Bragg, MSW, LCSW, MAC, Project Director of New Generation Infant Early Childhood Mental Health at CHRIS 180, shared strategies to main mental health for parents and caregivers. These include: Prioritizing self-care: Pay attention to your own mental and physical health. Be attentive to signals of stress, and seek support from friends, family, and mental health professionals BEFORE becoming overwhelmed. Making time for physical activity: This is a great way to reduce stress. Consider implementing regular exercise into your daily routine. Finding your tribe: Identify other parents, friends, family members or colleagues to talk to about your challenges. If you see someone who seems like they might be struggling, take a moment to check in with them. We are stronger together. Seeking assistance from a professional: CHRIS 180 provides trauma-informed care through the CHRIS Counseling Center offices. The counseling centers, with several locations in Metro Atlanta, assist people of all ages to improve and maintain a healthy mental state. As we continue to navigate uncharted territory, we know that strong partnerships like the one we have formed with CHRIS 180 are even more critical than ever before.  We are inspired by the collective wisdom of all our partners, the PAACT advisory board, community-based organizations, funders, and most importantly, parents and caregivers of Atlanta that make up our community.  Smart investments in our children’s early years have a positive impact on the education, health, and economic well-being of all Atlantans. Together, we can ensure that our future leaders have the skills required to tackle the challenges and act on the opportunities of tomorrow inequitable opportunities, racial injustice, and the disproportionate impact of a global virus can be changed if we collectively commit to dismantle unjust systems.  Let us make 2021 the year we finally start making sustainable, positive social change for the most important voices in Atlanta: our youngest children.   PAACT: Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive, is a citywide alliance led by GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, to improve outcomes for Atlanta’s children ages 0-to-5 years old.   This is sponsored content.