Philanthropic leaders: Atlanta needs audacious economic mobility effort
The Rotary Club of Atlanta tackled “the Present and Future of Philanthropy” in Atlanta during the Feb. 9 program.
Shan Cooper, a civic leader, moderated the panel, which included Rodney Bullard, CEO of Same House; Milton Little, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Atlanta; and Tad Hutcheson, managing director of community engagement for Delta Air Lines.
Little said it’s important to align Atlanta’s corporate, nonprofit and government sectors behind a major initiative.
“We don’t necessarily have the big audacious human-centered goal that is the driver,” Little said. “I think within the arena of economic mobility, the fact that we rank last as a city and as a region, that ought to be the new 1996 Olympic goal…. We ought to set a goal that says we want to go from last to first as it relates to creating a promise that is realized for poor children that if you’re born in Atlanta and born poor, you can escape poverty by the age of 30 through a combination of work and education.”
Little went on to say that as the head of United Way, he’s as responsible as anybody when it comes to economic mobility. Despite all the generosity in the community, it is last in economic mobility.
Bullard agreed.
“We have to set a big, hairy, audacious goal, and we all have to say we are going to pull towards this goal. Charlotte did it,” he said. “We have to say yes, this is good for business.”
Bullard said when people have more money to spend, they can spend it on Delta and other businesses.
When it comes to giving, Hutcheson said there so many requests for funding. The airline has pledged to give at least 1 percent of its profits to charitable organizations. Last year, Delta invested $71 million in communities.
“Clarity gets funded,” said Hutcheson, adding the airline looks for opportunities that can said. The airline also likes to give “in our backyard” and support programs that will directly impact its business. It is working with Morrow High School to help prepare students for aviation careers, including becoming pilots.
Rotary President Kathy Waller closed the meeting by saying, “It takes all of us to make our community work.”
— Maria Saporta
Registration opens Feb. 9 for Paddle Georgia 2026 river adventure
Registration is now open for Paddle Georgia 2026, a week-long canoe and kayak camping trip that will travel from Ellijay to Rome June 14 to 20 along the Cartecay, Coosawattee and Oostanaula rivers.
Organizers expect more than 300 participants to join the 95-mile route, which features a mix of Class II whitewater and calmer flatwater stretches. The trip is designed to showcase the biodiversity and history of the upper Coosa River system, with daily educational programming, evening activities, and family-focused elements throughout the week.
Participants can register for the full seven-day journey or choose two-, three- or four-day options. Adult fees range from $160 for two days to $460 for seven days. The registration package includes campsites with showers and flush toilets, shuttle and guide services, daily programs, a t-shirt and decal, overnight boat security, and daily river maps and guides. Reduced rates are available for children and families.
A limited number of scholarships are available for women, people of color, recent immigrants and low-income individuals. Scholarships are also offered to Georgia K–12 educators, who can receive Adopt-a-Stream training and environmental education resources during the trip. Catered meals may be purchased separately, and participants must provide or rent their own boats. Proceeds support Georgia Rivers’ river protection and public access initiatives across the state.
— Derek Prall
Dad’s Garage brings comic-book chaos to the stage with ‘Super Villain Monologues 2‘
Dad’s Garage has announced Super Villain Monologues 2, a new comedy show that blends comic-book-inspired characters with performance art, featuring an all-new lineup of villains.
Billed as a sequel anthology to the theater’s 2010 cult favorite Super Villain Monologues, the new production introduces fresh characters and original material rather than revisiting storylines from the earlier show. The premise follows evil mastermind Professor Finz as he searches for a partner in world domination through a series of villain monologues.
Co-creators Megan Leahy and Christian Danley developed the show with contributions from performers across the Dad’s Garage ensemble. Leahy said the villains range from those pursuing large-scale schemes, such as world domination or god-like powers, to others with smaller ambitions, with each character driven by personal desire and a disregard for humanity.
Super Villain Monologues 2 is presented as a standalone comedy featuring new plots, heightened absurdity, and a range of exaggerated villain perspectives. It’s designed to deliver an action-forward, character-driven series of comedic monologues built around original villains and new scenarios.
— Derek Prall
South Arts announces Winter 2026 grant cycles
South Arts, a non-profit organization that has supported Southern arts for the last fifty years, announced their Winter 2026 grant cycle. Applications are open now with deadlines staggered throughout February and March, and include three initiatives: Jazz Road Tours, Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, and the Southern Prize & State Fellowships for Visual Arts program.
Jazz Road Tours supports approximately 50 jazz artists annually with individual grants up to $15,000, and includes the curation of a distinct tour cycle dedicated to rural communities nationwide. The Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers connects both emerging and established filmmakers across the region with nonprofit, educational, and governmental organizations that host public screenings and community conversations. Southern Prize & State Fellowships for Visual Arts awards $5,000 State Fellowships to nine artists, with select fellows also receiving the Southern Prize – a prestigious residency and $25,000 cash reward.
For more information on eligibility of these three initiatives and additional opportunities from South Arts, visit southarts.org.
— Megan Anderson
Atlanta Fair returns
A beloved tradition since 1980, the Atlanta Fair returns March 6 through April 12, and will be bringing weeks of entertainment to the heart of the city. Located at the corner of Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard and Central Avenue across from Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium, the fairgrounds will once again come alive this spring with a vibrant lineup of rides, family-friendly attractions and flavors perfect for spring, from nostalgic fair favorites to local bites.
Fair entrance fees are $10 on weekends, $5 Monday – Thursday, and only $3 for kids. Unlimited ride armbands, single tickets and books of 25 tickets are available for purchase.
For more information, including weather updates, events and discounts visit Atlanta Fair website or their Facebook.
— Megan Anderson
Simon Bloom named chair of the board of Georgia Works
Simon Bloom has been named chair of the board of Georgia Works, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on addressing homelessness, addiction and criminal recidivism through transitional housing and workforce development.
Bloom is a trial attorney and founder of Bloom Parham, a national trial boutique that handles large-scale business disputes, primarily in the real estate industry. He has served in leadership roles with the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Bloom also serves on the executive committee of the board of trustees of the Atlanta Police Foundation, with an emphasis on crime prevention and youth development, and is a member of the Board of Visitors for Georgia State University College of Law.
In a statement, Bloom said he looks forward to building on the organization’s expansion plans and continuing its work to help participants achieve self-sufficiency. Outgoing board chair Chip Patterson will remain involved with the organization.
— Derek Prall
Battle for the Brain fundraiser raises more than $2.13 million for Alzheimer’s research
Daughters Against Alzheimer’s raised more than $2.13 million for Emory University’s Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at its annual Battle for the Brain fundraiser, held at the Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta. Organizers said the total is the largest single-night amount in the event’s history, which began in 2017.
The sold-out event drew more than 1,500 attendees and featured a lip sync competition, live audience voting, a raffle, and both super silent and live auctions. The show was also livestreamed, with peak online viewership topping 5,000 and more than 35,000 live votes cast, each equaling a $1 donation.
The evening opened with a performance by the SEEiT Choir. Additional performers included Ryder, Miller Zell, the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders, and Wesley Franklin & Stronger Together. Judges were Paul Milliken, Kaedy Kiely, Monica Pearson and Stacey Leebern, with Kelsey Wingert-Linch and Tribble Reese serving as emcees.
— Derek Prall
