Hartsfield-Jackson’s Balram “B” Bheodari given farewell salute
After decades of service at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari enjoyed a farewell celebration on June 28 that lasted more than two hours.
Bheodari’s last day with the city was June 30.
The speakers included former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the current Mayor Andre Dickens.
The celebration, held at the Georgia International Convention Center, also included comments from the senior airport executives, the Transportation Security Administration, Atlanta United Service Organizations, a video from Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, family members, associates and a former general manager Ben DeCosta.
“B’s leadership didn’t stop at customer service,” DeCosta said. “He had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in his team. We implemented an anonymous employee satisfaction survey, and let me tell you, B’s scores were off the charts. Over 90 percent of his team rated him as a caring and effective manager.”
Jan Lennon, who was named interim airport general manager, thanked Bheodari for his leadership and mentorship. “I’m so happy to take your badge, your keys, your office, and your wallet,” Lennon joked.
When Bheodari finally got up to speak, he acknowledged it was a “bittersweet” moment.
“It takes a village to run an airport,” he said. “As I bid farewell, I do it with a heart full of optimism. I know Ms. Lennon. You will have total support. The mayor has put his trust in you as interim, for now.”
Bheodari predicted that Hartsfield-Jackson will have 112 million passengers this year. As to his next chapter, Bheodari said he would become a consultant.
The farewell celebration was attended by several hundreds of people who have worked with Bheodari over the years.
Interestingly enough, Mayor Dickens, who is known to make appearances before going on to his next stop, stayed for the entire two-plus hours — a tribute to Bheodari.
The city, with assistance from the Korn Ferry search firm, is casting a wide net for a new aviation commissioner.
— Maria Saporta
City Schools of Decatur hosts all-in Decatur back-to-school bash
On Thurs. July 18, the City Schools of Decatur (CSD) will host the 2024-2025 All-In Decatur Back-to-School Bash in the green space across from the Elizabeth Wilson Center and Ebster Gym.
CSD students, families, staff, and the community are invited to a fun-filled day of togetherness and activities to kick off the new school year.
“We are excited to offer the Back-to-School Bash as an opportunity for our school community to be All-In for another great school year,” said. Gyimah Whitaker, Superintendent of CSD. “This event aligns with our strategic goals of creating an engaging culture and ensuring student success in all areas.”
Donations of food, school supplies, book bags, and monetary contributions are welcome.
Visit the website for more information.
— Allison Joyner
Clayton County Schools extends superintendent’s contract
Last month, the Clayton County Board of Education announced that it had extended the contract of its superintendent, Anthony Smith, for two years.
“The Board of Education continues to be impressed by Dr. Smith’s vision, focusing on the concept of ‘Building a Better Tomorrow Today’ for the school district,” said Jessie Goree, District 3 representative for Clayton County Board of Education. “Dr. Smith’s tenacity in laying the groundwork for strategic improvement throughout the school district and his support of the district’s overall strategic plan is evident in his accomplishments to date.”
Smith has over 30 years of educational experience, most recently as the school district’s Deputy Superintendent of Governmental Relations, Partnerships, and Operations until he was appointed Interim Superintendent in 2022.
— Allison Joyner
Hammonds House receives a $100k grant from Andy Warhol Foundation
Last week, Hammonds House Museum announced that it received a $100,000 grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to support its exhibitions and programming from now until summer 2026.
The grant will finance some of the exhibits, including the museum’s permanent collection and artwork by national and international artists of African American descent and artists throughout the African diaspora.
“This funding will empower us to elevate our curatorial projects, strengthen community partnerships and bring world-class artists exhibitions and engaging events to our community,” said Donna Watts-Nunn, Managing Director for Hammonds House.
The foundation manages the grant program while preserving Warhol’s legacy through creative and responsible licensing policies and extensive scholarly research for ongoing catalog projects.
— Allison Joyner
Center for Puppetry Arts hires new artistic advisor
The Center of Puppetry Arts recently announced that they appointed Jason Hines as Artistic Director, formally seated by Jon Ludwig, who will become Emeritus Artistic Director effective Oct. 2.
“Jon’s decades of dedication and expertise in puppetry have been pivotal to the success of the Center for Puppetry Arts. His passion for puppetry has captivated audiences for years. We are excited to announce that the talented Jason Hines will also be stepping into the Artistic Director role, where he will collaborate with Jon to temporarily share responsibilities, ensuring a seamless continuation of their combined artistic legacy,” said Beth Schiavo, Executive Director for the Center for the Puppetry Arts.
Additionally, the center is renaming its rehearsal hall to “The Jon Ludwig Rehearsal Hall” to honor his legacy.
— Allison Joyner
CAU celebrates students receiving Blackstone LaunchPad internships
Last month, the Rober H. “Bob” Bell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development at Clark Atlanta University (CIED) announced that nine students have been selected to participate in an internship program through the Blackstone LaunchPad program.
This highly competitive and paid program provides students with a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience and develop essential skills in innovation, leadership, and critical thinking.
Workshops, fireside chats, and networking sessions will enhance career development and foster connections with peers nationwide.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for CAU students, and we appreciate Blackstone’s continuing efforts to accelerate their growth and learning curves,” said Ronald Cetoute, professor and CIED Director.
The list of students participating in the internship and the companies they will be working for:
- Janaidy Ruiz – Zenith
- Jitarra Ellis– Scholist
- Melodee Owens – SpenDebt
- Mia Wilson – Sherwood Forest
- Quadarris Green – Fanalyze
- Richania Johnson – Girls Who Invest
- Sadiamond Jaramillo – Nex Cubed
- Tyler Jackson – Dell
- Tyniah Banks – CareSpace
— Allison Joyner
AID Atlanta receives $2.5 million to house HIV/AIDS patients
On Monday, AID Atlanta announced that it has received $2.5 million from the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The grant would fund housing assistance and supportive services for eligible people and families, as well as activity coordination and planning, grant management, and administration.
“HUD is addressing homelessness and housing instability for the populations most impacted by the HIV epidemic,” said Adrianne Todman, Acting Secretary for HUD. “This funding will allow grantees and their stakeholders to complement local efforts to end the HIV epidemic.”
The Executive Director of AID Atlanta, Nicole Roebuck, said that the grant is transformative and will help them provide stable housing to more of their members living with HIV/AIDS.
— Allison Joyner
Annual Atlanta Quilt Festival to take place Aug. 2 to Sept. 8
The Atlanta Quilt Festival has announced its 16th annual festival and juried exhibition scheduled to take place August 2 – September 8, 2024, at the Southwest Arts Center in South Fulton, GA.
This will mark the final installment of the “Good Trouble Quilts” trilogy. The Good Trouble Quilts: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Congressman John Lewis exhibit will headline the festival featuring a new collection of approximately 25 original art quilts celebrating the life and legacy of The Honorable John Lewis. The Festival will notably take place in Georgia’s 5th Congressional District for the 16th consecutive year, which also was also Congressman Lewis’ district.
— Derek Prall
Deluxe CEO Barry McCarthy to be Inducted into Georgia Fintech Hall of Fame
Deluxe, a Payments and Data company, announced today that President and Chief Executive Officer Barry McCarthy will be the 2024 inductee to the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Fintech Hall of Fame.
Since joining Deluxe in late 2018, McCarthy has helped transform the organization from a legacy check printer to a leader in digital payments and data solutions. Currently, Deluxe processes nearly $3 trillion in payment volume annually while supporting millions of small businesses, thousands of vital financial institutions and hundreds of the world’s leading consumer brands.
“The Georgia Fintech Hall of Fame is a who’s who of industry giants, and I am grateful to TAG and our fintech community for this recognition,” McCarthy said. “I am incredibly proud of our industry and specifically what we’re building at Deluxe. I look forward to the bright fintech future, continuing to do this important work together. I am truly honored and humbled.”
— Derek Prall
Marietta Art in the Park upgrades the art festival experience: 38th-annual Labor Day Weekend event brings 220+ artists to historic square
For the 38th year, the historic Marietta Square will come alive Labor Day weekend with Art in the Park, a three-day outdoor event featuring fine art, local live music and creative children’s activities.
Cobb County’s only fine art festival, the award-winning Marietta Art in the Park is also known for popular features like Children’s Art Alley, Chalk Spot and the Painted Pots. Attracting attendees from nearby neighborhoods as well as the surrounding region, Art in the Park now typically welcomes 50,000 visitors each year.
A portion of the proceeds from Art in the Park benefits the Marietta Business Association, making the event its largest annual fundraiser.
— Derek Prall
