Chamblee PD swears in first female assistant police chief
Last week, the Chamblee Police Department announced Adrianne Byrd was sworn in as Assistant Police Chief, being the first female in this position in the police department’s history.
In her new role, Byrd will be in charge of the internal day-to-day operations and staff structure within the police department.
“As Assistant Police Chief, I am focused on the needs of Chamblee and how this community wants to see their community serviced. It’s also important that younger women see that they can succeed in this male-dominated field. It’s not about your sex but it’s about your commitment to what you do. As long as you are committed and knowledgeable in your field, there are opportunities,” Byrd said.
Byrd previously served as Division Chief of the Miami-Dade Police Department and served there for over 28 years.
— Allison Joyner
Ogle School to open first Georgia location at Lee + White
Lee + White, the adaptive reuse development in Atlanta’s West End, will soon be home to Ogle School, a 15,839-square-foot cosmetology and esthetics school. This will be Ogle School’s 10th location and its first in Georgia, adding to its established presence in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, Texas. This strategic expansion highlights Ogle School’s commitment to delivering premier beauty education and career opportunities to a broader audience.
“We are incredibly excited to expand Ogle School into the vibrant and dynamic Atlanta market. After extensive research, we found that Atlanta, with its rich cultural heritage and thriving community, is the perfect place for our first location outside of Texas,” said John Blair, CEO of Ogle School. “Lee + White’s unique blend of history and modernity makes it an ideal location for our school, and we are thrilled to partner with MDH Partners, Ackerman Retail, and Cushman & Wakefield to bring our vision to life. We look forward to becoming an integral part of this community and helping our students pursue their passions and careers in cosmetology and esthetics.”
— Derek Prall
Hotel Granada opens in Midtown
Hotel Granada, a meticulously restored historic building at 1302 W. Peachtree St NW in the heart of Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood, officially opened its doors after a two-year top-to-bottom restoration and modernization.
“We are thrilled to reintroduce this iconic landmark as Hotel Granada, where classic Southern
inspirations mix with an old-world European feel to create an entirely new energy,” shares Alfonce McKinney, General Manager. “We are grateful to our Midtown neighbors for their support during this careful renovation and cannot wait to welcome everyone in to enjoy a drink at Pom Court or their first stay in one of our beautifully appointed guest rooms.”
— Derek Prall
Fostering Success Act names Aaron James executive vice president for donor development
Fostering Success Act, a non-profit that raises tax credit funds to assist young adults transitioning out of the state’s foster care system, announced today that it has named Aaron James as its new Executive Vice President of Donor Development.
“What an incredible way for Georgians to see their tax dollars in action, make an impact and change the trajectory for the next generation,” James said. “If you are someone who cares about Georgia, its future and those who will be charged with leading and sustaining it and would like to create an equal playing field for the next generation to thrive and prosper no matter what their circumstances, then this program is for you.”
James is a veteran of the philanthropic community having made a significant impact in North Georgia with fundraising for nonprofits during the past 12 years including the Georgia Aquarium, the East Lake Foundation, the Mount Vernon School and most recently St. Mary’s Healthcare in Northeast Georgia.
— Derek Prall
Agnes Scott announces new Vice President for College Advancement
On Monday, Agnes Scott College announced it had hired Cheryl Webster as its new Vice President for College Advancement, effective Oct. 1.
In her new position, Webster will be responsible for external relations, fundraising, partnership development, alumni relations, communications and marketing.
She previously served as vice president of advancement and executive director of the Alumni Association and Foundation for Salem State University in Massachusetts.
“Cheryl’s ability to connect with students, faculty, alumni and donors reflects her innate passion for this work and will be key in building the relationships and outreach needed to support Agnes Scott’s mission and reputation for academic excellence and innovation,” said Leocadia Zak, president of Agnes Scott.
— Allison Joyner
Camp Twin Lakes wins the gold for positively impacting kids
Camp Twin Lakes was recently recognized nationally and is the only non-school program nationally to be selected as a 2024 Engage Every Student Initiative Recognition Program Champion by the U.S. Department of Education’s Engage Every Student Initiative.
The award honors Camp Twin Lakes for their efforts to expand access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning programs for students. Camp Twin Lakes was among 13 nonprofit organizations and cities that were recognized for working in partnership with their local school districts for their efforts to expand access to high-quality afterschool and summer-learning programs throughout the country.
— Derek Prall
DeKalb’s fire captain brings first responder mental health awareness to international stage
More than 80 percent of first responders experience traumatic events while on the job and in DeKalb County there is a peer support program encouraging them to share their experiences and connecting them with additional mental health and addiction resources.
DeKalb’s Fire Captain Chuck Bray will embark on a 190 mile, 14-day walk across England to spread awareness of DeKalb’s successful peer support program for public safety officials and encourage public safety officials to get the treatment they need. Bray is DeKalb County Fire Rescue’s Peer Support Coordinator, leading a team of 12 peer support members, and is a co-host on “Burnt Out,” a podcast that explores the experiences of first responders and raises awareness about mental health.
“Walking 190 miles across England is a small step compared to the courage it takes for a first responder to ask for help,” Bray said. “I’m proud to raise awareness about mental health resources and for a program that’s saving lives by connecting us with the support we need.”
Bray’s journey stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action. His efforts, backed by Commissioner Terry and the ERPS Committee, underscore the county’s commitment to ensuring that every first responder has access to the resources they need to thrive, both in their service to the community and in their personal lives.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta Gas Light Donates $50,000 to fund scholarships for STEM students
Atlanta Gas Light announces its donation of $50,000 to three technical schools in support of scholarships for students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) career fields.
Chattahoochee Technical College Foundation – The funds given to the Chattahoochee Technical College Foundation will be used to support scholarships for at-risk students.
Gwinnett Technical College – The donation will fund scholarships for their natural gas technician and HVAC programs as well as their emergency fund. The natural gas technician program takes one semester to complete and has a 99% job placement rate.
Middle Georgia State University – The existing AGL Endowment at MGSU provides financial aid for students. The monies donated will support the endowment’s scholarships for students from Central Georgia in STEM classes.
— Derek Prall
Bill Jones, executive director of Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land, announces 2025 departure
Bill Jones, founder and executive director of Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land (SE Trust), has announced that he will step down in mid-2025.
A nonprofit founded by Jones, Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land acquires ecologically valuable lands through the purchase, donation, or conservation easements to protect them from development and makes them available to the community for free, responsible recreational use.
During Jones’ tenure, SE Trust has acquired more than 50 parcels of land in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee covering more than 10,000 acres, with each parcel ranging from .3 acres to 3,000 acres. Of these properties,17 are available for use as public nature parks, and six have bike/hike trail systems of up to 12 miles.
“I look forward to celebrating SE Trust’s work and mission as a volunteer and supporter,” said Jones, “I appreciate SE Trust’s Executive Committee for their consultation while setting the date. My wife, Evelyn, and I are very excited.”
— Derek Prall
Dobbs Foundation names Jason Terrell president
The R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation recently announced Jason Terrell will begin as the Foundation’s next President on Sept. 9, 2024.
“I am thrilled by the opportunity to leverage my expertise in philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and nonprofit administration to support the foundation’s investments in programs and leaders making a real difference in the lives of Georgia’s residents,” said Terrell. “As a past grantee of the Dobbs Foundation, I have witnessed our important role in the community and I am energized by the opportunity to work alongside the board and staff team to continue to expand our impact.”
Terrell is an experienced nonprofit executive and philanthropic leader in the Southeast. He joins the Dobbs Foundation from the Walton Family Foundation, one of the largest family philanthropies in the United States, where he serves as a Program Officer with a focus on education. Terrell co-founded Profound Gentlemen, a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the representation of male educators of color and served as Co-Founder and Executive Director from 2014 to 2021. The Dobbs Foundation was an early funder of Profound Gentlemen’s expansion to Atlanta.
— Derek Prall
Giving Kitchen announces appointment of first-ever CEO
Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance and a network of community resources to food service workers in times of crisis, recently announced the appointment of Allison Padilla-Goodman as their first Chief Executive Officer. Padilla-Goodman comes from the Anti-Defamation League, where she served as Vice President of the Southern Division.
“For 10 years, I have passionately led the fight against hatred and discrimination in the American South. It is the honor of a lifetime to now be fighting for an entire community, rather than against a negative force,” Padilla-Goodman said.“I am honored and humbled to bring my energy and experience to an organization as important as Giving Kitchen, and I can’t wait to build a community where crises are met with compassion and care.”
With an impressive background in fundraising and managing regional and national expansions, Padilla-Goodman’s experience aligns with the organization’s vision for growth. The organization says her empathy, leadership, and congenial nature make her an excellent cultural fit.
— Derek Prall
Partnership Against Domestic Violence receives Bank of America grant
Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) recently announced it received a $35,000 grant from Bank of America to help impact the safety of domestic violence survivors and their children.
The grant will support our emergency shelter services and housing opportunities for the survivors we serve and is aligned with Bank of America’s efforts to help drive economic mobility across communities.
In Atlanta, over 100 survivors of domestic violence are unsheltered and desperately in need of safe housing.
“With this generous grant from Bank of America, we can enhance the safety and support systems for survivors of domestic violence and their children. This funding will directly aid in providing emergency shelter and vital resources to those in need, helping them rebuild their lives free from violence,” said Katha Blackwell, President and CEO of PADV.
— Derek Prall
Maria, I have enjoyed your great Urban coverage since back in the Atlanta Constitution days…informative and wonderful to read!