Reporter’s Notebook: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta opens new facility, Westside Future Fund breaks ground on affordable housing project, Woodruff Arts Center receives $5M gift

Sept. 29 will be a milestone for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

The Arthur M. Blank Hospital of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will open Sept. 29 — the day when all the patients from Egleston Hospital will move to the new hospital located on the 76-acre North Druid Hills Road campus.

At 7 a.m., the Egleston emergency department will close while the Arthur M. Blank Hospital emergency room will open simultaneously.

The new hospital is a 19-story, 2 million square-foot facility with 446 beds – 116 more beds than at the current Egleston hospital.

Children’s anticipates moving 340 patients, using 56 ambulances from community groups as well as the Children’s ground and air transport. In addition, about 30 patients from the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Scottish Rite Hospital will move to Arthur M. Blank Hospital the same day.

The City of Atlanta, Emory University Police, DeKalb County, City of Chamblee, City of Brookhaven, Sandy Springs Police and Georgia State Police will help ensure patients travel safety during the move. Children’s is asking for the public’s help by yielding to ambulances along the move route from Egleston Hospital to Arthur M. Blank Hospital on that day.

“Arthur M. Blank Hospital is more than a new facility providing essential capacity to serve all the kids who need us,” said Donna Hyland, CEO of Children’s. “It is also a giant leap forward for Georgia’s kids, and it’s an open door for progress and discovery that will help transform pediatric care nationally. This hospital is a beacon of hope for healthier children, and I am grateful to so many in our community who helped make this vision a reality, especially Arthur Blank.” 

The new hospital is expected to bring up to 4,500 additional workers to the North Druid Hills campus, which is expected to employ more than 8,000 people. Many of these employees will transfer from Egleston Hospital, but about 1,000 people will fill newly created positions. 

— Maria Saporta

Westside Future Fund breaks ground on Echo Street affordable housing development 

Westside Future Fund broke ground on its latest affordable housing development at 646 Echo Street during an August 7 ceremony, charting for a September 2025 completion on the 245 units. 

The nonprofit is focused on revitalizing Atlanta’s historic Westside through developments like the 24-unit Echo Street project. It’s part of the “Home on the Westside” program that prioritizes residents with “live, work, learn” connections to the historic neighborhoods – aiming to keep legacy residents a part of the area’s “future prosperity.” 

So far, the organization has completed 646 multifamily units with 121 additional units et for 2025 completion. It’s part of the nonprofit’s long-term goal set in 2017: 1,500 high-quality affordable units serving families at 60 percent Area Median Income or less, 250 single-family homes with down payment assistance and an Anti-Displacement Tax Fund. 

Funded by the James M. Cox Foundation, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, WFF Impact Fund and Invest Atlanta, the new affordable housing development is part of an ongoing partnership between the city and organization. 

“My administration has a plan to build or preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030.” Mayor Andre Dickens said. “Collaborations and partnerships that create housing like this help us get closer toward that goal,” 

In 2017, the Atlanta City Council adopted the Westside Land Use Framework Plan to guide all of the Westside Future Fund’s developments. Echo Street is located near the Westside Beltline Connector Trail, putting future residents in proximity to the popular path and adjacent commercial space. 

Echo Street will bring 24 units across two three-story buildings to the area priced at different levels along the area median income (AMI). For an individual, the AMI in Atlanta is $54,000. That maxes out one-bedroom rent at $1,447. Half of the units will be priced at 80 percent AMI, with 30 percent at 60 percent of the AMI and 20 percent at 30 percent of the AMI. 

“Today marks a pivotal moment for the historic Westside,” President and CEO John Ahmann said. “This project is a testament to our enduring commitment to preserving and revitalizing our legacy neighborhoods by providing high-quality, affordable housing options for our residents.” 

— Delaney Tarr

CAU responds to HBCU comments made at Trump rally

On Monday, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) responded to comments during a rally for former President Donald Trump’s campaign over the weekend.

“We are aware of the remarks made at the rally in Atlanta earlier by Former President Trump concerning our nation’s response to the international COVID crisis,” the university responded in a statement.

During the rally, Trump brought Michaelah Montgomery, the founder of Conserve the Culture and a former student at CAU.

He recalled a conversation he had with Montgomery where she thanked Trump for working to fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As amongst our nation’s 4,000 Higher Education institutions, multinational corporations, hospitals and others to have benefited from CARES and HEERF bipartisan support garnered during the administration of Former President Trump, Clark Atlanta University is appreciative of such support but was not ‘saved’ by COVID funding,” the statement added.

CAU concluded the statement by stating that it and the other 102 remaining HBCUs remain dedicated to their mission of student success and continued support at all levels of democracy.

— Allison Joyner

PNC’s $5 million gift to Woodruff Arts Center

A jubilant “ground-breaking” ceremony Aug. 6 at the Rich Auditorium celebrated the space that will be transformed into the Goizueta Stage for children and families.

At the event, PNC Bank announced that the play area on Peachtree Street next to the entrance of the Goizueta Stage will be known as the PNC PlaySpace, a facility that will be open year-round and be free to the public.

Eddie Meyers, regional president of PNC Bank, said the PlaySpace “will be a learning center for children in the city of Atlanta — a place to develop their minds and their imaginations.”

The $5 million gift is part of PNC’s signature philanthropic initiative, PNC Grow Up Great, that helps prepare children from birth to age five for school and life with an emphasis on underserved communities. The program was launched 20 years ago, and it was introduced to Atlanta in 2012.

“We felt it was a good fit,” Meyers said in an interview before the ground-breaking. “We’ve had a long-term relationship with Woodruff. We felt this would benefit kids across Atlanta and Georgia.”

Meyers said studies have shown that when young children are introduced to the arts, they are more successful in school.

The “ground-breaking” played off that theme. Dozens of children carrying plastic inflatable hammers and tools pretended to break the ground on the stage of the Rich Auditorium.

One of the more touching moments was when Tony Montag of the Rich’s Foundation spoke of how Richard Rich had chaired the original campaign to build what was then the Memorial Arts Center. Montag seemed comfortable with the Rich name being replaced by the Goizueta — in honor of the late Roberto C. Goizueta, who was CEO of the Coca-Cola Co. 

Julianna Cagle, president of the Goizueta Foundation, said Roberto Goizueta viewed the Woodruff Arts Center as a cornerstone for youth and family. “The Goizueta Stage will, without question, contribute to building a stronger Atlanta,” she said.

— Maria Saporta 

Black-owned millennial marketing agency wins gold award from Ad Age 

Last month, marketing agency Six Degrees won Ad Age’s Gold Award for Small Agency of the Year, Southeast. The Atlanta-based agency was recognized for its work across experiential, social, and brand strategy, guiding some of the largest global brands and talent that drive pop culture forward, including HBO, Amazon, NFL, Drake, Pandora, Lil Baby, Footlocker, Doja Cat, Lebron James, and more. 

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Ad Age team for all the work we do that combines cultural insights with innovative thinking and strategy that truly elevates our brand partners,” said Brian Wright founder of Six Degrees Marketing.

The Ad Age Small Agency Awards recognize standout independent agencies with fewer than 150 employees that are producing both noteworthy creative work and strong business results. 

— Allison Joyner

Decatur Delivers Affordable Housing with Oak Cottage Court Community

The City of Decatur, Development Authority of the City of Decatur (DDA) and Decatur Land Trust (DLT) announced the completion of Oak Cottage Court, a new workforce housing community on Commerce Drive.

Ranging from two to three bedrooms and $210,000 to $305,000, the six cottages offer an attainable option for middle-income individuals and families. With a Walk Score of 86, including 10 minutes or less to MARTA rail and 10 different bus lines, Oak Cottage Court provides easy access to all the city has to offer, including shops and restaurants, K-12 schools, parks, and much more. 

“As an inclusive community, Decatur’s affordability goal is ensuring there’s housing available for all levels of income,” said Conor McNally, president of the DDA. “In the process, we hope to broaden our economic diversity by creating opportunities for middle-income buyers previously priced out of the market.”

The DDA formed a collaboration between the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership as the development partner and the Decatur Land Trust as the long-term landowner to preserve the affordability of the cottages in perpetuity through deed restrictions.

“As our first major project, Oak Cottage Court is helping us better understand how we can address workforce housing issues for a wide variety of individuals in our community,” said Linda Curry, Chair of DLT.

— Derek Prall

OnBoard to honor Mativ’s Julie Schertell at November dinner

The annual Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Award dinner will honor Julie Schertell, president and CEO of Mativ who also serves as an independent board director for Ingersoll Rand Co.

The OnBoard award is named in honor of Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans, one of the first woman to serve as a director of a major American corporation. She was appointed to Coca-Cola’s board in 1934, and she served as a director for nearly 20 years.

OnBoard created the award in 2003 to recognize a female corporate board member who serves as a role model to advance the organization’s mission of increasing the number of women in executive leadership and on corporate boards. The dinner will be held at Westside Paper in West Midtown on Nov. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The evening also will have a keynote address from Tenashe Kajese-Bolden, the Jennings Hertz Artistic Director for the Alliance Theatre.

— Maria Saporta 

Park Pride announces new board chair, welcomes nine new board members 

This month, Park Pride, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that empowers communities to activate the power of parks, is excited to welcome the incoming group of park champions who are joining its Board of Directors. The nonprofit’s board also elected Omari Henderson as the next Board Chair. 

Henderson works in Innovation and Business Development at Chick-fil-A’s Corporate Support Center. With a love for art and giving back to the community, Henderson is the co-owner of the ZuCot Gallery, a fine art gallery with the largest inventory of African American art in the Southeast. He is also the founder of the Youth Challenge Incorporated Foundation, a nonprofit that provides a mentoring program for young men. He serves on the Board of Directors for Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, Elevate Atlanta and The Reach Georgia Foundation. 

Henderson has served on Park Pride’s board since 2021 and has shown a commitment to the power of parks through his involvement on the Executive Committee and the Parks for All Campaign Committee. With a passion for helping Atlanta’s communities thrive, Henderson will provide strong leadership as Park Pride works to ensure that all residents have easy access to a quality park. 

“I’m excited to chair the Park Pride Board because of the organization’s focus on equity in parks within Atlanta,” Henderson said. “This initiative is crucial for fostering inclusive and vibrant communities.” 

Nine new park advocates are also joining the Board, including: 

• Rae-Anne Alves
• Annie Appleton
• Glianny Fagundo
• Shola Oni
• Amanda Puché
• Maggie Reeves
• Christina Rios
• Suzanne Sackleh
• Steve Sanchez

— Derek Prall

Morehouse School of Medicine receives $175 million donation from Bloomberg nonprofit

On Tuesday, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) announced that they received a $175 million donation to its endowment from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative – the largest grant from a single organization given to a single Historically Black College or University (HBCU). 

The donation is part of a $600 million investment by the nonprofit to four Historically Black Medical Schools, including Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in California, Howard University College of Medicine in Washington D.C., and Meharry Medical College in Tennessee. Seed funds were also given to build Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine, a new medical school in New Orleans. 

Owned by philanthropist Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg Philanthropies focuses on the arts, education, the environment, government innovation, and public health to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people.

“As we approach our 50th anniversary, this support perfectly aligns with the vision of MSM and is pivotal in fortifying our commitment to help build a future where every community has access to quality healthcare,” said Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO of MSM.

— Allison Joyner

Civil Rights leader stepping down from SCLC later this month

Earlier this week, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference announced that its president and CEO, Dr. Charles Steele, Jr., will be stepping down effective Aug. 31. 

The civil rights leader said he will be taking an advisory role as president emeritus and will venture into a specific area of housing development for people with low incomes. 

Steele has been with the SCLC for over twenty years and reveals that it is time to take the movement to the next level. 

“Being in my current position, I cannot take it to the next level,” Steele said. “My wife and I will still be part of the next level dealing with fulfilling the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King through affordable housing and getting people in the position to own homes.” 

In addition to being a part of the Civil Rights Movement, Steele, 78, was an Alabama State Senator and owner of a funeral home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and came into leadership with the SCLC in 2004. 

— Allison Joyner 

SCAD launches new degree programs ahead of new school year

On Tuesday, the Savannah College of Art and Design announced that it is introducing seven new degree programs to its 2024-2025 curriculum. Additionally, six new undergraduate and graduate degree programs will be taught at its Atlanta campus in Midtown. 

“Our curriculum evolves in tandem with – and often ahead of – industry growth, maintaining SCAD’s position as the preeminent source of talent for the world’s most innovative companies,” said Tara Oviedo, Vice President for Curriculum and Assessment. 

Bachelor’s and Master’s in Fine Art degrees will be offered in several majors, including sound design, animation, interactive design and game development. 

SCAD’s academic year begins with its first quarter on Sept. 9. 

— Allison Joyner

Atlanta Business League receives $1.5 million grant from National Park Service

On Tuesday, the Atlanta Business League (ABL) announced that they received a $1.5 million grant funded by the African American Civil Rights grant program through the Historic Preservation Fund from the National Park Service.

The grant will go to support the organization’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote African American history, culture and civil rights heritage within the Atlanta community and will be used to enhance and renovate the historic Ashby Street Theater in the West End community.

The 300-seat venue opened in 1934 during the Jim Crow era and was the first to serve Black Americans in the Atlanta area. 

“This grant will enable us to continue our mission of preserving the history and contributions of African Americans in Atlanta. It is a crucial step in acknowledging and commemorating the pivotal role that our community has played in the fight for civil rights,” said Leona Barr-Davenport, President and CEO of the ABL.

No word on when the project will be completed. 

— Allison Joyner

Chamblee PD launches new bike patrol unit

This week, the Chamblee Police Department launched its new Bike Patrol Unit aimed at enhancing community engagement, increasing patrol visibility and improving times in areas not easily accessible by traditional patrol vehicles. 

Consisting of four certified officers, including Chamblee Police Chief Michael Dieppa, they will be undergoing training in bike handling, traffic enforcement and community policing strategies. 

“The bike patrol unit corresponds with our Neighborhood Resource Unit that focuses on community policing,” Dieppa said. “This unit allows our officers to get outside of their cars and interact with the community and be more accessible to pedestrians.”

The unit will patrol throughout the city including the downtown area along Peachtree Rd., the Chamblee Rail Trail, various parks and communities that are easily accessible to sidewalks and apartment complexes. 

— Allison Joyner