Activists in Decatur mark two years since fall of Roe v. Wade
Members of Indivisible GA-04 hosted a protest to mark two years since Trump’s Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade by calling out Trump and the GOP for their role in the end of Roe, and mobilizing pro-abortion voters ahead of the 2024 election.
“I stand on the street to speak for the thousands of women who have suffered emotional, physical and economical pain because a bunch of mostly-white male politicians have said they must give birth. A woman should have the freedom to make her own decision about bringing another life into the world,” said Anne Hughes of Indivisible GA-04.
June 24, 2024, marks two years since the conservative Supreme Court Justices overturned Roe v. Wade and endangered abortion rights across the country with the Dobbs decision. Since then, Trump has continued to undermine reproductive rights and Republican lawmakers have passed legislation in several states effectively banning abortion and reproductive care.
“Bans do not stop abortions. They only stop safe abortions that protect the health of the woman for the middle class and poor people. rich women — or rich men for their concubines — can always afford to obtain one,” said Lilli Lindbeck of Indivisible GA-04.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta board of education releases statement on new charter school petition
Earlier this month, the Atlanta Board of Education voted to deny the charter petition for Tapestry Public School Atlanta.
The 7-2 vote rejects the five-year start-up of the project.
“The vote taken by the Board affirms the Administration’s rationale for denial of this charter petition, including concerns about the proposed school’s capacity to address the range of needs for APS students most in need of special education services and the potential impact of opening this new school on district operations,” the board said in a statement.
— Allison Joyner
Metro Atlanta Chamber launches new talent programs
The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) recently announced the launch of three new initiatives that will address the significant challenges employers face when it comes to finding talent for in-demand job functions. The programs will build upon MAC’s existing talent development work and propel upward economic mobility for individuals, with a particular focus on youth and young adults, across the metro Atlanta region and state.
Thanks to a three-year grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the three new initiatives will connect employers with young talent for internships and full-time work while providing resources for young talent to better navigate necessary and relevant credentials. These programs are:
- Connect to Work GA. Powered by Skills for America’s Future will focus on skills-based hiring and upskilling, connecting hiring managers with skilled labor/talent in untapped populations across the state. The Connect to Work GA team will place an annual average of 150 individuals in jobs ranging from entry-level warehousing to entry-level cybersecurity.
- Georgia Credential Library will align and standardize all credentials in the state by convening business, education and government leaders who will catalog, define and map credentials of every type and level across industries. Credentials include any certification or degree beyond and including a high school diploma. The process will enhance clarity and transparency for young talent deciding on a career path as well as business leaders discerning which credential(s) would be valuable to a specific job function.
- Georgia Intern App will match young talent to early career opportunities with MAC investor companies, with an estimated 400 youth and young adults placed per year in positions ranging from short-term projects to full-year internships. MAC’s team will source specific skills, talent and traits among college students and alumni, with a special emphasis on rural students/campuses and HBCUs.
“MAC’s unique strength is our well-established and close connections to a broad group of business, nonprofit and education leaders. We worked closely with these leaders to develop this new set of strategic programs that will have an unprecedented impact on talent development and economic mobility for our community,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, president & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for embracing our vision and making it a reality.”
— Derek Prall
YMCA of Metro Atlanta opens Head Start enrollment for 2024/25 school year
The YMCA of Metro Atlanta today announced enrollment is open for its National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited Early Head Start and Head Start programs for the 2024/25 school year. Early Head Start is available for pregnant moms, infants and toddlers up to three years old and Head Start is available for children ages three to five years old. The early learning programs are free for families who meet eligibility requirements.
Early Head Start and Head Start are comprehensive early childhood programs that develop social competence in children. The programs are federally funded and guided by a set of program performance standards that specify a wide range of services to ensure comprehensive care, including health, education, parent involvement and social services. The YMCA, the largest Head Start provider in Georgia, offers Early Head Start and Head Start programs at 10 locations across metro Atlanta.
“We believe every child deserves a strong foundation for success, and our programs are designed to nurture the potential of every student,” said Lauren Koontz, president and CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. “We provide a caring environment that allows every child to learn in distinctive, individual ways and prioritize individual growth and positive reinforcement to help children thrive in school.”
Click here to register your child for the 2024/25 school year or to learn more about the YMCA’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs and eligibility requirements.
— Derek Prall
CAU’s social work dean elected Council of Social Work Education board chair
Last week, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced Dr. Jenny Jones, dean of the Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work, was elected as chair of the board of directors for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
“It’s an honor to have been elected by my peers to serve as Chair-elect to the Board of Directors at CSWE,” Jones said.
The Social Worker Professional Association includes over 900 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs and is affiliated with social work educators, students, and staff dedicated to producing quality education.
— Allison Joyner
Chamblee announces 4th of July concert, fireworks display
Next week, the city of Chamblee will host its annual July 4th celebration, featuring music and fireworks, at city hall on Board St.
The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. with performances from The Ashley Stewart Band and The Platinum Band, followed by a fireworks display.
Food vendors and a Kid Zone with inflatables and games will be present, and the fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.
Parking is limited, so the city sponsored a rideshare code for a discounted rate.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
Bank of America announces 2024 Atlanta Student Leaders
Tuesday, Bank of America announced its selections for this summer’s Student Leaders internship program.
The eight-week program will connect high school 11th-and 12th-grade students to employment, skills development, and service. The goal is for them to gain practical work and leadership experience and receive financial education coaching while working with nonprofits.
“By providing career leadership development opportunities for teens for 20 years, we continue to help develop the next generation of skilled workforce essential to Atlanta’s long-term economic growth,” said Al McRae, president of Bank of America Atlanta.
The interns will also travel to Washington, D.C., for a week-long leadership summit to learn how nonprofits, government agencies and businesses collaborate to meet local needs.
Here are the students:
- Ellis Schroeder, Atlanta, Druid Hills High School
- Annie Lin, Atlanta, North Atlanta High School
- Ososese Okojie, Douglasville, Douglas County High School
- Matthew Phillips, Atlanta, Lakeside High School
- Paul Gomez, Powder Springs, South Cobb High School
— Allison Joyner
Atlanta Housing board of commissioners unanimously approves FY 2025 budget
The Atlanta Housing (AH) Board of Commissioners recently voted unanimously to approve the agency’s fiscal year 2025 budget of $533.9 million. The balanced budget supports AH’s FY 2023 to 2027 strategic plan and allocates funding that will allow the agency to provide housing support for an estimated 21,855 households.
The budget will fund the construction of 1,350 affordable housing units — the greatest number of any year in the history of the agency. The budget will also invest in the preservation of 1,114 affordable units.
The FY 2025 Comprehensive Budget also accelerates Atlanta Housing’s affordable housing development activities with nearly two dozen scheduled closings in the budgeted year and significant progress on key transformational projects including the Civic Center, Englewood, and Bowen redevelopments.
“The FY 2025 Budget demonstrates Atlanta Housing’s focus on using housing as a platform to uplift families on their journey to achieving economic and lifestyle independence and helping our seniors age gracefully in place,” said TerriLee, Atlanta Housing’s president and chief executive officer.
Click here to learn more.
— Derek Prall
Morehouse School of Medicine announces NFL’s class of diversity in sports medicine pipeline initiative
Earlier this week, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) and the National Football League (NFL), together with the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS), announced the roster of medical students who will participate in this year’s NFL Diversity in Sports Medicine Pipeline Initiative.
The program aims to increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in pursuing careers in sports medicine and help diversify the NFL club medical staff.
“We are proud to partner with the NFL, the NFLPS and the PFATS on this groundbreaking initiative to increase diversity in sports medicine generally and particularly on the teams that keep pro football players safe and healthy,” said Dr. Joseph Tyndall, Dean and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs at MSM.
Students from 21 medical schools have been matched with NFL clubs across the league for one-month clinical rotations focused on primary care sports medicine and/or orthopedic surgery.
The rotations allow students to learn from and work directly with club medical staff as they deliver care to players across the league. Student clinical rotations will begin as training camps open next month for the 2024 NFL season.
Here is the list of MSM recipients:
- Craishun Hart with the Arizona Cardinals
- Jerry Yue with the Atlanta Falcons
- Dave Delima with the Cincinnati Bengals
- Eden Obomeghie with the Indianapolis Colts
- Austin Carey with the New York Giants
— Allison Joyner
Atlanta Ballet announces 2024/25 season
Atlanta Ballet’s 2024/25 season offers opportunities for the whole family to immerse themselves in the world of dance.
The fall season kicked off on Sunday, July 21 with the Centre for Dance Education’s annual open house, where participants will have the opportunity to take free dance classes and sign up for brand-new class offerings for the fall.
This season will bring to the stage two beloved productions catered to all ages, with “The Nutcracker” in December and Atlanta Ballet 2’s “The Swan Princess” in February.
Click here for more information
— Derek Prall
AHF, AID Atlanta meet with Warnock to discuss drug treatment for Georgia HIV patients
Recently, officials from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and AID Atlanta met with U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) to discuss efforts by the drug industry to cripple the treatment and care of people living with HIV in Georgia.
The nonprofits say that PhRMA, the drug industry lobbying organization, is pushing legislation that would decrease the funds available to support the critical services of both regular hospitals and AID Atlanta.
“My colleagues and I were delighted to share with the Senator the importance of the 340B Drug Pricing Program in stretching scarce federal resources, like grants we use from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, to care for over 11,000 people living with HIV in our care for AHF,” said Nicole Roebuck-Warner, Executive Director for AID Atlanta.
She added that proponents of the legislation have said they will try to insert it during the lame-duck session without holding hearings or providing any other way for those impacted.
“As Atlantans and Georgians who rely on the 340B program, we are encouraged and appreciate Senator Warnock’s ongoing leadership in protecting the healthcare needs of all Georgia residents and standing up against harmful legislation that negatively impacts the health and wellness of his constituents,” Warner said.
— Allison Joyner
Dena Chadwick Named New President & CEO of Philanthropy Southeast
Philanthropy Southeast, following a thorough review by its Board of Trustees, announced the appointment of Dena Chadwick as the organization’s new President & CEO.
Chadwick, who has worked for Philanthropy Southeast for more than a decade, had most recently been the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. For the past four months, she had served as interim President & CEO following the unexpected passing of Janine Lee, a transformative leader who put Philanthropy Southeast on its current path through the adoption of its Equity Framework as well as its current mission, vision and Courageous Leadership Strategy.
“There is no person better than Dena Chadwick to lead Philanthropy Southeast during this time,” said Kristen Keely-Dinger, Chair of the Philanthropy Southeast Board of Trustees, and President & CEO of The Healing Trust in Nashville. “We continue to grieve the loss of Janine and honor her memory — and we believe the best way to do that is to ensure the work of Philanthropy Southeast moves forward under Dena, who has repeatedly proven herself to be a strong, effective and compassionate leader.”
— Derek Prall
AT&T to open Connected Learning Center at the John H. Harland Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
AT&T is opening a new Connected Learning Center inside the John H. Harland branch of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) to provide free access to digital resources, including high-speed AT&T Fiber internet, Wi-Fi and Dell computers. As part of the celebration, the company will also distribute 200 free laptops and backpacks to students and families served by BGCMA.
This new center is part of an initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability and safe adoption. It will also provide free educational resources and mentoring.
This center will be open to local Atlanta youth and families served by the Harland Boys & Girls Club and is the third AT&T Connected Learning Center in Atlanta and the fifth in the state of Georgia.
— Derek Prall
