St. Vincent de Paul’s Morning of Hope
A gathering of longtime friends on Sept. 26 celebrated the philanthropic work of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, an organization that served more than 200,000 neighbors throughout the state in 2023.
Dr. Johnnetta Cole, best known in Atlanta as a former president of Spelman College, gave the keynote address – describing hope as “an embrace of the unknown.”
Cole said Georgia has one million households that spend 50 percent (or more) of their income on housing. St. Vincent de Paul Georgia also estimates that 13 percent of Georgians cannot afford adequate food for their families.
“Hope is what keeps us alive and involved,” said Cole, who shared some of favorite messages. “No matter how long the night, the dawn will come. Without faith, nothing is possible. With faith, everything is possible.”
The brunch-time event at the Spring Hall Event Venue off Buford Highway honored Don and Theresa Conklin for their generosity. Gas South was recognized for supporting the non-profit’s Motel to Home initiative. (QT has provided a $1 million, three-year grant to the initiative, according to Denise Fisher, SVDP’s board chair).
United Way of Greater Atlanta, represented by CEO Milton Little, also was recognized for its 2-1-1 number partnership that provides referrals to the nonprofit.
The brunch was held hours before Hurricane Helene was hitting landfall. SVdP Georgia Executive Director Mike Mies observed that many attendees might experience a temporary crisis as a result of the storm, but that there are families who are in a constant state of crisis.
“So many people are living on the edge,” Mies said. “We are going to be there when they call.”
By the way, also in attendance was John Berry, the national president of SVdP. He used to hold the same job as Mies.
— Maria Saporta
CDC’s Mandy Cohen thanks Rotarians
When she took the job as the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mandy Cohen said she did not realize it was the only federal agency to be based outside of Washington, D.C. – something that’s both good and bad.
Cohen said there are advantages to being located in Atlanta but also disadvantages.
“There are incredible assets across the U.S. government that we don’t have as much access to,” Cohen told the Rotary Club of Atlanta Sept. 30. “I want to make sure the Atlanta community knows CDC, is proud of CDC and continues to support the work that CDC does.”
The CDC has more than 10,000 people who live and work in Atlanta – two-thirds of which have a Master’s degree or higher.
Cohen thanked Rotarians for being strong supporters of vaccines, especially with its international initiative to combat polio.
Vaccines are the most important preventive tool we have, Cohen said, adding we need to encourage everyone to get a flu shot and an updated Covid vaccine.
“We can’t make preventive health measures political,” said Cohen, addressing the room of business and civic leaders. “Public health is good for business.”
— Maria Saporta
Morehouse School of Medicine giving free health screenings, entertainment during Community Engagement Day
On Sat., Oct. 5, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) will host its 10th annual Community Engagement Day at Antioch Urban Ministries on North Avenue.
“The Community Engagement Day highlights Morehouse School of Medicine’s people and partnerships in service, research, patient care and education that advance health equity and justice,” said Dr. Tabia Akintobi, Chair of Community Health and Preventive Medicine and Associate Dean of Community Engagement.”
This year’s theme is “A New Day for Health, Equity and Justice. ” Over 120 vendors will attend the Community Engagement Day, including the student-run MSM Health Equity for All Lives (HEAL) Clinic, which will administer free flu vaccines and screenings for high blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol.
There will be appearances by V-103 radio host Greg Street and News-Talk 1380 WAOK host Maria Boynton, and entertainment will include a performance by V103’s DJ Jelly and the Morris Brown Concert Choir.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
Chamblee hosts Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month with United Watch party
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the City of Chamblee will host its 2nd annual Atlanta United Watch Party, allowing residents to view Atlanta United FC take on the New York Red Bulls inside Plaza Fiesta.
Experience Hispanic and Latino culture with savory dishes, shopping and a resource fair next to a giant jumbotron.
Inflatables, an arcade truck and United giveaways and more will be inside the kid’s zone.
This event is free, and wearing Atlanta United gear is encouraged.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
City Schools of Decatur celebrates CSD Reads Week during Decatur Book Festival
Now, on Oct. 8, the City Schools of Decatur (CSD) is celebrating National Literacy Month in conjunction with the Decatur Book Festival with a CSD Reads Week.
Students will enjoy virtual readings from Superintendent Gyimah Whitaker and an elementary school reading rally hosted by Malcolm Mitchell, a former Georgia and NFL football player.
“Literacy is the bedrock of everything we do. It equips students with essential language skills that enhance effective communication, foster critical thinking, and pave the way for academic success. The earlier we promote literacy, the better. CSD Reads Week celebrates the importance of literacy and the joy and possibilities that reading can bring,” stated Superintendent Whitaker.
On Oct 5., Stacey Abrams will be “Kidnote Speaker” during the festival as she shares her latest picture book, “Stacey Speaks Up.”
Click here for more information about the Decatur Book Festival.
— Allison Joyner
APS shows gains in math in Georgia Milestone test scores
On Monday, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) announced their results on the math assessment portion of the 2023-2024 Georgia Milestones.
The report, released by the Georgia Department of Education, showed improvements in elementary, middle and high school students and those in Black and Hispanic students.
“While the reported scores indicate gains, we must steadfastly deliver our instructional strategies to maintain an onward and upward trajectory. There is more work to be done,” said Bryan Johnson, Superintendent of APS.
Results revealed that 31.8 percent of students in grades 3-8 scored proficient or above compared to 28.7 percent in 2023.
In grades 6-8, students scored 26.1 percent proficient or above compared to 22.8 percent in 2023.
The end-of-course Milestones results for “Algebra: Concepts and Connections,” formerly “Algebra I,” showed a 35.3 percent proficient score, which improved from 28.9 last year.
Additionally, district students made gains across racial groups in grades 3-8. For Black/Non-Hispanic students, 19.1 percent scored proficient or above compared to 16 percent in 2023, Hispanic students improved to 29.9 percent scoring proficient or above in 2024 compared to 28.2 percent in 2023, and White students improved to 81 percent scoring proficient or above compared to 79.7 percent in 2023.
“Our students’ performance is trending upward, an indicator that we are implementing the appropriate instructional strategies to improve student achievement. This is promising, but we have a lot more work to do. Our gains can be sustained with concentrated efforts and instructional practices that place a laser-like focus on specific areas of weakness. We are committed to this work,” Johnson said.
— Allison Joyner
ABL announces honorees for Super Tuesday Conference Hall of Fame
On Tuesday the Atlanta Business League announced the newest member of its hall of fame for this year’s Super Tuesday Conference on Oct. 15.
Author, politician and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams and the founder of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program will be honored for their significant contributions to business, civic and community life in the Atlanta Metro area.
Registration ends Oct. 9. Click here to learn more.
— Allison Joyner
Zoe Saldaña receiving Vanguard Award during SCAD Film Festival
Earlier this week the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) announced that actress Zoe Saldaña will be receiving this year’s Vanguard Award during the 2024 SCAD Film Festival on Nov. 1.
Saldaña will be recognized for the honor after the screening of her new Netflix’s film, “Emilia Pérez.”
Saldaña has been celebrated as one of the most versatile and respected powerhouses in the film industry with over 20 years of acting and production experience.
“Her exceptional body of work, including her masterful performance in “Emilia Pérez” is truly worth celebrating,” said Christina Routhier, Executive Director of the SCAD Film Festival.
The film festival will take place Oct. 26 to Nov. 2.
Passes go on sale Friday, Oct. 4. You can purchase them online or at the SCAD Box Office on the Savannah campus.
— Allison Joyner
YEEK Fest returns to South Fulton
The City of South Fulton and District 3 Councilwoman Helen Zenobia Willis announces the 6th Annual YEEK Fest taking place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Welcome All Park, 4255 Will Lee Road, South Fulton, GA, 30349. This event is free and open to the public.
Councilwoman Willis has been a driving force behind YEEK Fest since its inception here in the City of South Fulton, driving passion and dedication behind the community engagement event.
“We are thrilled to partner with and host this annual event, celebrating its rich culture and history, in addition to being known as a world dance phenomenon and craze,” said Councilwoman Willis. “YEEK Fest brings together people of all ages to engage and learn this unique dance style that has had a significant impact on our community and the world.”
The YEEK dance style has been a staple in Atlanta since the early 1990s. Garnering mainstream attention, its influence and unique dance moves reached superstars such as TLC, OutKast, Usher, Ciara, and Michael Jackson and were including in their choreography
The 2024 YEEK Fest kicks off with aerobics for seniors, followed by mini-dance sessions throughout the day, focused on teaching attendees the energetic and explosive dance style.
“I’m excited for this year and the activities we have planned,” said Councilwoman Willis. “Each year our goal is to make this event a better experience for our guests, so bring your family, friends, or come meet others while you learn new dance moves.”
— Derek Prall
Food security and Helene relief headline Atlanta’s largest week of service
From Saturday, Oct. 5 to Oct. 12, thousands of volunteers will gather across metro Atlanta to fight food insecurity, increase educational equity, support Hurricane Helene relief efforts and protect and preserve our greenspaces for Hands On Atlanta Week — the city’s largest week of service.
After 35 years and over 1,000,000 volunteers mobilized, Hands On Atlanta will focus this year’s efforts on marquee volunteer projects, including large scale meal packs to support students in partner Title 1 schools during the upcoming fall break, packing and distributing more than 5,000 meals. They’ll host bike builds alongside Free Bikes for Kids, STEAM and social emotional learning programming through the Hands On Atlanta Discovery program, beautify Herbert Taylor Daniel Johnson Park with Park Pride, engage skills based volunteers to build websites for nonprofits at 48in48 and so much more.
Hands On Atlanta Week presenting sponsor, Delta Air Lines, will engage 150 employees for a meal pack that will support students across several Atlanta Public Schools.
“Hands On Atlanta Week is a culmination of events that fulfills many of Delta’s community engagement priorities as we share the same values of service. The Mega Meal Pack helps us meet the immediate needs of children in our hometown, and we are grateful to be in partnership with an organization that allows our employees to be on the frontline for change each year,” said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director of Community Engagement at Delta Air Lines.
This year’s impact is focused on fighting food insecurity across metro Atlanta and features a kick-off event at Monday Night Garage on Friday, October 4, hosted by Comedy and Conversations. The event will feature three fun and meaningful elements – connecting, learning and doing. There will be a panel with leaders from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Food Well Alliance and Usher Collier Elementary, a standup performance by NBC’s Last Comic Standing winner, Clayton English and a snack pack to benefit students in the Hands On Atlanta Discovery program.
“With everything our community has been through lately—whether it’s the devastation from Helene, the heated election season, or the growing feelings of isolation and loneliness—there’s never been a more important time to come together. Hands On Atlanta Week is the perfect way for Atlantans to connect through service and make a real impact. Whether you have five minutes or five days to service, or if you live in Midtown or Marietta, there is an opportunity for you to do something good for our neighbors in need,” said Jay Cranman, President and CEO of Hands On Atlanta.
— Derek Prall
Goodwill of North Georgia hosts Spooktacular Halloween Fashion Show
Goodwill of North Georgia is hosting a Halloween Fashion Show featuring a display of creative and unique costumes using exclusively Goodwill finds, on Oct. 6, from 2 – 4 p.m., at 1165 Perimeter Center W, Atlanta.
Attendees can look forward to a showcase of innovative costume ideas, as kids from I’m Sew Fantastic and members of Cosplay Your Way take to the runway to model unique looks crafted from Goodwill finds. Additionally, renowned costume designer Walter Dean, recognized for his work on “Black Panther” and the award-winning documentary “Cosplay Your Way: In Color,” will also be in attendance to provide costume tips and tricks.
“Events like the Halloween Fashion Show are important to us at Goodwill of North Georgia because they showcase the creativity and innovation that can be found in our stores,” said Keith Parker, President and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia. “They also provide a platform for our community to come together, have fun, and celebrate the spirit of Halloween while supporting our mission of putting people to work.”
In the spirit of Halloween, attendees are encouraged to dress up, and the most creative costume will have the chance to win a $100 Goodwill Gift Card.
This event promises to be an exciting and inspiring celebration of Halloween fashion. Join us for an afternoon of fun and creativity as we prepare for the spookiest season of the year.
— Derek Prall
