Chamblee hires new city manager
Last week, the city of Chamblee announced that it had appointed Kristen Gorham as its new city manager, effective Aug. 1.
She will be in charge of day-to-day operations for all city departments and staff and has been with the city for over five years.
“Her vision, expertise and dedication to public service align perfectly with our goals for the community,” said Brian Mock, Mayor of Chamblee.
Gorham says she is honored to have this opportunity and looks forward to working with the city council, staff and residents to achieve the shared vision for a vibrant city.
— Allison Joyner
Atlanta Pride, others, host event honoring HIV/AIDS survivors
Atlanta Pride and three other community groups will host a special free event on Aug. 8 at Out Front Theatre to honor HIV/AIDS survivors through the writing of local author Mark S. King, who has chronicled his life with HIV for the remarkable span of forty years.
“My Fabulous Disease: Honoring HIV/AIDS Survivors and the Writing of Mark S. King” will take place on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, at Out Front Theater. There will be a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by a program at 7 p.m. Atlanta Pride, Out on Film, The Counter Narrative Project, and GLAAD are co-sponsors of the free event.
Seven community notables will read essays from King’s new collection, “My Fabulous Disease: Chronicles of a Gay Survivor,” and offer their perspectives.
“Too much of the public reaction to HIV/AIDS has been stigma and shame, and Mark’s writings offer an alternative response,” said Steven Igarashi-Ball, director of communications and community engagement for Atlanta Pride. “His brutal honesty is tempered by his ferocious wit. His themes of love, sex, family, and negotiating life as a queer person have universal appeal. The evening will include some of our community’s best speakers and performers, tying into this year’s Atlanta Pride festival theme, “United With Pride.”
Click here for tickets and more information.
— Derek Prall
Big Brothers Big Sisters Metro Atlanta appoints new board members
Earlier this month the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta announced that they have appointed three new board members.
Bryan Stewart is the President and CEO of The Superior Group, Shaunda Edmonds is the Vice President of Card Services at Fiserv and Lori Wittman is the President of Retail Solutions for Cox Automotive.
The board says that the new members provide governance and oversight to the organization and support their mission to create and support meaningful mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
— Allison Joyner
New SCAD FASH exhibit features garments from 1920s
Right now, you can experience the artistry of fashion from over a century ago at SCAD FASH’s new “Entering Modernity 1920s” exhibit.
The Savannah College of Art and Design’s FASH museum houses 60 pieces from designers who embraced the decade’s ethos of experimentation with their turn-of-the-century artistry museum.
“Visitors will be dazzled by evening wear and accessories fit for a night at Gatsby’s from legendary designers Paul Piret, Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanna Lanvin and Jean Patou. One century later, these culturally important garments continue to resonate and inspire,” said Paula Wallace, President and Founder of the Savannah College of Art and Design.
The exhibit will be on display until Aug. 25. Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
WABE’s new programing will explore health-related topics
WABE is partnering with Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health for a new weekly radio show and podcast, HEALTH WANTED. The series, hosted by infectious disease researcher and social media science star Laurel Bristow, will deliver the week’s essential public health headlines and demystify the science behind trending topics.
HEALTH WANTED premieres Aug. 2, with new episodes airing every Friday at 1 p.m. on WABE 90.1 FM, WABE.org and the WABE app. Audiences can also experience the new show on demand via the WABE/NPR Podcast Network on their preferred podcast platforms or as a video podcast on WABE’s YouTube TV channel.
Bristow is a research scientist and infectious disease expert leading social media science communication at Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. With almost 400,000 Instagram followers, Laurel became a trusted advisor during the pandemic, known for her clear explanations and expertise. She has worked in infectious disease for 10 years, including roles at the San Francisco Department of Public Health and Emory’s Hope Clinic Vaccine Center.
“In a time filled with misinformation and complex scientific literature, our show aims to provide a wealth of easy-to-digest and scientifically accurate information,” Bristow said. “Beyond being a safe space for trustworthy facts, Health Wanted will also be entertaining, myth-busting common questions and conspiracy theories. We aspire to be a beacon of sanity, humor, and vital scientific truth, helping listeners navigate through the noise with clarity and confidence.”
— Derek Prall
JTEC Energy expands headquarters at Lee + White
JTEC Energy Inc., a producer of renewable energy, will expand its headquarters at Lee + White in Atlanta’s West End, adding 9,800 square feet to its existing 18,775 square feet of space in Building 1050. The expansion adds much needed lab space and allows on-site assembly, significantly increasing progress toward commercialization of the revolutionary JTEC cleantech energy device.
“Over the past year we have seen the Lee + White complex flourish with new restaurants, businesses and entertainment. We are excited to be growing along with the community. As we had hoped, this location is a great tool in helping us attract the best and brightest talent to come work with us at JTEC Energy,” said Mike McQuary, CEO of JTEC.
JTEC, launched in 2020 by founder Lonnie Johnson, is a green renewable energy company that creates energy by transforming heat directly into electricity. The start-up moved its headquarters to Lee + White in mid-2023. Fueled by industry excitement around its technology, the sustainable energy firm is expanding its operations only a year later.
— Derek Prall
City of Refuge to break ground in the Westside
City of Refuge’s Transformation Center, a 38,000-square-foot facility rising to meet critical gaps in economic, health and wellness services in the neighborhood, will soon break ground in the Westside. The project is the most significant initiative of the organization’s “Breaking Barriers. Building Momentum.” capital campaign, and is expected to open in fall 2025.
Situated on the former American Legion lot at 1343 Joseph E. Boone Blvd, just a two-minute walk from City of Refuge’s campus, the $15,200,000 Transformation Center will feature three stories of supportive services with the goal of improving access to the resources individuals and families need, as well as affordable housing.
“With more than 25 years operating on Atlanta’s Westside, we have been blessed to serve more than 35,000 people. The Transformation Center will enable us to deepen our outreach into the community,” said Bruce Deel, founder and CEO of City of Refuge. “We are immensely grateful for the generosity of our partners as we reach this significant groundbreaking milestone and set in motion a key centerpiece of our capital campaign to help the individuals we champion everyday boldly reach their full potential and spur long-term change in their neighborhood.”
— Derek Prall
Atlanta city council president urges Georgia Department of Education to continue funding AP African American Studies, DeKalb CEO pledges $100,000 for DeKalb County Schools
Reactions from the metro area are coming after the Georgia Department of Education ended state funding for AP African American Studies.
“I am deeply disappointed by the Georgia State School Superintendent’s decision not to approve the Advance Placement (AP) African American studies class in high schools,” said Doug Shipman, President of the Atlanta City Council.
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced that the county will pledge up to $100,000 to support the class at DeKalb County School District.
(DCSD) says the cancellation will affect over 150 students within their district who have already enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year.
“We are committed to locally funding the necessary resources to ensure our students can benefit from AP African American Studies,” said Dr. Devon Horton, Superintendent for DCSD.
— Allison Joyner
Trilith Institute expands educational opportunities for creatives
Trilith Institute, a nonprofit working to develop the next generation of storytellers, is furthering its mission to create a complete entertainment ecosystem in Georgia by ramping up its initiatives and educational opportunities.
Founded under the Trilith brand, the non-profit is adding a robust fall slate of semester-length professional education courses to develop and advance writers and content creators. The new academic classes, available virtually and in person at Trilith Studios Production Centre, begin on Sept. 3. In addition, it has launched an Emerging Creative Residency Program (ECR) for aspiring writers and directors. Applications for the 2025 ECR will open later this year.
“Storytellers are fundamental to the entertainment industry. While Georgia’s film and television production business has seen a remarkable $4 billion boom, our state’s entertainment industry remains incomplete,” says Jeffrey Stepakoff, President and CEO of Trilith Institute. “We continue to send our writers out of state because we do not have a full entertainment ecosystem here. Trilith Institute is building a new model to retain our writers and creative class by fostering their development and providing them with crucial access. These new professional courses join our roster of innovative initiatives, including our ongoing workshops, Emerging Creative Residency Program, Writers Room of Georgia, and Script to Screen Summer Camp, reinforcing our commitment and mission as champions of creative expression.”
The non-profit will offer seven professional courses for aspiring film and TV writers and creators, with others in development. The initial block will run from September to December. Enrollment is now open at TrilithInstitute.org, and pricing ranges from $250 to $1,500 per class
— Derek Prall
CHRIS 180 to hold fundraiser ball
CHRIS 180, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focused on trauma-informed behavioral health services, is prepping for its largest fundraiser, The CHRIStal Ball, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 17, at Flourish Atlanta. In its 24th year, the annual event has raised millions to support CHRIS 180’s mission to heal children, strengthen families and build community.
The event will honor Kathy Colbenson, LMFT, who announced her retirement earlier this year after serving the Atlanta community for 36 years as President & CEO of the organization. During her tenure, Colbenson has spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives, including the establishment of Georgia’s first WRAParound pilot, the Southeast’s first program for youth experiencing homelessness with targeted outreach to LGBTQ+ young adults in 2000; the creation of Georgia’s inaugural supportive housing program for youth aging out of foster care and experiencing homelessness in 2010; the state’s first school-based mental health program, and the current development of its Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation to increase the delivery of these services to underserved and vulnerable populations.
“We are honored to celebrate Kathy and the legacy she will leave behind at CHRIS 180,” said CHRIStal Ball co-chair Kathy Waller, the Executive Director of the Atlanta Committee for Progress. “Her vision and passion for this work has made a huge difference to countless people in our community. During her tenure, the organization has grown and evolved, setting the stage for an amazing future.”
— Derek Prall
Goodwill of North Georgia announces new board members
Goodwill of North Georgia, recently announced the addition of three new board members. They are:
Mark R. Hoffman, CEO, Lanier Asset Management
Mark is a co-founder of Lanier Asset Management and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. By founding Lanier, Mark believed that he could build a wealth management firm that truly put clients’ interests first – offering a fee-based, objective suite of services to affluent families that delivers superior performance while at the same time reduces risk.
Joyce Reto, Office Managing Partner, RSM US LLP
Joyce is the Atlanta Office Managing Partner and an assurance partner at RSM, with over 30 years of public accounting experience. She focuses on audit engagements primarily for clients in the retail and consumer products industries. Joyce was elected to RSM’s Board of Directors for a four-year term beginning in 2018 and served as the Treasurer of Susan G. Komen in Charlotte and Atlanta. She is also the Treasurer of the East Lake Foundation’s Board.
Ryan Wilson, co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot
Ryan Wilson is the co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, widely recognized for redefining the art of networking. His unconventional approach has transformed The Gathering Spot into a hub for collaboration, connections, and experiences, attracting creatives, business professionals, and entrepreneurs. Under Ryan’s leadership, the club expanded to Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, and subsequently established membership communities in New York City, Detroit, Charlotte, Houston, and Chicago.
— Derek Prall
