Mayor taps former New Haven culture director to lead Atlanta cultural affairs office
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced longtime cultural equity leader Adriane Jefferson will take over as the new Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs on Feb. 28. Previously, Jefferson led the cultural affairs department for the city of New Haven, CT. She has more than 20 years of award-winning experience as a cultural equity leader.
Jefferson takes on the role months after Camille Russell Love the current cultural affairs executive director, announced her retirement. Love has held the job since 1998 and pioneered efforts like keeping the Atlanta Jazz Festival free through legislative rewrites and sponsorship. Now, she will serve as senior advisor to the mayor.
As the new Executive Director, Jefferson will continue to lead the Atlanta Jazz Festival, expand grant opportunities, advance public art initiatives and “foster cultural equity and inclusivity.”
“Atlanta is a city with a powerful cultural identity, fueled by its history, resilience and creativity,” Jefferson said in a press release. “I am deeply honored to join this vibrant community and to collaborate with its incredible artists, organizations, creative entrepreneurs and residents to build on this legacy while innovating for the future in bold and transformative ways.”
— Delaney Tarr
Chamblee awarded financial accountability award for tenth year in a row
The city of Chamblee announced last week that it had received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).
This is the tenth consecutive year the city has received this honor, which is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
“Our mission is to provide effective stewardship over public funds and assets and financial management leadership for the city government,” said Julie Pero, Chamblee’s Finance Director.
She added that she is proud to continue building on the tradition of transparency and communication with the residents.
— Allison Joyner
United Way of Greater Atlanta begins free income tax prep at Greenbriar Mall
Happening now until May 1, the United Way of Greater Atlanta is providing free tax preparation services through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, in partnership with the IRS and coalition partners in the community.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, services will be held near the food court entrance and could take from 45 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the complexity of the return.
Email the United Way of Greater Atlanta for more information.
— Allison Joyner
SCAD, WABE partner on original student series ‘chefATL’
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), along with Atlanta public media company WABE, partnered together to distribute the original student-produced docuseries “chefATL.”
The show features SCAD students and local chefs exploring the diversity of the capital city through its dynamic culinary landscape.
“At WABE, we are passionate about amplifying Atlanta’s diverse voices and championing the storytellers who bring this city to life,” said Alison Hashimoto, Senior Vice President of Studios for WABE.
Over 100 students across nine degree programs are involved with the project filmed at the Midtown campus.
“Our students are a shining spotlight on the incredibly diverse flavors and sustainable practices these industry experts bring to our community,” said Quinn Orear, Associate Chair of Film and Television at SCAD.
The series will be featured during the SCAD TVfest this weekend.
— Allison Joyner
‘Let Freedom Ring’ performs Black History Month program at Sadie G. Mays rehab facility
On Feb. 25, Total Dance/Dancial Productions will perform its latest program, “Let Freedom Ring,” at Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center.
The 4 p.m. program is an interactive dance performance featuring modern, African, and mojah-style dances interlaced with poetry and live drumming.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
Morehouse film festival celebrates Black History Month, love with “Love Jones” viewing
On Feb. 14, the Morehouse College Human Rights Film Festival will show a special Valentine’s Day viewing of “Love Jones” at Morehouse’s Bank of America Auditorium.
The film, starting with Larenz Tate and Nia Long, is about two people trying to figure out if they have a “love thing” or are just “kicking it.”
A reception begins at 6 p.m., and the viewing starts at 7 p.m.
Click here to purchase tickets.
— Allison Joyner
University System of Georgia names Jermaine Whirl as new president of Savannah State
Earlier this week, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) named Jermaine Whirl as its sole finalist for president of Savannah State University.
Whirl is the president of Augusta Technical College and has spent nearly 20 years serving as a faculty member and administrative leader at public colleges and universities in the state and native South Carolina.
“Dr. Whirl understands the power of higher education and how earning a degree can transform a student’s life and prosperity,” said Sonny Perdue, Chancellor of USG. “His enthusiasm and energy in doing that work makes him an ideal candidate to lead the oldest public HBCU in Georgia.”
No word on when Whirl will begin his new position.
— Allison Joyner
New Leadership at Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and Resource Innovations are pleased to announce that Lauren Casentini, Chief Executive Officer at Resource Innovations, has been named Chair of the SEEA Board of Directors for 2025.
As Founder and CEO of Resource Innovations and former executive and board member for the largest energy efficiency firm in the U.S., Casentini is changing how utilities navigate the clean energy transition. With a proven track record of innovation, scale, and impact, Lauren has been recognized four times on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, a recognition awarded to less than 6 percent of companies.
— Derek Prall
New leadership at the Georgia Innocence Project
The Georgia Innocence Project, an independent nonprofit committed to correcting and preventing wrongful convictions in Georgia and to assisting clients freed from wrongful conviction, is pleased to announce Kristin Verrill as its new executive director.
Selected by a dedicated search committee that worked in collaboration with staff and exonerees, Kristin brings more than twenty years of experience as a nonprofit attorney and leader. Most recently, she served as the founding managing attorney for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society’s Veterans Law Project.
Throughout her career, Kristin has been dedicated to meeting the needs of people in underserved and marginalized populations. In her previous roles, including director of grants and innovation, she has built a strong track record of developing systems that enhance client support and securing resources to strengthen programs for often-overlooked communities. In recognition of this work, she received the Dan Bradley Award from the State Bar of Georgia in 2023.
– Derek Prall
New leadership ad Dad’s Garage
Dad’s Garage recently announced Katie Pelkey as the new managing director.
A key figure in Atlanta’s performing arts industry, Katie’s eye for detail, determination to succeed, and ability to negotiate on behalf of and advocate for the arts define her exemplary work and career. Katie entered the industry in 2008 at Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, Ga., as resident stage manager before transitioning to an arts administration role to support the nonprofit’s operations. In 2019, she became general manager before transitioning to the role of managing director in 2020.
— Derek Prall
New leadership at Georgia-Pacific
Atlanta area executive David Neal was recently named executive vice president of building products at Georgia-Pacific, one of the largest building products manufacturers in the United States.
Neal joined Georgia-Pacific in 1997 as a quality resource manager, and held various roles of increasing responsibility that helped prepare him for his former role as President of the Georgia-Pacific gypsum business.
Beyond his professional achievements, Neal is actively engaged in the metro Atlanta community as a member of Leadership Atlanta, as well as the External Advisory Board for the College of Engineering at Georgia Tech, the High Museum of Art board of directors, and a regular volunteer for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.
— Derek Prall
New leadership at Atlanta Beltline Partnership
The Atlanta Beltline Partnership recently announced Beth Chandler, Chief Legal Officer at Rollins, Inc., as its new board chair.
Chandler succeeds Kathy Farrell, Head of Commercial Real Estate at Truist, who completed a transformative two-year tenure (23/24) and continues to serve on the board. The organization also announced the addition of five new board members.
Under Farrell’s leadership, Atlanta Beltline Partnership accelerated philanthropic investments in Beltline implementation led by Atlanta Beltline, Inc. As a result, 85 percent of the Beltline mainline trail corridor is currently finished or under construction. The Partnership’s fundraising also helps expand its donor-supported health and wellness, volunteer, and resident retention programs, which have been experiencing record levels of participation.
— Derek Prall
Decatur Approves $116,000 in Small Business Grants, Opens New Application Window
The City of Decatur and the Decatur Downtown Development Authority recently announced the recipients of their latest round of small business improvement grants, with $116,000 approved across 13 businesses
A total of $200,000 was allocated for the programs in the fiscal year that began July 1, 2024, with $84,000 still available during the new application window, which reopened Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 7.
For more information on the grant programs and how to apply, click here.
— Derek Prall
