Reporter’s Notebook: New leadership at Park Pride, Former Home Depot CEO speaks, Atlanta Opera tickets go on sale

Frank Blake, former CEO of Home Depot, shares nuggets of wisdom

Kathy Waller knew the speaker she wanted to kick off her year as president of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, Frank Blake. Waller worked closely with Blake when she joined the board of Delta Air Lines in 2015, when she was CFO of the Coca-Cola Co. 

Blake, former CEO of the Home Depot, served on Delta’s board from July 2014, becoming the airline’s non-executive chairman from 2016 until 2023.

Waller, who is now executive director of the Atlanta Committee for Progress, thought Blake could offer insights from his decades working in corporate America and for the U.S. government.

Blake did not disappoint.

Much to his surprise, Blake was named Home Depot’s CEO in January 2007. Blake questioned the board’s decision saying he was a lawyer who knew little about retailing. 

Fortunately, Blake’s son was a Home Depot store manager who told him to use the book “Built from Scratch” as his guide. The book told the story about how Bernie Marcus, Arthur Blank and Ken Langone built the largest do-it-yourself retailer “from scratch.”

The founders had adopted the “inverted pyramid” when the CEO was at the bottom and customers and Home Depot associates were at the top.

“It’s one of the most profound and true business concepts,” Blake said. “Everything you do (as CEO) is uphill. Gravity is not your friend.”

Blake recalled Marcus giving him advice about keeping his ego in check as CEO. 

“You are going to go in a conference room and tell a joke, and everyone is going to laugh,” Marcus told him. “But you’re not funny.”

Now that he’s retired from Home Depot and Delta, Blake is spending his time putting together a regular podcast, Crazy Good Turns, that highlights inspiring people and their acts of gratitude and generosity.

Blake, a Bostonian by birth, called Atlanta an “amazing” city. 

“Atlanta has a better working relationship between its government entities and its private sector entities, probably than (any other city),” Blake said. “I think Atlanta outshines every other major city in the country. It’s because the private sector takes as an obligation to improve the city. Grady [Hospital] is a great example.”

— Maria Saporta

AT&T invests more in Georgia than any other state

From 2020 to 2024, AT&T invested $16.9 billion in building out its 5G and fiber infrastructure in Georgia. It’s a significant investment in our 5G and fiber infrastructure, the company announce July 10.

AT&T is investments in Georgia and across the country is boosting network reliability and capacity, while also expanding its fiber footprint to help bridge the digital divide.

In a release, Gov. Brian Kemp said he is grateful for the “historic investments AT&T has made over the years in Georgia” because it will help the state’s workforce, businesses and communities to prosper.

Riley Blount, president of AT&T Georgia, said the telecommunications company has been connecting Georgia communities for 146 years.

“We remain committed to expanding our fiber and 5G networks to help foster economic growth, keep our communities safe, support workforce development opportunities and enhance the quality of life for Georgians,” Blount said.

AT&T said the investment has gone to expanding access to fiber, to building networks for “the next century,” to unlocking the power of 5G and improving connectivity for first responders.

“Georgia has had the most investment of any state from 2020 to 2024,” said Mary Elizabeth Roberson, an AT&T spokeswoman. 

— Maria Saporta

Miles Alexander: “The book is now complete”

Atlanta attorney and civic leader Miles Alexander died on July 11 at the age of 93.

Friends, family and admirers filled the Temple for his memorial service on July 14. Former mayors (including Andrew Young and Bill Campbell), law partners, civic leaders and friends came to celebrate the life of Alexander. He was an attorney who spent more than six decades with the Kilpatrick law firm. He was married to his life partner – Elaine Alexander – for 70 years, someone who matched her husband when it came to influence in the community.

“Miles loved books,” said Peter Berg, senior rabbi of the Temple. “His entire home was lined wall-to-wall books.”

The whole service alluded to the chapters of Alexander’s life – which included being a friend and advisor of Atlanta’s first Black mayor Maynard Jackson and the family of Martin Luther King Jr.

Alexander’s chapters at Kilpatrick included him mentoring and supporting Black and women colleagues as well as dedicating his time to Jewish organizations.

“Not that he liked coming to the Temple,” Berg joked. 

“He didn’t like change,” Berg continued using evidence of staying with the same firm and same wife for decades.

To read the full obituary of Alexander, click here.

Alexander’s four children, several grandchildren and two colleagues from the firm shared their favorite memories with a mixture of laughter and poignancy.

Kent Alexander recounted a story of his father conducting a lunch meeting. 

“Three things you should not talk about at a business lunch – sex, religion and politics,” the senior Alexander told his lunch guests. “We are going to talk about all three.”

Paige Alexander, his daughter who is president and CEO of the Carter Center, spoke of the grilling her husband received when he met her father. 

“As his only daughter, he was equal parts challenging and loving,” she said.

In his closing remarks, Berg declared: “The book of Miles Alexander is now complete.”

— Maria Saporta

Park Pride welcomes five new members to Board of Directors, continues momentum following ‘Parks for All’ campaign

Park Pride, the Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing local parks and greenspaces, has announced the addition of five new members to its Board of Directors. The appointments come as the organization begins developing a new strategic plan following the success of its multi-year Parks for All campaign.

Joining the board are:

• Joe Bolling, associate general counsel – corporate at Novelis, bringing legal, strategic planning and project management expertise.
• Alex Dileo, senior advancement officer at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, with a background in fundraising, nonprofit leadership and climate resilience.
• Sylia Obagi, CEO of the Winston Family Foundation, offering deep experience in philanthropy, governance and cross-sector collaboration.
• Jennifer Weizenecker, partner at Jones Day, contributing skills in legal strategy, community engagement and DEI initiatives.
• Jennifer Winn, vice president of the Land Department at Georgia Power, with expertise in real estate, fundraising and nonprofit leadership.

They will serve alongside current board leaders including Chair Omari Henderson and Vice Chair Alex Brown. Henderson said the expanded board will help shape the organization’s future as it builds on recent successes.

Several members concluded their board service in June, including Kristy Rachal, Jeff Ellman and Wesley Brooks.

— Derek Prall

Westside Stride block party returns to Howell Mill Road

The third-annual Westside Stride block party will take on Howell Mill Road on Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon to 6 p.m., offering a car-free afternoon of live music, food, shopping and family-friendly activities in Atlanta’s Upper Westside.

Organized by the Upper Westside Improvement District, the free event spans Howell Mill Road between 8th and 17th streets. Festivalgoers can expect multiple stages with live performances, a vendor and artist market, and attractions like a pumpkin patch, bounce houses and a petting zoo.

Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike or roll along the route, while nearby streets will remain open to vehicle traffic for crossing. Ample parking is available nearby.

Westside Stride highlights the benefits of walkable communities and showcases the shops, restaurants and businesses that make up the Upper Westside district.

Details and a route map are available here.

— Derek Prall

Toro Development Company adds two vice presidents as Medley construction progresses

Toro Development Company has added two veteran real estate professionals to its leadership team as vertical construction ramps up on Medley, its $560 million mixed-use project in Johns Creek.

Justin Long and David Pugh join TDC as vice presidents of development, bringing more than 55 years of combined experience in multifamily and commercial real estate. Both previously worked on Avalon, the $1 billion Alpharetta development, during their time at North American Properties.

Long will lead design and construction efforts for TDC’s projects, while Pugh will oversee multifamily development. The hires come as Medley prepares for its Oct. 29, 2026, grand opening.

The 43-acre Medley development will feature 200,000 square feet of retail, 110,000 square feet of office space, 900 residences, and a 25,000-square-foot plaza. Boehringer Ingelheim will move its U.S. Animal Health headquarters to Medley in summer 2026. More than 25 tenants have already signed on.

— Derek Prall

Single tickets for Atlanta Opera’s 46th season go on sale

The Atlanta Opera opened single-ticket sales for its 2025–26 season on July 15, offering audiences six productions themed around twilight and transformation.

Highlights include Richard Wagner’s “Twilight of the Gods” (“Götterdämmerung”), the final installment in the company’s Ring cycle, running May 30 to June 7. The production features Stefan Vinke, Lise Lindstrom and Morris Robinson, under the direction of Tomer Zvulun.

The mainstage season at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre also includes “La traviata” (Nov. 8 to 16), “The Marriage of Figaro” (March 14 to 22), and a new staging of “Turandot” (April 25 to May 3), starring Angela Meade.

The season opens Sept. 4 with “Fiddler on the Roof,” co-produced with Alliance Theatre, and closes with “La Belle et la Bête” on Nov. 15 as part of the Molly Blank Discoveries Series. The Glass opera will include a post-show masquerade event.

— Derek Prall

South Fulton’s Back-to-School Wellness Fest set for July 27

District 1 Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Rowell will host the annual Back-to-School and Family Wellness Fest on July 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sandtown Park Field in South Fulton.

The free event offers health screenings, fitness programs and family-friendly activities aimed at supporting wellness at every stage of life. Attendees can expect a high-energy fitness expo, a school backpack giveaway and access to local healthcare providers, youth services and wellness vendors.

More than 1,000 residents participated in last year’s celebration.

“The Wellness Fest will bring the community together for a powerful day of free health screenings, wellness programs and vital resources,” Rowell said.

The event will be held at 5370 Campbellton Road and is open to all ages. Organizers say the fest supports the city’s commitment to early intervention, physical activity and access to wellness resources for all residents.

— Derek Prall

Interactive venues and new retailers debut at Lee + White in Atlanta’s West End

Two new entertainment concepts and three retailers have opened at Lee + White, the adaptive reuse development along the Atlanta BeltLine’s Westside Trail.

The Game Show Challenge, an interactive, live-hosted competition experience, opened its first Atlanta location in Building 1000. Atlanta Golf & Social also launched its second location in the food hall, offering simulator bays, a restaurant and a bar.

Three retailers—Afrentic, Bloom Box Collective and Joyful Jarra—joined Lee + White’s container village, which now features seven small businesses with space for more.

Owned by MDH Partners and Ackerman & Co., Lee + White includes a 19-vendor food hall, creative office space and direct BeltLine access. The additions reinforce the site’s focus on community-based retail and entertainment.

Leasing was completed by Ackerman Retail, Pintail CRE and ICON Commercial. Existing tenants include breweries, restaurants and wellness brands, all centered around a shared “Great Lawn” gathering space.

— Derek Prall

Lenbrook partners with Emory to offer dementia care program onsite

Lenbrook has launched a new partnership with Emory Integrated Memory Care to bring dementia-sensitive primary care directly to residents of the Atlanta senior living community.

Through the IMC in Community program, residents living with dementia now have access to personalized medical care without leaving home. The initiative, which began June 20, includes in-home visits from an IMC nurse practitioner, weekly one-on-one sessions with a Dementia Care Assistant and 24/7 access to providers for urgent concerns.

Additional services include mobile imaging and lab work, psychiatric support, and caregiver education and counseling.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities where individuals can pursue connections, well-being and fulfillment—wherever they live within our community,” said Felecia Sveda, Lenbrook’s chief operating officer.

Residents in Independent or Assisted Living are eligible to enroll for a monthly fee with no long-term commitment. The partnership aims to expand access to expert dementia care while supporting both residents and their families.

— Derek Prall

Atlanta Ballet announces 2025–26 season featuring ‘Frida,’ classics and new works

Atlanta Ballet’s 2025–26 season will feature the East Coast premiere of “Frida,” a tribute to artist Frida Kahlo, as part of Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin’s 10th season leading the company.

The season opens Sept. 12 to 14 with a mixed repertory of works by George Balanchine and Justin Peck. The annual run of “The Nutcracker” returns Dec. 6 to 27, including community Kids In Step performances.

In 2026, the company presents “Giselle” from Feb. 13 to 15, and the family ballet “Snow White” on March 28 to 29. A spring mixed repertory follows April 3 to 5, featuring pieces by Christopher Wheeldon, Yuri Possokhov, Val Caniparoli and Claudia Schreier.

The season closes May 8 to 10 with “Frida,” choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, accompanied by live music from the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.

Subscriptions and box office details are available at atlantaballet.com or by calling 404-892-3303. Single tickets go on sale soon.

— Derek Prall

Buckhead Restaurant Week returns July 21 to 26 with exclusive menus and specials

Buckhead Restaurant Week is back July 21 to 26, offering diners a curated taste of Atlanta’s upscale culinary scene. Presented by Livable Buckhead, the weeklong event features dozens of participating restaurants serving exclusive menus, tasting flights, cocktail pairings and more.

From fine dining to casual favorites, restaurants will offer lunch, dinner or both, depending on location. Options range from prix-fixe menus and dessert samplers to unique chef specials.

“This year’s Buckhead Restaurant Week is shaping up to be an incredible celebration of our vibrant dining scene,” said Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead.

The 2025 lineup includes 5 Church Buckhead, Alma Cocina, Aria, Nan Thai Buckhead, Nobu Atlanta, The Capital Grille and more than 40 others.

— Derek Prall

Wild Heaven Beer to host third annual Crab Trap and Tap on July 19

Wild Heaven Beer will host its third annual Crab Trap & Tap summer celebration on Saturday, July 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at its West End location.

The event features freshly steamed Maryland blue crabs flown in from Harbour House Crabs, alongside a Low Country Boil with sausage, corn and potatoes—no crab included—for non-crab eaters. Guests can also enjoy seasonal treats and summer drinks, including Old Bay–rimmed EDB Micheladas and a full lineup of Wild Heaven beers, cocktails and nonalcoholic options.

Live music from Nero Simon & The Sunsetters, lawn games, and communal seating will create a festive backyard atmosphere.

Tickets are $90 for general admission and $105 for early entry VIP, plus fees. No tickets will be sold at the door. For details and ticket purchases, visit wildheavenbeer.com or call 404-254-2232.

— Derek Prall

La Cueva cocktail lounge and listening room to open at Ponce City Market in late 2025

Ponce City Market will welcome La Cueva, a new cocktail lounge and listening room, in late 2025. The concept comes from Robert Hopper, founder of The Commodore barbershop, and Peter Terrones, and will be located on the second floor of the Central Food Hall.

La Cueva will offer a curated mezcal-focused beverage menu, featuring cocktails, wine and beer. Culinary offerings will include botanas and shareable Mexican dishes from Chef Luis Damian, known for his work at Oaxaca, El Valle and the James Beard Award–nominated Casa Balam.

Designed by Maison Maluee, the 2,700-square-foot lounge will include seating for approximately 75 guests across lounge areas, a central bar and a private section. A stage will host live music and DJ sets.

Blending modern design with the ambiance of a classic speakeasy, La Cueva aims to provide an immersive, elevated experience six nights a week.

— Derek Prall

Atlanta Housing breaks ground on $52 million Sylvan Hills II affordable housing development

Atlanta Housing and its partners broke ground this week on Sylvan Hills II, a $52.7 million fully affordable housing development in Southwest Atlanta. The project will bring 233 new apartments and townhomes to a 10.2-acre site once occupied by the former Sylvan Circle Apartments.

“This development directly addresses two of our top priorities: increasing affordable housing supply and moving forward with urgency,” said Dr. Alan Ferguson, Sr., chief housing and real estate officer for Atlanta Housing.

Sylvan Hills II was financed without Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, instead using a complex public-private funding model that expedited the construction timeline. The project follows the success of Sylvan Hills I, a 184-unit affordable senior housing community completed in 2022.

Mayor Andre Dickens, along with representatives from Radiant Development Partners, TCE Development and other partner organizations, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the project and its potential to serve as a model for future inclusive housing solutions in Atlanta.

— Derek Prall

Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia to Celebrate 40 Years of Philanthropic Impact

The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia will mark a major milestone this summer: 40 years of strengthening the region through philanthropy. Since its founding in 1985, the foundation has granted more than $90 million to nonprofits and causes across Northeast Georgia.

To commemorate the occasion, the foundation will host a special 40th Anniversary Celebration on Aug. 14, at the Gas South Convention Center. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by live jazz performances, dinner and a program reflecting on four decades of impact and generosity.

Over the past 40 years, the Community Foundation has played a pivotal role in connecting donors to meaningful causes, empowering nonprofit leaders through education and networking, and partnering with financial advisors to expand the culture of giving in the region.

— Derek Prall