Nominations open for Atlanta Pride grand marshals
Atlanta Pride recently announced that nominations for the 2025 Atlanta Pride Grand Marshals are officially open.
Each year, the Grand Marshals lead the Atlanta Pride Parade and serve as a symbol that recognizes individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia. Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on May 1. Community members are encouraged to submit deserving nominees while keeping the following guidelines in mind:
- Each nomination must be submitted separately, with one individual or group per form.
- Selection is based on the nominee’s contributions to the LGBTQ+ community rather than the number of nominations received.
- Nominees should be informed of their nomination, and accurate contact information must be provided to ensure follow-up.
- Political candidates are not eligible, as the selection process focuses on community impact rather than campaigns.
“Being selected as a Grand Marshal is one of the highest honors at Atlanta Pride,” said Chris McCain, executive director of Atlanta Pride. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate individuals and organizations who have made a lasting impact on our community. We encourage everyone to take part in the nomination process and help us recognize those who are making a difference, especially during these times.”
Nominations can be submitted here.
— Derek Prall
ASO conductor Nahtalie Stutzman speaks with Atlanta Rotary
Nathalie Stutzmann, only music director of a major U.S. symphony orchestra, told Atlanta Rotarians on March 31 of the challenges she faced becoming a conductor in the male-dominated field.
Because she was not taken seriously as a possible conductor, Stutzmann focused on a singing career.
“I never gave up on my second dream – to be a conductor,” she said. “I really had to prove every time what I was able to do.”
Stutzmann interviewed for the Atlanta job during the pandemic, saying she only “knew people with eyes” because everyone was wearing masks.
Hala Moddelmog, CEO of the Woodruff Arts Center, who interviewed Stutzmann, recalled their first encounter in a brutally hot and humid August day. “I love humidity,” Stutzmann told Moddelmog, who then felt Atlanta had a chance to attract the French-born maestro.
During the Rotary talk, Stutzmann spoke of the need for continued corporate support for the arts – especially in a city like Atlanta.
“Music is life. Life is music. Music is essential,” Stutzmann said. “We need to bring the joy of music to everyone.”
— Maria Saporta
Park Pride’s Kayla Altland joins South Fork Conservancy
Kayla Altland, who has been at Park Pride for nearly seven years and served as director of grantmaking, started a new job as executive director of the South Fork Conservancy on April 1.
Michael Halicki also announced at Park Pride’s successful 2025 Parks and Greenspace Conference on March 24, that Andrew White would be succeeding Altland as director of grantmaking and implementation. White, who has been at Park Pride for more than nine years, served as director of park visioning.
“We are actively looking for a new director of park visioning,” Halicki wrote in a text.
The South Fork Conservancy is a local nonprofit which works to restore the banks of the South Fork of Peachtree Creek. The goal is to restore green spaces to the neighbors in communities along the creek banks by connecting people with nature trails.
— Maria Saporta
Stimulating Night of Ideas at the Goat Farm
The annual Night of Ideas, presented by Villa Albertine and the French Consulate in Atlanta, focused on the theme of “Common Ground.”
WABE’s Rose Scott carried the night with a series of conversations about “Common Ground.” The first session about how Atlanta is a common ground for different communities had passionate declarations from people about what Atlanta meant to them.
It got a bit heated when Morehouse professor Illya Davis argued that Atlanta suffers from self-deception about the opportunities and success of minorities.
“We celebrate mayors,” said Davis, who added that after 50 years under Black mayors, Atlanta continues to suffer with racial inequities.
Former First Lady Valerie Jackson, in an emotional response, defended the tenure of Atlanta’s first Black Mayor Maynard Jackson. “Don’t give up on us,” she pleaded.
The conversations also focused on a common ground for artists, cultural communities and the role of AI in human creativity. Several art installations reinforced the theme including an amazing piece, Medusa, an AI-driven sculpture and performance created by Georgia Tech professor Gil Weinberg.
— Maria Saporta
Dozens gather at Manuel’s for LINK reunion
The brainchild of Emory Morsberger, a civic leader based in Gwinnett, alumni of various LINK trips gathered at Manuel’s April 2.
Hundreds of people have gone on LINK trips since they were launched in 1997 in a quest to see how other cities in North America address the similar challenges that Atlanta faces.
Morsberger, who drafted Amanda Brown Olmstead to help put on the event, felt it was important to keep the LINK community alive – even if several people have fallen off the invitation list.
In attendance was Bill Bolling, the founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, who has attended every single LINK trip since the inception.
— Maria Saporta
Sadie Mays Rehab Center celebrates 78th anniversary
Last month, the Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center kicked off its 78th anniversary with a gathering for residents, staff, volunteers, and family and friends.
The center’s renovated banquet hall hosted the event with performances by the Sadie’s Divine Community Choir, a Saxophonist, and an appearance by Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington.
“We’re very happy to be here to celebrate 78 years of Sadie Mays helping the community, giving back, and challenging the health equity formula in Fulton County,” Arrington said.
The nursing facility was founded in 1947 by social worker and the wife of former Morehouse President, Sadie Gray Mays, and is currently undergoing renovations to its building.
— Allison Joyner
SCAD students receive $200K from Fashion Scholarships Fund
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) announced that 18 fashion major students received scholarships totaling $200,000 from the 2025 Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) program.
These students are the school’s largest award recipients from the organization.
The FSF is a fashion-oriented nonprofit that assists in education and workforce development.
Over 600 applications were submitted and 160 scholarships were awarded with an awards ceremony on Apr. 7 in New York.
“It’s completely surreal to be considered for this incredible, competitive, and prestigious honor,” said Flora Medina, SCAD student and a recipient of the FSF Chairman’s Award. “I’m immensely thankful to be a part of such an exceptional organization and group of scholars.”
Since 2019, SCAD students have won over 70 scholarships from FSF, totaling $1 million.
— Allison Joyner
Gammon Theological Seminary hires leadership, faculty for Gammon 3.0 era
Gammon Theological Seminary announced last month that it has appointed new officials for administrative, faculty, and staff positions to further its commitment to academic excellence, student success and institutional growth.
Kylan Pew is the school’s Director of Student Affairs, Yolanda Steward is the Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Management, and Danielle Buhuro and Monica Isbel Rey are assistant professors for Pastoral Theology and Biblical Studies classes.
“For more than 140 years, Gammon has been at the forefront of theological education, shaping faith leaders who impact the world,” said Candace Lewis, president of Gammon Theological Seminary.
She added that the new appointments are part of the school’s Gammon 3.0 era of innovation and independence, bringing fresh energy, expertise, and passion to advance its mission and equip the next generation of clergy and community leaders.
— Allison Joyner
Gwinnett Technical College breaks enrollment records
On Monday, Gwinnett Technical College (GTC) announced that they have recorded the highest number of enrollments in the institution’s 40-year history.
More than 11,500 students have enrolled in GTC in the Spring Semester, averaging a 15 percent increase compared to last year.
Dr. D. Glen Cannon, President of GTC, says that this new surge is due to students transferring from a traditional four-year college, is an affordable, flexible, and experiential learning environment, with a 99 percent job retention rate for graduates.
“Our community increasingly seeks the affordable, flexible, and experiential learning environment that GTC offers,” Cannon said. We are committed to responding to and delivering educational programs that meet the real-time needs of our community.”
GTC offers over 160 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs.
— Allison Joyner
Billboard Women in Music honors recording academy executive Tammy Hurt
Last week, the Billboard Women in Music event recognized women in the music and entertainment industry who have significantly contributed to the business and inspired women to take on responsibilities within their fields.
Tammy Hurt, chair of the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees and presiding officer of the Academy, was recognized as this year’s honoree.
“Receiving this recognition is an incredible honor,” Hurt said. “Chairing the Board of Trustees these past four years and helping to steer the transformation of this iconic institution has been one of the greatest professional privileges of my lifetime.”
Since being in office, she has improved the ballot process for the Grammy Awards, introducing new categories like “Best African Music Performance,” “Best Pop Dance Recording” and “Best Alternative Jazz Album” to the program.
Hurt, also a drummer, created a gender-blurred music project called Sonic Rebel, which features original, high-fidelity music beds, mashups and remixes using live drums.
— Allison Joyner
Georgia Rivers announces Chattahoochee Camp and Paddle Trip
From April 25 to 27, Georgia Rivers will host a two-day, two-night canoe/kayak camping adventure making use of two new “paddle-in” parks along the Chattahoochee River in the City of Chattahoochee Hills.
The parks, part of the larger Chattahoochee RiverLands project aimed at developing walking, biking and boating trails systems along the river from Peachtree Creek in Atlanta to Coweta County, feature group campsites, restrooms and showers, covered picnic areas with grills, fire pit areas, and incredible views of the Chattahoochee River.
The Georgia Rivers journey begins April 25 with a camp at historic Campbellton. The flotilla will then paddle 16 miles to the new RiverLands Park for a second camp, and then finish out the weekend with a 12-mile float to McIntosh Reserve in Carroll County. The event features catered meals and nightly education programs about the Chattahoochee.
Adult registration fees are $340 with discounts for youth and families. The fee includes six catered meals, campsites with restrooms and showers, maps and guide services, shuttle services and educational programs.
Additional information can be found here.
— Derek Prall
Sweep The Hooch volunteers remove 41 tons of trash from waterway
On Saturday, March 22, volunteers congregated at 64 parks, creeks, and river access points throughout the watershed for a day of service to the Chattahoochee River.
Equipped with gloves, trash pickers, and garbage bags, more than 1,500 volunteers helped haul a total of 41 tons of trash out of our waterways. That’s the most trash the group has ever removed in Sweep the Hooch history. Of that, 4.65 tons were recycled.
— Derek Prall
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for cooling opens
Eligible residents may begin applying for cooling assistance through the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Family & Children Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. This program assists low-income, elderly, and disabled Georgians with cooling costs through direct payments to home energy suppliers.
To qualify, a family’s annual income must be less than or equal to 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $33,038, and for a household of five, the income threshold is $73,700. Individuals ages 65 years and older and the medically homebound may apply starting on April 1. All other Georgians who wish to apply can do so beginning May 1.
Click here for more information.
— Derek Prall
