Atlanta Pride announces 2026 grand marshals under ‘Louder & Prouder’ theme
Atlanta Pride announced its 2026 grand marshals, honoring eight individuals and organizations whose work in advocacy, healthcare, entertainment and community building reflects this year’s theme, “Louder & Prouder.”
The honorees are:
- Carl Charles, counsel for trans and nonbinary rights at Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office
- Jenny Arellano, media personality, activist and the first transgender woman in Atlanta to obtain an amended birth certificate reflecting her gender identity
- John M. Haupert, CEO of Grady Health System and 2026 Georgian of the Year
- Master J. Tebias Perry, educator, journalist and leader within the Leather community
- Noël Heatherland, statewide organizing and outreach manager for Georgia Equality, who helped defeat all 15 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced during Georgia’s 2026 legislative session
- Pressure K, drag king, comedian and Season 1 contestant on “King of Drag”
- Shawnna Brooks, longtime drag performer, mentor and Mother of the House of Brooks
- ZAMI NOBLA, the National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging
Grand marshals have led the Atlanta Pride Parade through Midtown Atlanta since 1992. Honorees are nominated by the community and selected by Atlanta Pride for their contributions to LGBTQ+ visibility and advocacy.
— Derek Prall
Metro Atlanta water planning district announces new board, staff leadership
The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District announced new board leadership and staff appointments June 11, marking a transition as the regional water authority celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson assumes the role of board chair, succeeding Glenn Page after his six years of leadership. Hendrickson, the first Black person elected to lead Georgia’s second-most populous county, previously served as the district’s vice chair. Cherokee County Chairman Harry Johnston steps in as vice chair, bringing more than two decades of county governance experience, and Dr. Mark S. Berry of Southern Company continues as secretary-treasurer.
District Director Danny Johnson credited Page with building a strong foundation for the organization’s regional water planning mission across the 15-county metro Atlanta area.
On the staff side, Katherine Atteberry was named district manager, responsible for planning, administration and stakeholder engagement across the district’s core programs. A 25-year veteran of stormwater management and watershed protection, Atteberry most recently served as the district’s stormwater planning manager. Shellby Miller joins as district coordinator, bringing more than eight years of experience in geospatial analysis and regional water planning. A certified geographic information systems professional, Miller will support project management and consultant oversight.
The leadership changes position the district to continue its work on water resources planning, climate resilience and water quality protection as demand on metro Atlanta’s water infrastructure grows.
— Derek Prall
Georgia Conservancy names John Hutchins as new board chair
The Georgia Conservancy announced July 1 the appointment of John Hutchins as chair of its board of trustees, succeeding Tim McKinley in the role as the organization approaches its 60th anniversary in 2027.
Hutchins, a retired Atlanta attorney, spent 33 years as a partner at three of the nation’s largest law firms, focusing on commercial issues including intellectual property, technology and privacy. He was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in six practice areas.
He retired in 2025 to focus on the outdoors. An avid hiker and backpacker, Hutchins has completed 1,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and aims to finish the remaining 982 before he turns 70.
Since joining the conservancy’s board, Hutchins has chaired the development committee starting in 2022, advocating for expanded fundraising staff and helping put the organization on stronger fiscal footing. His nonprofit leadership also includes board service with Techbridge, Youth Villages and Inner Harbor.
— Derek Prall
Trees Atlanta elects four new board members
Trees Atlanta announced four new members have joined its board of directors, adding executives from UPS, The Home Depot, Centennial Yards and The Coca-Cola Company as the urban forestry nonprofit continues its work across metro Atlanta.
Kelly Brock, a global marketing executive at UPS who leads strategy for the Americas region, joined the board in April. Amanda Morris, director of media at The Home Depot, joined in February. Brigitte Broyard McBee, vice president of business and workforce opportunity for CIM Group’s Centennial Yards project, and Kevin Smith, vice president of finance at The Coca-Cola Company, both joined in November 2025.
The new members bring experience spanning marketing, media, finance and community development. Broyard McBee, a fourth-generation Atlanta native, has managed the equal business opportunity program for Centennial Yards for six years. Smith leads Coca-Cola’s inclusion network focused on advancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Each will serve a three-year term.
— Derek Prall
South Fulton opens applications for senior home repair grants of up to $25,000
The City of South Fulton is accepting applications through July 31 for a federally funded program that provides up to $25,000 in grant-funded home repairs to homeowners 62 and older.
The Senior Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant program, covers repairs including electrical and plumbing work, roof replacement, HVAC systems, windows, mold remediation and ADA accessibility modifications. The assistance is provided as a grant and does not have to be repaid.
Applicants must own and occupy a single-family home in South Fulton as their primary residence, maintain homeowner’s insurance, be current on mortgage payments and property taxes, and meet federal household income guidelines. Applications will be processed in order of eligibility and receipt until funds are exhausted.
Two in-person application assistance sessions are scheduled at Welcome All Park, 4255 Will Lee Road, South Fulton:
- July 9, noon to 3 p.m.
- July 15, noon to 3 p.m.
For more information or to apply, click here. Residents can also email housing@cityofsouthfultonga.gov or call 470-855-5778.
— Derek Prall
