Reporter’s Notebook: Pride grants available, HBCU Game Jam, Atlanta high schools honored

Grantmaking program Pride Across the Peach State applications open

Atlanta Pride recently announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Pride Across the Peach State grant program, an initiative designed to support LGBTQ+ organizations, events, and advocacy efforts throughout Georgia.

Launched in 2024, the grantmaking initiative  focuses on uplifting, supporting, and amplifying the efforts of local Pride organizations across the State of Georgia. The grant’s inaugural year made a significant impact, engaging over 37,000 attendees across diverse events and expanding LGBTQ+ visibility in both urban and rural areas. Grantees prioritized intersectionality, creating inclusive spaces for QTBIPOC communities, refugees, individuals with disabilities and allies.

For 2025, Atlanta Pride will award grants of up to $5,000 to support local Pride events and initiatives that:

• Promote LGBTQ+ arts, culture, history, and music
• Create spaces for LGBTQ+ communities to connect
• Celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities across Georgia
• Combat LGBTQ+ discrimination and injustice
• Strengthen the sustainability of LGBTQ+ organizations

“Our community is strong, and incredible work is happening across Georgia to uplift and support LGBTQ+ individuals,” said Chris McCain, Executive Director of Atlanta Pride. “This grant program ensures those efforts receive the funding and recognition they deserve so that LGBTQ+ people in every part of our state feel seen, supported, and celebrated.”

Applications for the 2025 grant cycle are open now and will be accepted through March 31, 2025. For more information, click here.

— Derek Prall

Spelman College hosts third annual HBCU Game Jam

Spelman College’s Innovation Lab will host its third annual HBCU Game Jamfrom March 28 to 30 in the Robert W. Woodruff Library. At the hackathon, Historically Black College and University students will build their own video games and compete for industry-sponsored prizes. For the first time since its start, the HBCU Game Jam will be planned entirely by students.

The HBCU Game Jam is a beginner friendly competition that introduces students to the game development process, hosted in collaboration with Zynga, Microsoft, Unity, CodeHouse and Boeing. According to a survey conducted by the International Game Developers Association, Black people hold only 5 percent of jobs within the gaming industry. HBCU Game Jam works to combat this by hosting free game development workshops and seminars ahead of the competition to even the playing field and give students a crash-course in video game creation.

“We at Spelman Innovation are excited to champion our amazing HBCU game development community and continue to break barriers for what it means to be a game developer in the gaming industry,” said Jaycee Holmes, C’2016, co-founder of CodeHouse, co-director of Spelman Innovation and professor of art and visual culture at Spelman. “I am especially proud of the leadership demonstrated by our student co-chairs and organizing committee, and I cannot wait for everyone to see the magic they’ve created.”

— Derek Prall

City of South Fulton launches comprehensive plan website for community feedback

The City of South Fulton has launched a website dedicated to educating the community about the city’s Comprehensive Plan and provides an opportunity for residents to share feedback online.

The Comprehensive Plan is an official policy document that is used by local governments to guide growth, preservation, and change. It is a long-term plan that maps out the next 20 years of the city’s future and is updated every five years.  

“The Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap for the future of City of South Fulton, and community input is essential to its success,” said City Manager Sharon Subadan. “The Comprehensive Plan website provides an accessible platform for residents to share their feedback and ensures our community’s voice is heard every step of the way.” 

— Derek Prall

Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes open

 Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan (P2C) and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) announced today the opening of the Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes. Four Pre-K-aged children from across the state will be selected to receive a Path2College savings contribution of $1,529. The Pre-K programs where the child is enrolled will also be awarded $1,529.

The sweepstakes is open to all children who attend a Georgia Pre-K program. Parents, grandparents and guardians can submit entries online between March 1-31, 2025. Winners will be randomly selected after the promotion ends in four regions of the state — Metro Atlanta, Southeast, North and South Georgia.

“We are delighted to be partnered with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning once again to encourage early financial planning for higher learning,” said Georgia State Treasurer Steve McCoy. “Our goal with the Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes is to help Georgia families jump-start their savings for future educational pursuits.”

Click here to learn more.

— Derek Prall

Robert Scott named finalist for Albany State President

Earlier this week the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted to name Robert Scott as the sole finalist for president of Albany State University (ASU).

Scott currently serves as president of research and development at Kraft Heinz Co. and was an associate dean at Boston College and Spelman College.

“[Scott] has a unique blend of academic and industry acumen, traits that will nurture ASU’s vital role as a regional workforce leader while celebrating its importance as a premier HBCU in Georgia,” said Sonny Perdue, Chancellor of USG.

The position has been vacant since former president Marion Ross Fredrick, who now serves as executive vice president and chief of staff to the president at Georgia State University, left last year. 

— Allison Joyner

Eleven APS schools named AP Honors Schools

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) announced that the Georgia Board of Education named 11 of its schools 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Honors Schools.

Charles Drew Charter School, North Atlanta High School, and Booker T. Washington High School were among those listed in eight categories based on the AP courses and exams conducted last year. 

“Georgia’s 2025 AP Honor Schools exemplify our commitment to providing students with rigorous, high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for success beyond high school,” said Robert Woods, State Superintendent. “I commend these students for their dedication to academic excellence and equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in college, careers, and life.”

The schools include:

• Charles Drew Charter School
• North Atlanta High School
• South Atlanta High School
• Atlanta Classical Academy
• Booker T. Washington High School
• Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy
• KIPP Atlanta Collegiate High School
• D. M. Therrell High School
• George Washington Carver STEM High School
• Midtown High School
• Maynard H. Jackson High School

— Allison Joyner

CSD names Jarvis Adams as Chief Operations Officer

The City Schools of Decatur announced that Jarvis Adams has been named Chief Operations Officer.

He has over 25 years of experience in education and is currently the principal at Westlake High School. 

Adams will begin his new role on March 17.

— Allison Joyner

K9 officers join FCS police force

Fulton County Schools (FCS) hired three new officers for its police department. Delilah, Ducky, and Ernie, all 18-month-old Labrador Retrievers, began their six-week K9 training program with their handlers last month. 

Once trained, the canine officers and their handlers will be deployed to schools, where they will assist with student check-throughs and conduct random checks in the halls and other locations.

“I’m looking forward to bringing greater visibility to Fulton’s safety program,” said Mark Sulborski, FCS Police Chief. “The work we do and keeping dangerous behavior at bay and the community safe; it’s more tools in the toolbox.”

The four-legged law enforcers will ride in style with state-of-the-art K9 vehicles equipped with sophisticated cages with heating and cooling capabilities, remote kill switches, and other high-tech safety features.

— Allison Joyner

Decatur High School named 2025 AP Honor School in three categories

Decatur High School (DHS) has been named one of Georgia’s 2025 AP Honor Schools.

DHS received honors in three categories: AP Schools of Distinction, AP STEM Schools, and AP STEM Achievement Schools. 

State Superintendent Richard Woods said that the school exemplifies their commitment to providing students with rigorous, high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for success beyond high school.

— Allison Joyner

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities appoints seven new board members

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities today announced the addition of seven new members to its esteemed Board of Directors, who support the organization’s mission of serving sick and injured children and keeping families together. With unique business experiences and proven leadership, this diverse group of individuals will define and develop strategic decisions that accelerate ARMHC to achieve its goals.

The new ARMHC Board members include:

• Lyndsey Burton is the vice president of investor relations for Rollins, Inc. 
• Vicki Chancellor is the chair of The Operator National Advertising (Opnad) Fund at McDonald’s.
• Brian McGowan is the managing partner in the ZRG Partners, LLC’s Atlanta office and is leader of the Global Healthcare Services & Solutions practice.
• Nate Medina is vice president and general manager at Georgia-Pacific. 
• Roberto Mercade is the president of The McDonald’s Division of The Coca-Cola Company.
• Manuel Rodriguez-Davalos is the President of the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation.
• Tara Widener is the co-founder of Go2Girls and a real estate agent at Beacham and Company, Realtors.

“On behalf of ARMHC, we are proud to welcome these new Board members as we strive to optimize the organization’s business operations and better assist families in need,” said Brian Fuller, Chair of ARMHC Board. “With the opening of ARMHC’s new House in December 2025, the Board is a critical component to drive awareness for the organization’s impact and support the increasing number of families who rely on ARMHC’s services.”

— Derek Prall

Atlanta Ballet to present George Balanchine’s “Coppélia”

The Atlanta Ballet will present the beloved classic by an iconic choreographer George Balanchine’s Coppélia March 21-23 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. This family-friendly performance will feature Atlanta Ballet company dancers and a large cast of talented students from the Centre for Dance Education, bringing the enchanting tale to life.

Set to the enchanting score by Léo Delibes performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, this comic ballet centers on a playful heroine determined to save the young man to whom she is betrothed and a pivotal encounter with an eccentric toy maker and his mysterious daughter Coppélia, who is a whimsical creation from his workshop which he imagines bringing to life using his magic book.

“This charming story, full of humor, drama and romance, is perfect for families and newcomers to ballet, and we’re excited to present it in a way that feels both magical and entertaining” said Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director Gennadi Nedvigin. “This is the largest production Atlanta Ballet will bring onstage merging its professional dancers with students of different ages from our own Centre for Dance Education in history, which will make these performances truly special.”

Click here for more information or to purchase tickets. 

— Derek Prall

Agnes Scott College honored with Farmer Champion Award for commitment to local food and farms

Agnes Scott College has been recognized with the esteemed Farmer Champion Award by Georgia Organics, celebrating its unwavering commitment to strengthening local food systems and supporting sustainable agriculture. The award was presented in conjunction with the SOWTH Conference, a convening of more than 1,400 farmers and leaders dedicated to building a strong agricultural movement across the South.

“We are honored to receive this award and proud to be part of a movement that prioritizes healthy, sustainable food for our campus and beyond,” said Nicole Long, Vice President, Finance and Administration at Agnes Scott College. “Our collaboration with farmers and organizations like Georgia Organics and The Common Market allows us to make a lasting impact on both our students and the broader community.”

— Derek Prall