U.S. Association of Prides and Atlanta Pride announce Hurricane Solidarity Fund for LGBTQ+ Pride organizers in the Southeast
The U.S. Association of Prides (USA Prides) and Atlanta Pride recently announced the creation of the USA Prides Hurricane Solidarity Fund, a national effort to provide immediate, targeted assistance to some of the most vulnerable LGBTQ+ Pride organizations impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
To support communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Atlanta Pride will donate half of all funds raised during this weekend’s Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade to the Hurricane Solidarity Fund, a contribution that will be matched by USA Prides. The fund will provide targeted financial support to small-to-medium-sized LGBTQ+ Pride organizations based in and serving the affected areas. Grants are designed to assist with emergency relief and response efforts, meeting the basic needs of their local communities.
Atlanta Pride invites its peer organizations across the country to stand in solidarity with local communities affected by Helene and Milton by donating to the USA Prides Hurricane Solidarity Fund. Donations can be made online.
“While Atlanta was fortunate to avoid the worst of Hurricane Helene, many communities across Georgia experienced devastating impacts,” said Chris McCain, executive director of Atlanta Pride. “Responding to the urgent need in our region, our board and staff felt it was critical to extend our support to Pride organizations in communities across Georgia and the Southeast that are recovering and rebuilding.”
— Derek Prall
Bernie and Billi Marcus honored with Forbes’ top award for philanthropy
Two of Atlanta top philanthropists, Bernie and Billi Marcus, recently received the prestigious Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy.
Bernie and Billi Marcus were recognized for their enduring generosity, giving more than $2.7 billion to philanthropic causes throughout their lives.
Bernie Marcus was a co-founder of the Home Depot, and he served as its CEO for 19 years. Bernie, and his wife Billi, founded the Marcus Foundation, which has made significant investments in medical research and healthcare, Jewish causes, free enterprise, veteran and national security initiatives, children health and welfare, civics education and community support.
The Marcuses were among the inaugural signatories of the Giving Pledge, promising to allocate 80-90 percent of their wealth to charitable endeavors. Their philanthropic efforts have made them among the top 20 donors in the United States. Past recipients of the Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award include Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and David Rockefeller.
“On behalf of Forbes, it is my distinct honor to recognize Bernie and Billi Marcus for their remarkable contributions at the 12th-annual Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy, a gathering that unites the world’s most influential philanthropic leaders,” said Mike Federle, CEO of Forbes.
Fred Marcus accepted the award on his parents’ behalf at the New York event in late September.
— Maria Saporta
Hartsfield-Jackson hosts clean-up day
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is hosting a clean-up day along the Flint River on Friday, Oct. 18.
The Flint, which is the second-largest river in the state, begins in East Point and flows underneath the world’s busiest airport. The Tri-Cities, Clayton County, and the Atlanta Regional Commission recently secured $65 million in federal funding for parks and a trails network along the river that would connect the region to the Southwest section of the Atlanta Beltline.
— Grace Donnelly
Pause Studio opens new space in Marietta, first outside of California
Pause Studio is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Pause East Cobb in Marietta, Georgia, on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Celebrating its first franchise location outside of California, this all-day event will be a lively introduction to a variety of modern and holistic wellness services crafted to nurture both mind and body. Local entrepreneurs Lisa and Evan Benson are eager to bring this celebrated lifestyle brand to the community, offering innovative, science-backed solutions that empower residents to lead healthier, more balanced lives.
“It’s been our passion to open a state-of-the-art wellness studio in our own backyard, helping us realize our vision of providing the community with modern, holistic lifestyle solutions that nurture both mind and body,” franchise owner Lisa Benson said. “Our mission is to lead Atlanta’s wellness space through unparalleled service, education, and by offering approachable and affordable solutions that empower everyone to live healthier, happier lives.”
— Derek Prall
Task Force for Global Health launches Migration Health Initiative to advance health of refugees and migrants
The Task Force for Global Health is partnering with the University of Minnesota’s Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility (CGHSR) on a new initiative to protect the health of globally mobile populations. The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM), a pioneering project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has been led by CGHSR since its inception in 2020. NRC-RIM will join The Task Force as part of a new Migration Health Initiative.
The Migration Health Initiative will work with partners to support the health of people experiencing migration, with an initial focus on ensuring that refugee, immigrant and migrant communities within the United States have access to hepatitis B vaccines. The Task Force and NRC-RIM have long-standing partnerships with community-based organizations, resettlement agencies, and others in 150+ countries that will be crucial to their continued success. NRC-RIM will also leverage its longstanding relationship with IOM to ensure that this work can benefit its operations abroad.
“Ensuring the health and safety of refugees and displaced persons is an enormous and growing challenge, beyond the capacities of established national and local public health agencies,” said Dr. Patrick O’Carroll, President and CEO of The Task Force for Global Health. “It is a challenge that requires us to think in new ways and develop new systems to prevent diseases and injuries among these communities, and deliver proper healthcare wherever and whenever it is needed. The Migration Health Initiative provides The Task Force with an exciting opportunity to engage with partners worldwide to systematically address this challenge.”
— Derek Prall
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation contributes $2.5 million to Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land recently announced a $2.5 million contribution from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to support the Chattahoochee RiverLands, a planned 100-mile linear park through the heart of metro Atlanta.
With this donation, private funding for the RiverLands has reached more than $22 million, with an additional $27 million in public funding. This significant public and private support will allow the Trust for Public Land to support the completion of the Cobb County Showcase Site and complete the Camp and Paddle Trail.
“Trust for Public Land is ecstatic to have the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation invest in our efforts to connect 20 cities and 7 counties through our Chattahoochee RiverLands work,” said George Dusenbury, Georgia State Director at Trust for Public Land. “We are grateful that philanthropic leaders understand the transformative impact that the Chattahoochee RiverLands will have upon our region and our state. The Camp + Paddle Trail and RiverLands Showcase are equitable investments that strengthen community health and resiliency by connecting residents to their river.”
— Derek Prall
The Atlanta Ballet presented 26th annual Corps de Ballet Fashion Show & Luncheon to support of community engagement programs
The Atlanta Ballet recently hosted an afternoon of high fashion for a wonderful cause at its 26th Annual Corps de Ballet Fashion Show & Luncheon at The St. Regis Atlanta. The event raised more than $450,000 in support of Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education’s community engagement programs that serve 16,000 students across the metro Atlanta area.
Presented by Neiman Marcus and co-chaired by Jen Alewine and Allegra Lawrence-Hardy, the Luncheon featured The Art of Fashion® Fall Runway 2024 with an exclusive performance from Atlanta Ballet 2. Guests also enjoyed a delicious lunch specifically curated by St. Regis chefs and bid on amazing live and silent auction items to benefit Atlanta Ballet’s mission of creating broader access to ballet through community engagement initiatives.
— Derek Prall
Not Your Mother’s Art Fest coming to Gwinnett
Explore Gwinnett, the county’s tourism organization, recently announced the inaugural “Not Your Mother’s Art Fest” in conjunction with 2024 Artober Gwinnett.
Taking place Friday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 10 p.m., Not Your Mother’s Art Fest is a celebration of nontraditional art styles and unconventional creativity. A tribute to art that defies expectations, this free festival held in partnership with the City of Lawrenceville and Slow Pour Brewing Company blends the unusual with the unexpected into a vibrant, family-friendly, immersive experience.
“We look forward to Artober Gwinnett every year as it gives us the opportunity to shine a spotlight on our amazing local arts organizations, venues and artists,” said Lisa Anders, chief operating officer of Explore Gwinnett. “This year, we’re especially excited to offer a fresh perspective, highlighting “untraditional” art forms in the first-ever Not Your Mother’s Art Fest. We invite both longtime art enthusiasts and curious newcomers to join us in celebrating art that breaks the mold and inspires originality.
— Derek Prall
Peach Bowl, Inc., donates $250,000 to hurricane victims
Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced a $250,000 donation to aid ongoing relief and recovery efforts across the Southeast in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The quarter million-dollar donation will benefit the American Red Cross, who is fully engaged in helping Georgia and other impacted states recover from the devastating storms.
More than two dozen Georgians lost their lives and at least 275 deaths in all have been attributed to Helene and Milton so far. Helene is now the deadliest hurricane in the U.S. since Katrina. In the aftermath of the storms, the Red Cross is still hard at work and the need for aid remains historically high. The Red Cross continues to work closely with local officials, government agencies and other nonprofits to help communities every day.
“Not only do our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected by Helene and Milton, but our direct support is going too,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “Understanding there is still a tremendous need, we hope this $250,000 donation can help the Red Cross provide resources to help people recover from these terrible storms.”
— Derek Prall
State Farm Arena ranks number one among NBA venues
State Farm Arena, the home of the Atlanta Hawks, earned nearly 30 medals as part of the 2024 GOAL Invitational.
The award-winning downtown Atlanta venue earned gold medals throughout each of the primary categories of environmental, social, and governance. State Farm Arena executives joined other venue leaders in Phoenix for the 2024 GOAL Invitational and inaugural GOAL Medal Ceremony to collect the awards on behalf of their respective organizations. GOAL is Green Operations and Advanced Leadership, a sustainability-driven membership and support network for sports and entertainment venues, consisting of over 45 members and growing.
“We are thrilled to be recognized with a medal in every single category as part of the inaugural GOAL Medal Ceremony,” said Amanda Mann, Executive Vice President and Chief Facilities Officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “In less than a month we will have executed our 500th zero waste event and we are proud to be a role model not only for the sports and entertainment industry but also in our city through our sustainability efforts. We hope that every person who steps foot into our venue is inspired to incorporate more sustainable practices in their homes and everyday lives.”
In total, State Farm Arena earned 16 Gold, seven Silver and six Bronze medals. The venue earned Gold in a variety of categories, 6 being within the waste reduction category, including Properly Disposing of Hard to Recycle and Hazardous Materials, Developing and Deploying Waste Management Plan, Increasing Waste Diversion by Recycling and many others.
Georgia Legislative Black Caucus partners with Get Free-Dom Ride
The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), the largest legislative Black caucus in the nation, has officially announced its full support for the Get Free-Dom Ride.
The ride is a Georgian and youth-led movement organized by Get Free to expose and defy Georgia’s Jim Crow anti-voter laws, particularly Senate Bill 202’s ban on giving water to voters waiting in line. The GLBC, a non-partisan organization representing Black legislators from across Georgia and both parties, will serve as a key partner in this initiative, lending their voice and influence to this critical fight for voting rights.
The Get Free-Dom Rides will begin in Washington D.C. and travel through Greensboro, N.C., and Columbia, S.C., culminating in a major march and rally in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 19. This movement, inspired by the original Freedom Rides, aims to challenge voter silencing laws nationwide that certain politicians are imposing to cancel the votes of Black, Brown, and young Americans.
— Derek Prall
Norfolk Southern fights food insecurity
In recognition of Hunger Action Month, Norfolk Southern contributed over $850,000 in grants to organizations fighting against food insecurity during the month of September.
Norfolk Southern contributed to six organizations in Georgia through its Thriving Communities grant program, which contributed a total of $738,000 to organizations across its 22-state network. In Georgia, 1,426,880 people are facing hunger. Of them 461,720 are children.
— Derek Prall
