WABE Partners with Metro Atlanta indie bookstores and libraries for ‘Read Across Atlanta’ Event
March is National Reading Month, and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR and PBS affiliate, is organizing a citywide “Read Across Atlanta” storytelling event, uniting independent bookstores and public libraries across the metro Atlanta area. The event, scheduled for Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m., celebrates the debut of a new storytime series for WABE’s youngest listeners, The Podcast Where they Read Stories.
Participating bookstores and libraries span Cobb, Cherokee, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale, and Walton counties. A full list of locations can be found on Eventbrite.com, where people can register for the event in advance for the chance to win free WABE swag.
“WABE’s inaugural READ ACROSS ATLANTA event is intended to not only connect our community to the power of storytelling but also to amplify the role area bookstores and libraries play as gathering spots for all,” said Aisha Greenlee, WABE Director of Community Outreach & Partnerships.
— Derek Prall
Children’s Museum of Atlanta holds annual benefit gala on March 23
The 2024 Imagination Ball, an adults-only charity event aimed at making play-based learning accessible to children from all walks of life, will be held on March 23.
The Imagination Ball, chaired by Museum board members Andrew Chang and Dr. DeRetta Rhodes will take place Saturday, March 23 from 7 to 11 p.m. at The Eastern in Reynoldstown. The festivities aim to rekindle guests’ appreciation for the impact of imagination, fantasy and storytelling.
Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased here.
— Derek Prall
Cristo Rey Atlanta Gala raises $1,000,000 for scholarships
The Fox Theatre set the stage for Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School’s Rey of Hope Gala on Saturday, February 24.
The sold-out gala brought together supporters and corporate partners of the school to celebrate Cristo Rey’s 10th year of educating students in Atlanta. The event raised over $1,000,000 for student scholarships ensuring that deserving young people in metro Atlanta have access to an excellent Catholic, college-prep education and an immersive Corporate Work Study experience.
His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory was presented with the Rey of Light Award for his leadership in establishing a Cristo Rey school in Atlanta. When then-Archbishop Gregory came to Atlanta in 2004, he was intent upon bringing affordable Catholic education to families in metro Atlanta. Cristo Rey eventually opened its doors in 2014 in the former Chancery at 680 West Peachtree St., providing an exceptional Catholic education for students who would not otherwise be able to attend a private, college-prep high school.
— Derek Prall
Georgia Film Academy Summer Camp registration now open for high school students
The Georgia Film Academy (GFA) is offering four summer camps for high school students ages 14 to 17. Each camp, led by industry professionals who have worked on major movie productions and television shows, will be held at Trilith Studios. Campers will have the opportunity to become immersed in hands-on training in screenwriting, filmmaking and post-production.
Camp sessions include:
- Introduction to Filmmaking Summer Camp, June 3 to 7
- Screenwriting Summer Camp, June 3 to 7
- Post-Production Summer Camp, July 15 to 19 or July 22 to 26
- Advanced Filmmaking Summer Camp, July 15 to 19 or July 22 to 26
Introduction to Filmmaking Summer Camp provides campers with scriptwriting, production, post-production and other filmmaking techniques needed to create original short films. The final day of camp includes an opportunity for parents and guardians to view students’ projects.
“Our camps serve as a vital bridge to enlighten high school students about employment opportunities within the creative industries, contributing to the cultivation of a robust workforce,” said Scott Votaw, assistant vice chancellor at the University System of Georgia where he leads GFA. “It is through this programming that we can begin training the next generation of screenwriting, filmmaking and post-production professionals and continue moving this industry forward.”
— Derek Prall
WalletHub: Consumer confidence increased in February
Financial website WalletHub reports that consumers felt over nine percent more confident about their financial outlook last month than they did this time last year.
The “WalletHub Economic Index,” is based on monthly surveys that evaluate economic prospects based on ten components of consumer sentiment dealing with finances, purchasing plans and employment opportunities.
The report said that consumers have a positive outlook on real estate and auto purchasing and job security and a negative outlook on employment opportunities.
The share of consumers who think new employment opportunities are “abundant” is more lacking in February 2024 than last year.
Click here to read the full report.
— Allison Joyner
158 SCAD alumni, students contributed to Oscar-nominated films
Last month, The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) announced their impact on the film industry before the Academy Awards premiere.
The Georgia school says that 158 SCAD graduates, students, and faculty contributed to producing several films that were nominated for an award.
“Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” and “Elemental” are some of the 17 films receiving nominations during the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards who majored in acting, sound design, visual effects, fashion and several others.
“Having over 150 of our SCAD bees working on Oscar-worthy films is a WOW moment and it’s not surprising,” said Andra Reeve-Rabb, dean of the School of Film and Acting at SCAD. “We have countless full circle moments that begin with a student in a master class during our film festival, engaging with an award-winning actor or director and then fast forward to a few years and now that alumni are working side-by-side with those same industry professionals making the best films of the year.”
The Academy Awards will be televised on Sun., Mar. 10.
— Allison Joyner
Green Screen Project film festival showcases AUC filmmakers
Last week, the fourth annual Green Screen Project Film Festival, presented by the Atlanta Chapter of the Links showcased several films created by students who go to school at one of the Atlanta University Center (AUC) institutions.
Judges and audience members selected their favorite from 15 films submitted. The winners received scholarships from the Links chapter.
- First Place: “WERD UP to Sweet Auburn” by Miya Scaggs, a student from Spelman College, who received a $1,800 scholarship.
- Second Place: “The Code of Life” by Spelman College student Kendi King, who received a $1,000 scholarship.
- Audience Choice Award: “In Kismet We Trust,” by Spelman College student Ashley Sanders, who received a $200 scholarship.
— Allison Joyner
Fulton County Schools host discussion on AI being used in the classroom
On Mon. Mar. 11, Fulton County School (FCS) Superintendent, Mike Loonew will lead a conversation on how the school system is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to teach their students during his “Let’s Talk Schools” digital show.
With AI transforming how students learn to engage with the world around them, the district will discuss what they are doing to improve learning.
Looney will talk with FCS’s Director of Instructional Technology, Heather Van Looy Innovation Academy Principal, Scott Kent and Zone 1 Superintendent, Cherisse Campbell.
Click here to view the show on Mar. 11 at 4 p.m.
— Allison Joyner
Morehouse School of Medicine Researcher’s Global Team Wins $25 Million Cancer Grand Challenges Award
Yesterday, Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) announced Team SAMBAI, a global team led by the director of the MSM Institute of Translational Genomic Medicine, Dr. Melissa Davis, has been awarded a $25 million grant to address cancer disparities in people of African ancestry.
Short for Societal, Ancestry, Molecular and Biological Analysis of Inequalities, Term SAMBAI is an interdisciplinary research group from Ghana, South Africa, United Kingdom and the U.S. that proposed integrated social determinants of health, environmental exposures, genetic contributions and tumor biology to understand the complex interactions between genetics, environment and social factors in cancer outcomes.
“For over 50 years, the driving mission of Morehouse School of Medicine has been to address health inequities for communities of color. We are honored to have the unique opportunity to carry that mission forward,” said Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, President and CEO of MSM.
Click here for more information.
— Allison Joyner
