Rivian CEO: Georgia is key to company’s success
R.J. Scaringe, founder and CEO of Rivian Automotive, knew what he wanted to do from an early age.
“When I was about the age of 10, I decided I wanted to start a car company,” Scaringe told members of the Rotary Club of Atlanta on Nov. 17. “My dad said: ‘That’s a really good idea. You should do it.”
That was 32 years ago. Since then, Scaringe has been on a mission. In 2009, he founded Rivian — not sure whether it should build hybrid or electric cars.
“I was clear, I wanted to build something that had impact,” said Scaringe, who is now 42.
Rivian is a software-led company that builds electric cars. Last year, it entered into a technology joint venture with the Volkswagen Group. Scaringe said one of the first meetings with VW, Porsche’s parent company, was in Atlanta at the Porsche offices.
“It was forged here,” Scaringe said during a conversation with Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Rivian started out making the R1 model, which sells for about $90,000. Then Rivian introduced the R-2 model, expected to sell for about $45,000.
But the real key to the company’s success will be the more affordable R3 crossover.
“Scale is really important,” said Scaringe, who said the vertically-integrated company has had enormous fixed costs. But those costs will be absorbed by scaling up the company and selling more cars. That’s where Georgia comes in. Rivian is building a massive manufacturing plant near Social Circle.
Rivian also recently announced that it was relocating its East Coast headquarters to a building along the Eastside Beltline.
“Georgia is the critical part of a long-term trajectory,” Scaringe said, adding that the company looked all over the country to find a place where the company could recruit talent for its manufacturing, technology and corporate offices. Atlanta and Georgia fit the bill.
— Maria Saporta
Shaquille O’Neal awards $20,000 in scholarships at Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta gala
Shaquille O’Neal awarded $20,000 in scholarships during the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta’s 2025 Youth of the Year Gala on Nov. 7 at the Coca-Cola Roxy. The NBA Hall of Famer gave $10,000 each to the winner and runner-up through The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation and announced the top five finalists at the event.
The gala, sponsored by Bank of America, raised more than $1.3 million to support programs focused on academics, leadership, workforce readiness and wellness across the organization’s Metro Atlanta clubs.
Zoe B. was named Youth of the Year, and Adiya J. was selected as runner-up. Both received additional scholarships funded by the David Jernigan Legacy Scholarship Fund, and all remaining finalists were awarded $500.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta CEO Libby Saylor Wright told attendees the organization aims to address opportunity gaps facing young people, noting that its clubs serve more than 7,000 youth across 25 locations in nine metro counties.
This year’s gala also included remarks from journalist Monica Pearson, a performance by the Melvin Miller Trio and a youth-led presentation themed “The Power of Now.”
— Derek Prall
South Fulton to hold Thanksgiving meal distribution
The City of South Fulton will host a Thanksgiving meal distribution for residents on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Welcome All Park. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. and is open to registered households while supplies last.
The city plans to distribute 2,000 holiday meal packages to support families facing rising food costs. Each household will receive one package.
Registration is required. Click here for more information.
— Derek Prall
Spelman and Morehouse announce dates for 99th annual Christmas Carol Concert
Spelman College and Morehouse College will host the 99th Annual Christmas Carol Concert on Dec. 5 to 7, continuing a nearly century-long holiday tradition shared by the two institutions.
The three-night event begins Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Morehouse College’s Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. A second performance will be held Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Spelman College’s Sisters Chapel, followed by a final concert Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at Morehouse. Admission is free, and the concerts will also be livestreamed on both colleges’ YouTube channels.
The concert series, which features performances by the Spelman and Morehouse glee clubs, first began in 1927. This year’s events precede the centennial celebration planned for 2026.
College officials said the concerts remain a long-standing community tradition and continue to feature a mix of traditional carols, spirituals and contemporary holiday music.
More information is available here.
— Derek Prall
Buddy the Elf to appear at Atlanta holiday events
Buddy the Elf will make appearances at several Atlanta-area holiday events on Nov. 21–22 ahead of “Elf the Musical,” which runs Dec. 16–21 at the Fox Theatre.
His scheduled stops include The Blind Elf pop-up at The Blind Pig Parlour Bar on Nov. 21, followed by meet-and-greet sessions at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta on the morning of Nov. 22. Later that day, he will visit the Georgia Festival of Trees at the Gas South Convention Center and appear at Atlantic Station’s Light the Station tree lighting.
Event details and ticket requirements vary by location. Tickets and showtimes for “Elf the Musical” are available through the Fox Theatre.
— Megan Anderson
Virginia-Highland Civic Association to host Tour of Homes and Winterfest in December
The Virginia-Highland Civic Association will hold its annual Tour of Homes on Dec. 13–14, pairing the event for the first time with the neighborhood’s Winterfest celebration.
The Tour of Homes will feature 10 decorated houses across the neighborhood, with proceeds supporting VHCA projects such as local school grants, park improvements and historic preservation. Attendees may begin the tour at any home.
Winterfest events on Dec. 13 include the Jingle Jog 5K, a holiday parade, a gift market and children’s activities. VHCA will also present Winter Wonderland, a display of student-designed storefront windows along North Highland Avenue.
Tickets for the Tour of Homes cost $35 in advance and $40 on the event day. Children 10 and younger are free. More information is available here.
— Derek Prall
Bank of America to open new financial center in Druid Hills, announce $500,000 grant to CHOA
Bank of America will open a new financial center on Nov. 19 at 2562 Briarcliff Road NE in Brookhaven, expanding its retail banking, lending and small business services in the Atlanta area. The opening is part of the company’s plan to add 150 financial centers nationwide by 2027.
The Briarcliff location adds to Bank of America’s ongoing investment in its regional footprint. Since 2016, the company has spent $128 million on local financial centers and plans to invest another $60 million by 2027. The bank currently operates 105 financial centers and 453 ATMs in the Atlanta market and employs more than 5,000 workers locally.
During the opening, the bank will present a $500,000 grant to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to support care for uninsured children and families.
— Derek Prall
Lovett School receives $30 million gift from Rollins family
The Lovett School has received a $30 million donation from the Rollins family, the largest gift in the school’s 99-year history. The contribution supports the school’s One Lovett Campaign, which focuses on faculty support, student programs, financial aid and future campus development.
The gift will fund Rita Anne Rollins Hall, a planned campus hub that will include makerspaces, media studios, a chapel, performing arts venues, dining and learning commons and a central green space. The building is named for Rita Anne Rollins, a Lovett student who died in 1970.
Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026, with an opening planned for fall 2028. The announcement was made during a ceremony at Lovett attended by members of the school’s board, staff and the Rollins family.
School officials said the building will play a central role in Lovett’s long-term master plan as it approaches its centennial. More information about the campaign is available here.
— Derek Prall
