Reporter’s Notebook: Summer Shade Fest returns, Georgia STAND-UP honored, Blank Foundation gives

Summer Shade Festival returns to Grant Park

The 23rd annual Summer Shade Festival will bring two days of free, family-friendly activities to Grant Park on Aug. 23 to 24. Presented by and benefiting the Grant Park Conservancy, the event will feature live music, an expanded artist and vintage market, children’s activities and a 5K run.

This year’s lineup includes two music stages, Deep South Wrestling, and the Kids Bouncy House Village. More than a dozen food vendors will offer a range of options, from empanadas and hibachi to barbecue, Korean-style corndogs and frozen treats. New participants include Bun & Bites, La Escalera, Gekko Hibachi Food Truck and The Pickle Food Truck, joining returning favorites such as Belen De La Cruz Empanadas & Pastries, Ms. Pearl’s BBQ & Soul Food and Island Noodles.

The festival will take place at 840 Cherokee Ave. Paid parking will be available at the Grant Park Gateway facility and the Zoo Atlanta lot, with street parking nearby. A bike valet will be offered for cyclists. Proceeds support the conservancy’s work to restore and maintain the park.

— Derek Prall

Atlanta honors Georgia STAND-UP on 20th anniversary

The Atlanta City Council has proclaimed Aug. 4 as Georgia STAND-UP Day in recognition of the nonprofit’s 20 years of civic engagement and social equity work.

Founded in 2004, Georgia STAND-UP has registered tens of thousands of voters, trained more than 500 grassroots leaders through its Policy Institute for Civic Leadership, and secured community benefits across the city. The group also leads workforce development and transit equity efforts through its Trade-UP/Build-UP initiative, which has gained national recognition.

CEO and founder Deborah Scott accepted the proclamation alongside former Mayor Shirley Franklin, Councilman Michael Julian Bond, community members and family.

The organization focuses on empowering Black women and families in Georgia through advocacy, education and organizing. Its priorities include expanding affordable housing, improving public transit access and supporting Medicaid expansion.

Scott said the milestone reflects the work of staff, board members and partners committed to building equitable communities. The group remains a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) based in Atlanta.

— Derek Prall

Blank foundation gives $2 million to strengthen Atlanta, Georgia food banks

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has awarded $2 million to fight food insecurity in Atlanta and across Georgia as demand for assistance rises and federal support declines.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank will receive $1 million to maintain high levels of food distribution in its 29-county service area, which serves more than 820,000 people each month. Perishables such as fresh produce and refrigerated items make up more than 65 percent of the food it distributes.

Another $1 million will go to Feeding Georgia, a statewide network that supports seven regional food banks. The grant will help purchase food from Georgia growers and expand the Farm to Food Bank program, which redirects unmarketable produce to communities in need while supporting local agriculture.

Foundation president Fay Twersky said local food banks are on the front lines, offering both emergency relief and long-term resilience. Atlanta Community Food Bank CEO Kyle Waide said demand in metro Atlanta has increased 60 percent over the past three years, making the foundation’s investment critical to keeping healthy, locally grown food on tables.

Girls on the Run Georgia adds five new board members

Girls on the Run Georgia has appointed five members to its board of directors for the 2025-26 term. The nonprofit provides physical activity-based youth development programs for girls in third through eighth grades.

Sydney Morton of BCM Georgia, who has served on the board for five years, became board chair July 1.

New members include Cynthia Bridges, vice president and lead credit policy consultant at Wells Fargo & Co.; Nicole Maust, senior director of retail channel strategy at The Coca-Cola Co.; Tiffany Parker, vice president of clinical strategy and performance at UnitedHealthcare; Adam Sheinkopf, managing director at Slalom; and Emily Yona, chief of staff at the Georgia Department of Community Health.

Executive Director Lea Rolfes said the appointments come during the group’s 25th anniversary year and bring expertise in finance, strategy and business, as well as experience as a former program participant and Young Professionals Board member. She said the new members’ perspectives and commitment will help guide the organization’s next chapter of growth.

— Derek Prall