Atlanta Way 2.0 convened a dynamic group of regional leaders, civic connectors, and community builders to explore a simple but powerful question: what does it truly take to create a welcoming city for all?
The group gathered at Conscious Wealth in Inman Park, where AW2.0 Activator Rachel Webster says the Atlanta-based company is “interested in creating personal connections and fostering community, which dovetails perfectly with the Welcome Wagon idea of supporting new folks to the city. Personally, I love Atlanta, and I’m happy to share that enthusiasm in hopes that it will continue to grow.”
With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, Atlanta is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors and global attention. This moment of excitement, combined with the long-term purview of regional growth, makes this the perfect time to get this work underway. With ARC forecasting the 21-county Atlanta region will potentially add 1.8 million people by 2050, bringing the region’s total population to 7.9 million. How do we create a welcoming climate for newcomers and visitors?
Beyond logistics and infrastructure, the group focused on something deeper—how people feel when they arrive, and whether they can quickly find their place in the civic and cultural fabric of the city. Relocating can be daunting. What are some of the ways we can help newcomers find their footing in our amazing city?
Pedro Padilla, a producer and filmmaker, was part of the welcome wagon working group. He reflects on his experience moving to Atlanta: “For my wife Kara and me, relocating to Atlanta felt quite easy at first, given the city’s youthful energy, diverse food scene and beautiful neighborhoods. But the transition to becoming fully embedded and engaged residents has been more challenging.” He points out that the size of Metro Atlanta plays a part in how new residents integrate into their new home, saying, “we’re only just starting to understand how the physical sprawl of the metro area can stifle connections and what we can do to overcome that hurdle. We’re getting better at it by getting to know the neighbors closest to us and attempting to grow a network of friends with shared and new interests.”
So how do we make the transition easier? One idea that sparked conversation was the creation of an “Atlanta 101” resource. Something more than a service directory or a career accelerator. Think of a civic orientation experience. Something that helps newcomers understand Atlanta’s unique culture, its formal and informal power structures, and the many pathways available for meaningful contribution. Atlanta Way 2.0 loves convening community. Maybe part of our welcoming work will emerge as a series of gatherings with the goal to build confidence, foster belonging, and demystify how the city works in a way that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming.
For my wife Kara and me, relocating to Atlanta felt quite easy at first, given the city’s youthful energy, diverse food scene and beautiful neighborhoods. But the transition to becoming fully embedded and engaged residents has been more challenging.
Pedro Padilla
Participants emphasized that whatever is created must feel human-centered, not overly programmatic or scripted. The tone should be friendly, encouraging, inclusive, and accessible. Something that meets people where they are and invites them in. At its core, this effort is about cultivating a sense of belonging and shared ownership in Atlanta’s future.
Several efforts across the region are already underway to welcome newcomers. One resource locally is the Metro Atlanta Relocation Hub from the Metro Atlanta Chamber. As the region continues to position itself as a hub for business and innovation, MAC recognizes that attracting companies is only part of the equation. Ensuring that individuals and families feel confident, supported, and connected upon arrival is just as critical to long-term success.
The Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs leads the Welcoming Atlanta Initiative. MOIIA partners with Georgia State University’s Intensive English Program for a MyCity ATL series for foreign-born residents enrolled in ESOL classes. The series includes several sessions focused on helpful city resources and incorporates community partners, like the YMCA, to present and facilitate discussions on specific topics and highlight services that support opportunity-building and community connection. The YMCA also hosts a Welcome Week every year!
An example of a national model building hyper-local connections within neighborhoods is the Welcome Committee organized by the U.S. Chamber of Connection. Atlanta Way 2.0 COO Britton Edwards is an inaugural member and has experienced firsthand the power of this model. Simply getting to know neighbors, hosting small gatherings, and strengthening the connective tissue of local communities is the focus of this effort. The Chamber describes its work as a growing network of people who “notice, host, care, and are connected to others doing the same,” helping blocks come to life again. Their call to action is simple: be part of the next cohort and help create that sense of welcome in your own neighborhood. Join the Welcome Committee here!
“On my block, familiarity is blooming into something bigger! People who used to wave at eachother now linger for conversations. We’ve found common interests like the joy in our tomato plants blooming, and shared excitement for a block party I’m hosting in May,” says Edwards. She continues, “I like knowing my neighbors. It feels like something that has gone away over time. I’m excited to be a part of a national effort to reconnect!”
“I like knowing my neighbors. It feels like something that has gone away over time. I’m excited to be a part of a national effort to reconnect!”
Britton Edwards
Together, these efforts reflect how Atlanta is thinking about connectivity, welcoming and strengthening its civic fabric. The Welcome Wagon conversation made clear that creating a welcoming city is not the responsibility of any one organization. It is a shared endeavor, powered by individuals who are willing to reach out, open doors, and invite others in. Atlanta Way 2.0 will continue to work with our Activators to gather ideas, resources and plan meet-ups for new and recently relocated residents.
As Atlanta continues to evolve, the invitation remains open: what would you add to a welcoming experience? If you’ve moved here, what helped you find your footing? And how can we, together, ensure that every newcomer feels not just accommodated—but truly at home?
