Journalist’s notebook: the pride committee announces its theme, Clark Atlanta offers a specialization in music after 20 years, CHRIS 180 opens a new advice center

Atlanta Pride Committee Announces 2024 Festival Theme

The Atlanta Pride Committee is excited to unveil the theme for the 2024 Atlanta Pride Festival: “United

With pride.” On October 12 and 13, 2024, Atlantans are invited to celebrate diversity, strength and resilience during the Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade.

Committee representatives say the 2024 theme, “United with Pride,” reflects the spirit of solidarity and empowerment within the LGBTQ+ community. For over fifty years, the Atlanta Pride Festival has stood for unity, bringing everyone together to stand together and light the flame of justice and equality. Committee representatives say this year’s festival will be a vibrant celebration of our collective power and a demonstration of what it truly means to be united with pride.

In addition to the theme, the committee unveiled the Atlanta Pride Festival 2024 logo, designed by local artist Ben Ackerley. Their design is inspired by the rainbow pride flag and iconic triangular imagery reclaimed by LGBTQ+ activists in the 1970s.

Ackerley said they were “deeply honored to partner with Atlanta Pride to create the logo for Atlanta Pride 2024. I am very proud to have used my skills to celebrate and strengthen the diversity and strength of our vibrant community LGBTQIA+.”

-Derek Prall

The Puppetry Arts Center announces a new season

Last month, the Puppetry Arts Center announced its programming for the next 2024-2025 season.

“Summer at the Center” is underway, with the special exhibit “Down in Fraggle Rock” running through Oct. 27, puppet camp beginning in June and July, and the new show “Sesame Street the Musical” which runs until August 24.

“The Ghastly Dreadfuls” will return in October, “The Ninja Puppet Shenaniganza featuring Raymond vs. Raymond” in January and February and “Marooned!” A Space Comedy” will perform in March next year.

Click here to find out more.

-Allison Joyner

Nonprofit helping unhoused families announces new strategic plan and name

Last week, the Atlanta Children’s Shelter announced its new strategic plan for the next four years, as well as a new name: the Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter.

“Our new brand and strategic plan better reflect the needs of our customers today and demonstrate to our team members and supporters where we will go over the next four years,” said Cameron Turner, Executive Director from the Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter.

The non-profit organization will focus on four pillars in the future: family self-sufficiency, organizational excellence, financing and brand awareness.

“From the outside it may seem like we are just adding one word to our name; however, it is important to update our name to provide clarity to our brand, align with our strategic vision, and encourage community engagement to better serve children and families in the future ” Turner said.

-Allison Joyner

Thank Me Later Foundation Receives Grant to Empower Black Families to Transfer Generational Wealth

The Thank Me Later Foundation (TMLF) recently announced a $25,000 grant from Bank of America to support its Black Women Will initiative, which empowers Black families to transfer generational wealth and establish order through planning inheritance.

The grant will be used for TMLF educational programs and events, including the 4th annual Black Women Will Homecoming event taking place on November 16. The event will help 250 Black women homeowners in Georgia prepare to transfer more than $87 million in assets by completing their wills and health directives in one day.

“Black families work so hard to accumulate new wealth that we don’t pay attention to what our family owns, even if it’s just our grandmother’s house,” said Jini Thornton, CPA and executive director of TMLF. “Black Women Will is part of the solution to this silent crisis that is preventing the Black community from transferring wealth. »

-Derek Prall

Clark Atlanta returns to music education after 20 years of absence

On Monday, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced the relaunch of its music education major, which had been on hiatus since 2005.

The relaunch of the major will offer a comprehensive program integrating theory and practice, encompassing diverse musical traditions and teaching approaches.

The HBCU affirms that music is part of its identity and the relaunch reaffirms its enduring commitment to fostering creativity, scholarship and community engagement through the power of music.

“Clark Atlanta University’s belief is that every student deserves the opportunity to explore

their musical talents and pursue their passions,” said CAU Dean Charlene Gilbert. “The relaunch of the music education major underscores the University’s commitment to providing inclusive and innovative educational opportunities that enable students, through music, to realize their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.

Visit their website to learn more or apply.

-Allison Joyner

Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit Announces New President and Board Members

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Atlanta is proud to announce that Peter R. Hennessy (president of Hennessy Automobile Company) has been named chairman of the school’s board of trustees. Mr. Hennessy is a founding member of the Board of Directors and ascends to the position of Chairman after serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Hennessy succeeds founding board member David P. Fitzgerald (Founder, Fitzco), who served as Chairman of the Board from 2021 to 2024. Mr. Fitzgerald will continue to support the Board as as president emeritus. PJ Bain (CEO, PrimeRevenue) will serve as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors also welcomes new members, including Michael Harrison (Senior Managing Director, Hines), Willie Hernandez (International General Counsel, The Coca-Cola Company), Barry McCarthy (President and CEO, Deluxe), Erica McGill (Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Georgia Power), David O’Shea (Director of Advancement, Pinecrest Academy), Chris Tomlinson (Managing Director, Deloitte) and Aubrey Waddell (Managing Director, Global Occupier Services, Cushman & Wakefield).

-Derek Prall

Albany State Receives $17,000 Gift from University System of Georgia Foundation

Last week, Albany State University received a scholarship from the University System of Georgia Foundation (USGF) totaling more than $17,000 to help students with financial need for the upcoming school year.

“We are honored to have such dedicated partners who share our vision of providing exceptional educational opportunities for our students,” said Valerie Melton, vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation.

ASU says the USGF scholarship represents a commitment to student success.

-Allison Joyner

CHRIS 180 opens new counseling center in DeKalb focused on medication-assisted treatment to address rise in opioid-related disorders

CHRIS 180, an Atlanta-based trauma-informed behavioral health organization, has launched a new counseling center in DeKalb County focused on medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for patients with serious opioid disorders.

Treatment includes help for people addicted to painkillers, heroin, fentanyl and kratom. Mental health professionals have found that when MAT is administered quickly, withdrawal symptoms decrease more quickly and effectively.

The new counseling center, located at 3103 Clairmont Road, Suite B, was developed to address the increased danger of synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. This is a pilot for a program that could expand throughout metro Atlanta.

“The increased use of synthetic opioids highlights the need for treatment using medications, including buprenorphine (Suboxone), naloxone, and Vivitrol, which can treat these medication-related disorders,” said Laura Bowman, PhD, Director of Recovery Services at CHRIS 180 and Senior Physician. at the new advice center. “At CHRIS 180’s DeKalb Counseling Center, medication-assisted treatment is combined with in-person support to help manage behaviors and emotions related to substance abuse and addiction. »

-Derek Prall

True Colors Theater receives $75,000 grant from National Endowment for the Arts

Last month, True Colors Theater announced that it had received a $75,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support its new play development program “The Drinking Gourd, Black Writers At Work,” which aims to increase the number of plays produced that are written by black playwrights.

“Many aspects of our communities, such as cultural vitality, health and well-being, infrastructure and the economy, are advanced and improved through investments in art and design, and the National Endowment for the Arts is committed to ensuring that people across the country benefit. said Dr. Mario Rosario Jackson, President of the NEA.

The funds will be used to launch their pilot initiative by presenting readings of four new plays by regional theater companies in Houston, New York, Minneapolis, Memphis and Tennessee.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more dynamic group of authors to launch the project. »

said Jamile Jude, artistic director of True Colors Theater. “We hope to create a network of Black writers and theater companies that will serve as a long-term cohort to bring new plays by Black playwrights to the stage.”

For more information, click here.

-Allison Joyner

Spelman College Hosts “STEMinist” Black Beauty Intensive Lab

Spelman College is currently hosting its first Black Beauty STEMinist Lab Intensive in collaboration with the Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation.

The STEMinist Lab Intensive is a week-long program that aims to inspire Black women to pursue careers in the beauty and personal care industry. During this intensive period, up to 34 students from 14 colleges and universities will formulate candles, serums, clarifying shampoos, beauty products and fragrances in Spelman laboratories throughout the week.

For each product they create, students have the opportunity to characterize formulations and evaluate product stability. At the end of the intensive program, students will participate in a product development workshop that will guide them on how to take an idea from concept to market.

Through networking, education and conversations with industry leaders, the event highlights the knowledge and expertise that Black women bring to product development in the areas of beauty, personal care and well-being in order to address disparities in the sector.

-Derek Prall

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