Join us on Wednesday, September 20 between 2:00 and 4:15pm to hear learnings from Atlanta-centric speakers on topics that help set the foundation for not only the city hosting us, but themes and topics all communicators can benefit from. These sessions are first-come, first-served, no signup required.
Collaborative Funding for Climate & Equity: Success Stories and Lessons Learned
Climate change is one of the most critical, social, environmental, and economic challenges of our day. Drawdown Georgia realized the impact climate had on disinvested communities of color and wanted to change that. Learn how a group of previously unrelated funders, with varying levels of experience in funding climate and/or equity causes worked to establish the Climate Solutions & Equity Grants, which are committed to fund projects that apply, grow or scale climate solutions, and prioritize equity in previously disinvested communities of color in Georgia.
John A. Lanier, Executive Director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, and a founding member of Drawdown Georgia
Valerie W. Bennett, Communications Director for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation
Putting the ‘Community’ in Communications in Atlanta
Atlanta is a city of neighborhoods, and a place where tremendous economic growth often excludes African-American neighborhoods and other communities of color. But it is also a city of vibrant grassroots organizations communicating for change by engaging resident partners and young people with life experience. This session will feature a discussion with communicators from several local organizations who will share insights about social issues in Atlanta and what they’ve learned about using community-based communications strategies.
Panelists
Allison Carpenter, Communications Manager, CareerRise
Skye Ray, Communications Manager, Partnership for Southern Equity
Raven Thrower, Marketing and Brand Manager, Our Village United
Moderator
Kate Shatzkin, Associate Director, Strategic Communications, The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Where We Thrive: Communicating About Resident-Centered Neighborhood Revitalization
Every neighborhood can be a pathway to opportunity and prosperity for the people who call it home. Where We Thrive is a narrative project that navigates place-based field advocates through the why, how, and what of resident-centered neighborhood revitalization. It includes strategies for addressing historical and present-day harms to communities while uplifting and affirming people, place, and race. Purpose Built Communities Foundation and its Atlanta-based Network Members East Lake Foundation and Focused Community Strategies will join the conversation to share how community-based organizations can - and should - create stories that authentically put neighbors at the center, affirm who they are, and not as the sum of what has happened to them.
Panelists
Catherine Woodling, Chief Operating Officer, East Lake Foundation
Shawn Duncan, Director of Training and Consulting, The Lupton Center at Focused Community Strategies
Moderator
April Callen, Director, Racial Equity Programs and Narrative Strategy, Purpose Built Communities
Telling the story of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights as it evolves for its next decade
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights was founded to help people tap their power to change the world for good. Our immersive experiences and programs link the history of the U.S. civil rights movement with today's global human rights struggle and equip folks with the tools they need to ensure rights are respected. As The Center approaches its tenth anniversary in 2024, executives will reflect on the story of the museum's creation and how we tell the story of our next chapter -- expanding into an educational and cultural institution that inspires people to generate meaningful action to protect human rights and address persistent challenges to democracy, the environment, racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and more.
Jill Savitt, CEO and President, National Center for Civil and Human Rights
James Richards, Director of Communications, National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Building Capital B Atlanta: A Nonprofit Newsroom for the Black Community
Capital B is a first of its kind local-national news organization focused on Black audiences with our first local newsroom in Atlanta. During our panel we will discuss why Capital B chose Atlanta as its first newsroom—what we feel we add to the news ecosystem, big stories and beats we are pursuing, and what we’re keeping our eye on in Atlanta. You’ll learn about our unique, community-listening practice—the backbone of our local newsrooms—and how it bolsters trust from our audience and enriches our reporting. Join us to hear more about the choice to pursue a nonprofit news model and its significance for local communities, highlighting how it fits our mission-driven goals and sustains valuable community-driven journalism.
Panelists
Simone Sebastian, Editorial Director, Capital B News
Ann Hill Bond, Community Engagement Editor, Capital B News
Sydney Sims, Community Engagement Reporter, Capital B News
Moderator
Jahmaiah Dones, Development Director, Capital B News
What’s Your Story?
Join seasoned public relations (PR) professionals Lon Walls and Lydia Sermons and veteran journalist and national news editor Sonya Ross for a thoughtful and informative session on navigating the working relationship between public relations professionals and journalists. From story development and pitching to what’s news and not news in the eyes of the media – you’ll learn about strategies, tactical, practical tips and advice from their perspective. The presenters will also share keys to their success and offer advice on navigating careers in the communication and media sectors, given their experiences working in high visibility spaces from The White House and Capitol Hill to mayoral offices, corporations, national organizations and national media outlets.
Panelists
Sonya Ross, Founder and Editor in Chief, Black Women Unmuted
Lon Walls, President and CEO, Walls & Associates
Moderator
Lydia Sermons, Vice President, Strategic Communications, Spelman College