High Museum of Art adds four new board members
The High Museum of Art appointed four new members to its 44-person board of directors, and each will serve a three-year term overseeing the Southeast’s largest museum for visual art.
Robin Delmer, Katie Johnson, Kelly Layton and Hassan K. Smith will serve as the new board members.
“They each bring a unique perspective and impressive leadership acumen to their roles,” High Museum Director Rand Suffolk said. “We look forward to their increased involvement as we build a stronger future for the museum.”
Delmer is co-founder and co-CEO of Monarch Private Capital, with 15 years of experience in tax-credit projects to preserve landmarks and renewable energy. He currently serves on the board of Solar Energy Industries Association, Live Thrive Atlanta, Litehouse Partners, Atlanta Urban League and Atlanta’s Westside Future Fund.
Katie Johnson has supported the high for decades, hosting WineMaker Dinners and serving as the fundraiser’s cochair. She serves as the board cochair for the Georgia Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Kelly Layton is a freelance graphic designer and Georgia native who serves on the advisory board of her alma mater University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.
Hassan K. Smith is an entertainment industry veteran, with two decades of experience on Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend’s management team. He serves on the board of directors for Youth Enrichment Services in Boston and is a member of the Black Trustee Alliance for Art Museums, Hirshhorn Museum Collector’s Council and 100 Black Men of Atlanta.
— Delaney Tarr
Kennesaw State University launching extended reality, AI research center
Kennesaw State University will launch its new Center for Cyber-Physical Realms, known as CYPHR, with a two-day event Sept. 9 and 10 on the school’s Marietta campus.
The center is designed to advance research in extended reality and artificial intelligence, focusing on how humans and machines interact. Using XR headsets, motion capture systems and AI software, researchers aim to develop training, safety and education tools with real-world applications.
Examples include virtual reality training for soldiers and first responders, AI-driven surgical simulations for medical students, and workforce training tools for industries facing skills shortages.
The launch will feature demonstrations, tours and keynote addresses from national technology leaders, including representatives from Lockheed Martin, NVIDIA, DARPA, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and Two Six Technologies.
— Derek Prall
Covenant House Georgia names co-chairs for 2025 Sleep Out
Covenant House Georgia has named three Atlanta business leaders as co-chairs for its 2025 Sleep Out fundraiser.
The annual event, set for Nov. 20, invites participants to spend one night outdoors to raise money and awareness for youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking.
This year’s co-chairs are David Yates, shareholder at Greenberg Traurig LLP; Elizabeth Burdette, partner at SignatureFD; and Marc Balizer, managing director at BlackRock Atlanta. The organization said the leaders will help expand awareness, increase corporate and individual participation, and support fundraising goals.
“We are thrilled to welcome David, Elizabeth, and Marc as co-chairs of this year’s Sleep Out,” Covenant House Georgia CEO Dr. Alieizoria Redd said in a statement. “Their leadership and commitment to our young people will help us shine a light on the realities of youth homelessness in our city and drive meaningful change.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward shelter, food, education, job training, mental health support and other services for young people.
Covenant House Georgia is part of a national network that provides housing and support for youth overcoming homelessness.
Details and registration for the event are available here.
— Derek Prall
City of South Fulton To Host 3rd Annual Azúcar Music Festival for Hispanic Heritage Month
The City of South Fulton will host the third annual Azúcar Music Festival on Sept. 20 at the Wolf Creek Amphitheater to mark National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The free event runs from 4:30 to 10 p.m. and will feature live performances, food, art and vendors celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture.
Performers include Tito Puente Jr., Jessy Diaz, Luis Alas and Pete Rodriguez. Festivalgoers can expect music ranging from salsa and Latin jazz to merengue and mambo. Hispanic-owned businesses will also be on site with food and cultural items.
The festival, inspired by the legacies of Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, is hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Linda Becquer Pritchett, a first-generation Cuban American and Cruz’s niece. “As a proud Afro Latina, I am excited to bring back the Azúcar Music Festival to the City of South Fulton which people have greatly enjoyed over the last few years,” Pritchett said in a statement.
Organizers say the festival aims to honor the diversity and influence of Hispanic communities and foster greater cultural understanding in South Fulton and beyond.
More information is available here.
— Derek Prall
Atlanta History Center strengthens leadership team ahead of centennial
The Atlanta History Center has named two executives to key leadership roles as it prepares to celebrate its centennial in 2026.
Sarah Fonder-Kristy has been appointed chief development officer, bringing more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She previously led philanthropic efforts at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, where she managed a $54 million capital campaign and oversaw annual fundraising of $34 million.
Pola Changnon, former general manager of Turner Classic Movies, was appointed last year as the center’s first chief content officer. In that role, she directs marketing, exhibitions, education, archives, gardens and digital storytelling, aiming to expand the institution’s reach and impact.
“As we approach our centennial anniversary, we’re investing in the future of Atlanta History Center,” President and CEO Sheffield Hale said in a statement. “Sarah brings deep expertise in building philanthropic partnerships, and Pola brings extraordinary experience in storytelling, content creation and brand strategy.”
The appointments expand the center’s leadership team as it positions itself for its next century as a cultural destination.
— Derek Prall
Decatur DDA allocates $200,000 for small business grants
The Decatur Downtown Development Authority has allocated an additional $200,000 to support three grant programs for local businesses.
The Commercial Facade Improvement Grant received $100,000 to help enhance storefronts and awnings, while $75,000 was directed to the Commercial Buildout Improvement Grant, which funds interior upgrades such as HVAC improvements and new construction. Another $25,000 was designated for the Marketing and Digital Connectivity Grant to help small businesses strengthen their online presence.
In the most recent funding round, 13 businesses received a combined $116,000. The grants cover up to 75% of eligible project costs, with awards ranging from $250 to $10,000 depending on the program. Applications for the next round will be accepted through Sept. 19.
DDA Chair Conor McNally said the programs remain in high demand as Decatur prepares for WatchFest26, which will feature free screenings of World Cup matches at Decatur Square next summer.
More information is available here.
— Derek Prall
Partnership for Southern Equity opens $3,000 mini grant applications
The Partnership for Southern Equity (PSE) announced that applications are open for two $3,000 youth-led transit equity mini-grant opportunities.
The program is a partnership between the PSE’s Just Youth Team and the Transit Center, aimed at youth between the ages of 16 to 24. The mini-grants are open to youth teams or groups and nonprofits partnered with or serving youth that are interested in education and advocacy work or creating digital materials advocating for better public transit, centered around their fellow youth counterparts.
Funds can be used as stipends for youth leaders, advocacy campaign funds, supplies, food, transportation costs and more.
Part of the program will have at least ten youth and adult allies attend two City Council Candidate Forums on Public Transit in late October.
A mandatory virtual info session will be held Sept. 9; the application deadline is Sept. 19. Awarded teams will be notified by Sept. 24 and kick off their grant activities Sept. 27, which will end Jan. 30, 2026.
— Mark Lannaman
U.N. Regional Centre Expertise Greater Atlanta hosts another year of student fellowship across Metro Atlanta higher education institutions
The United Nations Regional Centre Expertise Greater Atlanta (RCE Greater Atlanta) is hosting their SDG Futures Fellowship again this year.
The SDG Futures Fellowship places students in an eight-month leadership and professional development program centered around advancing the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The program is co-led by Georgia Institute of Technology and Kennesaw State University. Working alongside community partners alongside groups of other fellows, fellows gain experience in “local action projects aligned with the SDGs.” Additionally, fellows will build professional skills, receive mentorship, and expand their networks in the public, private and nonprofit sectors according to the RCE Greater Atlanta.
The RCE Greater Atlanta has 12 affiliated higher education institutions around Atlanta from where students are eligible to apply:
- Agnes Scott College
- Atlanta Metropolitan State College
- Clark Atlanta College
- Emory University
- Georgia Gwinnett College
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia State University
- Kennesaw State University
- Morehouse College
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Spelman College
- University of Georgia
The fellowship work will culminate with a final project presentation in April 2026, after which participants can earn microcredentials through Kennesaw State University’s Department of Global Education.
Applications close on Sunday, Sept. 7. Selected applicants will be notified the following week and kick off alongside their cohort peers in late September.
— Mark Lannaman
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