The Scoop
March 4, 2021
SOCIAL ADVOCACY/NONPROFIT/COVID-19 RELIEF
More Than A Vote to fight voter suppression during All-Star Weekend (AJC) More Than A Vote, a voting rights organization started by LeBron James is partnering with the NBA, the NBA Players Association and the state chapter of the NAACP to draw attention to attempts in Georgia and other battleground states to roll back voting rights.
Giving Kitchen supporting food service workers during the pandemic (AJC) Giving Kitchen provides a financial assistance program that supplements cost of living for those in the food service industry experiencing illness, injury, death of an immediate family member or a housing disaster like a flood or fire. The nonprofit has seen a tremendous increase in individual donations over the past year, and they were able to assist nearly 2,500 food service workers in 2020.
JEWISH COMMUNITY
KSU announces Michael J. Coles and Donna N. Coles Veteran Scholarship (Atlanta Jewish Connector) Michael Coles and Donna Coles announced a donation to Kennesaw State University in order to establish a scholarship endowment benefitting veterans of the armed forces. This gift is just the next chapter in a longstanding relationship between Coles and Kennesaw State University, which began in 1990 when the Great American Cookie Company founder, Michael Coles joined the institution’s board of trustees.
HOSPITALITY / FOOD & BEVERAGE
Atlanta chefs team up for International Womens' Day (AJC) Let’s Talk Atlanta, a group of female-owned metro Atlanta restaurants and businesses will join eight other cities to offer a “Dine Together & Let’s Talk” virtual event on March 8. A Zoom conversation with the Let’s Talk Atlanta participants will touch on the challenges facing women in the culinary industry. The virtual event will feature dishes from Let’s Talk Atlanta restaurants, gifts from local Beautiful, Briny Sea and a bottle of red or white wine from 3Parks Wine. Order tickets by March 4 at exploretock.com/letstalkatlanta.
REAL ESTATE / BUSINESS
Nonprofit focused on minority-owned firms receives $3.5 million donation (Atlanta Business Chronicle) Atlanta-based Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs received $3.5 million from Wells Fargo's Open for Business Fund. This is the largest corporate donation in the nonprofit’s history, and they will use the funding to support the small businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Airbnb chooses T. Dallas Smith & Co. in search for new Atlanta tech hub (Atlanta Business Chronicle) The short-term rental giant has selected commercial real estate firm, T. Dallas Smith & Co. to find a location for its new Atlanta technology hub. Airbnb plans to open an office in Atlanta by the end of the year and build its team while it searches for the home of its new tech hub.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Georgia Tech Arts launches performing arts series (AJC) Live performances return to the Georgia Tech campus at their Ferst Center for the Arts with the Skyline Series. Opening March 26 and running through May 18, the series will offer performances that range from live music to contemporary dance, featuring Georgia Tech groups, some of Atlanta’s most prominent dance troupes and internationally noted artists from outside of Georgia.
Immersive Van Gogh experience comes to Atlanta (AJC) Atlanta’s version of “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” will be staged at the Pullman Yard. The immersive experience invites viewers to be surrounded by two-story animated projections of Van Gogh’s well-known paintings accompanied by music. The experience opens May 19 and continues through the end of 2021. Tickets can be purchased online at vangoghexpo.com/atlanta.
