Events

October 19, 2021

Net Impact Atlanta hosted a virtual fireside chat with Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim, Chief Equity Officer for the City of Atlanta. As Chief Equity Officer, Qaadirah and her team ensure equitable, open, and inclusive practices across all City departments, and operationalize the One Atlanta vision by acting as stewards, innovators, and partners who generate creative, forward-thinking policies, and programs that disrupt and evolve how the City governs.

Some of the plans to reach these goals include:

• • Supporting minority and women-owned businesses through the ATL Strong program, which channels $1 million in funding for the pandemic recovery and $15 million in associated investments.
  • Strategic partnerships to further support small businesses as well as families, food distribution, and rental assistance.
  • Policy-based solutions for equitable growth.
  • The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is purposely placed along with the Office of Resilience to foster cross-agency collaboration and address environmental justice.

Qaadirah highlighted many of the efforts that have been underway in the City of Atlanta. Some of these efforts include:

• • Codifying the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the City of Atlanta charter.
  • Established an Equity Task Force with sixteen (16) city commissioners for cross-agency efforts, such as working with the Department of Transportation on transportation equity issues.
  • Mandating all City of Atlanta employees to receive cultural training led by the City’s LGBTQ division.
  • Partnerships to weatherize homes on the south side to help improve energy efficiency and lower the cost burden.
  • Supporting Atlanta Youth Initiatives, including financial initiatives and hiring for summer jobs to help build financial resiliency.
  • Launching the Mayor’s Office of Violence Reduction (MOVR) and partnering with the Cure Violence program, which involves trusted community advisors to help reduce gun violence.

How can you get involved?

Partnerships are instrumental for the office to address the above areas and coordinate impactful efforts across the City. If you have ideas for partnerships, please email oneatlanta@atlantaga.gov

Learn more about Qaadirah’s work and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (credit: Emory Magazine, Spring 2021 issue)

July 20, 2021

Our webinar on July 20 featured Jerry Griffin, General Manager of Global Sustainability at Delta Air Lines. Environmental sustainability is core to Delta’s values-led culture, and the company is investing $1 billion over the next decade as part of its commitment to operating a carbon-neutral airline. Jerry shared three key focus areas for this commitment:

CARBON REDUCTION: CO2 emissions are the largest part of Delta’s environmental footprint. Delta is the only global airline to voluntarily cap emissions at 2012 levels. They are aiming to reduce carbon emissions by decreasing jet fuel consumption and enhancing the efficiency of flying. This involves collaborating with industry stakeholders to shorten flights and provide more direct routes. They are working to reduce carbon by using a more fuel-efficient fleet and new fuel technologies such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). SAF is an alternative to fossil fuel capable of reducing emissions by up to 80% during its full life cycle.

CARBON REMOVAL: Carbon removal involves investing in innovative projects and technologies to take carbon out of the atmosphere. Delta’s sustainability strategy includes increasing future investment in removing carbon by expanding its portfolio of carbon offsets.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT: Stakeholder engagement and support are fundamental to working towards environmental sustainability more broadly. Delta is engaging investors, customers, and employees to reduce its environmental footprint in various ways with strategic initiatives focused on single-use plastics, reduced waste, optimized recycling, airport air quality, electric ground vehicles, and renewable energy procurement.

To learn more about Delta’s sustainability strategy and key initiatives, check out their latest Environmental Social Governance (ESG) report: DL 2020 ESG Report

May 18, 2021

Our webinar on May 18 featured Janice Robinson, Executive Director of United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP). VIP is a 28-year-old training program that provides diverse community members and leaders the tools and best practices to become effective board members of local nonprofit boards. Training is offered five times per year and 75% of alumni have made the decision to serve on nonprofit boards.

Janice shared ways in which VIP prepares participants for nonprofit board service as well as the pros and cons to consider before joining a board. Effective board members must hold the organization’s mission in high regard, faithfully execute the board duties, and make strategic decisions that support the organization’s overall well-being. Prior to joining a board, you should prepare by doing your research to identify various types of nonprofits that support causes you’re passionate about. Next, enrolling in a training program such as VIP can be invaluable for preparing yourself for board service.

Board leadership offers opportunities to enhance and master skills such as team leadership, managing budgets, fundraising, and learning to think like a CEO. Some of the pros and cons to consider before joining a board include:

Pros: Professional development, strengthening community, expanding your network, developing leadership skills, and personal satisfaction and fulfillment

Cons: Time commitment, financial commitment, risk, conflict of interest, board and/or organizational mismatch

VIP does not require participants to have prior board experience. The program is open to the following types of participants:

• • Community leaders who have never served on a board and ready to take the next step
  • Current board members who have never received training
  • Nonprofit Executive Directors who desire clarity on board/staff engagement
  • Community leaders who would like to create their own nonprofit

Learn more about United Way VIP and how to enroll

March 24, 2021

Our webinar on March 24 featured two presenters from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Beth  Ament, Associate Director or Transformation & Development, and Suzanne Haerther, Project Manager in Georgia, Arkansas, Oklahoma communities. USBGBC is focused on changing the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated to give people better, healthier places to live and work. USGBC is best known for its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program, a certification process for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green building.

Some of USGBC’s key priorities which help put their commitment to equity into action include the following:

• • Expanding scholarships, grants, and other funding to support members of underserved communities as part of the All in Equity Strategy.
  • Making LEED more accessible through the Arc for All program that enables underserved and underrepresented communities to participate.
  • Establishing a USGBC equity scholar program in partnership with colleges and universities for students from underserved communities.
  • Evolving equity strategies in LEED to prioritize equity in credit intents and requirements and create new pilot credits to fill gaps.
  • Evolving equity strategies in the GBCI rating systems to encourage projects to adopt equity strategies.
  • Convening education sessions to listen to those who have experienced inequity & conduct research to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
  • Supporting lifelong learning, such as resources for K-12 educators through the Learning Lab.
  • Raising the standard of living for all to create a more inclusive USGBC community.

Learn more about USGBC Georgia and support their activities

November 17, 2020

For our Technology & Social Impact webinar on November 17, we heard from Andre Dickens, Vice President of Development at TechBridge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that arms other nonprofits on the frontline of alleviating the causes of poverty with technology. TechBridge serves as a social enterprise, offering technology tools and support that specifically address the needs of nonprofit organizations, which in turn help to build capacity to deliver better services to the communities they serve.

Andre highlighted 3 key areas of their work and outreach:

Nonprofit Services: Experience and expertise in all aspects of technology, with a full suite of services from strategy to delivery and everything in between. They monitor the latest innovations, insights, and best practices in technology and how to best connect them with the needs of nonprofit customers.

Technology Career Program: The TechBridge Technology Career Program in partnership with Goodwill of North Georgia is a free, part time 16-week technology and business education program designed to prepare unemployed or underemployed adults for a career in the growing technology job market.

“Dream Big” Technology Grant: The Dream Big Technology Grant is designed to help nonprofits apply creative technology solutions to their organizations. This is one of the few grant opportunities focus on nonprofits getting and using software technologies (plus IT hours) to help fulfill their missions.

Andre Dickens is a city councilman, businessman, nonprofit executive, engineer, speaker, deacon, father, and native Atlantan. His career follows his passions, and his impact follows his commitment. 

Learn more about TechBridge

October 20, 2020

Our webinar on October 20 featured Zeb McLaurin, Sustainability Director for Goodr, Inc., an Atlanta based sustainable food waste organization that leverages technology to address the surplus food supply chain challenge. Goodr’s business model provides a triple-win solution by providing services in 3 areas:

Reducing Waste: Food recovery service diverts surplus food from landfills

Money savings: Technology platform allows businesses to claim tax deductions for donated surplus inventory

Community empowerment: Businesses are able to donate surplus edible food to their neighbors in need

Goodr also collects organic materials to be recycled as part of its Organics Recycling program for an environmentally-friendly option to dispose non-edible food waste. You can learn more about their carbon footprint via Goodr’s platform that tracks the collection and distribution of organic waste metrics. Check out a 2-minute video that recaps their work

During the Q&A, we also learned about Zeb’s pathway to his role as a Sustainability Director. He has a background in finance, but it was his passion for sustainability that drove his career and to making an impact at Goodr and beyond.

To learn more about Goodr and how you can support them in their fight against hunger and food waste, visit www.goodr.co

September 14, 2020

Our webinar on September 14 featured Andrea Pinabell, President of Southface Institute. Southface is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta that is a leader in sustainable advocacy, building, planning and operations. Southface has been a champion for polices, research and programs that drive clean energy, regenerative design and high-performance codes, along with inclusive communities and the efficient, sustainable and healthy operations of existing buildings. 

Andrea recommended the following actions to reduce your carbon footprint:

• • Compost to divert waste from landfills and reduce carbon emissions
  • Reduce water waste, e.g. install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators
  • Reduce phantom energy, e.g. unplug items you’re not using
  • Change HVAC filters regularly
  • Replace appliances with energy-saving models
  • Use LED bulbs
  • Raise thermostat temperature & weatherize
  • Invest in a pressure cooker (e.g. Instapot), which enables faster cook times at lower energy use

Learn more about Southface

RESOURCES TO CHECK OUT

Interested in how you can continue to make a positive impact on the environment? Visit the following sites for more information.

Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM): Recycling drop-off site that diverts thousands of pounds of hard to recycle items from Metro-Atlanta landfills and water systems. 

Compost Now: Offering composting services for homes and workplaces. 

LifeCycle Building Center: Recapturing building materials from the waste stream and directing them back into the community through reuse.

Georgia Power Homeowner Rebates: Rebates on LED lights, new attic insulation, upgraded water heaters and more, plus free energy improvements for income-qualified seniors.

Solarize Programs: A community-based solar photovoltaic (PV) group-purchasing program.

Environmental Working Group: Well-curated information on household and personal care product toxicity.

August 12, 2020

On August 12, ten people logged on bright and early for a virtual coffee chat on the parallel paths of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

CSR and DEI often run parallel, but they don’t always intersect. The discussion included examples of where CSR and DEI do intersect. 

Certification efforts: The JUST label was mentioned by several people as an example of how companies are assessing their progress to social and environmental justice, and is an opportunity for staff to work together to bring these areas into the same space. 

Employee engagement and volunteerism: Some companies have volunteer days for staff and this can be an opportunity to raise awareness among staff about the challenges communities face. Corporate Volunteers Council has been working with companies in Atlanta to ensure these efforts are strategic and effective. 

Board / Council involvement: Serving on a council/committee within your own company or on a board of a nonprofit group is an opportunity to bridge CSR and DEI. 

Be intentional: To be effective in social and environmental change, you need to be resilient, strategic and be able to connect the dots to gain momentum. If your company or organization does not have a sustainability group, start one. Even a company or organization with existing resources for CSR and DEI need to continually connect the dots and keep gaining momentum. 

Use multiple approaches: For example, helping employees to become more aware of their own biases can come through training and through conversations with other staff. Different approaches sometimes organically wind up under an umbrella that includes both CSR and DEI. 

Do a lot of stakeholder engagement: Different from shareholder engagement, stakeholder engagement is focused on anybody that is impacted by the decision. Learning and understanding your stakeholders can help build a more inclusive, holistic initiative.

July 16, 2020

Our webinar on July 16 featured Laura Rogers, Director of Strategic Partnerships at The Ray with a discussion on how partnerships are paving the way for sustainable infrastructure. The Ray was founded by Harriet Langford, the daughter of the one and only Ray Anderson, the founder of Interface and corporate sustainability pioneer.

In 2014, Harriet worked with the State of Georgia to designate a section of the I-85 highway near the Alabama border as a memorial of her father, and realized that a tribute to her father also means rethinking the status quo. As a result, she founded The Ray to work towards a zero carbon, zero waste and zero death highway. Keeping true to Ray’s vision, the nonprofit organization is using public, private, philanthropic partnerships (P4) approaches to transform The Ray into publicly-accessible living laboratory for sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Given that highways are a systemic challenge, P4 can help to shift risk away from the public entity while still addressing public interests. Laura outlined a variety of projects that are using this model, such as photovoltaic for electric vehicle (PV4EV) charging stations, tire safety stations to improve energy efficiency and vehicle safety, rubberized asphalts using recycled tires, solar paved road, and much more.

A few key takeaways:

• • P4 approaches take collaboration to another level and provide the leverage needed for complex, systemic challenges.
  • Imagine BIG! How can roads be designed and built to go from cradle to cradle? That is, how do we construct roads that can be broken back into the ground safely at the end of their lifecycle? The Ray’s projects are playing a role in helping to answer these questions.
  • The path to zero waste must be tackled from many fronts. Improve vehicle efficiency to reduce carbon emissions. Reuse and recycle materials that also produce high-quality roads. Grow plants along the highway that encourage pollination and can produce raw goods that are sustainable and low-impact.

The Ray is doing amazing work and you owe it to yourself to check out and support this fantastic group based in Atlanta. Check out their website to learn more and find out how you can follow their work at https://theray.org. You won’t be disappointed.

May 27, 2020

We held a virtual event on May 27 with Laura Flusche, Executive Director of the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) on the impact of design on changing the world. Laura’s knack for storytelling shined through – we learned about her career path, we heard about how she became involved with MODA, and we learned about MODA’s exhibits that encourage social and environmental change.

A few key takeaways:

• • Like many people, Laura’s career path has not been linear. As an archaeologist by training, Laura has worked in academia, lived and worked abroad and now leads a forward-thinking museum that inspires many people.
  • Never underestimate where volunteering can take you. Laura started as a volunteer at MODA and worked her way up from there.
  • Design is an avenue to spark change. An example is MODA’s exhibit featuring Luba Lukova’s designing justice posters and interactive exhibits that illustrate how people identify and relate to one another. 
  • 2020 is The Year of Climate & Change at MODA that features how designers are finding sustainable solutions and includes learning about biomimicry and other ideas drawn from nature. 
  • Given that COVID-19 has affected museum visits, MODA has adapted to offer educational tools such as online courses for professional development on design thinking, design for non-designers, and virtual visits for present and past exhibits.