Annie E. Casey Foundation CEO Lisa Lawson: Chamipon and change agent for the future of children
Why is the Annie E. Casey Foundation CEO and president so good at what she does? It’s simple - or at least she makes it look that way - she is innately adept and extraordinarily experienced in identifying and addressing issues for distressed populations. She has developed a razor-sharp understanding of the needs of young people and how to develop and hone strategies to address the challenges. In short, she is a champion. In an exclusive interview with the architect of Thrive by 25® — a groundbreaking effort
Julian Thomas to serve as Chief Information Technology Officer for Concessions International, LLC
Concessions International, LLC (CI) announces Julian Thomas will serve as its Chief Information Technology Officer, inclusive of serving in the same position for Russell Family Enterprises and all of the other entities that fall under it. Thomas will lead enterprise technology strategy, security, and systems alignment, while managing IT operations across the organization and helping advance secure, scalable solutions that support day-to-day operations and long-term growth. Thomas brings more than 20 years of information technology leadership experience, with a background spanning enterprise technology strategy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, infrastructure,
The Ke’nekt Founder Kiyomi Rollins Shares Insights on Atlanta’s Entrepreneurial Scene
New Partnership With Pittsburgh Yards Built on Aligned Missions Atlanta is widely regarded as fertile ground for business start-ups, supported by a robust ecosystem that actively champions minority- and women-owned enterprises. The region has become a destination for aspiring entrepreneurs and established small businesses seeking access to resources and innovative programs designed to combat financial inequities, build capacity, invest capital, and revitalize underserved communities. In an exclusive interview with Atlanta Daily World, Kiyomi Rollins, founder and CEO of The Ke’nekt Cooperative, shared insights into Atlanta’s entrepreneurial landscape—particularly the growing role
H.J. Russell Company and family: Key players in Atlanta’s grand plan
What do the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Georgia Dome, Turner Field, Phillips Arena, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. and the downtown Atlanta skyline have in common? They all, in one way or another, bare the DNA of Atlanta entrepreneur extraordinaire Herman J. Russell. Many of the structures referenced - along with scores of other highly crafted developments around the country - originated in a less elaborate but equally important building at 504
Morehouse School of Medicine names Gerald L. Hector EVP and CFO
Gerald L. Hector, CPA has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer for the highly esteemed Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. Hector also held similar positions in higher education at Cornell University, Ithaca College, Johnson C. Smith University, and Central Florida in Orlando. FL. His experiences span all aspects of higher education management that include treasurer, debt management, controller’s office, information technology, post award management, policy office, student accounts/bursar, facilities, grounds, business operations, auxiliary services, risk management, purchasing and procurement, legal, financial aid, campus safety, compliance,
Atlanta Executive Todd Greene Joins Excelsior University Board of Trustees
Excelsior’s governing body named the Work, Education, and Labor Division vice president and WorkRise Urban Institute executive director among its six new trustees. The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has named Atlanta resident Todd Greene, vice president of the Work, Education, and Labor Division (WELD) at the Urban Institute and executive director of WorkRise, among its six new trustees. The University's governing body, the board consists of individuals from across the country who are leaders in the fields of business, education, and government. In his role as a vice president of WELD at the Urban Institute, Greene leads a team of K–12, higher
Arden’s Garden Extends a Healthy Hand in Atlanta’s Black Communities
Arden’s Garden, Atlanta’s popular health food retailer, also known as the city’s first juice bar, is expanding its presence and high nutrition offerings into an economically diverse range of communities throughout metropolitan Atlanta. The 30-year-old company which began in founder Arden Zinn’s kitchen opened its 18th and 19th locations in Atlanta recently in the Cascade Heights area and in the heart of the Benteen Park neighborhood—right off Boulevard. Leslie Zinn, Arden’s Garden CEO and president said the company’s approach offsetting health and nutrition deficits in less affluent and
The Ke’nekt Founder Kiyomi Rollins Shares Insights on Southwest Atlanta’s Entrepreneurial Scene
New Partnership With Pittsburgh Yards Built on Aligned Missions Atlanta is widely regarded as fertile ground for business start-ups, supported by a robust ecosystem that actively champions minority- and women-owned enterprises. The region has become a destination for aspiring entrepreneurs and established small businesses seeking access to resources and innovative programs designed to combat financial inequities, build capacity, invest capital, and revitalize underserved communities. In an exclusive interview with Atlanta Daily World, Kiyomi Rollins, founder and CEO of The Ke’nekt Cooperative, shared insights into Atlanta’s entrepreneurial
Christa Stephens Expands Global ‘Amazon of Business Solutions’ for Entrepreneurs, Small Businesses and Nonprofits
TymFlo, a fast-growing, minority and woman-owned global business solutions company, is soon marking six years of helping entrepreneurs simplify operations, scale smarter, and save time with an all-in-one ecosystem of tech-powered services. Founded in 2020 at the height of the pandemic by Christa Stephens, TymFlo has rapidly become a go-to resource for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small businesses seeking streamlined, affordable, and innovative support. Designed as an “Amazon of Business Solutions,” TymFlo (“Tym” = Your time back. “Flo” = Systems that move without friction.) provides a comprehensive suite of services, ncluding
Atlanta’s Byron Amos Elected Second VP of National League of Cities’ Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials
District 3 Atlanta City Council member Byron Amos has been elected as the 2026 second vice president of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, a constituency group of the National League of Cities (NLC). The National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials serves as a forum for communication and networking among demographic municipal officials and their colleagues to share ideas and develop leadership experience. Council member Amos was elected in November at NLC’s 2025 City Summit conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. "I am profoundly honored and