2nd Annual

Westside Leaders Summit

The Westside: Owning Its Destiny

October 20

ONLINE
SUMMIT

2:00pm – 3:45pm

About The Summit

A year ago, many of you joined us in Atlanta to help create a community Dr. King would be proud to call home.

We convened foundation leaders from across the country to break bread next to the inspiring Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, explore Atlanta’s Historic Westside, meet local heroes, and help pioneer a model of compassionate community revitalization. Together we strove to create what Dr. King himself called the Beloved Community.

One year later and what a year it’s been. Our collective work – yours and ours – has never been more urgent and needed.

This year we gather digitally for a short and powerful Summit on community ownership. Our theme, “The Westside: Owning Its Destiny,” is a recognition that our own vision is only achievable when residents have agency and ownership in it.

We ask you to join us, reconnect, and reaffirm our efforts in creating a community Dr. King would be proud to call home.

Who is Already Confirmed?

Speakers

John Ahmann

President & CEO

Westside Future Fund

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

President Emerita

Spelman College and Chair of the Board, Westside Future Fund; NYT Best-Selling Author

Otis Rolley III

SVP

U.S. Equity and Economic Opportunity Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation

William F.L. Moses

Managing Director

Education Program, The Kresge Foundation

Antony Ressler

Co-Founder and Executive Chairman

Ares Management, and Principal Owner, Atlanta Hawks

Sylvia Russell

Retired President

AT&T Georgia and Board Director, Westside Future Fund

Lauren Koontz

CEO and President

YMCA of Metro Atlanta

Dr. Diamond M. Ford

Principal

Hollis Innovation Academy

Ebony Ford

Historic Westside Community Member and IT Analyst

GA Department of Early Care and Learning

Kat Cole

COO & President

FOCUS Brands

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

City of Atlanta

William H. Rogers, Jr.

President & COO

Truist

Agenda

Oct 20

2:00pm – Walk Sunset Ave. with Me

John Ahmann, President & CEO, Westside Future Fund

2:03pm – Welcome to Our City

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, City of Atlanta

2:06pm – The Westside: Owning Its Destiny

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President Emerita Spelman College & Chair of the Board, Westside Future Fund

2:10pm – The Women Who Lead Education (Video)

2:13pm – Ownership of Education

William F.L. Moses, Managing Director, Education Program, The Kresge Foundation
Dr. Diamond M. Ford, Principal, Hollis Innovation Academy
Lauren Koontz, CEO and President, YMCA of Metro Atlanta
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, President Emerita Spelman College and Chair of the Board, Westside Future Fund (moderator)

2:39pm – BREAK

2:44pm – Ownership of Home

Bill H. Rogers, Jr., President & COO, Truist
Otis Rolley III, SVP, U.S. Equity and Economic Opportunity Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation
Ebony Ford, Historic Westside Community Member and IT Analyst, GA Department of Early Care and Learning
Moderator: John Ahmann, President & CEO, Westside Future Fund

3:10pm – The Entrepreneurs Building Our Neighborhood (Video)

3:13pm – Ownership of Thriving Businesses

Antony Ressler, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Ares Management
Kat Cole, COO & President, FOCUS Brands
Rev. Winston Taylor, Historic Westside Community Member
Sylvia Russell, Retired President, AT&T Georgia and Board Director, Westside Future Fund (Moderator)

3:39pm – Our Road Ahead