Destiny Motley, a Virginia native who moved to Atlanta’s Westside in 2019, is approaching her one-year milestone as a homeowner in December 2024. With the support of the Westside Future Fund, Motley has become the first in her family to own a home. In a remarkable five-year journey, she has transformed her life, going from unhoused to homeowner in Atlanta’s historic Westside community.
“I got introduced to Westside Future Fund through the At-Promise Center,” Motley said. “I met Ms. Tameka who works with the Westside Future Fund and she has helped so much.”
Motley says that Westside Future Fund made everything so easy for her through guidance and communication. The organization worked with her to make sure that she was on top of every form, deadline, and payment.
“Over $100,000 was taken care of, and all I had to come out of pocket was $1,500,” Motley said.
Before relocating to Atlanta to pursue her music career, Motley was a well-known artist in Richmond, Virginia. Without a place to stay, she was sleeping in her car for months after arriving to Atlanta.
During this time, Motley met Broderick Thompson Smith, the founder of Music Without Limits, a community-based education, mentoring, and music immersion program for at-risk youth and adolescents.
At the time, Smith was just starting the program and asked Motley to come on board as a writing teacher. Five years later, she’s the program director for an organization that has at least six centers.
Motley considers the English Avenue neighborhood as another family for her. She is extremely grateful for the support the community has given her. It’s the reason she jumped at a chance to be a homeowner in this community.
“Being in a community where everyone makes you feel like family is just a plus,” said Motley.
WFF’s mission to advance a compassionate approach to equitable revitalization is achieved through the support of our philanthropic partners. The organization has launched Our Next Chapter, a capital fundraising campaign to accelerate its ability to create affordable housing for legacy and future residents of the historic Westside and to restore these storied neighborhoods as part of the fabric of Atlanta. Become a part of Our Next Chapter.