Reverend Leroy Wright has always known there was a spiritual calling on his life. While he did not officially join the clergy until his forties, he has been in service to the community, and the historic Westside, throughout his life.

Originally from Savannah, Rev. Wright moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College where he studied business administration and psychology. During his time as a student, he began to learn about Civil Rights protests taking place around the community, as professors and students organized to speak out against systemic racism against Black people. Rev. Wright was looking for job opportunities when he saw a notice that the Atlanta Police Department was hiring.

“A lot of us at Morehouse were first-generation college graduates; we didn’t have any money and we needed a job,” said Rev. Wright. “This was after the race riots [The 1967 Atlanta riots]. There was so much damage done to our communities and the Jewish businesses that provided credit and support to our neighborhoods.”

Rev. Wright officially joined the department in 1969 with the crime prevention unit focused on community service. After a few months, he was one of three Black men the department sent to the police academy and later became part of the riot control task force and various foot beats. He was also assigned to be a patrol wagon driver transporting people to jail. His last foot beat, with the force, was Vine and Magnolia.

During his time as an officer, he experienced discrimination from white policemen within the department. “I remember my superiors saying, ‘Boy what are you doing here?’” when I went to use the telephone in the squad room after my shift was over,” recalls Wright.

Looking to create change to the conditions for Black officers, he became part of the early effort to form the Afro-American Patrolman League, which helped bring equality in hiring, promotions, assignments, and working conditions for Black people within the Atlanta Police Department. After the creation of the Afro-American Patrolman League, he was drafted into the military and served as a Military Police Officer in the Army stationed in Fort Collins, Colorado for two years.

Following his military service, Rev. Wright went back to APD hoping to return to the force but found that his involvement with the Afro-American Patrolman League meant he would be blackballed from automatically rejoining the department. When he returned to Atlanta’s Westside, he was shocked by how much the neighborhood had declined in just a few years.

“It had changed – so much [of the neighborhood] had died. Vine and Magnolia used to be jumping – it used to have clubs, stores, a beauty shop, cab stand, Joe’s BBQ, and Rainbow drive in,” said Rev. Wright.

In the height of the 50’s and 60’s the historic Westside was home to nearly 50,000 residents. Today, after decades of disinvestment and depopulation, the current community size is 16,000.

Rev. Wright eventually took a job with Atlantic Building Systems, a division of Atlantic Steel, becoming the first Black person they hired to be on staff. He spent the next few decades of his life working as a businessman and entrepreneur.

It would be years later when the spiritual calling on his life would finally be answered. Rev. Wright and his family were attending Sunday service at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in East Point when the pastor, Rev. Earl L. Calloway called him to the pulpit. Rev. Wright obliged, unsure of the pastor’s true request. The following Sunday he returned to the church, again sitting in the pew with his family when he was once again called to the pulpit by the senior pastor.

“He said ‘Roy, didn’t I tell you to come up here? I’m not going to tell you anymore,’ recalls Rev. Wright. “And that was the beginning of my pastoral journey. I said to myself if I am going to be in the pulpit then I need some theology education.” Rev. Wright attended the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) completing his master’s degree and later his doctorate in theology.

After serving for several years as part of church leadership at St. Stephen, Rev. Wright became the head pastor of First Thessalonian Missionary Baptist Church in 2011. The church was formed in June 1957 – it was originally a prayer band led by Rev. W. H. Waldon Jr. in his home. Later that year the band formed into a Mission and when it outgrew the apartment of the Rev. Waldon Jr. the members agreed to organize a church. Its first physical location opened in 1958 at 928 West Fair Street. It has been at its current location at 637 Joseph E. Boone Blvd for nearly 57 years. Today, the church’s congregation is made up of thirty-five members, many of whom no longer live in the historic Westside but still feel connected to their church home. The church has had several outreach efforts for the community including an annual block party. They also feed the community every 4^th Saturday in partnership with St. Stephens MBC.

Westside Future Fund is grateful to Rev. Wright and all the community leaders and legacy residents who are a critical part of the vibrant history and future of the historic Westside. If you are interested in supporting the First Thessalonian and its community outreach efforts, please contact Rev. Wright via email at ftmbc@1thes.com.

In 2023, Westside Future Fund’s Volunteer Corps went hands-on in our mission to revitalize the Historic Westside. With 2,270 dedicated volunteers contributing a staggering 6,810 hours of service, their commitment translated into a remarkable $216,558 in value of volunteer hours invested into the community.

This tremendous impact was made possible thanks to special events, community events, and corporate events that united our community behind a common cause to transform the Westside into a community Dr. King would be proud to call home.

“Volunteers have made a huge impact on the Westside. Their contribution of their time and energy have helped to change the quality of life for our community. I can see the difference their efforts have made,” said Raquel Hudson, Volunteer Director for Westside Future Fund.

The year of meaningful service kicked off with the MLK Day of Service last January as volunteers paid tribute to the Westside’s own Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in nearly a dozen service projects throughout the Westside community. Weeks later, the Earth Day Community Clean-Up saw volunteers uniting to beautify streets, parks, and public spaces, removing tons of litter and fostering a cleaner, healthier neighborhood.

The second annual “Ride for the Westside” in September not only promoted health and fitness, but also raised essential awareness and funds for community projects, demonstrating the strength of collective action as cyclists, runners, walkers, and volunteers joined together to rally behind our mission.

In the spirit of the holidays, the WFF Volunteer Corps came together in support of children and families of the historic Westside. In November, the Thanksgiving Meal Delivery program in partnership with Hudson Grille provided meals to 262 households supporting a total of 838 individuals in need. In the days leading up to Christmas, WFF’s Holiday Gift Giving event distributed toys to 220 youth, bringing joy and good tidings to homes throughout our community.

“WFF’s volunteer program is more than just volunteers. WFF’s commitment to the communities it serves is constant. The impact to our community has been invaluable,” said Annie Moore, leader of the local Friends of the Park serving Lindsey Street Park and Kathryn Johnston Memorial Park.

The impact of the Volunteer Corp wasn’t limited to special events – the program regularly engaged community volunteers in an additional 20 events throughout the year. Bingo at the senior center, field days at schools, and fall festivals brought the community together, fostering connections and providing moments of joy for all ages. Monthly community clean-ups were a highlight, with volunteers filling a remarkable 30 30-yard dumpsters with trash. In total, 90 tons – 198,416 pounds – of waste were removed, revitalizing entire blocks and vacant lots while contributing to a cleaner, safer environment for Westside residents. 

The WFF’s Volunteer Corp received tremendous support from 18 corporate sponsors who held a total of 20 volunteer events in partnership with the organization through 2023. These corporate events were not just about financial support – they symbolized a collaborative effort between the private sector and the community, demonstrating that positive change is achievable when various stakeholders come together with a shared vision. Thank you to those who joined and offered their time for the betterment of our community: 

AT&T
Chick-fil-A
Cognizant
Dematic
Equifax
FirstKey Homes
GA Power
Grant Thornton
Hudson Grille
NCR
Novelis
PNC
PwC
The Coca-Cola Company
The Home Depot Foundation
Warner Media
WM Events
Workday Atlanta

The WFF Volunteer Corps made 2023 a year to remember, leaving an indelible mark on the historic Westside community. Through their dedicated efforts, they demonstrated the power of collective action and the transformative impact of volunteerism. 

2024 is only just beginning, but it’s looking to be a record year for the program, and we could use your help. Visit www.westsidefuturefund.org/volunteer today to view upcoming volunteer opportunities and get involved today.

Raymond Hill has been a resident of the historic Westside for decades. He and his family, including his mother and siblings lived in the area for many years during his youth. When Hill became a father with a family of his own, he remained in the neighborhood while raising his children. Over the last three decades, Hill resided at the apartment complex on Oliver Street, which over the years fell into decline and ultimately became an unsafe dwelling for its tenants.  Last year, Hill, who lives with a disability, learned that the apartment complex had been sold to Westside Future Fund (WFF).  Preparing for his move, Hill says he searched Atlanta looking for affordable apartments.

“At the first of the year I went looking for apartments and I must have covered all of Northwest, Southwest and Northeast Atlanta,” said Hill. “I couldn’t find a place in my budget. God sent an angel, that was Westside Future Fund, came to me and said you had a place for me that was right around the corner .”

Hill learned of  WFF’s Home on the Westside program and later moved into a new multifamily property — 400 Paines Ave, which opened in the winter of 2023. The apartment includes six units including a mix of 1 and 2 bedrooms and an ADA accessible unit. It is also located near Kathryn Johnston Memorial Park; developing high-quality affordable housing near greenspace has been a key part of WFF’s land acquistion strategy. Hill says he’s grateful to the organization for helping him find a home in the community he loves.

“In my new apartment it’s like I’m in the Jetsons or the future and I just left prehistoric times,” said Hill. “I can’t thank the Westside Future Fund enough — I’m grateful.”

400 Paines Avenue is one of three multifamily properties WFF opened last year in the English Avenue neighborhood.  The 21 new high-quality affordable housing units are in addition to WFF’s existing portfolio of 181 units and represent over $30 million worth of investment in multifamily projects completed, and underway. Each of the newly opened multifamily properties are fully rehabbed existing buildings. The building sites were previously blighted and vacant. They have been renovated instead of torn down to preserve the historic character of the community.  Rents for these apartments will serve people at 60 percent area median income (AMI) or less, and all of the projects will feature Homeflex project-based rental assistance from Atlanta Housing.

WFF is currently developing an additional 104 high-quality, affordable housing units, in both new construction projects and substantial project rehabs, throughout its service footprint.

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.

Westside Future Fund (WFF) has released our 2023 Impact Report, unveiling a wealth of organizational achievements through the calendar year as the organization pushes forward into Our Next Chapter for the historic Westside. We’re excited to share our progress in making our vision a reality. 

Building Community with Transform Westside Summits

We welcomed hundreds of attendees from throughout Atlanta to the Gathering Spot last year as we united once a month for a moment of congregation and unity for the Westside. The signature gathering featured local and national leaders including: T. Dallas Smith, Founder & CEO of T. Dallas Smith & Company and WFF 2024 Board Chair; Roz Brewer, former CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance and former Chair of Spelman College Board of Trustees; and Angel Cabrera, President of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

New Places to Call Home

WFF made tremendous strides in its commitment to create and maintain affordable housing for legacy residents and individuals with live, work, and learn connections to the historic Westside. Three new multifamily developments were opened in English Avenue, creating 21 high-quality 1- and 2-bedroom units. WFF also celebrated closings on 10 single-family homes in the community, transforming blighted properties into long-term residences. We continued to support longtime residents of the community through the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund, providing $125,000 in critical assistance to those challenged by surging property taxes. 

As the year came to a close, WFF broke ground on a development project at 839 Joseph E. Boone Blvd which will bring 33 new multifamily units and 1,200 square feet of retail space in a highly-trafficked corridor of the community adjacent to Rodney Cook Sr. Park. Proximity to greenspace is a sought-after quality and focus of the WFF real estate acquisition team as they work to create higher levels of walkability and park access throughout the neighborhood.

Building Community at 970 Jefferson

Throughout 2023, WFF focused on activating the 970 Jefferson headquarters in partnership with Food Well Alliance as a community center adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline connector that brings like-missioned organizations together for collaborative planning and service delivery. The effort brought together people from across the community for events including Giving Tuesday and the second annual Ride for the Westside, which doubled its attendance since its inaugural year prior. 

Hands on Impact

The WFF Volunteer Corps united corporate groups, individuals, and residents with opportunities to get hands-on helping the Westside. From monthly Community Clean-Ups to annual events, our Volunteer Corps showed up for the community. The effort engaged 2,270 volunteers acrossr nearly 50 events, providing $216,558 worth of value invested into the community through volunteer hours. 

Launching Our Next Chapter

The Our Next Chapter capital campaign kicked off at The Coca-Cola Company headquarters in August 2023, hosted by John Murphy, President and CFO of The Coca-Cola Company. The $55 million campaign goal will enable WFF to activate another $45 million from its Impact Fund in addition to $10 million in public grants for strategic land acquisitions to fulfill its quality affordable housing targets by 2028. This investment will have impact for generations—one of economic mobility and neighborhood health and stability.

See the Numbers

To learn more, view the 2023 Impact Report: Making The Vision Reality here.

Westside residents, community members, and business leaders attended the February 16 Transform Westside Summit to hear from Venessa Harrison, AT&T’s Coastal States President, and the pivotal role of corporate partnerships, particularly with AT&T, in driving neighborhood restoration efforts.  

Dr. Kimberley Hundley, Behavioral Health Specialist, House of Cherith and Home on the Westside homeowner led the devotion.  John Ahmann, Westside Future Fund President and CEO, moderated the discussion.

Key Moments from the Conversation

A video showcased AT&T’s initiative to distribute 500 laptops to Westside students, bridging the digital divide and providing vital resources for education and connectivity. The emotional impact on families and students was evident, with expressions of gratitude and excitement at the opportunity for enhanced learning and independence. A panel discussion featuring Venessa Harrison, Robert Williams, M. Agnes Jones Elementary School Principal, and Larrie King, a parent of a student who received a laptop, provided further insights. 

Harrison has worked at AT&T for more than 40 years and currently leads the company’s strategy, policy, and corporate affairs activities, as well as guides governmental and community policy decisions in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. During the discussion, she emphasized the company’s commitment to closing the digital divide through continued collaboration and investment in infrastructure and educational initiatives. 

“I grew up in low-income housing projects. And this community [the historic Westside] reminds me of my community. So I felt like I was giving back using AT&T’s resources to be able to make an impact in the community,” said Harrison. “I believe that affordable housing and internet access are two of the most critical things that you need. You can’t close the digital divide if you don’t have a home for our people to live in.” 

Principal Williams highlighted the transformative impact of technology on student learning, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with industry experts to enhance educational experiences.

“It’s been overwhelmingly positive from our students, as well as our families when we look at the opportunity to be able to access a variety of different apps and create their own timeline at their own pace,” said Williams. “The students can extend their learning at home, and they’re really able to explore all their different interests and know that there are really limitless opportunities out there that are now available to our families.”

Larrie King shared her family’s experience with receiving a tablet, emphasizing its positive impact on her daughter’s self-esteem and academic independence. 

“When she came home and let us know she won a laptop, you just saw the excitement in her eyes, and it built her self-esteem up,” said King. “It gave her that independence at home, where before she and her brother were working on two different assignments with access to only one device. She’s now able to access apps she uses at school at home so she can work independently on her own time.” 

Collaboration emerged as a central theme, with panelists expressing appreciation for Dan Cathy’s advocacy and emphasizing the importance of ongoing community engagement and networking. The Summit concluded with a call for continued collaboration and gratitude for the transformative efforts underway in the Westside community.

Miss the event? Watch the full Transform Westside Summit on YouTube.

Westside Future Fund (WFF) was honored to host former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary and Mayor of San Antonio Henry Cisneros, and a delegation from San Antonio, including ESTAR West, at WFF’s headquarters earlier this year. The delegation included 35 leaders from the Westside of San Antonio, across industries including education, neighborhood groups, city government, economic development, and housing development.

The group came to Atlanta to hear from City of Atlanta officials, transit experts and leaders on affordable housing about best practices for neighborhood revitalization. Cisneros is the chairman of ESTAR, a neighborhood effort in San Antonio described as “the poorest Census tract of the city”. The effort intends to lead with economic development and entrepreneurship initiatives to help spur revitalization within the community.

“I’ve been looking for the best places where we could model ourselves,” said Cisneros. “I read a McKinsey interview [highlighting the work of Westside Future Fund] and it was so powerful in describing precisely the things that we were interested in that I said the best thing we could do is go to Atlanta and see for ourselves.”

The multi-day visit included discussions and a tour of WFF’s service footprint within the historic Westside including English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center and Just Us. WFF leadership had the opportunity to share the organization’s model for equitable neighborhood revitalization and its signature program Home on the Westside focused on retention of residents with key ties to the community (live, work, and learn), and restoring the historic Westside to a mixed-income neighborhood where all residents have the opportunity to prosper.

Cisneros praised WFF for its “innovative” approach of intentional neighborhood planning with input from the community (the Westside Land Use Framework Plan), land acquisition near key neighborhood assets such as green space and engaging private-public partners.

“As HUD Secretary I visited every one of the 50 states and 200 different cities, looking for places that are doing the best job at the neighborhood, block, and site level of revitalizing a neighborhood,” said Cisneros. “What I’ve found is that the Westside Future Fund is doing it better than anybody else.”

WFF is currently in the midst of its Our Next Chapter capital campaign aiming to raise $55 million in philanthropic dollars to help unlock another $45 million in low-cost financing from its Impact Fund and leverage $10 million in public grants to complete its quality affordable housing goals established in 2017. In this next chapter, WFF plans to:

• Develop 285 multifamily units, of which 185 will serve families at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) and less.
• Build 225 single-family homes with accompanying income-qualified down-payment assistance, and
• Continue supporting the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund to help legacy resident homeowners stay in the community

Learn more about Westside Future Fund’s signature affordable housing program Home on the Westside. Click here to partner with WFF for Our Next Chapter.

For T. Dallas Smith, accepting the role as chairman of the Board of Directors for Westside Future Fund (WFF) was a full-circle moment. Smith grew up in Hunter Hills, off Simpson Road on Child’s Drive. Today, it’s known as Joseph E. Boone. His mother was an entrepreneur, running a daycare in his childhood home. His father, a former paratrooper in the Air Force’s 82nd Airborne division, worked at Lockheed Martin and drove a taxi for Simpson Road Cab Company.

“I was born and raised in the historic Westside, and, for me, it was paradise. I lived in that five-block radius for 14 years and everything I wanted was there,” said Smith. “We had grocery stores, movie theaters, and bowling alleys. For me the conversation isn’t about gentrification, but instead restoration.”

Smith attended EC Clement Elementary and Turner High School before moving to College Park. His family’s move to College Park was his parents searching for “better opportunity,” said Smith. The departure from his childhood home, however, left him with a void – longing for community, or a “gumbo of people” from his neighborhood on Atlanta’s Westside. After his family arrived in their new College Park neighborhood, Smith remembers their white neighbors putting up for sale signs – a personal experience of the “white flight” that was pervasive in Atlanta during the early 1970s.

This early experience of racial prejudice would inform so many moments of Smith’s personal and professional journey and fuel his motivation to become successful. He shares the story of working in a clothing store when he observed a well-dressed woman buying several expensive garments for her husband. He asked about her occupation and was excited when she shared that she worked in real estate, an industry Smith was also interested in pursuing as a career. When he shared his interest with the well-dressed, white woman she replied “You will never make it. You are too you and you’re Black.”

“I always had a mindset that I would be successful and never let what others said deter me. My parents told me I could, and everyone around me, so I believed it,” said Smith. “My whole job here [at T. Dallas Smith and Co.] is to empower my team the same way.”

Smith is now the Founder and CEO of T. Dallas Smith & Company, the largest African American-owned pure tenant rep commercial real estate firm in the U.S. Smith said that mentors like Thomas W. Tift and Herman J. Russell inspired his work, and continue to be a blueprint for the future, especially in giving opportunities to the next generation.

He chronicles his professional journey and personal triumphs in his book In the Black: Changing the Dominant Narrative in the Commercial Real Estate Industry published by Forbes Books.

It is all of these experiences, along with his passion for his childhood community, that led Smith to the work of WFF. Several years ago, Smith was at a networking event and ran into John Ahmann, WFF’s President & CEO. Both men shared they were looking for new homes, and Smith was struck when Ahmann, a white man living in Decatur, expressed interest in moving to Vine City on Sunset Avenue – just down the street from Dr. King’s home. Smith says his conversation with Ahmann, and others at the time, led him to decide it was time to return home to his childhood community. He has since purchased T.M. Alexander’s home on Sunset and is currently renovating the property. During the process of rehabbing the property, Smith met a neighbor who told him the previous owner had promised her a blue sofa that was left behind. Smith was happy to oblige the request and moved it into the woman’s home. After, she thanked him and said, “I’m going to fix you a plate”. It was a phrase Smith hadn’t heard since he left the historic Westside as a teenager. The exchange brought tears to his eyes.

“It made my day. I looked at that woman, straight in her eyes, and I told her ‘You’re the reason I’m moving back to this neighborhood. That spirit,” said Smith. “I want to restore the neighborhood to that place.”

WFF is working to help more people with “live, work, learn” connections be part of this restored Westside. The organization is currently in the midst of its $55 million Our Next Chapter capital campaign to complete its affordable housing targets established in 2017. The philanthropic support will enable WFF to build 285 multifamily units, 225 single family homes, and continue to support legacy residents in its Anti-Displacement Tax Fund.  This capital raise twill help the organization unlock key funding from its Impact Fund in combination with public grants to supercharge its efforts to complete high-quality affordable housing in its service footprint. Smith said philanthropic partners are critical for the work of WFF to thrive.

“I think it’s so important for the people and companies writing the checks to be part of something transformational, not just for the city of Atlanta, but for the state of Georgia and the United States of America,” said Smith. “It’s an opportunity to create a model for everyone. This will impact futures that we can’t even imagine.”

Learn more about Westside Future Fund’s signature affordable housing program Home on the Westside. Click here to partner with WFF for Our Next Chapter.

Community members and business leaders gathered at the January 19 Transform Westside Summit to hear from Quest Community Development Corporation’s President and CEO Leonard L. Adams Jr. Leonard shared insights into Quest’s impactful journey and its commitment to serving vulnerable populations.

The morning opened with connection and community building, where attendees shared resources for the group’s collective efforts to improve the Westside. Melanie Faison, Chief Operating Officer at Quest Communities, led the devotion.  John Ahmann, Westside Future Fund President and CEO, moderated the discussion.

Acknowledging the Founders and Leadership
John Ahmann expressed gratitude for Leonard’s significant role in the Westside community. He highlighted his leadership and generosity in fostering a partnership between Westside Future Fund and Quest.

“What I appreciate about Leonard as an entrepreneur is starting Quest to serve those suffering from addiction. Out of addiction, they really need to have stabilized housing.”

John also highlighted Quest’s pivotal role as a supportive housing nonprofit developer. Their dedication to the cause, even during challenging times, has positioned Quest as a leading organization in the city.

New Developments and Initiatives
Leonard presented Quest’s strategic initiative, the Westside Trifecta, involving a $110 million investment over the next three years. This initiative aims to develop 300 units in various housing models, catering to different income levels. Notable projects include Quest Residences at Grove Park, Heritage Village at Westlake, and Simpson West in historic Vine City.

• Quest Residences at Grove Park: A 40-unit development for individuals ages 55 and older with incomes at 30% AMI or lower, costing $14 million.
• Heritage Village at Westlake: A preservation project transforming the historic building into 102 units of permanent supportive housing, costing $42 million.
• Simpson West: A new construction project at 810 Joseph E, Boone, providing 139 units for families, using an income-averaged approach, costing $53 million.
• Quest Legacy: A 12-unit home ownership program in Vine City, costing $2.8 million, aimed at legacy residents.

Capital Campaign for Program Services
Acknowledging the funding challenges, Leonard introduced Quest’s capital campaign focused on program services. He emphasized the need for support in scaling up services, as the demand for housing and support services increases with the addition of 300 units.

“All of that $110 million is for the sticks and bricks. It’s not for any of the care that goes on inside of these units. We need money for services, for programming, for scaling or working capital to scale up.” 

Facing the Challenge Together
In a candid conversation, John and Leonard discussed the frustrations and high demand for affordable housing and supportive services. Leonard shared his motivation, citing faith, team dedication and the impact on vulnerable populations. Both leaders emphasized collaboration, acknowledging that despite competing for funds, they share the same goal of making a positive impact on the community.

Quest Podcast Launch – Westside Wednesdays
Leonard concluded by announcing the launch of Quest’s podcast, “Westside Wednesdays,” co-hosted by Ebony Ford. The podcast aims to provide a platform for sharing insights into Quest’s work and the challenges faced in serving vulnerable populations.

The summit concluded with a call to action, urging the community, philanthropists and partners to invest in Quest’s mission to provide not just housing but comprehensive support services for those in need.

Miss the event? Watch the full Transform Westside Summit on YouTube.

Westside Future Fund had the honor of welcoming over 1,400 volunteers to over 10 sites throughout the historic Westside for our annual MLK Day of Service on January 15. Together, we worked to make a transformative impact on the community in which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many other Civil Rights leaders lived, learned, and worked.

The event united people of all ages and backgrounds in our collective effort to transform our community into one that Dr. King would be proud to call home. Volunteers had the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities ranging from creating arts and crafts, tending to local gardens, cleaning up local schools, and more.

The impact of the event was further magnified by the generous support of our presenting sponsor, The Home Depot Foundation, whose contribution provided essential additional resources to amplify our work in the community. 

“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve…
You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King has a rich history and legacy within our community, the place he called home for much of his life. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Ashview Heights and later graduated from Morehouse College. In 1965, he and his wife Corretta purchased 234 Sunset Avenue in historic Vine City where his family lived for years after his assassination in 1968. It would later become the home of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and is currently protected by the National Park Service.

Historians have said that Dr. King was moved to the King family home on Sunset Avenue to “prove a point.” A Nobel Peace Prize winner, he had the option to reside in a highly affluent neighborhood. However, he deliberately chose Vine City due to the community’s conditions, seeking to draw attention to the challenges it faced. It was his vision that one day the historic Westside community, and our nation, could one day be a “Beloved Community.” 

That sentiment was echoed by Annie Moore, a historic Westside resident with the Green Team of English Avenue Inc. and Friends of Lindsey Street Park and Kathryn Johnston Memorial Park “This day of service is an opportunity to continue to expand on Dr. King’s dream,and build the Beloved community,” said Moore. “WFF is my annual MLK Day volunteer organization and I’m looking forward to getting Kathryn Johnston Memorial park ready for the summer.”

Doug Cain was volunteering with Chick-fil-A on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Cain is a resident of the West End and a parent. “M. Agnes Jones is my local elementary school and I have a kindergartener coming up next year. When the opportunity came to give back to my own community, I thought ‘why wouldn’t I do that?’”

Today, we continue to work towards the principles of Dr. King and embody his vision. The 2024 MLK Day of Service is a perfect example of how we as a community can unify as one and forge forward in this work together. In addition to our presenting sponsor the Home Depot Foundation, Westside Future Fund would like to give a special thanks to our corporate and community partners for their participation in our MLK Day including:

• AT&T
• Breakthrough Atlanta/The Lovett School
• Chick-fil-A
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
• Community Teen Coalition
• Equifax
• Georgia Power
• Georgia Natural Gas
• Grant Thornton
• HoopSupreme
• Most Valuable Kids
• Novelis
• PNC Bank
• Quest CDC
• Verizon
• Workday Atlanta

This winter Westside Future Fund (WFF) sold homes to two more families as part of its signature program Home on the Westside. This brings the total number of homes sold in 2023 to 10. Through Home on the Westside, WFF’s community retention guidelines prioritize legacy and future residents with live, work, and learn connections to the historic Westside. The program’s three service areas include single-family homeownership, rental housing, and property tax assistance for legacy residents. You can hear more from the residents WFF serves here.

Dr. Fernando Esquivel-Suarez is an Assistant Professor in the English Department of Spelman College. His family now owns a 3-bedroom and 2-bathroom home in English Avenue.

Destiny Motley is a legacy resident of Vine City and a former music teacher for youth with the At-Promise Center. She now owns a a 3-bedroom and 2-bathroom home in English Avenue.

Learn more about how you can support Home on the Westside through WFF’s capital campaign Our Next Chapter.