In This Edition of Global Atlanta Works

Conversations with African American Leaders in the Atlanta Region

Join the Discussion on“The Changing Faces of Our Future”- Fifty Forward Forum

“Framing the Future” Photo Contest

Reflections on the Japanese American Leadership Delegation Experience

Community Announcements

Conversations with African American Leaders in the Atlanta Region

Michael Russell, President and CEO, H.J. Russell Construction Company and Aaron Turpeau, ARC Board member and chairman of the Global Atlanta Works Advisory Committee provide unique perspectives on  leadership, past, current and future, for the new Global Atlanta Work African American Leaders Speak video series available on http://www.globalatlantaworks.com/ Russell was promoted to chief executive officer of H.J. Russell & Company in October 2003, succeeding his father Herman Russell, who founded the company in 1952 and led it for 50 years. Mr. Russell discusses leadership challenges and opportunities. Turpeau describes the role of African Americans in the political process over the past 30 years from the vantage point of experiences working closely with former Atlanta Mayors Maynard Jackson, Andrew Young and current mayor Shirley Franklin.  Five additional African American trailblazers in law, civil rights, politics and business were also interviewed and will be highlighted in future issues of this newsletter.

Join the Discussion on“The Changing Faces of Our Future”- Fifty Forward Forum

In 2060, there could be 9 million people in metro Atlanta, as many retirees and elderly as there are children and no majority ethnic group. “Who will be our citizens and how will they live, work and interact as a community? The next Fifty Forward forum entitled, " The Changing Faces of our Future" will address global and national demographic change and how those changes will impact the diversity of metro Atlanta’s population, Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at the Leadership Center at Morehouse College. Register now. Martha Farnsworth Riche, a former head of the US Census Bureau and founding editor of American Demographics Magazine is the keynote speaker. Dr. Jane Smith, Executive Director of The Spelman College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement and Tisha Tallman, President and CEO of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will serve on a panel following Riche.  Bring your questions, thoughts and ideas and participate in the discussion. For additional information information about the latest Fifty Forward news and developments visit http://www.globalatlantaworks.com/ or http://www.atlantafiftyforward.com/.

“Framing the Future” Photo Contest

Do you have examples of what other areas around the nation and world are doing to prepare for what we know is coming? Enter the “Framing the Future” photo contest by September 30th and show what you expect the region to be like in fifty years. For additional information information about the contest go to www.atlantafiftyforward.com. 

Reflections on the Japanese American Leadership Delegation Experience

Sachi Koto, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan-America Society of Georgia, and the President of Sachi Koto Communications was one of 13 delegates from 10 cities invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the recommendation of Consuls General of Japan in the U.S. and the Japanese American National Museum to participate in the 8th Japanese American Leadership Delegation to Japan earlier this year.   “Coming from Georgia, where Japanese Americans are very few in number, the opportunity to get together as a group of Japanese Americans was a rare occasion for me”, Ms. Koti said.  Sachi Koto is a third-generation Japanese American, born and raised in Atlanta. Read more about Ms Koti’s reflections on connecting with other Japanese Americans as the Leadership Delegation traveled to Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Kyoto, Japan.

Read more...

Community Announcements

Board Chair Carlos Diaz recently announced the selection of Milagros “Millie” Irizarry as the new Executive Director of the Latin American Association, effective September 15, 2008.  Ms.  Irizarry comes to the Latin American Association from Orlando, Florida where she served as Director of Hispanic Affairs/Donor Development for Florida’s Blood Centers.

The Henry County Chambers’ Cultural Diversity Committee has produced a documentary entitled, “Henry at the Crossroads.”  The documentary reviews the shared experiences of 50 business and community leaders in Henry County who traveled to Birminham, Alabama and engaged in discussion with their counterparts on cultural, socio-economic, and diversity issues.