Inspire Atlanta Celebrates Unprecedented Success

Another Record-Breaking Year! $577,000 Raised to Empower Girls Impacted by Poverty.

The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) proudly announces the successful culmination of its Inspire Atlanta program for the class of 2024. With a resounding call to action, thirty-one exceptional women embarked on a journey to transform their leadership potential into tangible change, collectively raising $577,000 to support AWF’s All Girls Forward: Girls Empowerment Program and additional vital programs to support women and girls.

Inspire Atlanta is a five-month community impact program that challenges women to develop their leadership skills, create meaningful change, tackle critical issues in the community, champion a fundraising campaign to support AWF, and build a lasting network of fellow female movers and shakers. The program culminated in May with a celebration to honor its participants.

Leading the charge in this record-breaking fundraising endeavor were the following individuals with incredible dedication and passion for the mission:

• Brooke Burke, representing Novelis emerged as the top fundraiser raising an impressive $49,000.
• Wenwen Ge Salerno of Assurant secured $43,000 in donations as the runner-up.
• Jessy Polyne Halaby, owner of Nouveaux Possibilities, LLC, claimed third place at $41,845.
• Emmy Stephens of Metro Green Recycling landed only a few hundred dollars short of the third position at $41,450.

“The Inspire Program pushes you outside of your comfort zone,” Burke said, ”We go through many exercises which taught me how to be a leader within my organization and in the community. It makes you want to do more and to help others.”

The second annual “Spirit of Inspire” award went to Jazmyn Williams of The Honey Pot Company, who raised over $33,000 and shined throughout the program as a motivator for the entire class. She worked non-stop to reach her goals while encouraging her classmates.

“Receiving the Spirit of Inspire award was such an emotional moment of gratitude,” shared Williams. “I strive to be a source of both collaboration and support to the women in my life, so to have that personal aspiration reflected to me from my Inspire sisters is something I will never forget.”

Kari B. Love, CEO of AWF, emphasized the profound ripple effects of Inspire Atlanta, stating, “The transformative power of this program extends far beyond its participants, touching the lives of women and girls across Atlanta impacted by poverty.”

The funds raised will primarily be funneled towards the second year of the All Girls Forward Program to empower girls from underserved communities. This program focuses on education, afterschool programming, life skills, and access to mental health and physical health services.

Nominations for the Inspire Atlanta Class of 2025 Program will open in the summer of 2024. Questions? Contact Shandy Arwood, Director of Community Engagement.