Inspire Atlanta

We recognize a big part of our journalistic mission is to shine a spotlight on wrongdoings and to hold our public officials accountable. But we also understand the importance of celebrating our region’s moments, milestones and people. That’s exactly what we hope to accomplish with Inspire Atlanta. Each week, Inspire Atlanta will profile a person that makes metro Atlanta a better place in which to live.

Of course, we can’t do this alone: We need your help in finding extraordinary people and identifying inspiring stories across our region. Know someone who inspires you or makes metro Atlanta a better place for others? Email us at AJC-InspireAtlanta@ajc.com.

Concrete Jungle

Credit: spe

Concrete Jungle

16h ago

Students, from left, Kate and Addy count and sort uneaten fruit from the cafeteria at Kelly Mill Elementary School in Forsyth County. The food will be donated to local food pantries. Courtesy of Kelly Mill Elementary School.

Credit: spe

Helping Hands empowers students to reduce food waste, help others

16h ago

Emory University Hospital nurse Jill Morgan in PPE during a 2015 National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) training session at Emory. Photo by Jack Kearse/ Emory Health Sciences Photography.

Credit: Jack Kearse

Award-winning nurses continue to shine

Celebrating Nurses Julie Singleton

Julie Singleton, Northeast Georgia Health System

Featured

James Montesi (from left), Quinn Twiner and her brother Joe in front of the green house under construction at Peachtree Farm, a nonprofit with a mission to produce locally grown produce, products and animals for the metro Atlanta and North Georgia area wile providing job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The farm, located in Peachtree Corners, was started by Mike and Mary Twiner. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Peachtree Farm gives adults with disabilities place to work, thrive

Quest Communities

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Quest Communities

Grant Johnson, left, works on his Eagle Scout project under the watchful eye of his Scout Master - and dad - Mike Johnson at St. Teresa's School. (Courtesy of Carlton Fletcher)

Credit: Carlton Fletcher

For the Johnsons, Scouting is all in the family

Portrait of DeMario Pressley after attending his second board meeting at the YMCA in Cumming. The former NFL player volunteered there throughout his career and has now joined the board of the Forsyth County Family YMCA. The Y is where he was introduced to sports in middle school, and it's the place where he sought refuge from a dangerous neighborhood. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Former NFL player DeMario Pressley gives back to YMCA

Atlanta Children's Shelter

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Atlanta Children’s Shelter

Children’s Literature volunteers have been reading with students and building book collections in Atlanta Public elementary schools for four decades. Courtesy of Children's Literature for Children

Credit: spec

Children’s Literature for Children owes its start to intrepid ‘book teacher’

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More news

Stephanie Nadi Olson, the founder at We Are Rosie, uses her experience to help marginalized people thrive in the marketing world. Miguel Martinez for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Credit: Miguel Martinez for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

We Are Rosie disrupts the way corporate America works

Surgeon humbly stands on shoulders of single mom, sharecropper granddad

Out of Africa: A survivor’s dream to serve

Credit: Special to the AJC

The Exceptional Foundation of Atlanta

Senior residents fund college for caregivers and their families

The Atlanta Women’s Foundation

Forsyth County junior campaigns against drugs

Credit: special to the AJC

Young adults with physical challenges get a place of their own

Solidarity Sandy Springs helps neighbors in need

West Atlanta Watershed Alliance

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West Atlanta Watershed Alliance

Community rallies behind shop owner through pandemic hardships

‘The library is a safe place’: Librarian’s tweet, disabled woman’s story goes viral

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More from Inspire Atlanta

Credit: spe

Stephanie Nadi Olson, the founder at We Are Rosie, uses her experience to help marginalized people thrive in the marketing world. Miguel Martinez for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Credit: Miguel Martinez for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

We Are Rosie disrupts the way corporate America works

Portrait of Dr. Frederick Durden (center) with his mother Mary (left) and sister Linda Jackson at his Newnan home. Dr. Durden has been surrounded by great mentors since childhood and is now taking all the influence and encouragement he received and is channeling outward. He has great humility and perspective and wants to serve others as he's been served throughout his life. Despite a busy career as a plastic surgeon, he is also a devoted husband, father of three young children, and makes times to lead cancer support groups at his church (and much more). PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Surgeon humbly stands on shoulders of single mom, sharecropper granddad

Credit: spe

Retired motion-picture cameraman Clyde E Bryan works with camera and lighting equipment at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville. He came out of retirement to work with the Georgia Film Academy teaching students about his craft. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Cameraman gives back to Georgia film industry

Credit: special

StandUp for Kids

Credit: Spe

StandUp for Kids

Bryn Hammock works on her "Tiny Hugs" project. These fabric gloves filled with weighted beads are used to comfort newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit when their parents cannot be with them. Courtesy of Bryn Hammock

Credit: spe

Teen’s ‘Tiny Hugs’ project helps preemies thrive

H.E.R.O. for Children

Credit: spe

H.E.R.O. for Children

Jeezy offers 11-year-old cancer patient his first-class airplane seat

More Inspiring stories

David Russell's story about helping a woman with developmental disabilities at a DeKalb County library went viral last week.

Credit: DeKalb County Public Library

‘The library is a safe place’: Librarian’s tweet, disabled woman’s story goes viral

Retired motion-picture cameraman Clyde E Bryan works with camera and lighting equipment at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville. He came out of retirement to work with the Georgia Film Academy teaching students about his craft. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

Credit: Phil Skinner

Cameraman gives back to Georgia film industry

Credit: special

Brookwood High School’s Student Government Association (SGA) raised more than $37,000 through a variety of events such as the SGA Movie Night, Haunted F-Hall, Homecoming, and its signature event, Miracle Marathon. It’s the largest amount collected in school history in support of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Brookwood High School raises record amount for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

StandUp for Kids

Credit: Spe

StandUp for Kids

Bryn Hammock works on her "Tiny Hugs" project. These fabric gloves filled with weighted beads are used to comfort newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit when their parents cannot be with them. Courtesy of Bryn Hammock

Credit: spe

Teen’s ‘Tiny Hugs’ project helps preemies thrive

Joy Mitchell holds an encouraging sign she keeps at Office Creations in Norcross. She chose to go back to school to get her Bachelor's and MBA after running a multimillion-dollar company for over a decade. PHIL SKINNER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION.

Credit: Phil Skinner

CEO finishes college degrees after being sidelined by dyslexia

H.E.R.O. for Children

Credit: spe

H.E.R.O. for Children

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