Who We Are
We empower neighborhoods to thrive by taking a holistic, neighbor-focused approach to revitalization.
Our Mission
Empowering Neighborhoods to Thrive
Focused Community Strategies partners with local neighborhoods to design and implement innovative and holistic development that promotes flourishing communities and God’s Shalom.
Our Values
Neighboring:
Dignity:
Development:
We value sustainable strategies, believing that lasting impact requires addressing barriers to flourishing.
About South Atlanta
First called Brownsville, our neighborhood was the original site of Clark College and Gammon Theological Seminary. Neighbors carefully planned the surrounding area as a mixed-income community where all could thrive.
For more than 60 years, this neighborhood was a destination for professors, concert artists, and families.
The community struggled greatly after the universities relocated in 1941.
In 2000, residents and leadership of the South Atlanta Civic League invited FCS to apply our community development model to Historic South Atlanta. We humbly accepted their gracious offer to partner with the neighborhood to revitalize this historic community.
Meet Our Team
Vibrant people make vibrant communities.
Marvin Nesbitt Jr.
President
Joi Jackson
Director of Development
Danielle Clay
dR. Kyeko Henderson
Director of Education
Dr. Angelica Geter
Director of Neighborhood Health & Wellness
Kim Jones
Director of Economic Vitality
Shell Stafford
Tiffany Reid
Accounting Manager
Stasea waller
Development Manager
ANDREA THOMAS
Office Coordinator
Damien Feyjoo
Youth Development Coordinator
MPHO GWABENI
Accounting Coordinator
Bekah Klein
Grants Manager
ALEXEI STOKES
Operations Manager
STACY BRUNGARDT
Manager of Faith-Based Integration
BABAFEMI IBRAHEEM
Construction Project Manager
Carver Market
Community Grounds Staff
Carver Market
Community Grounds Staff
BABAFEMI IBRAHEEM
Construction Project Manager
Carver Market
Community Grounds Staff
Carver Market
Community Grounds Staff
Kenshin Kersh
General Manager
Kenshin Kersh
General Manager
Breauna Dorelus
Lead Trainer and Consultant
Our Board Members
Courtney QuirosAssociate, Alston & Bird LLP
Richard WhitcombOwner, HV Management
Joshua BallBrand and Marketing Consultant
Robert FowlerPresident/CEO, Fowler Designs Associates, Inc.
Kim Greene HughesOwner/Principal Attorney, K.G. Hughes & Associates
Ashley JonesCo-Founder/Managing Principal, Springleaf Advisors
Courtney Smith, SecretarySenior Vice President, Market Manager, PNC
Chris McCordMen in Motion & Alumni Ambassador, Moving in the Spirit, Founder
Tanisha Corporal, LMSWCommunity Consultant & Coach,
TaniCorp, LLC
Young Professionals Board Members
The Young Professionals Board is an opportunity to involve the diverse voices of younger community. Young Professionals serve a 1-3 year term on the board and offer their keen insights to our team.
RJ Alowonle
Guidant Global, assigned to Chick-fil-A Support Center
Marissa Coleman
Arnall Golden Gregory LLP
Saxton Phillips
Atlanta Urban Development Corporation
Madeline Clounie
The Coca-Cola Company
Phyllis Montgomery
Cummins, Inc.
Chris Ullrich
Newell Brands
Reginald White
City of Atlanta
Garrett Vaughan
ADDO
Charlotte Dhaya
Kronberg Urbanists + Architects
Imani Brown
Delta Airlines
Joe Porter
Brasfield & Gorrie
Lizzie Vasquez
Prison Fellowship
Lyle Hoge
Guidehouse
Maya Ford
Big 4 Consulting
Neil Phillips
Guide Outreach
Whirlington Anderson
Bank of America
Mckenzie Cunningham
Pitchamps
Meet Our Founder
Bob Lupton has invested over 40 years of his life in Atlanta Neighborhoods.
While serving in Vietnam, he felt a call to make cities more fair and inclusive. Upon returning home, he and his wife moved into a into a neighborhood with limited resources, and he began getting to know his neighbors.
Over time, Bob realized that the way he was taught to “help” was doing a lot of harm. He was seeing that too many ministries and nonprofits were transactional and disempowering for local residents. Rather than offering temporary, material relief, he worked to create an integrated approach to change.
Instead, he began co-creating an approach to development that mixed entrepreneurship, urban planning, and deep relationship. His musings birthed the widely read book, Toxic Charity, as well as the approach FCS takes to revitalization.
To this day, Bob is a dynamic visionary. He is a Christian community developer, counselor, entrepreneur, and author. In addition to Toxic Charity, Bob has written Theirs is the Kingdom, Renewing the City, and Charity Detox.
Bob has a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Georgia. He serves as a speaker, strategist, and inspirer with those throughout the nation who seek to establish God’s Shalom in the city.
We remain eternally grateful for Bob’s vision and hard work paving the way for our organization.
Join the Team
Not hiring at this time - Check in later.
Check out the latest opportunities to join our dynamic staff team.
Director of Education
Director of Neighborhood Health & Wellness
Director of Mixed Income Housing
Facilities coordinator
Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator
Not the role you’re looking for? There are plenty of other ways to join the mission!
