If Breakfast on the Block reminded us of anything, it’s this: true community transformation is never a solo effort. It takes partners willing to “combo block” together—sharing resources, vision, and long-term commitment to see neighborhoods flourish.
This year’s partner panel brought that message to life. Four leaders from organizations deeply invested in Historic South Atlanta and Thomasville Heights joined us to share why they choose to link arms with FCS, and what becomes possible when we work collectively.
Their insights painted a powerful picture of what Stronger Together really means.
Seeing What’s Possible: Philanthropy that Gets Proximate
Ayanna Gabriel-Turner
Vice President, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Ayanna reminded us why place-based work is so critical in a region marked by deep inequities.
She shared that while systems like housing, food, education, and healthcare drive Atlanta’s inequality gap, place-based efforts allow us to see all those systems converge—and to show a “proof point of what’s possible.”
“Place-based work is one of the few places where you can be proximate to the impact. Residents should be at the center—empowered and given agency to make an impact in their own neighborhoods.”
For the Community Foundation, partnership with FCS and long-term investment in Thomasville Heights isn’t just funding; it’s relationship.
It’s choosing to think in generations, not years, and to leverage tools like impact investing to bring more philanthropists to the table.
“There’s something different when you’re building long-lasting relationships with residents. It’s a different type of work.”
Investing in People, Not Just Programs
Rita Breen
Executive Director, Georgia Power Foundation
Rita highlighted the distinction between supporting a program and supporting a place.
While traditional programs absolutely have value, place-based partnerships create deeper understanding, alignment, and trust.
“What’s unique about having a place-based approach is that there’s a better understanding of the person at the center. We want to invest in places where people are seen, where people are nurtured, where the community comes together. The community has the power to figure out what’s really needed and to create that change in that place. Then we bring programs that help make it possible.”
What makes partnering with FCS different, she shared, is that our holistic approach honors the realities of families—whether that’s a child showing up to school hungry or a parent unable to focus at work without safe care for their kids.
She also emphasized the importance of pairing financial giving and people power.
“You give money, and you give people. Volunteers get engaged, and then they become invested. They become advocates. That’s how communities grow stronger.”
This dual commitment—resources + engagement—is one of the reasons Georgia Power employees have become meaningful contributors to the neighborhood’s transformation efforts.
Education & Community: Partners in Impact
Mike Davis
Executive Director, Purpose Built Schools Atlanta
Mike shared a truth we all know well: schools and communities rise together.
“You cannot have an incredible, healthy community without strong schools. They’re connected.”
Purpose Built Schools and FCS work as “partners in impact,” ensuring students receive high-quality instruction in school and abundant support beyond the school day—from early learning through high school graduation.
“We are committed to providing the highest-quality instruction in our classrooms from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day. But from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m., there’s a lot happening in our students’ lives. That’s where we need our partners—community members and organizations—to strengthen and complement what we’re doing.”
When asked about the metric that matters most, Mike didn’t hesitate:
“None of it matters if students aren’t showing up. The true measure is making sure needs are met so kids walk through our doors ready to learn.”
That simple metric—showing up—depends on the collective support of neighbors, partners, and organizations, ensuring that the obstacles to learning are eliminated.
Financial Partnership that Builds Generational Wealth
Yvette Humphries
Financial Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners
For Pinnacle, partnering with FCS is not about financial return. It’s about transformation.
“The return on investment isn’t financial at all. It’s about empowering communities through economic equity, financial education, small business development, and making sure all communities where we operate are thriving.”
Yvette spoke with emotion about what the neighborhood means to her:
“Someone asked me what this community means to me, and I said family. We aim and strive every single day to be a partner to our communities. It’s not just about funding. It’s about building relationships.”
Looking ten years ahead, she envisions a thriving Thomasville Heights where families own their homes, entrepreneurs prosper, and small businesses grow, supported by financial literacy and access to capital.
“This isn’t lip service. We show up because that’s what we believe in.”
And Pinnacle truly does show up—sending busloads of volunteers to neighborhood events, investing in community-led initiatives, and standing shoulder to shoulder with residents.
The Power of the Collective: What Stronger Together Really Means
Listening to Ayanna, Rita, Mike, and Yvette illuminated a powerful truth: each partner brings something essential—vision, resources, expertise, access, people power—but only together do these efforts create lasting transformation.
FCS’s work in Historic South Atlanta and Thomasville Heights is stronger because:
- Philanthropy is getting proximate.
- Corporations are investing in people, not just programs.
- Schools and community partners are aligning for student success.
- Financial institutions are championing economic mobility and wealth building.
- Residents are leading, shaping, and sustaining change.
Individually, each of these efforts matters. Collectively, they become community transformation.
We Are Stronger Together
Thank you to our panelists and to every partner committed to the flourishing of Historic South Atlanta and Thomasville Heights.
Your collaboration fuels the success stories we’re already seeing and the ones still to come.
If you also believe in this work, we invite you to be part of it. Join our mailing list to stay informed. Follow along on social media. Visit FCS to see the work firsthand. And, if you are able, give generously to help sustain the partnerships that make transformation possible.
We are truly stronger together.
