Click the video link below to view the 2026 Service Pin Award Recipients

Welcome and

Congratulations to our

New Hires & Promotions for April 2026 and our Retirees for May 2026!

New Hires

Promotions

Finance

Terrica Thomas

Fire & EMS

Tafari Shannon

Police

Rachel Blanks

Taurus Edwards

Mathew Galarza

Andrea Hoskins

Earnestine Sanders

Merri White

Michael Williams

Public Works

Djimon Jones

Brandon Samuel

Sheriff

Tykirra Averett

Jorge Aviles-Gonzalez

Anpherne Canty

Jaylan Carter

Lorenzo Dunlap

Markell Hill

Anthony Holley

John Smith

Charles Spencer

Dominique Wade

Michallee Williams

Retirees

Police

Joel Reed

Fire & EMS

Brian Buckingham

Now is a great time to take action for your financial future 

Schedule a time to meet to make sure you’re on track for the retirement you want. 

When we meet, we can discuss: 

•The benefits of enrolling in your workplace retirement plan 

•How to boost your overall financial wellness 

•The resources available to help shape the future you want 

•Your broader financial goals so we can put a plan in place to help you get there 

We can meet in-person or virtually at any time that is convenient to you.

Schedule time to meet with me today!

Dates: May 13, Public Safety Community Room, 11:00 - 2:00

Schedule Meeting

Virtual meetings available May 6 and 20

Times: varied, based on date

When children are struggling, the whole family suffers. And that stain shows up at work. Employees caring for children with mental health challenges are more likely to have their own mental health concerns, and they’re more likely to feel stressed, lonely, and less productive.

But employers can help employees and their children thrive by filling in the gaps in mental health support long before there’s a crisis. Join us on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET for a special virtual event, Early Signs Matter: Strategies for Supporting Youth Mental Health. Chief Wellbeing Officer for Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Dr. Angie Myers, and child and family psychologist Alison Stoner will discuss:



·     The impact of youth mental health on the workplace

·     Strategies for supporting youth mental health and working parents

·     Insights on building an organizational culture that prioritizes mental health

Risk Management is excited to announce the next phase of our Automated External Defibrillator (AED) system. We have begun installing outdoor AED stations throughout Columbus, starting with the Riverwalk area and Lakebottom Park.

We are expanding quickly! More locations will be added very soon, including:

• Britt David Park
• Bull Dog Bait and Tackle
• Lake Oliver Marina
• Northside Recreation Center
• Shirley Winston Recreation Center
• City Hall/Broadway Entrance
• Lake Oliver Marina

Each station is secure and can be accessed by dialing 911. The dispatcher will provide the access code, ensuring both equipment security and a rapid emergency response.

While you’re out enjoying our amazing city, please stop by one of the new units to familiarize yourself with the setup. Thank you for your continued commitment to the safety and well-being of our community.

Your Risk Management Team

Hannah Elementary School

Keep Columbus Beautiful is proud to celebrate Hannan Elementary School as the winner of our Shoe Recycling Campaign! Schools from across the tri-community came together to collect and recycle shoes, and Hannan led the way with outstanding participation.

They kicked off the celebration with a special tree planting at the school, dedicated in honor of a beloved teacher who has passed. It was a meaningful moment of reflection and community.



They want to give a huge thank you to the Spencer High School Drum Line for bringing the energy, Pizza Pronto for providing lunch, Mayor Skip Henderson and the Mayor’s Office for joining them, and the KCBC Board Members who came out to support this special occasion.

Together, we are making a difference—one step, one tree, and one community at a time.

Community Clean-Up –

Earth Week Kickoff 

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission kicked off Earth Week with a Community Clean-Up across Rigdon/Oakland Park & Riverwalk, Macon Road, and the Industrial Park areas. Volunteers came together at multiple locations to help remove litter and improve the appearance of our public spaces. We would also like to extend a special thank you to the Columbus Sheriff’s Department for safely patrolling the areas and for their continued partnership.

They extend a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to make a difference. Your commitment set the tone for a meaningful Earth Week and highlights the power of community involvement in keeping Columbus clean, beautiful, and welcoming for everyone.



Together, we continue to strengthen our community through service and environmental stewardship.

Aflac Go Green Expo

KCBC was proud to participate in the Aflac Go Green Expo as part of our Earth Week celebrations. This event provided a great opportunity to connect with the community, share information about sustainability, and highlight the importance of environmental stewardship.

Attendees stopped by to learn more about Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission’s programs, including recycling, litter prevention, and volunteer opportunities. We enjoyed engaging with residents, answering questions, and encouraging everyone to take part in keeping our community clean and green.

Thank you to Aflac for hosting a successful event and for supporting initiatives that promote a more sustainable future.

Columbus Botanical Garden – Feed the Soil

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission was proud to partner with the Columbus Botanical Garden as part of our Earth Week activities for the “Feed the Soil” initiative. This hands-on experience highlighted the importance of composting and its role in building healthier soil and a more sustainable community.

The event was spearheaded by Devon Moree, Columbus Botanical Garden Compost Coordinator and KCBC Commissioner, who guided participants through the benefits and process of composting. Attendees had the opportunity to learn practical ways to reduce waste and give back to the environment.

We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Columbus Botanical Garden and for opportunities like this that inspire our community to take part in environmental stewardship.

Free Community Paper Shred – Protecting Identity

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission hosted a Free Community Paper Shred event focused on protecting identity and promoting responsible document disposal. They would like to extend a special thank you to the Columbus Sheriff’s Department for their safety patrol and partnership, helping ensure a secure and well-organized event for all participants.

Community members were invited to safely destroy sensitive paperwork, helping reduce the risk of identity theft while also supporting recycling efforts.

This event was made possible through our partnership with River Mill Data, whose support helped ensure secure and efficient document shredding services for residents.

Residents arrived with bags and boxes of documents, and KCBC staff assisted with traffic flow and event coordination to ensure a smooth and successful process. This event not only provided valuable community service but also reinforced the importance of proper paper recycling and waste reduction.

They are grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. Together, we continue to promote a safer, cleaner, and more informed community.

PIE Award Recognition – Presented by Chamber of Commerce Partners in Education (PIE)

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission is honored to announce that we were recognized as a finalist for being a Partner at Large awards, presented by Partners in Education (PIE).

This recognition reflects their continued commitment to supporting local schools and strengthening community partnerships through environmental education, volunteerism, and hands-on learning experiences.

They are grateful for this honor and proud to stand alongside other organizations dedicated to making a positive impact in education and our community. KCBC remains committed to building strong partnerships that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

City Connections Day

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission participated in City Connections Day, joining city partners for a day filled with community engagement, music, and food.

KCBC hosted an informational booth where they shared ways residents can get involved in keeping our community clean and beautiful. Attendees enjoyed free hot dogs and hamburgers while connecting with local departments and learning more about available resources and programs.

It was a fun and successful day of outreach, engagement, and education. They are grateful for the opportunity to connect with the community and continue building awareness around environmental stewardship and civic involvement.

Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy – Storytelling Series

Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission Director, Lisa Thomas Cutts, recently participated in the Storytelling Series at Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy. During the visit, she read to students and engaged them through storytelling that encouraged imagination, literacy, and a love of reading.



The session provided a meaningful opportunity to connect with young learners and support literacy development in a fun and engaging way. KCBC is grateful for opportunities like this to partner with local schools and invest in the growth and development of students in our community.

Aflac’s Lunch & Learn

Lisa Thomas-Cutts, Director of Keep Columbus Beautiful Commission, helped lead an important conversation on sustainability as a featured speaker during Aflac’s Lunch & Learn series. Her presentation highlighted practical, community-driven approaches to environmental responsibility and the importance of collective action in building a cleaner, more sustainable future.



These engagements reflect KCBC’s ongoing mission to educate, inspire, and partner with organizations across the community to advance sustainable practices and environmental awareness.

Saturday, May 9^th – Taco and Margarita Festival



• 12 PM – 6 PM
• Columbus Civic Center Amphitheater

Sunday, May 10^th - Dru Hill & Tamar Braxton – An Intimate Mother’s Day Celebration

• Doors Open at 6:00 PM
• Show Starts at 7:00 PM
• Columbus Civic Center
• Bogo Special** New**
• Promo Code: MOTHER

Tickets originally priced at $125 and $100 are included as buy one, get one. Customers must purchase in quantities of two to receive the offer, with a maximum of eight tickets per order.

Sunday, May 17^th –

 Mobile Food Pantry

• 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Originally scheduled for May 16 but has been rescheduled due to graduation.

Sunday, May 17 –

Lions Home Game



• Kickoff at 4:00 PM
• Columbus Civic Center

Atlanta Dream WNBA Tickets Available NOW 🚨 

Tickets for the 5 Atlanta Dream WNBA games at State Farm Arena are on sale now!

Bring your friends and family to an energetic WNBA atmosphere at State Farm Arena. Lock in your seats today!



·                Las Vegas Aces: Sunday, May 17 at 1:30pm

·                Indiana Fever: Saturday, June 20 at 1pm

·                Toronto Tempo: Monday, June 22 at 7:30pm

·                Indiana Fever: Sunday, August 16 at 5pm

·                Chicago Sky: Saturday, September 19 at 7pm

BUY NOW

Prices and availability are subject to change. All sales are final. Questions? Reach out to Ryan Coller at ryan.coller@hawks.com.

Mother's Day is

 Sunday, May 10th, 2026

Memorial Day is

 Monday, May 25th, 2026