Ubuntu in Action - First Quarter 2026

Grounded in History - Focused on the Future

Team Ubuntu stepped away from daily routines, not to hit pause, but to dig deeper into our purpose.

Rather than holding a typical strategy retreat, we embarked on a powerful journey of reflection and discovery, visiting the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.

These stops were more than visits; they became transformative experiences.

Standing in places that reveal stories of injustice, resilience, and transformation, we felt the weight of history and recognized that today’s challenges and the work to overcome them are deeply rooted in the past.

These moments brought our mission into sharper focus.

They reminded us that:

Systems don’t change overnight
Healing and transformation must happen together
And meaningful progress requires both truth and action

To Lead Transformation

We Must Remain Grounded In Truth

Growing Leaders Who Grow Communities

Leadership In Action

What does it take to build a truly healthy community?

For our cofounder, Mary Wilson, it meant immersing herself in a year of discovery with the Atlanta Watershed Learning Network, emerging with a richer, more unified vision for community well-being.

Throughout the program, Mary uncovered how environmental systems such as water, infrastructure, and green spaces weave together to influence everything from health to economic opportunity.

Her Biggest Takeaway?

“Every decision we make about housing, education, or infrastructure either strengthens or weakens the conditions that sustain life.”

That perspective is already shaping Ubuntu’s work. It strengthens how we approach housing, education, workforce development, and community health, not as separate efforts, but as interconnected systems that must work together.

Mary’s journey is more than a personal achievement; it is a seed planted for the future of every community we serve.

Are you curious about the inner workings of local government and how the choices shaping our everyday lives come to be?

Last fall, our Executive Director, Dr. Woodley, got an inside look at Fulton County Citizens University.

From emergency response teams to arts and culture programs, she saw the coordination it takes to meet residents’ needs and where strong leadership and advocacy matter most.

One powerful moment came during observations of 911 operations and emergency management, reinforcing that effective leadership requires both precision and empathy.

But Her Journey Didn't Stop There

Dr. Woodley volunteered with Fulton County Arts and Culture, supporting a community fashion show that celebrated creativity, identity, and connection.

What’s Next?

She continues her civic engagement today through service with the Juvenile Court, mentoring, and advocating for youth and families.

At Ubuntu, we know that vibrant communities grow from the dedication of informed, engaged leaders.

Dr. Woodley is showing us all what it means to lead by example.

Advocating Where it Matters Most

Beneath the Gold Dome of Georgia’s State Capitol, daily decisions ripple out, shaping the heartbeat of life in the South Fulton region.

This quarter, Dr. Lateshia Woodley took her place at the Capitol, determined to make our community’s voice resonate in every decision made.

From the Capitol, she brought Ubuntu's

Community Action Teams into the spotlight on WAOK 1380 AM’s Dee in the Mornings, sharing their dynamic efforts with listeners across the region.

She highlighted three key areas driving impact:

Expanding access to mental health support
Strengthening education and family engagement
Advancing housing stability and pathways to homeownership

This conversation became more than just an interview; it transformed into a stage for uplifting the voices, needs, and strengths that shape the South Fulton region.

Lasting change begins when community voices join forces with systems of power, and Ubuntu is committed to forging that essential connection.

Community Action Teams In Action

Human trafficking lurks in the shadows, yet its consequences ripple through lives in powerful and lasting ways.

That is why our Behavioral Mental Health Community Action Team joined forces with Wellspring Living to spark awareness, foster education, and inspire action around this urgent cause.

Through a Cultural Competency in Human Trafficking training, participants are learning to:

Recognize warning signs
Understand the lived experiences of survivors
Respond with trauma-informed care
Connect individuals to support and resources

When communities are informed, they become stronger guardians, ready to protect, respond, and help survivors heal.

Do You Know Your Housing Rights?

For many families, the answer is no, and that knowledge gap can lead to real and lasting challenges.

By teaming up with Metro Fair Housing Services, The Housing Affordability Community Action Team is guiding residents to discover their rights and protections under fair housing laws.

In our virtual session, Do You Know Your Fair Housing Rights, participants learn how to:

Identify housing discrimination
Understand their legal protections
Report violations
Access trusted resources

When residents know their rights, they gain the power to stand up for themselves and strengthen their communities.

Building Strong Families and Career Pathways

When families are strong, communities flourish, and at the heart of every thriving community is a dedicated early childhood workforce.

This belief fuels our partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta and Promise Career Institute.

Together, the Education Community Action Team are supporting families and early childhood professionals through a dynamic two-phase program:

Phase One: Strengthening Families

Participants focus on:

Building resilience
Understanding child development
Strengthening social connections
Accessing support during times of need

Phase Two: Building Careers

Participants transition into leadership and workforce development, including:

Career coaching
Leadership training
Job placement support
Advocacy and communication skills

This program is more than education; it opens doors to economic mobility, leadership opportunities, and lasting stability.

When families have the support they need, entire communities come alive.

Connecting Communities Across Continents

Ubuntu’s influence is reaching far beyond local borders, touching lives around the world.

Our new partnership in Kenya empowers families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities by providing support through our Parent Awareness and Capacity Building Curriculum.

Though separated by distance, communities are united by common challenges and shared hopes.

This program provides:

Education about neurodevelopmental disabilities
Emotional support and healing strategies
Advocacy and communication tools
Guidance for long-term planning and care

The true strength of this partnership lies in the vibrant exchange of knowledge. Leaders and facilitators from the U.S. and Kenya are

learning together, weaving global perspectives into local solutions.

This work is creating more than programs; it is nurturing a worldwide community of caregivers, advocates, and leaders dedicated to helping every child flourish.

Because at Ubuntu, we believe: "I Am Because We Are".

Join Us At Book Talk

Looking Ahead

As we move into the next quarter, one thing is clear:

Our work continues to grow but our purpose remains the same.

We are building communities where:

Health is accessible
Opportunity is equitable
And every voice matters

Thank you for being part of this journey with your support, partnership, and belief in what’s possible.

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