The City of East Point was awarded a $6,000 Project Grant by Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, as part of its initial disbursement of grants for fiscal year 2023. A total of 213 organizations were awarded 253 grants that provide more than $3.1 million in funding to arts organizations throughout the state. The Bridge Grant will provide operating support funding to 134 organizations, the Project Grant will help fund 59 arts projects, and the Arts Education Program Grant will be distributed to 60 organizations.

“The arts sector has proven its resilience over the last two years, and it has played a major role in restarting the economy through attracting tourism, bringing communities back together, and aiding classroom learning as we inspire the workforce of the future,” said Georgia Council for the Arts Executive Director Tina Lilly. “The 253 grants we have awarded will help cities and organizations bring people more back to work while enhancing the qualities that make Georgia so special.”

“We are so grateful to GCA for supporting our art initiatives that continue to educate and beautify our City,” said Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham. “Our staff has worked hard to secure funding for this Project Grant that will be used to fund a mural project along the vibrant and walkable East Point PATH Model Mile on Norman Berry Drive that connects our city parks, downtown and local schools.”

Funds awarded by Georgia Council for the Arts include appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) uses Peer Review Panels to judge and review applications following standard practices set by the National Endowment for the Arts. Panelists are GCA Council members and fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed, or are citizens with a record of arts activities, experience, and knowledge. Grant recipients include theaters, dance companies, museums, cities, colleges, and multi-discipline arts entities. 

Utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Office of Resources and Community Empowerment, in East Point's Human Services Division, have developed an Empowerment Program to assist families through their financial and professional journeys. The Empowerment Program is an intensive, six to twenty-four months case management program that uses evidence-based practices to support participants with wraparound services as they work towards their goals. Participants in this program are paired with a Support Coach (East Point staff), who encourages them on their journey through the program. Participants are also required to participate in a variety of classes and workshops, including classes on financial literacy, resume writing & workforce development, leadership and advocacy, energy efficiency, tech literacy, and more! In the month of August, program participants met with their support coach weekly via Zoom and were provided financial literacy resources. 

The mission of the Office of Resources and Community Empowerment is to change the lives of low-to-moderate income individuals and families in the City of East Point by collaborating with internal and external partners to provide the services and connections necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. To learn more about the program, contact Yolanda Johnson, [email protected]

Photo Credit: Yolanda Johnson, Program Coordinator

In the month of August, Fire officials under the leadership of Fire Chief Corey Thornton installed weather radios in all City facilities. East Point Fire officials say the following are benefits of having a weather radio: 

• Early warning is your best protection
• Covers emergency threats such as Tornadoes, Floods, Hurricanes, Fire and Earthquakes
• Battery backup for times without power
• Instant Local Weather

Fire Chiefs Charles Kendrick and Quintavius Hill delivering weather radios to staff in City facilities. 

The East Point Police Department is one of the first police departments in the metro area to use virtual reality training. They're training for real life scenarios using Axon VR tasers and Axon VR headsets. Axon's mission is to transform Public Safety with technology. Axon VR represents the future of public safety training: immersive de-escalation training that ultimately makes both communities and officers safer. Axon VR brings the most immersive training scenarios, state-of-the-art technology and innovative training methods to public safety. Axon will provide new training content for East Point Police Officers every quarter. 

Sgt. Fragoso holding an Axon VR Taser

Axon VR Taser

Congratulations to former EPA Workforce Development Job Training Program graduate Ashton Manning for completing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Teen Academy. In July, Manning attended this academy sponsored by the Jackson Field Office which focuses on teaching teens about the FBI's mission. 

Photo Credit: Ashton Manning

FAMU Student Torran Blatch

The City Clerk's Office rocked their orange and green to celebrate their intern, Torran Blatch, for attending the prestigious Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU). Torran interned in the City Clerk's Office for three months and began her freshman year at FAMU on August 17th. Torran is majoring in Business Administration. Her goal is to become an Entertainment Attorney one day. The City of East Point wishes Torran well on her future endeavors! 

( L to R) Monique Melett, Torran Blatch, Keshia McCullough and Cathrene Hardy

On August 3, the Customer Care Call Center reached an important milestone! The team answered 512 of 524 calls that came through the Call Center. This is a goal of 97.7%. Their priority is to answer 98% of calls daily. Please congratulate them on a job well done. 

At the August 1st City Council Meeting, Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham recognized and awarded winners from The Healthy Point (THP) 90-Day Health Initiative and the 2nd Annual Healthy Point Healthy Schools 5K Run/Walk. Please congratulate the following winners! 

The Healthy Point: 90-Day Health Initiative Winners 

8 Week Incentive: 

THP Signature Gym Bag

• Kathy Dingler
• Kris Hartman
• Sylvia Breland
• Shirley Hampton
• Fannie Childs
• Edythe Borders
• Nazeeya Abudala
• Avonay Williams
• Niesha Brooks

10 Week Incentive:

THP Signature Yeti

• Kathy Dingler
• Kris Hartman
• Sylvia Breland

12 Week Incentive: 

$200 Gift Card, Healthy Dinner with Cooking Demo

• Kathy Dingler
• Kris Hartman
• Sylvia Breland

2nd Annual Healthy Point Healthy Schools 5K Run/Walk Winners

• 1st Place: Matthew West
• 2nd Place: Jakym Battle
• 3rd Place: Roosevelt Gilbert

• Overall Male: Matthew West
• Overall Female: Zulma Stevens

• 10 and Under: Malik Swift
• 11 and 19: Kwame Swift and Alex Colon
• 20 to 29: Matthew West and Linde Parcels
• 30 to 39: Jakym Battle and Angela Miller
• 40 to 49: Roosevelt Gilbert and Melissa Schindler
• 50 to 59: Rodney Harris and Crystal Hart Johnson
• 60 & over: Michael Stinson and Katherine Jackson

On August 2, the East Point Police Department and East Point City Council partnered with JenCare Senior Medical Center to host National Night Out. This was an opportunity for residents to get acquainted with their City leaders and police officers. Free school supplies and bookbags were given to the first 300 kids. They also received giveaways and had their face painted.  

East Point Police

Councilwoman Sharon Shropshire with volunteers

On August 3, the East Point Power Department hosted "The Truth About Power Outages" Community Meeting. During this meeting, Power officials explained the causes of power outages, how to report power outages, and displayed the technologies they use to restore power.  

Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham at the Power Community Meeting.

Thomas Manghram, Assistant Power Director, showing a resident what they use to restore power. 

The Truth About Power Outages Community Meeting Video

On August 6, the City of East Point hosted a flood relief donation drive to provide aid to flood victims in St. Louis, Missouri. The community donated food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies, generators and more. The City collected 700lbs of items that were delivered to St. Louis. 

Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham donates water to the flood relief drive. 

Councilwoman Sharon Shropshire and former East Point City Councilman and State Representative Joe Heckstall dropping off their donations. 

On August 10, the City of East Point celebrated its 135th birthday! Residents celebrated the City's birthday with cupcakes and cake pops from Kupcakerie! 

Residents celebrating the City of East Point's birthday with cupcakes and cake pops from Kupcakerie! 

Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham celebrating the City's birthday!

Councilman Joshua B. Butler, IV, celebrating the City's birthday with local residents! 

On August 13, Morehouse School of Medicine partnered with the City of East Point to host its inaugural Health Equity Summit at the East Point City Annex Auditorium. This free event included health screenings, information, resources and community conversations related to health equity in East Point. The summit was hosted by Hight Health. Several local community organizations included Market 166 and the East Point Local Food Ecosystem Commission. Other vendors included the Health Law Partnership, Wholesome Wave Georgia, American Heart Association, and Fulton County Voter Education and Outreach. 

On August 17, the East Point Contracts & Procurement Department invited business owners to discuss "winning proposals" at their Proposal Writing 101 Info session. The session was facilitated by Jerri Sumlin with H.J. Russell & Company. 

Jerri Sumlin with H.J. Russell & Company

Proposal Writing 101 Info Session

On August 17, Unity National Bank partnered with the City of East Point, Mynd Match Development Group, Bridge Built by Citi and Bankers Insight Group to host the "Getting Approved: A Business Loan Workshop." This workshop was designed to help business owners obtain commercial bank financing. It was moderated by Roy Johnson, Senior Consultant for Bankers Insight Group with panelists Shawn Graham, CPA and CFO of the National Black MBA Association, Carlos Robinson, Relationship Manager with Unity National Bank, Rohit Mathur, Director of Bridge built by Citi, and Levar Haffoney, UGA Small Business Development Center at Georgia State University. Hors D'oeuvres were provided by Celebrity Chef Garvin. Attendees learned about personal guarantees, collateral, and why certain forms and information are needed in the credit process. 

(Top) Chuck Lewis, Unity National Bank's Georgia Market President 

(L to R)  Shawn Graham (CPA and CFO of the National Black MBA Association), Carlos Robinson (Relationship Manager with Unity National Bank), Rohit Mathur (Director of Bridge built By Citi) and Levar Haffoney (UGA Small Business Development Center at Georgia State University) 

Attendees at the "Getting Approved: A Business Loan Workshop" 

"Getting Approved: A Business Loan Workshop" Video

On August 19, Krush Restaurant & Bar held their official grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. Be sure to check them out at 3183 Main Street!!!

On August 20-21, hundreds of residents and visitors attended the inaugural 2-day Standing Peachtree Native American Festival & Powwow at East Point City Hall. This event was hosted by East Point's Public Art Coordinator Christopher Swain and Georgia Indigenous Diversity Consulting, LLC. Attendees experienced and understood the central role of dance in Native American culture, music, traditional native dwellings, food, arts & crafts and more! 

Standing Peachtree Native American Festival & Powwow Video

On August 22, the City of East Point hosted a community outreach meeting to discuss the Microsoft Data Center Development Project at Fire Station #3. East Point officials explained the plan review process. Microsoft officials explained the project development details, project timeline and answered questions from the community. 

Microsoft Community Outreach Meeting Video

On August 24, Grammy award winner and legendary Hip-Hop Icon Antwan "Big Boi" Patton returned home to headline the "Wednesday Wind Down In The Point" season finale. Additional performances were by YoungBloodz, Pastor Troy, Raheem The Dream and DKOMX. Big Boi was also presented with his own cookie from the owner of Leafy Greens Market. 

Photo Credit: Grace First Video

Sleepy Brown & Big Boi

Big Boi & Goodie Mob

YoungBloodz

Pastor Troy

Raheem The Dream

DKOMX

"Wednesday Wind Down In The Point" Video

On August 27, some East Point residents officially joined the "Green Team" at the  Sustainable Roundtable Coffee & Bagels Meetup hosted by Councilman Lance Robertson. For more information about the Atlanta Regional Commission Green Communities Program Initiative "Greening The Point," contact Councilman Robertson at [email protected] #greeningthepoint

Charlotte King, Sustainability Advocate, speaking to East Point's "Green Team"

East Point's "Green Team"

On August 27, dozens of East Point youth signed up to play in the inaugural 3 on 3 Youth Basketball Tournament at Sykes Park. This event was hosted by Councilmembers T. Starr Cummings, Myron B. Cook and East Point Parks & Recreation. All participants received medals and the winners were awarded trophies. There was also free food, bounce houses, and other activities from Parks & Recreation. 

Councilmembers T. Starr Cummings & Stephanie Gordon

3 on 3 Youth Basketball Tournament Video

On August 27, Challenge The Stats highlighted the stories of Black musicians, civil rights leaders, actors and poets who have impacted our world at the Superheroes of Today Family Concert. This free event was presented by Challenge the Stats in Residence at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta in partnership with the City of East Point and the South Fulton Institute. 

Superheroes of Today Family Concert Video

On August 29, Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham answered questions and concerns from residents at her "Community Conversations with the Mayor" series. The goal of this series is to hear from residents and share information that empowers them to be informed and engaged. Topics of discussion included Safety, Infrastructure, Economic/Community Development & Tourism. For questions, contact the Mayor's Office at 404-270-7091. 

On August 31, residents attended the East Point Comprehensive Plan Open House hosted by the Planning & Community Development Department. This was an opportunity for residents to share their ideas and be a part of the planning process to shape and guide the growth, development and character of our community. Cities and counties in Georgia are required to update their Comprehensive Plans every five years and East Point's next update is due this year.