Operation Hope to Receive “Outstanding Voice” Award

John Hope Bryant – founder and chairman of Operation Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment – was selected by The Atlanta Business Chronicle to receive the 2023 ‘Outstanding Voice’ Award. The organization was also recently placed on the publication’s list of Fastest Growing Companies, ranking 42 out of 100.  Operation HOPE received Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award for driving entrepreneurship.

Since its inception in 1992, Operation HOPE has served over 4 million people and directed nearly $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities.

“Using my voice and empowering others has been a theme of my life’s work,” said Operation HOPE Chairman, Founder, and CEO. “I am honored to be recognized by The Atlanta Business Chronicle for my work to improve equality for all, ” Bryant added, “I look forward to celebrating among Atlanta’s great allies and advocates as we continue the collaborative work that makes our communities better today—as well as for generations to come.”

In addition to founding Operation HOPE, Bryant is the Chairman, and CEO of Bryant Group Ventures and Principal of The Promise Homes Company, which is the largest minority-controlled owner of single-family rental homes in the United States. Bryant has served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. At the recommendation of Mr. Bryant, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew renamed the former U.S. Treasury Annex Building the Freedman’s Bank Building.

Points of Light President & CEO

Jennifer Sirangelo has been named president and CEO of The Points of Light, the Atlanta-based organization announced in a press release. Sirangelo had previously been president and CEO of the National 4-H Council in Washington DC. She’s also held leadership roles at Boys & Girls Clubs of America on both the national and local levels.

“Jennifer is proven to be a dynamic leader who brings a wealth of strategic leadership and experience in the nonprofit sector,” says Neil Bush, Points of Light board chair.  Her collaborative, confident and warm demeanor will lend itself to building and growing relationships with our members, partners, staff and donors to take Points of Light into the next chapter of social impact expertise.”

Points of Light was founded by President George H.W. Bush with the mission of creating a society where it is easy for every individual to take action and accelerate change within their community and around the world, according to its website. It says it’s committed to providing the tools, insights and connections needed to ensure the social sector continues to grow and innovate in this rapidly changing world.

“I have seen the power of civic engagement to create strong leaders, build communities and impact the lives of many,” said Sirangelo. “I am excited to lead Points of Light into its next chapter, raise the organization’s visibility and scale to increase our impact around the world.”

Jermaine Dupri and Atlanta’s Magic City

Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri, reported the Miami Herald, is working with hip-hop star Drake to create a new documentary on the history of storied Atlanta strip club, Magic City. Dubbed “Magic City: An American Fantasy,” they are shopping around the three-part series exploring “the strip club’s decades-long impact on hip-hop music and its ability to launch countless artists since 1985,” reports the Herald. “The series will also cover the club’s influence on crime, women’s sexuality and commodification, Black entrepreneurship, and socio-economic politics.”

The paper reports in addition to Dupri and Drake, others involved including Cole Brown, production company Scheme Engine and actress and Atlanta Hawks co-owner Jami Gertz are also executive producers. The product is independently funded.