The Edit by SocialAtlanta
Our editors report on the city's giving and generosity.
Stockbridge Ampitheater Renamed VyStar Ampitheater
Financial Literacy CEO Releases Book and National Campaign
Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant today announced his book, Financial Literacy for All, will be featured in 2,000 Walmart stores throughout the U.S. as part of their annual “New Year, New You” campaign. The book will be highlighted on special promotional endcap displays in participating stores. Operation Hope is a non-profit organization with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation.
Released in April 2024, the book’s foreword was written by Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. It debuted at #13 on the USA Today Bestseller List, #9 on Publisher’s Weekly, and continues to hold the #1 spot in multiple categories on Amazon’s bestseller lists. In response, Mr. Bryant initiated a campaign outlining how every American can advance financial literacy for themselves and their communities. It offers six specific calls to action and is grounded in the belief that everyone can do something – where they live, learn, work, or play – to improve their own financial future or help someone else with theirs. Bryant also announced a “Business Plan for America” at the Milken Global Conference in Los Angeles, which emphasizes diversity and opportunity as the cornerstones for economic growth. Demand for conversations about the book country led to the launch of Bryant’s American Aspiration Tour, aimed at igniting a new national dialogue on financial literacy and economic inclusion. It began in Atlanta and was hosted at City Hall by Mayor Andre Dickens. Other civic leaders hosting events included Memphis Mayor Paul Young, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, and Montgomery, AL Mayor Steven Reed.
The Home Depot Foundation Commits $3 million to Southern California Wildfire Relief
The Home Depot Foundation is committing an additional $2 million to support immediate disaster relief and long-term recovery needs in Southern California communities impacted by wildfires, increasing its investment to $3 million. The bulk of the funds will go to nonprofit partners, such as Team Rubicon, World Central Kitchen and Convoy of Hope to support immediate relief needs as well as long-term recovery efforts, while some funds will go toward helping fill the skilled labor gap as communities rebuild.
“Rebuilding will require skilled workers in construction, an industry that is already understaffed,” said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation.
Since the wildfires began spreading earlier this month, stores have donated water, masks and other essential supplies to local nonprofits and individuals in need. Team Rubicon, a national partner of the Foundation and veteran-led humanitarian organization, has been using The Home Depot store in Simi Valley as a rally point to deploy hundreds of volunteers and resources to the Oak Park community, which was part of the mandatory evacuation zone. Team Rubicon is also assisting survivors across the Los Angeles area with educational materials and much-needed supplies.
Brett Graff is SocialMiami.com’s managing editor and has been a journalist covering money, people and power for over 20 years. Graff contributes to national media outlets including Reuters, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, Maxim, and the PBS show, Nightly Business Report. A former U.S. government economist, her nationally syndicated column The Home Economist is first published in The Miami Herald and then on the Tribune Content Agency, where it’s available to over 400 publications nationwide. She is broadcast weekly on two iHeartRadio news shows and is the author of “Not Buying It: Stop Overspending & Start Raising Happier, Healthier, More Successful Kids,” a parenting guide for people who might be tempted to buy their children the very obstacles they’re trying to avoid.
