Atlanta, we hear you.

We’ve been listening.

Mayor Bottoms, we hear you. Killer Mike, we hear you. John Lewis, we hear you.

Atlanta, we hear you.

Thousands of you have taken to the streets to peacefully protest. Thank you. Thank you for leading, for standing up and for saying enough is enough. We hear you and we march with you in solidarity, advocating for racial justice and the end to violence against the Black community. More simply put, we believe black lives matter.

In the coming days and weeks, the protests will end and the news cycle will change. But the movement must continue. It will take more listening and more action if we are to overcome systemic racism and realize our vision for Atlanta – to become the most equitable and engaged community in the world.

Keep working.

For the 5,000+ annual volunteer projects across metro Atlanta, where volunteers like you, support organizations with Black leadership, like A.G.Rhodes, First African Community Development Corporation (FACDC), Grace Community Fellowship, New Life, Reflections of Trinity, Salem Missionary Baptist Church Community Services, Star-C, SWEEAC, Truly Living Well, and the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance.

For the commitment and sacrifice from our AmeriCorps members who are in Title 1 schools mentoring, coaching and leading elementary students. For the volunteers who show up every Saturday during the school year to support students in our Discovery program. For the work of our Civic Fellows who advocate for our work and directly support our partner nonprofits. For fighting food insecurity with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and supporting our city's most vulnerable alongside Partners for Home. For our Covid-19 relief efforts, and so much more.

Our volunteers [you] represent the best of Atlanta.  Through your actions, you can glimpse Dr. King’s beloved community beginning to take shape. You're doing this work every day.

Keep doing it.

““The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ”

— Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.