In 2023, Sandy Springs Together engaged with more residents, organizations and community leaders than ever before to facilitate positive change in our community. From community barbeques to public forums, we met and heard from YOU, our neighbors in Sandy Springs.
Celebrating Black Excellence Panel
On Friday, February 24, Sandy Springs Together and Sandy Springs Charter Middle School partnered to highlight some of the many Black leaders who are making a positive impact within our community by hosting the Celebrating Black Excellence panel discussion for middle school students.
This event brought together local Black leaders from a variety of professions to share with students how they achieved personal success and to give students advice on achieving their own goals. Sandy Springs Together is proud to work with community partners to hold events such as the Celebrating Black Excellence panel discussion. Events like these introduce our students to leaders in Sandy Springs who are making important contributions to society and giving back to the community.
The Launch of Sandy Springs Speaks
In March, more than 100 Sandy Springs apartment residents attended the inaugural Sandy Springs Speaks to voice their concerns and share ideas they’d like to see implemented in the community.
Sandy Springs Speaks is a series of community-focused events that are designed to derive input from Sandy Springs residents about their living experiences. We held several Sandy Springs Speaks events in 2023, both in-person and online, and we’re looking forward to hosting more in 2024!
Sandy Springs Speaks: Let’s Talk Trash, Rose Scott and Vox
In response to feedback we received during our first Sandy Springs Speaks event, we invited representatives from Sandy Springs Code Enforcement, the Sandy Springs Fire Department and other local officials to answer apartment residents’ most pressing questions, from trash pickup and pest control to concerns about apartment living conditions.
Also in April, thanks to our partnership with VOX Teen Communications, Sandy Springs Together sponsored an event for students at North Springs High School to meet award-winning journalist and host of “A Closer Look”, Rose Scott.
Scott spoke with students about her experiences as a journalist and provided tips on pursuing a career in the field, including the best ways to find reliable resources and how to most effectively communicate their ideas.
Community Screening of The Little Mermaid
In May, we joined local nonprofits, businesses and community leaders to support a special screening of Disney’s, “The Little Mermaid” for young women in our community.
Organized by community leader Le’Dor Milteer, this event also provided an opportunity for attendees to hear from role models who are women of color. We’re grateful for the opportunity to support events like this one that allow Sandy Springs children to connect with individuals in our community who serve as positive sources of support and inspiration in their lives.
Launching of Imagine Sandy Springs Together Ad Campaign
In July, we launched the Imagine Sandy Springs Together ad campaign. This campaign embodies Sandy Springs Together’s core beliefs and goals: to create a more equitable and welcoming Sandy Springs for people from all walks of life.
The campaign utilized images of recognizable locations in our community, from the Sandy Springs Farmers Market to our local cafe.
Sandy Springs Speaks: BBQ & Buddies; Sandy Springs Speaks: Let’s Talk Trash
In September, we hosted the Sandy Springs Speaks: BBQ & Buddies for an afternoon of food, fun and socializing. This event allowed us to strengthen the relationships we’ve developed with members of Sandy Springs’ apartment community while also discussing ideas and plans to create a more equitable future for all. We also held our first-ever virtual Sandy Springs Speaks event, titled: Sandy Springs Speaks: Let’s Talk Fire Safety & Trash! Fire safety and waste management were two of the most- discussed topics during our initial Sandy Springs Speaks events, so we brought back representatives from Sandy Springs Code Enforcement and the Sandy Springs Fire Department to speak to apartment residents about their concerns surrounding these issues.
Love Where You Learn
As the leaves changed colors and the temperature began to drop, we continued working to improve our community. We proudly partnered with Ison Elementary School and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. to host “Love Where You Learn”, a transformational project to enhance the surrounding landscape at Ison Elementary School.
We worked with our neighbors and friends to add vibrant colors, shrubs and more at the entrance of the school in the hope that it would enhance students’ pride in their school.
Sandy Springs Speaks: Renters’ Rights Summit
To close out our year, Sandy Springs Together hosted the first-ever Sandy Springs Speaks: Renter’s Rights Summit on Sunday, November 12. The event featured a panel of experts made up of:
- Rep. Omari Crawford, Georgia State House District 84
- Atty. Crystal Redd, Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and Co-Director of the Safe and Stable Homes Project
- Atty. Esther Graff-Radford, Atlanta-based Civil Litigation Lawyer
- Michael Waller, Executive Director of Georgia Appleseed
The summit provided Sandy Springs apartment residents with helpful tips and information about their legal rights and how to address issues they may have with their landlords.
Thanks to your support and participation this year, we’ve made significant strides in advocating for affordable housing and inclusive development. Your feedback given during our community forums, your social media comments and your continuous drive to help create a better Sandy Springs has made this year a success.
As we prepare to enter 2024, we are excited to continue this journey with you. Your involvement is key to our shared vision for a thriving Sandy Springs where every voice is heard and every resident can prosper.
