The Urban League of Greater Atlanta – Young Professionals (ULGA-YP), a young professional affiliate group of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta that tackles empowerment and socioeconomic issues faced by underserved metro Atlanta communities, announces it will honor community innovators and award scholarships to select Atlanta Public Schools (APS) students during its annual Dream Catchers Scholarship and Awards Reception on April 20, 2018, at The Gathering Spot.

This year’s honorees include Make Music Count CEO and founder Marcus Blackwell, Goodr CEO and founder Jasmine Crowe, City of Refuge board member and owner of Vine City’s first Chick-fil-A Quincy Spring, and Georgia’s 39th District Senator Nikema Williams. These individuals were selected for their intrepid pursuit to manifest their dreams while improving and invigorating the lives of Atlantans in the areas of politics, community leadership and business.

“I’m extremely honored to be a 2018 Dream Catchers Honoree,” says Jasmine Crowe, whose company, Goodr, is a sustainable food surplus management company that helps feed food-insecure people. “College is such a transformative experience that provides barrier-breaking opportunities, and to be a part of an event that helps students pursue that dream is a blessing,” she adds.

In association with Project Ready, a National Urban League college-readiness initiative, the Dream Catchers Scholarship and Awards Reception celebrates and supports the ambitions of college-bound APS students. To support students’ academic journeys and honor community leaders, ULGA-YP creates a mutually beneficial partnership with prominent Atlanta companies such as the Southern Company and emerging small businesses such as The Gathering Spot and the Roger Center for Oral and Facial Surgery to applaud achievement and positive impact in areas relevant to the Urban League’s five-pronged agenda. So far, ULGA-YP has raised more than $13,000 for this year’s event and counting.

“Dream Catchers is our platform to help make the dream of obtaining a college education a reality,” says Shalondan Hollingshed, president of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta – Young Professionals. “Simultaneously, we honor individuals and businesses that are doing phenomenal work in the community, so we can show these students what their future will look like.”

Travis Townsend, president of MAFDET and founding partner of Townsend & Lockett LLC, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Dream Catchers is open to the public and will take place at The Gathering Spot (384 Northyards Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA) from 7–11 p.m. on Friday, April 20. In addition to honoring students and community leaders, guests will have the opportunity to mingle, enjoy an open bar and light hors d’oeuvres and participate in a silent auction. Tickets for the event are $55 and can be purchased at ulga-yp.org/dreamcatchers.

Additionally, individuals can also make personal donations. All contributions will go to fund future Dream Catchers scholarships and other ULGA-YP community services. Visit ULGA-YP.org to learn more about Dream Catchers, ULGA-YP, or how to join. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Twum, treasurer@ulga-yp.org.

2018 Honorees

Education Honoree
Marcus Blackwell

Advocacy Honoree
Senator Nikema Williams

Community Honoree
Jasmine Crowe

Business Honoree
Quincy Springs

About the Urban League of Greater Atlanta – Young Professionals

With more than 250 active, community-conscious young professionals, ULGA-YP works to inspire young professionals to take on leadership roles and responsibilities that effectively help underserved communities through community service. As an affiliate group of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, ULGA-YP supports the guild through fundraising activities and assisting with community-service events. Through its monthly informational workshops, the ULGA-YP provides knowledge and networking opportunities for young professionals and entrepreneurs in metro Atlanta. For more information, visit http://www.ulga-yp.org.