Where you live should not determine your opportunities in life. But across Atlanta, some neighborhoods have experienced decades of disinvestment, leaving families facing barriers to resources and economic mobility.
Mayor Andre Dickens’ Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI) is working to change that by bringing investment and community partners together around neighborhood priorities.
Now, the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Committee for Progress have launched the Atlanta Neighborhood Collective, a new nonprofit dedicated to advancing NRI and helping turn neighborhood priorities into lasting progress.
Donovan Lee-Sin has been named the organization’s inaugural executive director and will begin October 12.
Why This Matters for Residents
NRI focuses on improving opportunities and outcomes for children and families, especially in neighborhoods that have historically experienced disinvestment.
The Atlanta Neighborhood Collective will help coordinate public, private, philanthropic and community investments while keeping residents involved in decisions affecting their neighborhoods.
“Atlanta’s neighborhoods are the foundation of our city’s strength,” said Mayor Dickens. “When children and families have access to the resources they need to thrive, our entire city moves forward.”
Seven Neighborhood Areas at the Center of the Work
NRI focuses on seven founding neighborhood areas:
- Thomasville Heights
- English Avenue/Vine City
- Grove Park/Bankhead
- West Hollowell
- East Campbellton
- West Campbellton
- Downtown and Mechanicsville
The initiative builds on each community’s strengths and priorities rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Turning Neighborhood Priorities Into Action
Lee-Sin brings more than 20 years of experience in community development, philanthropy and civic engagement. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Community Impact for Augusta National Golf Club.
“My commitment is to listen first, build on the strengths and leadership already present in every neighborhood, and help turn shared priorities into coordinated action and measurable outcomes,” said Lee-Sin.
The Atlanta Neighborhood Collective will work alongside local partners including Atlanta Downtown, Focused Community Strategies, Grove Park Foundation, West Hollowell Foundation and Westside Future Fund.
For the Dickens Administration, this marks another step in its long-term commitment to expanding economic mobility, supporting neighborhood-led solutions and ensuring more Atlanta families have opportunities to thrive.
Learn more at atlneighborhoods.org.
