Author: Admin

New research has named the best airports for business class lounges, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ranking in 5th place. This ranking underscores the airport’s dedication to offering premium amenities and a top-tier experience for business travelers.

The study, put together by the business travel experts at Booking.com for Business, analysed factors such as the availability of lounges, the number of nearby hotels, and the distance to local business districts for major airports around the world to reveal the best airports for work-related journeys.

The Best Airports For Business Class Lounges:

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York leads the rankings with an impressive 27 business class lounges, offering an unmatched selection for travelers seeking premium options. With a wide range of amenities, including gourmet dining, quiet workspaces, and luxurious showers, JFK caters to the needs of every business traveler, solidifying its position as the top destination for luxury and convenience in air travel.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) takes the second spot with 23 business class lounges, reflecting its status as a major gateway for global travelers. SFO’s lounges offer modern designs, exceptional services, and serene environments, making it a prime choice for business travelers who value comfort and productivity on the go.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) ranks third with 22 lounges, reinforcing California’s prominence as a hub for luxury travel. Serving as a key gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, LAX offers a diverse array of lounges with high-end dining, spa services, and private workspaces, ensuring a seamless and sophisticated travel experience for business travelers.

The research also revealed:

• Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the best international airport for business trips, earning a 9.73 out of 10. It is also one of the best-connected airports in the world, with 264 direct flight routes, 94.7% of which offer business class travel. 

For the full report visit business.booking.com

 Georgia State University’s Monique Moultrie and Spelman College’s Rosetta Ross will host a two-day conference, “When We Lead: Black Women’s Spiritual Activism and Social Change Conference,” Oct. 4 and 5 at the Emory Conference Center Hotel in Atlanta. This groundbreaking event will bring together scholars, religious leaders, activists and community members to explore the significant impact of Black women’s leadership in religious activism and social justice movements.

The conference is a celebration of Moultrie and Ross’ work on the Garden Initiative for Black Women’s Religious Activism, a three-year project funded by the Henry Luce Foundation. The initiative was established to address the lack of comprehensive documentation and recognition of Black women religious leaders’ contributions to American society.

The conference is intended for scholars of religious studies, historians, social justice advocates and anyone interested in understanding the critical role of Black women in shaping public life and religious activism. Attendees can look forward to in-depth discussions, mentoring opportunities and professional development sessions aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of Black women’s spiritual leadership across diverse religious traditions.

The Garden Initiative set out with four primary goals: to document and archive Black women’s religious leadership, create a mentoring hub for leaders, expand scholarship on Black women religious leaders beyond Christianity and advance public knowledge about the gendered role of Black religious participation in social justice movements.

“We’ve made great progress on each of our four goals since this project began,” Moultrie said. “Our mentoring hub was successfully launched and consists of 16 wonderful multireligious, intergenerational women leaders.”

Ross noted the Garden’s impact on significantly expanding scholarship on Black women religious leaders across diverse religious traditions.

Since its inception, the project has made significant strides. The Garden Initiative’s website now includes a comprehensive timeline of Black women’s religious leadership, activism and organizing from the 1800s to the present day. The site also features biographies and resource guides on prominent Black women religious activists such as Coretta Scott King and Harriet Tubman.

Although these two researchers have accomplished so much in just three years, they both say there’s more to be done with this project. A significant reason Moultrie and Ross set out to create the Garden Initiative is because most of the scholarly and popular attention to Black religious leaders, especially the influence of religious leaders in the civil rights movement, has focused on male leadership. Their hope is that this project will help change the public’s perception when it comes to Black religious leadership.

“My deepest hope is that people recognize that Black women religious leaders’ contributions have helped shape public life as we endeavor to help the nation be a more just and inclusive society,” Moultrie said.

“I have been pleased to learn how much I did not know about Black women’s religious leadership across traditions in the United States,” Ross said. “The research has yielded new knowledge for me about the existence of Black women I had not heard of who are making important contributions. If the Garden Initiative’s future progress helps people recognize the full impact of the contributions Black women make, then that recognition, for me, will be a significant legacy.”

Conference Details:

Event: When We Lead: Black Women’s Spiritual Activism and Social Change Conference

Dates: Oct. 4-5, 2024

Location: Emory Conference Center Hotel, Atlanta, GA

Registration: Early-bird registration through Sept. 13: $175; Regular registration: $200

Register Now: https://blackwomensreligiousactivism.org/2024-conference/

Silvercrest Asset Management Group Inc. (NASDAQ:SAMG) is pleased to announce that Chip Kelleher has joined the firm as a Managing Director. Kelleher will spearhead the further expansion of Silvercrest’s presence in the southern market by opening a new Atlanta, Georgia, office.

Kelleher brings with him a distinguished career in asset management and a robust network of relationships in the financial industry. He has a proven track record of delivering strategic investment solutions and fostering strong client relationships. At Silvercrest, Kelleher will leverage his expertise to enhance the firm’s offerings and extend its reach.

“I am thrilled to welcome Chip to the Silvercrest team,” said Richard Hough, Chairman and CEO of Silvercrest Asset Management Group. “Chip’s extensive experience, proven success, and deep understanding of the financial landscape make him an invaluable addition to the firm. Our new Atlanta office will strengthen our regional presence and provide our clients with an elevated level of personalized service.”

The Atlanta office will serve as a key hub for Silvercrest’s operations in the southern market, providing comprehensive asset management and advisory services. The expansion underscores Silvercrest’s commitment to growth and to meeting the evolving needs of clients across diverse geographic regions. Silvercrest already has a fast-growing Richmond, VA, office, and works with a substantial number of families and select institutions throughout the Southeast.

“I am excited to join Silvercrest and to lead the firm’s expansion into the southern market,” said Kelleher. “Atlanta is a dynamic financial center with significant growth potential, and I look forward to building on Silvercrest’s reputation for excellence and innovation in asset management.”

The Atlanta office will provide a full suite of investment management services, including customized portfolio strategies and comprehensive financial planning.

Kia America closed August with record-breaking retail sales, higher than any other month in company history. The addition of the all-electric 3-row EV9 SUV led to a 27-percent increase in EV sales over the same period last year, while PHEV models increased 43-percent year-over-year, resulting in a 9-percent growth in sales of Kia’s electrified models over August 2023 and reinforcing the brand’s leadership position as the industry shifts toward electrification. Also, the sales of Kia’s SUV models posted a 9-percent gain, further underscoring the ongoing popularity of Kia’s utility vehicles.

Kia America August sales totaled 75,217 units, posting best August sales in company history, with SUVs accounting for 75- and electrified models 18-percent of the overall total. Four Kia models – Seltos (+30-percent); Sportage (+23-percent); Telluride (+5-percent); and Forte (+13-percent) – set best-ever August sales records, further contributing to the brand’s record-breaking sales performance.

“Kia’s dealer sales were higher than any month in company history by effectively managing inventory shortages as well as executing proactive marketing and sales activities in the month,” said Eric Watson, vice president, sales operations, Kia America. “Kia SUVs continue to gain popularity in the market up 9-percent YoY and our EV sales continue to strengthen up 27-percent YoY.  Our outlook for the remainder of the year is optimistic with increased availability on the refreshed K5 and the introduction of both Carnival hybrid and the all-new K4 sedan.”

In addition to the monthly sales performance, Kia America announced several initiatives, including:

• Kia America received the highest number of awards by a single brand with five Kia models taking top honors in their respective segments in the J.D. Power 2024 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study. For the fourth consecutive year, the K5 was the highest-ranked Midsize Car with the all-electric EV6 (Compact SUV) and Carnival (Minivan) topping their respective segments, each for the third time. The Forte was the highest ranked Compact Car for the second year in a row and the EV9 earned its first category award (Upper Midsize SUV) in the model’s first year on sale. 

• Kia America earned eight honors in the 2024 Newsweek Autos Awards. Individual vehicle awards included: Best Vehicle for Commuters for the Kia Sportage, Top Pick for Tomorrow Seekers for the all-electric Kia EV9, Top Pick for Suburbanites for the Kia EV9, Top Pick for Urbanities for the Kia Seltos, Top Pick for Empty Nesters for the Kia Sorento, Top Pick for Empty Nesters for the Kia Carnival, Top Pick for First-Time Car Buyers for the Kia Seltos, and Top Pick for Commuters for the Kia Niro. 

• The brand’s return to the ninth annual Rebelle Rally, marking the brand’s fifth consecutive year of competition in the grueling navigational challenge. A custom student-designed wrap will adorn the modified Telluride X-Pro SUV when the Rally takes place this Fall. 

Jay Bassett is a solar homeowner from Snellville, Georgia. He is a veteran and former EPA employee who was an organizer in the Solarize Gwinnett Campaign.

Jay Bassett’s home solar installation does more than generate electricity. It lets him give back. Jay went solar in September of 2023 through the Solarize Gwinnett program. The former naval officer and civil servant with the Environmental Protection Agency was a lead organizer of the effort.

“Part of what we are trying to do is get people thinking about if you put solar [on your home], how does this really build better communities?”

For Jay, this meant working with Solarize Gwinnett participants to donate their Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to local nonprofits. RECs represent the “green” value of solar energy. Utilities will buy them to meet renewable energy goals. This makes them valuable.

Solarize Gwinnett worked with the Atlanta-based organization Solar Stewards. Jay’s was the first household to work through the agreement process with Solar Stewards. He did this so others would feel more comfortable donating their RECs. “It is a way of giving back to your community without taking away from the benefits you get.” The donated RECs will support affordable housing as well as lowering electric bills and improve energy efficiency for families in need.

Jay’s system offsets about 2/3rds of his electric use. He also has a battery system. This lets him “receive the benefit of every kilowatt hour I generate.” It also ensures he can keep the lights on and food fresh if the power goes out.

Thanks to the Solarize campaign 20 homes in Gwinnett county are now producing their own renewable energy. The group’s installer, Better Tomorrow Solar, said they installed a total of 120.4 kilowatts of solar across the project. Each home received a discount by participating in the program.

The finances of going solar made sense to Jay. “We are already getting a bulk buy, at 2 bucks to 2.50 a watt, which is a good price.” He also said the 30% tax credit, part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) helped his decision. Jay plans to make the most of the available home efficiency and electrification upgrade provisions of the IRA as well.

When it comes to growing solar energy adoption, Jay believes that “building relationships is what is going to move the needle”. Since “relationships move at the speed of trust” he said the people and organizations that support solar need to engage their networks. This way, they can show the benefits of participating in a distributed energy system and how people can build equity with it.

Solar United Neighbors is a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating a clean, equitable, and resilient energy system that benefits everyone.

If you’d like to learn more about going solar and how incentives can benefit you, download SUN’s Go Solar guide: https://act.solarunitedneighbors.org/a/go-solar-guide.

Or contact SUN’s Solar Help Desk, which takes the complexity out of solar so individuals can make informed decisions. https://solarunitedneighbors.org/help-desk/.

USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue talks about the upcoming Board of Regents’ Scholarship and Awards Gala set for September 12 at Trilith Studios with Chairman of Chick-fil-A Dan Cathy.