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During the 44 th Annual Obie Awards ceremony, hosted at the Georgia Aquarium on October 19 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association’s Sales & Marketing Council, David Weekley Homes’ Atlanta Division heard their name called nine times. Designed to recognize outstanding achievements in the Atlanta home building industry, the Obie Award was presented to the national home builder in categories ranging from building design and interior merchandising to personal achievement and community service.

David Weekley Homes’ Atlanta Division was recognized for its work between June 2023-June 2024, including:

• Community of the Year – 55+ Category – The Retreat at Sterling on the Lake in Flowery Branch

• Gold Obie – Best Interior Merchandising – The Model Home at Havencroft in Woodstock

• Gold Obie – Best Building Design – The Ridgeford Floor Plan – Crescent Pointe at Great Sky in Canton

• Gold Obie – Community Service – Comprising David Weekley Homes’ Annual Back- to-School Drive, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Elves Campaign, five blood drives, a 5K, and an annual Build Day plus $10,000 donation to support Trinity Community Ministries

• Gold Obie – Best Marketing Campaign – Havencroft Drip Campaign, Digital Brochure, and Drive-In Event

• Gold Obie – Sales Team of the Year – led by Lead Sales Consultant Jamie Cohen of The Retreat at Sterling on the Lake

• Gold Obie – Internet Advisor of the Year – Laura Thomson

• Silver Obie – Realtor Promotion of the Year – “Sell More, Make More” Campaign

• Silver Obie – Best Interior Merchandising – The Model Home at Crescent Pointe at Great Sky in Canton

“Representing the premier award in the Atlanta home building industry, David Weekley Homes is honored to be recognized nine times over by the GAHBA’s Atlanta Sales & Marketing Council this year,” said Adam Cornett, Division President for David Weekley Homes Atlanta. “While each win is sweet in its own right, the one that means the most to me and my team is therecognition of our company’s commitment to Community Service. We strive to be a leader in volunteer and philanthropic efforts within the homebuilding industry while showing our support for our neighbors in need and the communities that surround our neighborhoods. Our thanks go out to the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association for providing this forum for everyone from real estate agents and renovation companies to small home builders and national production builders to be acknowledged.”

A highly decorated homebuilder, as of 2023, David Weekley Homes’ divisions all across the nation have won more than 850 awards for product design and nearly 1,480 awards overall. To learn more about David Weekley Homes and its communities throughout Metro Atlanta, prospective homebuyers and real estate professionals are invited to visit www.DavidWeekleyHomes.com.

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The Rise of User-Generated Content in Travel Marketing Any serious travel company needs to produce authentic content to draw traffic, engage customers, and build its brand. In terms of authenticity, helpfulness, and immersion, it’s a tough task for most travel companies to produce. That’s why augmenting your current content strategy with the help of your…

terra alma announces an exclusive restaurant leasing opportunity in the heart of Historic South Atlanta at Brownsville Pointe. Developed by Focused Community Strategies (FCS), the 2,800-square-foot, two-story restaurant is located at 105 McDonough Blvd. SE, Atlanta, Ga. 30315. The space offers prime visibility just steps from the Atlanta BeltLine development and key amenities. 

Focused on building a sustainable and inclusive community, Brownsville Pointe is a mixed-use community comprised of three buildings featuring 18 residential units with a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and a restaurant. Of the 18 residential units, 12 are affordable housing at 60% of the area median income (AMI). Poised to be a central hub for the area, the community offers easy access to the Carver Neighborhood Market, Community Grounds Café, a newly built Publix and a vibrant selection of trendy restaurants. This location is poised for success, situated just 1/10^th of a mile of the new MARTA Summerhill BRT route and the Terminal South Food Hall.

FCS aims to empower neighborhoods and communities through accessible, sustained partnerships with individuals, families, systems and organizations. 

“We’ve been committed to community development in South Atlanta for 20 years,” said Marvin Nesbitt, Senior Director of Community Development at FCS. “With the new restaurant space, we are looking for an operator who can provide a great dining experience but also connect with the neighborhood and embrace its rich history and diversity.”

FCS has built in excess of 200 affordable homes in Historic South Atlanta over the past 25 years and currently manages a rental portfolio of 34 single-family units in the area. 

“Our philosophy has always been to create spaces that serve the whole community,” said Jeff Delp, Director of Economic Development at FCS. “The restaurant will be a place where neighbors come together and enjoy great food in a welcoming environment while also benefiting from the growth and improvements in the area.”

With environmental remediation underway, the restaurant space is slated to be ready by late 2025 or early 2026. Brownsville Pointe represents a unique opportunity for restauranteurs who want to be part of a growing, mission-driven neighborhood with deep community roots and exciting future prospects. 

On working with the team at terra alma, Delp says, “We found out Michaela Boone curated and leased the new Halidom Eatery food hall on Moreland, and that spoke to their experience. The type of operator they have at Halidom is close to what we are looking for.” Nesbitt adds, “It is exciting that the work terra alma does is closely connected to our organization’s mission. Their team consists of highly skilled and intentional women, including Courtney Hewitt, who graduated from our local community high school. They were just a good fit.”

For more information about leasing at Brownsville Pointe, contact terra alma at 404-913-3344 or visit www.terraalma.com.

With a potentially record-setting holiday travel season kicking into high gear, 30% of travelers say they are likely to use AI to plan or assist with their travel planning this year. This finding comes from a survey of more than 1,000 travelers conducted by leading travel publisher Matador Network, which launched the free AI travel genius GuideGeek last year.

The survey found that of the growing portion of travelers who have already used AI for travel, two thirds (66.6%) plan to use AI for travel planning this holiday season. Overall, younger travelers (Millennial and Gen Z) are almost 50 percent (48.1%) more likely than older travelers (Gen X, Baby Boomer) to use AI for holiday travel this year 

“I used AI last Christmas while in Split, Croatia. It led me to Diocletian Palace and Marjan Park, which was beautifully decorated for the holidays,” says Daryl H., an American currently living and working in Slovakia. “Without the suggestion from the AI, I might not have visited Marjan Park. I’ll be using AI to find holiday travel inspiration in Europe again this year.”

Planning family travel is, unsurprisingly, the most popular use of AI during the holiday season, according to the survey, followed by travel for people with disabilities. Surveys from Matador Network earlier in 2024 found that families with children are more likely than average to use AI travel tools and travelers with disabilities (or people planning travel for people with disabilities) report especially high levels of satisfaction with the technology.

“The holiday season often finds people making plans with family members and friends they don’t necessarily get to see at other times of year,” says Matador Network CEO Ross Borden. “Generative AI is really well suited to finding activities for a diverse group of people with different interests. You can ask GuideGeek specific questions like, ‘We have a 94-year-old who uses a wheelchair and a 15-year-old vegetarian in our group. What are some good options for dinner in Chicago?'”

Travelers message GuideGeek for free on WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook Messenger and receive instant, personalized responses from the award-winning AI. Travelers visiting Greece, Aruba, Toronto, Reno-Tahoe and dozens of other destinations around the world can use custom versions of GuideGeek’s technology provided by the destination marketing organization and trained on their extensive data about the destination.

“AI has made my travel planning a little easier because not only does it give me great suggestions but also includes information on hidden gems in the destination I am visiting,” says Christine Frances of Atlanta, who used AI to plan a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, just after the holidays last year. “An experience that AI suggested was visiting Lynn Canyon Park for a more laid-back waterfall hike. I loved it and it wasn’t super crowded.”

Known for its fresh, all-natural ingredients and inviting atmosphere, Cozy Coop, the Southern fast-food sensation, recently opened its second location in Roswell, Georgia, with a ribbon cutting in partnership with Roswell, Inc. The 3,000-square-foot Cozy Coop location is operating at 891 Holcomb Bridge Road after gutting and completing renovations of a former Hardees. Following the success of its first fast-casual location in Kennesaw, Cozy Coop continues to deliver a from-scratch, chef-driven menu featuring fried chicken, baby-back pork ribs, and classic Southern sides all day and evening with southern breakfast staples to kick off the day.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cozy Coop as they open their second location here in Roswell! With a vibrant $250 million restaurant industry, Cozy Coop is a fantastic addition to our community. When we first met Mike and Ricky, they were confident in their ability to deliver high-quality, quick service dining – and they have certainly delivered with their made-from-scratch recipes and top-notch ingredients,” said Steve Stroud, President and CEO of Roswell, Inc. “In a city known for its chef-driven dining, Cozy Coop stands out by offering a quick service option that rivals the excellence of a typical sit-down restaurant.”

Leading the kitchen is co-owner and chef Ricky Navas, who brings a passion for Southern cuisine with a wealth of experience from fine dining at Atlanta restaurants like Storico Fresco, Paces & Vine, and Murphy’s. His innovative approach blends traditional flavors with modern techniques, ensuring that every dish served at Cozy Coop is both familiar and extraordinary. The menu has a variety of items, including fan-favorites such as the signature fried chicken, tenders and wings, baby-back pork ribs, and comforting sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, biscuits, cornbread, and seasonal or weekly specials with many items offered in individual servings or large family-style meals. Chef Ricky also features freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and desserts, and signature homemade sauces catering to a variety of palates.

“Our mission has always been to take fast food to the next level – to show just how delicious and exceptional ‘fast food’ can be when it’s done with heart and care,” shared Michael Madonna, co-owner of Cozy Coop. “Guests at our Kennesaw location quickly recognized we were doing something special – which opened in November 2022. We quickly became a local favorite, and we’re starting to see that happening in Roswell with support from the city, new guests, businesses enjoying our catering, and already with many regulars. We’re grateful to be welcomed with such open arms!”

Cozy Coop Roswell continues the brand’s tradition of providing a communal dining experience, with counter service/table delivery dine-in, carry-out, and drive-through available. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, snacky hour and dinner, Cozy Coop’s hours are Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Active military, and first responders receive a 15% discount.

Interviews, menus and photographs of the restaurant or ribbon cutting, as well as media + influencer visits, are available upon request.

Georgia State Athletics and Athletics Director Charlie Cobb are excited to announce the launch of the GSU Panthers’ Exchange, a partnership with Teamworks Influencer designed to connect student-athletes with businesses for the next generation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.

This free program for both student-athletes and commercial enterprises features a customized portal that facilitates communication and transactions related to NIL opportunities. Once registered, businesses can access a database of Panther student-athletes, which can be searched using various criteria. They can message athletes directly or request their contact information. Influencer and Georgia State athletics will not participate in any NIL negotiations.

Within the Influencer app, student-athletes will discover a range of opportunities from third parties, including autographs, social media promotions, endorsements and conducting camps or clinics, as well as personal appearances and charitable support.

When an NIL agreement is finalized between a registered business and a student-athlete, the Panthers Exchange will streamline the transaction, ensuring direct payment to the athlete while automating disclosure to the GSU Compliance Office. Georgia State and INFLCR will not engage in the negotiation process, and all transactions will be compiled into a single 1099 form at year’s end for simplified tax reporting for both businesses and student-athletes.

Georgia State has strategically partnered with Teamworks Influencer, recognized as a national leader in athlete brand-building, NIL opportunity creation, and content management. The Influencer platform serves over 3,500 collegiate and professional sports teams and has more than 70,000 active athlete users.

All GSU athletes will have access to Influencer’s content delivery system, enabling them to easily access media, photography, videos, and other content to enhance their online presence. The system also provides valuable analytics to help student-athletes gauge audience engagement.

Moreover, Georgia State will leverage this data to analyze factors influencing attendance, recruiting, fan engagement, fundraising, and other critical strategic objectives.

For more information about Influencer Exchange, or to connect with a current student athelte, visit https://app.inflcr.com/exchange/georgia-state-university

A growing number of Americans turned to “off-the-books” work in 2023, according to a new study by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP). However, findings revealed these supplemental forms of income were largely ineffective in lifting low-income workers above poverty-level wages.

“Our research shows that individuals most likely to turn to the informal economy are those who have been unable to secure stable, well-paying positions in the formal market,” said LISEP Chairman Gene Ludwig. “Contrary to popular belief, however, informal work is no panacea for those struggling to find living wage jobs.”

According to LISEP’s research, 1.4 million Americans reported working informally for pay on an average day in 2023—the highest level since 2016. While this represents a considerable increase in the daily average from the last three years (1.14 million), the informal economy was less effective in helping low-income earners achieve functional employment—defined as earning above poverty wages ($25,000 a year in 2024 dollars) after adjusting for inflation and working full-time hours, if desired. Despite low levels of unemployment in the formal labor market,15.9% of informal workers were unemployed job seekers in 2023, compared to 2.2% of the overall population.

Using LISEP’s True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population (TRU OOP) metric—which measures the functional unemployment rate of the entire working-age population (16+)—incorporating informal earnings would have reduced the functional unemployment rate by only 0.8 percentage points at most, from 51.9% to 51.1%. By comparison, incorporating informal earnings would have reduced TRU OOP by 1.3 percentage points in 2022 and an average 1.2 percentage points lower from 2003 to 2022.

Women, young, and Black workers continue to be disproportionately represented in the informal economy. In 2023, nearly twice as many women as men reported working informally. Among workers aged 16-24, 640,000 reported working informally in 2023, the highest level since 2008. And over the last three years, 53 out of every 10,000 Black workers reported working informally on an average day, compared to 42 White workers and 45 Hispanic workers.

“The perception that middle- and low-income Americans are financially better off than headline statistics suggest due to unreported one-off and side jobs is nothing more than a myth,” Ludwig said. “Policymakers must recognize this reality to develop effective solutions.”

Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is proud to announce the 2024 recipients of its annual Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant.

The grant’s namesake, Ms. Romay as she was lovingly called, died earlier this year at the rich age of 104. In a special tribute, the grocer’s program is supporting 50 nonprofit organizations this year in remembrance and celebration of her incredible life and legacy. The deserving recipients, chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, exemplify the same unwavering dedication to inclusivity and empowerment that Ms. Romay embodied throughout her extraordinary life.

The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant supports organizations that work to address racial disparities in health care, food insecurity and education, while building a more inclusive and equitable future for all. Today, on Ms. Romay’s birthday, SEG is awarding a total of $487,500 in grant funds to the following 50 nonprofit recipients:

• 904WARD

• American Diabetes Association

• Baptist Health

• Better Basics Inc.

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Louisiana

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County

• Boys and Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley

• Breakthrough Birmingham

• Brighter Bites

• College Choice Foundation

• Communities In Schools of Jacksonville

• Concrete Jungle

• Covenant House New Orleans

• Extra Table

• Feeding Northeast Florida

• Feeding Tampa Bay

• First Coast American Heart Association

• Foundation Honey Co.

• Hope Haven

• Hunger Fight Inc.

• Jack and Jill Center

• Jacksonville Humane Society

• Junior Achievement of Alabama

• Junior Achievement of North Florida

• Leaders of Excellence Inc.

• Library Foundation of Jacksonville

• Louisiana Center for Health Equity

• Magic City Harvest

• MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation Inc.

• Open Hand

• Orlando Health Foundation Inc.

• Our Daily Bread Food Pantry Inc.

• Parker Street Ministries

• Rehab and Beyond Inc.

• Sanctuary on 8th Street

• Schoolyard Roots

• Second Harvest of the Big Bend

• Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay Inc.

• Society of St. Andrew – Alabama

• Society of St. Andrew – Florida

• Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR)

• Tankproof

• Teach for America Inc.

• The Jericho School

• The Sharing Center

• The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, Florida Affiliate

• Thrive Scholars

• Tree Hill Nature Center Inc.

• Vision is Priceless Council Inc.

• Youth Empowerment Project

Raymond Rhee, Chief People Officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “As a people-first company, we believe in the power of coming together to create a meaningful, lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors. We are incredibly proud to support these exceptional nonprofits that work tirelessly to uplift and empower the communities we serve. Ms. Romay’s dedication in the face of adversity is a constant inspiration for us, and we are honored to continue to uphold her remarkable legacy as we work to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

SEG is steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a culture of belonging for its associates, customers and communities across its five-state footprint. The grant program aims to provide vital funding to nonprofits that align with the grocer’s dedication to inclusivity, working to empower individuals to be their authentic selves while breaking down long-standing barriers.

Since its inception in 2020, the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant has awarded nearly $1.6 million in funding to like-minded nonprofits with missions to elevate underserved communities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

More About the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Namesake

The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant is named in honor of the trailblazing Winn-Dixie associate Romay Davis, whose remarkable 104 years of life were defined by her steadfast dedication to community advocacy and social justice. Her influential legacy endures beyond her passing on June 21, 2024, evident in the lasting impact of her actions on the future generations who carry forward her values. Ms. Romay, a true pioneer, broke countless barriers during a time when women and people of color faced significant challenges. A member of the U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, she served her country within the only all-Black Women Army Corps unit deployed overseas during World War II. The 6888^th cleared more than two years of backlogged mail in just three months, restoring communication between troops and their families to boost critical morale during the war’s final months. Her extraordinary achievements also include earning multiple degrees from NYU, working as a New York fashion designer and model, achieving a Taekwondo Black Belt and receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. At 80 years old, Ms. Romay rejoined the workforce as a Winn-Dixie associate in Montgomery, Alabama, where she continued to serve her community. Throughout her years, she touched countless lives, and her legacy continues to inspire people to pursue greatness while uplifting those around them.