This story has been updated.

Atlanta, GA — Here’s a look at business news in our community.

— The Allen Morris company closed on a $64 million construction loan for Bryn House in January.

The project will be a luxury mixed-use, five-story, 337-unit residential building that will include about 575,000 buildable square feet with a parking deck and ground-floor retail, according to a press release.

According to Urbanize Atlanta, the project is located in the 2400 block of North Druid Hills Road, next to a shopping district anchored by Target.

The loan was granted by Truist and PNC. The under-construction community has an estimated Spring 2023 completion.

“We are very pleased to partner with Truist and PNC for the financing on this outstanding project,” said Spencer Morris, Chief Investment Officer of the Allen Morris Company. “With the expansion of the Emory & CHOA medical campuses, the North Druid Hills corridor is poised to become a world-class medical and bioresearch hub. As a result, we believe there’s a distinct need for high-quality rental housing in the neighborhood that isn’t currently being met.”

The multi-faceted Allen Morris Company has several projects throughout the greater Atlanta area, Central Florida, South Florida, and is currently looking at new opportunities throughout the Southeast.

Alair Decatur was recently awarded three regional contractor of the year awards by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Photo courtesy of Alair Homes Decatur.

— Alair Homes Decatur was awarded three regional contractor of the year awards by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. 

The three winning projects by Alair Decatur will now be entered into the national contractor of the year awards competition.

Here is the full press release:

DECATUR, GA — Alair Homes Decatur ( www.alairhomes.com/decatur ), an Alair Homes North Georgia partner, has just been awarded three Regional CotY (Contractor of the Year) Awards by NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry, www.nari.org ). The projects were selected from hundreds of entries and judged against projects completed throughout the Southeast. The three winning projects by Alair Decatur will now be entered into the national CotY Awards competition. All three winning entries were from a beautiful 100+-year-old home renovation in Atlanta’s historic Midtown neighborhood.

The Regional CotY Awards were given for:

– Residential Interior $250,001 to $500,000

– Residential Exterior $50,000 to $100,000

–Residential Interior Element under $30,000,

Interior and Exterior: While the home, originally built in 1910, was unmatched for its location and potential, it lacked a true primary suite, a modern and inviting kitchen, upgraded bathrooms and room for guests. Alair Decatur honored the home’s beauty and history by retaining the original door hardware, front door, original staircase, three original fireplaces and original layout (with some modifications). New materials for the bathrooms and kitchens seamlessly accentuate the home’s historic charm, and an updated laundry and guest suite were added. Outside, a historically appropriate covered, second-story porch at the front of the house enhances the home’s appeal, and adds much-needed space for the family to enjoy. What was once a potential tear down is now a
neighborhood favorite.

Residential Element: The new butler’s pantry is a show-stopper, with its deep blue cabinetry, antiqued mirror tile and stained-glass window that was originally used in one of the home’s former bathrooms. Open shelving offers the perfect location for a display of crystal barware, while cabinets and drawers provide additional storage, including a designated, glass-front wine cabinet.

In a letter to Alair Decatur Partners Heather Shuster and Ken Carter, NARI Program Manager Cindy Foley said, “Winning a CotY Award is a distinguished honor, and you have joined the ranks of the best in the remodeling industry! The past year was especially challenging for our members, but we received 410 entries valued at over $116 million in project costs, and your project stood out as the best in your category and region!”

Alair Decatur is an Alair Homes North Georgia partner, and part of the largest and fastest-growing premium construction management franchise in North America. Alair North Georgia has a strong history of NARI support and involvement. David Michelson, Alair Decatur partner, currently serves as NARI Atlanta President, while Dale Contant, Alair Marietta partner, is a former NARI Atlanta President, NARI National President and two-time NARI National Board Chairman.

— Meta announced Kyra’s Shea Medleys and two other Black-owned businesses in Atlanta were among 10 businesses that will receive ad credits and creative support through a new program. 

The program aims to provide thousands of dollars in ad credits and creative support under a new program that aims to help businesses survive the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Decatur resident Kyra Young created her company to provide multipurpose beauty products designed for all women. Her product line includes oils, conditioners, scrubs, and butters. Young is the first in her family to start a business and has been featured on Good Morning America.

In addition to $10,000 in ad credits, as part of the program Young will receive:

– Six weeks of one-on-one marketing mentorship with Meta Elevate learning how to build effective marketing campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, and

– A scholarship for Meta Blueprint’s digital marketing skills certificate to further the skills they need to succeed.

Meta Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and Grammy Award-winning artist Ciara announced their partnership last fall and made a call for Black-owned businesses to apply for the program.

— DeKalb County Schools and Atlanta Public Schools recently received thousands of face masks from Emory Healthcare. 

Here is the full announcement:

ATLANTA – As COVID-19 cases continue to surface throughout metro Atlanta, protecting school children, teachers and staff during in-person learning in the classroom remains a top priority. To assist, Emory Healthcare provided thousands of high-quality face masks to DeKalb County School District and Atlanta Public Schools, following a generous donation to Emory Healthcare.

Vogmask, based in San Francisco, donated 10,000 masks to Emory Healthcare as a part of its program to provide highly efficient, reusable consumer masks to communities that may otherwise not have access. Emory Healthcare, in turn, worked with its community partners to distribute to those most in need of protective face masks. Multiple mask sizes were donated so everyone could receive face masks that fit well, especially young students.

“We are very appreciative of this gracious donation from Vogmask, which is helping to support schools in our community and maintain a safe learning environment,” says Jonathan S. Lewin, MD, CEO of Emory Healthcare. “As our community continues to battle COVID-19, we know this donation will make a difference to students, teachers and school staff alike.”

Ten elementary schools in the DeKalb County School District received donated Vogmask face masks. Atlanta Public Schools also received donated masks to provide to students, teachers and staff members.

— Leadership DeKalb has welcomed new board chair, Marquetta J. Bryan, and new executive director, Indras Whittaker, guiding the long-standing leadership development program and its membership. 

Here is the full press release: 

DECATUR, GA (January 25, 2022) – Leadership DeKalb ushers in 2022 with new board chair, Marquetta J. Bryan, and new executive director, Indras Whittaker, guiding the long‐standing leadership development program and its membership of more than 1,000 professionals from the public, private and non‐profit sectors.

Bryan, the new board chair, a partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s Atlanta office, is an experienced legal advisor to leaders of public, private and governmental organizations.

Bryan has a long history of nonprofit leadership. She was a member of Leadership DeKalb’s Class of 2016 and joined the board of directors in 2017. Before becoming board chair, she served on the executive committee and as the chair of the organization’s nominating committee and the finance committee. She also served on the planning, selection and program committee for Leadership DeKalb’s Emerging Leaders pilot program. Bryan also serves on the Boards of Directors of the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Legal Services Program, the Emory University Alumni Board, and is the immediate past Chair of the Georgia Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society. In 2020, she was honored as one of Atlanta Magazine’s Women Making a Mark and Profiles in Diversity Journal named her a 2021 Black Leader Worth Watching. She has also been recognized by Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, Girls, Inc., Rolling Out Magazine, the Atlanta Tribune and the State Bar of Georgia.

“I am thrilled to be our board chair as Leadership DeKalb welcomes our new executive director, Indras Whittaker, and look forward to working with her in moving Leadership DeKalb forward in our commitment to advancing leaders throughout our diverse County,” said Bryan. “Throughout the two‐year pandemic, with the support of our board of directors and alumni network, Leadership DeKalb has continued to recruit outstanding classes and provide an exceptional program experience. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and know we will continue to thrive.”

Through her roles as a marketing and political campaign strategist, Whittaker has gained extensive experience in community relations, donor cultivation and business development and operations. She has been a valued member of high‐profile national, state and local campaigns leading everything from public events, fundraising, recruitment and onboarding of staff and volunteers, and managing state‐wide campaign operations. Whittaker previously served as the marketing director for Jackmont Hospitality, an Atlanta‐based franchisee and foodservice management company where she developed and implemented programs to drive franchise profitability. Through her volunteer efforts with Vanguard Leadership Group and the Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation, she has focused on providing leadership development experiences to young adults. Whittaker earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Morris Brown College and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Georgia.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to join Leadership DeKalb as its new executive director. The organization, through its incredible alumni network and annual class membership, has a meaningful impact throughout DeKalb County and the Metro Atlanta Region,” said Whittaker. “I am committed to working in collaboration with our board, staff, alumni, class members, and community partners to exceed our mission in positioning leaders to unite, commit and act to make DeKalb a premier place to live, work and enjoy life.”

Last fall, Leadership DeKalb welcomed 47 established and emerging leaders as members of the class of 2022. Throughout the program year, members of the class view DeKalb County from many angles, learning about the issues facing the region and discovering the impact they can have as well‐informed leaders. Class members are also assisting DeKalb County nonprofit organizations with projects relating to strategy development lending their professional skills for growth and development. Since the inception of this Community Service Project program in 2014, Leadership DeKalb has partnered with more than 50 nonprofit organizations providing thousands of volunteer hours.

Leadership DeKalb will begin accepting nominations for the Class of 2023 in March. For more information about participating in the program or becoming a sponsor, please visitwww.leadershipdekalb.org and follow us on LinkedIn.

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