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Welcome to Atlanta
It gives me great pleasure, along with the Ladies of the Greater Atlanta Chapter to offer Greetings and a special, Welcome to Atlanta and the 18th National Conference for The Society, Incorporated Supporting the Arts!
I remember fondly the joy and excitement we shared with each other at our 17th National Conference in Detroit when we invited you to the land of Coca-Cola, peanuts, and Georgia peaches! Not in our wildest imaginings was a pandemic a part of the equation! However, as we enter into the second year of physical distancing, not only did our jobs and family lives change, but so did our organization’s conference strategy.
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The theme for this year’s conference, Accepting the Challenge, Moving from Better to Best, succinctly describes what the Ladies of this chapter had to embrace during our planning for this conference. Initially, planning a national conference on a virtual platform presented questions we didn’t even know how to ask. Thanks to a lot of prayer, hard work and our technology partners, we have met the challenge and here we are! Welcome to Atlanta, where you can literally sit back and let us bring our city to you! Atlanta remains a city full of visual and performing arts, culture, music, movie and television production, and a wealth of history. Even in the midst of a pandemic, our City’s commitment to the arts remains strong.
The Greater Atlanta Chapter is 33 members strong! With our dedication to the spirit of friendship and sisterhood, we have served this community for over 20 years. We have worked tirelessly to promote the vision and mission of our organization by educating, exposing, promoting and supporting youth in the arts. And we are not done yet! Each year we get Better and Better, and we know the Best is yet to come!
Again, welcome to Atlanta, enjoy the conference and the virtual experience of our great city!
Sincerely,
Alfreda B. Mayes
President Greater Atlanta Chapter
KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS MAYOR
CITY OF ATLANTA
55 TRINITY AVE, S.W. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-0300
TEL (404) 330-6100
Greetings:
As the 60th Mayor of the City of Atlanta, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our city as you host the 18th National Conference for The Society, Incorporated Supporting the Arts.
The Society has been making an impact for nearly 40 years while maintaining your establishing principles of friendship and service to encourage and support youth talented in the arts. With chapters in 40 cities across the country, you provide scholarships, grants, stipends, and other opportunities to help young people experience the exciting dimensions of artistic expression.
Our administration understands the importance of the arts, and we recognize the impact artists have on enhancing and energizing communities from within. Not only does our administration acknowledge and appreciate the impact of artistic expression, we also support it by setting aside capital improvement funding to develop public art.
To express art without prejudice awakes a sense of freedom and provides the luxury of being one’s self. Your organization's work and financial support through awards and scholarships make it possible for young, creative artists to succeed and express their art authentically.
The City of Atlanta applauds your commitment and dedication to opening doors for underserved children who wish to be involved in the arts.
My best for a successful conference. Welcome to Atlanta!
Sincerely,
Keisha Lance Bottoms
K EISHA L ANCE B OTTOMS
MAYOR CI TY OF ATLA NTA
233 Peachtree Street Harris Tower, Suite 1700 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (404) 546-6815 www.ocaatlanta.com C ARMEN C HUBB
CHIEF OF STAFF OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
C AMILLE R USSEL L L OVE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MAYOR’S OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
February 25, 2021
Dear Friends:
It is a great pleasure to welcome the 18th National Conference for The Society, Incorporated. This year’s conference provides a wonderful opportunity to reunite artists, mentors, friends and colleagues while honoring The Society’s 37 years of service and achievement.
Since its inception in Washington, D.C., The Society, Incorporated has become one of the preeminent national organizations dedicated to the support of young literary, visual, and performing artists. It is with the guidance of this organization and its partners that our young people are able to further explore the freedom of creative expression and art education through exposure to the various mediums and perspectives in the creative space. The theme of this year’s conference, “Accepting the Challenge, Moving from Better to Best, ” is a testament to the drive and dedication that our artists have exhibited over the past year.
We applaud The Society’s Greater Atlanta Chapter for establishing partnerships with some of our city’s notable artists, such as Kevin Cole and the late Louis Delsarte, as well as some of our premier organizations like the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Arts Center and Spelman College to further the connections between its members and the arts in their communities.
On behalf of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, for the City of Atlanta, we are pleased to recognize the members, artists and friends of The Society, Incorporated’s National Conference. Your contribution to the cultural landscape of the city of Atlanta is much appreciated. My best wishes for an enjoyable conference and continued success.
Sincerely,
Camille Russell Love, Executive Director
MARCI COLLIER OVERSTREET COUNCILMEMBER, DISTRICT 11
Greetings,
C I T Y O F A T L A N T A
ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL 55 TRINITY AVE., SW SUITE 2900 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 (404) 330-6054
On behalf of the Atlanta City Council, I along with my colleagues welcome you all to Atlanta to support The Society, Incorporated commemorating Supporting the Arts18th National
Conference held on April 8-11, 2021.
The theme for this year’s conference Accepting The Challenge, Moving From Better To Best, Hosted by the Greater Atlanta Chapter.
The Society Incorporated, Supporting the Arts, members share the commitment and dedication to ensure that young people have opportunities and exposure to the arts. Members of the national organization consist of hundreds of dynamic and altruistic professional women of color who are dedicated to enhancing, exposing, and promoting youth in the arts for the betterment of our communities. The organization’s dedication to service with a focus on under-served children, provide support for young literary, visual, and performing artists who are talented in the arts. Today the organization covers 40 cities across the U.S. providing scholarships, grants, stipends, and other opportunities to help young people experience the exciting dimensions of artistic expression.
I am delighted to honor the Greater Atlanta Chapter as they support the youth in the Arts in our wonderful city. Best wishes for a productive conference and continued success. May you all continue to use your creative talents to be a positive impact to our youth around the country.
Sincerely,
Marci Collier Overstreet City of Atlanta Council Member, District 11
The Ladies of the Greater Atlanta Chapter Welcome you to Atlanta for the 18th National Conference
April 8-10, 2021
Lady Alfreda Mayes, President Lady Karon Williams, Vice President Lady Sylvia Brewer, Corresponding Secretary Lady Yvonne Mayes-Moales, Recording Secretary Lady Lucy Allen, Financial Secretary Lady Maya Pierce, Treasurer
“Hope” by Ashley Dopson
