Menu
Close
At Heart of South Downtown (HOSD), we serve as a connector, bringing together businesses, service providers, and community partners to ensure that growth is responsible, community-driven, and rooted in opportunity.
We drive forward-thinking solutions that fuel economic growth, social progress, and lasting transformation, ensuring revitalization benefits all.
We celebrate and amplify the history, arts, and identity of South Downtown, ensuring revitalization honors the community’s rich legacy.
We prioritize collaboration and engagement, ensuring that residents, businesses, and organizations play an active role in shaping the future of South Downtown. Through shared vision and collective action, we foster a district where growth reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.
We remove barriers and create pathways for businesses, residents, and organizations to access the resources, opportunities, and support needed to succeed—ensuring South Downtown remains a place where everyone can build a strong future.
We act with intention, balancing immediate needs with long-term solutions that create lasting prosperity and stability.
We are honest, transparent, and committed to delivering measurable impact, remaining accountable to those we serve and those who support our work.
South Downtown has long been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s history—a once-thriving hub of commerce, culture, and entrepreneurship that embodied the city’s spirit of innovation and opportunity. Its streets were alive with energy, its businesses flourishing, and its neighborhoods full of life. Yet, over time, economic shifts, urban disinvestment, and waves of redevelopment disrupted this vitality, displacing communities and leaving behind a concentration of poverty in what was once the beating heart of Atlanta.
Today, as redevelopment moves forward at a rapid pace, we are at a defining moment. The question before us is clear: Will this progress create opportunities for all, or will it once again leave the most vulnerable behind?
At Heart of South Downtown, we are committed to forging a different path—one that ensures growth fuels opportunity for the people who live, work, and build their futures here. Our mission is to drive economic growth, ignite innovation, and strengthen community well-being by connecting people to the opportunities and resources that transform lives. We envision a South Downtown filled with pride and possibility, where no one is left behind. Through bold action, sustainable solutions, and compassionate leadership, we are tackling critical challenges like homelessness, economic mobility, and workforce development, always keeping the people at the heart of this community at the center of our efforts.
This mission is deeply personal to me. Atlanta has shaped who I am, and my dedication to people, community, and opportunity has been the guiding force throughout my journey. Whether cultivating strong workplaces, creating pathways for success, or championing programs that empower individuals, I have always believed in the power of community to create lasting change.
Heart of South Downtown exists to ensure that progress and people move forward together. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to honor South Downtown’s rich history while building a thriving future—one where businesses, residents, and visionaries all have the tools they need to succeed. When South Downtown thrives, all of Atlanta thrives.
Thank you for standing with us in this mission. Your support, partnership, and advocacy are essential to ensuring we create a South Downtown where every person can live with dignity, contribute with purpose, and build a future filled with opportunity.
With gratitude,
Brianna Jackson, CEO
Heart of South Downtown, Inc.
Heart of South Downtown drives economic growth, social innovation, and community well-being by connecting people to opportunities that transform lives and sustain a thriving, vibrant South Downtown.
A South Downtown where progress and community come together, ensuring that every resident and business has access to the resources, opportunities, and partnerships needed to thrive.
HOSD is not just another nonprofit—we are the bridge between community needs and available resources. We amplify the impact of existing organizations, strengthen business development efforts, and ensure that residents and small businesses have equitable access to opportunities in South Downtown’s revitalization.
• We connect businesses to funding, mentorship, and workforce talent.
• We link residents to career training, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support.
• We serve as a liaison between policymakers, developers, and community stakeholders to advocate for equitable growth.
• We activate public spaces and cultural programming to foster community pride and engagement.
Lisa Calhoun, Founding Managing Partner at Valor VC, is a driving force in venture capital and economic development. As a Heart of South Downtown board member, she is committed to accelerating innovation and expanding economic opportunity in South Downtown. Her expertise in scaling high-growth companies and securing strategic investments helps fuel sustainable growth and empower diverse entrepreneurs. With a proven track record of shaping impactful ventures, Lisa’s leadership strengthens South Downtown’s transformation into a thriving hub for business and community.
Jason Howard, Partner at Alston & Bird, is a leading expert in real estate law and economic development. As an HOSD board member, he is committed to leveraging his legal and financial expertise to drive strategic investment and transformative growth in South Downtown. His leadership ensures that revitalization efforts are impactful, fostering partnerships and initiatives that strengthen the community’s economic future.
Tope Awotona, founder & CEO of Calendly, is a leader in entrepreneurship and economic development. As an HOSD board member, he is committed to fostering small business success and expanding economic opportunities in South Downtown. His strategic expertise ensures that revitalization efforts empower local entrepreneurs and create a thriving, inclusive business ecosystem.
Trenton Lockhart, PYA's Senior Manager of Business Development, drives client and community transformation. A dynamic leader in entrepreneurship, advisory strategy, and economic growth, he also serves on the HOSD board, fostering inclusive revitalization in South Downtown through entrepreneurial pathways, strategic partnerships, and investments to make it an innovation hub.
Garrett Langley, founder & CEO of Flock Safety, is a leader in public safety innovation dedicated to fostering connected and resilient communities. As an HOSD board member, he applies his expertise in security and civic infrastructure to create a safer, more inclusive South Downtown where residents, businesses, and visitors can thrive.
Ed Rieker is a real estate developer, tech entrepreneur, and urban strategist dedicated to community-driven revitalization. As a board member of Heart of South Downtown (HOSD), he champions sustainable development, historical preservation, and equitable growth. His expertise in urban planning and placemaking ensures that South Downtown’s transformation prioritizes the needs of its residents and businesses, fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community.
Brianna Jackson is a dynamic leader with a background in human resources, operations, and community-driven innovation. She has been instrumental in shaping Atlanta’s startup ecosystem by fostering inclusive work cultures and driving sustainable growth.
Blake Stoner is the founder of Vngle: The Civic Insights Company, where he builds modern civic infrastructure that gives institutions earlier, clearer visibility into the communities they serve. His work translates lived experience and real-time signals into trusted, decision-grade insight—helping leaders reduce blind spots, manage risk, and act with confidence as conditions change. As Board Chair of Heart of South Downtown, Stoner helps steward one of Atlanta’s most historic districts through a pivotal moment of reinvention. With longstanding ties to the neighborhood, he operates at the intersection of residents, creatives, technologists, and civic leaders—ensuring revitalization honors Atlanta’s roots while positioning South Downtown for what comes next.
Through your support, we can continue expanding our programs and reaching more communities around the world. Together, we can create lasting change and help build a brighter, more equitable future.
