GeorgiaForward

Books do not have a summer break. 📚

𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 believes every child deserves the chance to keep learning, growing, and exploring all summer long. That is why we are proud to support GeorgiaSummer.org, which connects Georgia families to summer learning resources and book recommendations to help kids stay sharp and curious between now and the first day of school.

Here is how you can help:

Visit georgiasummer.org and share the summer learning resources with every parent and caregiver you know.

Share your child's summer book reviews and reading moments using .

Help us spread the word so no Georgia child loses ground this summer.

MEET THE MAYOR!

"In Georgia, second graders learn about local government as part of their social studies curriculum. Reading with them gives me the opportunity to promote literacy, share real life examples of how cities work, and help shape engaged citizens. I am especially grateful for programs like the Mayor’s Reading Club that make these connections possible.

I always encourage the children I read to to say hello when they see me out in the community. They truly light up when they recognize the Mayor, and I love that they often bring their parents and siblings along when they come say hello.

These small moments are powerful reminders that the Mayor’s Reading Club is building readers and strengthening our community."

Mayor Lynn Deutsch
City of Dunwoody, Georgia

Scholarships at work! 🎓

𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 scholarships helped seven municipal leaders attend GMA's 2026 Small Cities Conference in Gainesville this May. Manchester Mayor Mark Trimble said it best: even $150 to attend makes a real difference.

The conference (May 13–15) brought together nearly 200 officials from smaller municipalities across Georgia for training, networking, and peer learning. Congratulations to all this year's recipients. We are so glad we could help you be there.

Scholarships Open Doors for Municipal Leaders at Small Cities Conference | Georgia Municipal Association GMA's 2026 Small Cities Conference drew nearly 200 attendees to Gainesville, with GeorgiaForward scholarships ensuring that budget constraints didn't keep small-city leaders from the room.

We love to see it! 📚

Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner spent the day reading at all four White County elementary schools, Mt. Yonah, Mossy Creek, Tesnatee Gap, and Jack P. Nix, as part of the Mayor's Reading Club and the City of Cleveland's America250 celebration.

Four schools. One mayor. Hundreds of young Georgians reminded that their community's leaders show up for them.
And yes, even the pre-k students had big questions. That is civic engagement at its finest.

Thank you to Mayor Turner, Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Stribling, and the entire White County School System team for bringing the Mayor's Reading Club to life in such a meaningful way. This is exactly what Georgia Reads for America250 looks like in action.

Is your city ready to get involved? Find resources and tools at https://www.georgiaforward.org/literacy

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬!

Anijah Jones

Anijah currently serves as the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Canton, where she helps create meaningful experiences that bring people together and strengthen community connections. Previously, she worked as a Project Coordinator for the City of Cartersville's Downtown Development Authority, supporting downtown revitalization efforts and local economic growth initiatives.

She is passionate about community development, diversity, sustainability, and historic preservation, and is driven by a desire to see communities thrive in ways that are inclusive, innovative, and true to their roots.

America turns 250 this year, and Georgia is marking the milestone the way we know best: together.

GeorgiaForward is proud to support Reads for America250, a statewide initiative connecting literacy, local history, and civic pride in communities across our state. Because reading is not just an educational priority. It is a civic one.

When families read together, children build more than vocabulary. They build the values, confidence, and understanding needed to participate in our democracy. And when communities read together, they strengthen the bonds that make Georgia great.

We are calling on Mayors, educators, families, and neighbors to join us. Host a storytime. Launch a reading challenge. Celebrate the stories that make your city unique.

Democracy thrives when communities read together, learn together, and work together. Let's honor 250 years of American history by investing in the next 250.

🔗 Learn more and get involved at https://www.georgiaforward.org/gafwd-resources

𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐑𝐃!

"𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 does something rare: it gets business, government, and community leaders in the same room to work on the problems that hold communities back. Through Young Gamechangers, it sends emerging leaders into local communities to solve real problems, and the results show up as investment, jobs, and momentum on the ground. Georgia's future isn't built in headlines. It's built locally, one community at a time."

𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧 Board Member and Finance Committee Member
Founder and CEO, Ohio River South

The 2026 Young Gamechangers cohort had a powerful three-day learning experience in Hinesville-Liberty County, Georgia, June 3-5!

The group spread across the community, sitting down with key stakeholders to gather the facts and insights needed to shape their final recommendations. Beyond research, participants sharpened their personal leadership skills, taking their growth to the next level.

A heartfelt thank you to Liberty Regional Medical Center for sponsoring dinner and sharing a firsthand look at the vital services they provide to our community.

We are proud of this next generation of leaders. Stay tuned for their recommendations!

Summer is here, and Georgia's kids need us.

𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗮𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 believes that children and youth well-being is the foundation of strong, thriving communities. That does not stop when the school bell rings. That is why we are excited to share that GeorgiaSummer.org is back, connecting families across our state to meals, learning resources, summer camps, child care, and safety tips, all in one place.

Please help us spread the word! Here is what you can do:

1. Visit georgiasummer.org and share it with every family you know.
2. Remind your community: if you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 911.
3. Share your summer photos, stories, and book reviews using .

Every child in Georgia deserves a safe, healthy, and enriching summer. Let's make it happen together.

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬!
𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐌𝐁𝐀

Arin Johnson, MBA is a transformative visionary making impact in every room she enters. As a proud Bulldawg, she graduated from The University of Georgia with dual bachelor degrees in Digital and Broadcast Journalism and Political Science, and went on to complete her MBA from the prestigious Goizueta Business School of Emory University.

Arin's experience spans industries, from government to nuclear power to entertainment, making her a dynamic professional able to master the most complex and unique of business challenges. The Savannah-native now runs her own marketing consultancy, Work With Arin, focused on holistic strategies that allow multi-hyphenate professionals to generate profit without sacrificing purpose.

When she isn't in the office, you can catch her serving the Lowcountry community with local non-profit organizations or trying out the latest cuisine with her mini-me daughter. Learn more about Arin at WorkWithArin.com.