HYPE One of Five Atlanta Changemakers to receive Civic Impact Loan Fund Award

ATLANTA — October 21, 2020 — Five Atlanta civic-minded social ventures including Learning in Color, The LIFE School, HYPE, Small Bites Adventure Club, and Elevating Equity were awarded a total of $265,000 as they seek to scale their businesses and expand their impact in the communities they serve.

The 2020 recipients are:

• Carol Bowman | Learning in Color builds literacy-rich and economically-empowered communities through color consultation, interior design, interior painting and custom mural artwork in K-12 schools and other educational facilities.
• Mikala Streeter | The LIFE School equips teens to discover and pursue their interests and goals through their accredited, nonprofit high school and summer programs. The LIFE School currently serves 40 students and graduated its first senior class this year.
• Kristina Smith-Newton | HYPE creates a pipeline into technology and computer science-related fields for girls of color. HYPE has impacted 200 students through its after-school programs and field trips while supporting graduates of the program with mentorship and internship opportunities.
• Erin Croom | Small Bites Adventure Club helps children aged 4-18 discover, love, and eat fruits and vegetables. Their nutrition education subscription kit for families, schools, after-school programs, and early care/preschool programs feature fresh, locally grown ingredients, “I tried it” stickers, hand-outs, and videos.
• Rachel Willis | Elevating Equity supports leaders in creating anti-racist environments by designing and facilitating half-day, 1-day, and 2-day trainings that allow leaders to reflect on their personal history with race and its systemic impact both personally and professionally. 

Read the full press release to learn more about the Civic Impact Loan Fund and the partners who spearheaded the investment process.