Raising Expectations Inc.

90s ROLL CALL! Atlanta, who’s ready to party like it’s 1995?

Because THIS house is going to be full.

Mayor Andre Dickens. Sylvia Russell. Dr. Beverly Tatum. Former Mayor Shirley Franklin.

And that’s just our honorees.

We’ve got Carol Waddy + David Jernigan co-chairing the celebration, Chris Cornell on the mic, RE alum Bashel Lewis helping host the party and Salah Ananse on the turntables. Sponsors include Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center, Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits, The Coca-Cola Company, Stockbridge, AT&T, PNC, Delta Community Credit Union, NTRC, Cricket Wireless, The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Alston & Bird, Eshé P. Collins, Esq., Matt Westmoreland, Jason Dozier and Wayne Martin.
In other words: Atlanta is showing up for RE.

Now it’s your turn.

Grab the overalls. Break out the tracksuit. Find the bucket hat. And start practicing whatever 90s dance move you probably should have retired 25 years ago.

We’re celebrating 30 years of Raising Expectations, the people who built this movement and the young people who are taking it into the future.

September 30 | 6:30 p.m. | The Supermarket
https://raisingexpectations.org/house-party/
90s attire encouraged.

Now for the official roll call: Who’s coming, and what are you wearing?

This is what we mean when we talk about pathways to the future.

These five young men have been putting in the work at Atlanta Technical College, earning credentials including CLA, forklift and OSHA 10 certifications through a special initiative co-created with neighborhood and community leaders.

And these certificates are only the beginning.

Their next step is earning their CDL permits. From there, they will enter an eight-week earn-as-you-learn program that will prepare them for opportunities in the lineworker profession, including the potential to one day work with Georgia Power. College may be the right pathway for one student. The skilled trades may be right for another. Another young person may need credentials, hands-on experience or a connection to an employer to take that next step.

Different young people. Different aspirations. Different pathways. One shared expectation: that every young person deserves the opportunity and support to build a future of their own.

You have to see it to imagine yourself there.

This summer, our RE interns hit the road for a visit to Cricket Wireless, where they stepped inside a corporate workplace, met professionals and explored the many different paths a career can take.

These experiences are about more than a field trip. They’re about helping young people enter new spaces, ask questions, make connections and begin to see themselves belonging there.

And thanks to Impact100 Atlanta, we have the transportation to help get them there. Our vans are helping RE connect young people to opportunities throughout Atlanta and turn career exposure into real-world experiences.

Thank you to Cricket Wireless for welcoming our interns and to Impact100 Atlanta for helping make access to experiences like this possible.

See it. Imagine it. Become it.

30 years of Raising Expectations. Four extraordinary leaders. One unforgettable House Party.

As we celebrate three decades of impact, we’re proud to honor leaders whose vision, leadership and commitment to Atlanta reflect the power of raising expectations:

Mayor Andre Dickens| Raising Expectations Award
Mayor Shirley Franklin | Power of Expectations Award
Sylvia Russell| RISE Award
Dr. Beverly Tatum | Pathways to Opportunity Award

Join us September 30 as we celebrate their impact and raise the resources to fuel RE’s next 30 years.

And don’t wait. Early Bird pricing ends September 21.

There are also still a few of our coveted RE Bucket Hats left for the first 100 ticket buyers. https://raisingexpectations.org/house-party/

Celebrate the legacy. Fund the future. Come to The House Party.

More than thirty volunteers, including corporate executives, entrepreneurs, college deans, and financial advisors, served as Mock Interview Judges for the 2026 YouthWORK Summer Program, presented in partnership with the City of Atlanta Government Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP).

Rising 9th through 12th-grade interns participated in the Mock Interview Competition as the final showcase of their four- to six-week career readiness training. Volunteers shared their professional expertise, offered constructive feedback, and created a supportive environment that helped the interns build confidence and prepare for future career success.

And the Top Performers are…
1st - Ashanti
2nd - Demarion
3rd - Antonio
4th - Jomari

Thank you to the amazing volunteers who joined us from companies including The Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia, Malik Global Solutions, EPPIC Innovative Solutions, Stride South Advisors, Best Buy, The Coca-Cola Company, Tennessee Titans and Inspire Brands.

This isn’t just a 30th birthday party.

It’s a celebration of 30 years of Raising Expectations and an investment in the next 30.

Every ticket. Every sponsorship. Every person in the room helps fuel the programs and opportunities that help RE’s young people dream bigger, achieve more and build pathways to their futures.

Celebrate the legacy. Fund the future.

And the first 100 ticket buyers get an exclusive RE Bucket Hat.

Get your ticket. Get your bucket hat. Show up for RE’s young people.

30 years got us here. Let’s fund what comes next.

https://raisingexpectations.org/house-party/

Roots & Routes: Connecting Students to What’s Possible

This summer, our Emerging Fellows took an important step toward their futures through Roots & Routes, the capstone experience of our YouthWORK Summer Program. Presented in partnership with the City of Atlanta Government Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP), the experience culminated at , where Fellows had the opportunity to showcase all they had learned.

Students put their networking skills into action, connected with professionals and mentors, and heard firsthand how today’s leaders navigated their own career journeys. The experience reinforced something at the heart of Raising Expectations: relationships can open doors, expand networks, and help young people see what is possible for their own futures.

We’re excited to celebrate this year’s Roots & Routes winners:
Cambron
Teyonna
Kirstyn
Jameel

A special thank you to Accenture for opening its doors to our students and to the volunteers, mentors, and professionals from companies including Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Accenture, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Georgia Tech who showed up for them.

By sharing your time, experiences, and networks, you helped our young people build confidence, make meaningful connections, and see new possibilities for what comes next.