This year’s 2023 Heart of Atlanta Gala featured a special guest, Arthur M. Blank, owner and chairman of Blank Family of Businesses, as the 2023 Heart of Atlanta Honoree. Widely known as a renowned entrepreneur, Blank is recognized as one of Atlanta’s most prominent businessmen and philanthropists.

The Heart of Atlanta Honoree award is presented each year to a community leader who has enhanced the quality of life by transforming the health and well-being of residents in the metro Atlanta area by the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all. 

“It is a privilege to have Arthur M. Blank join us as the honoree of this year’s Heart of Atlanta Gala,” said DeRetta Rhodes, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Culture Officer for the Atlanta Braves and 2023 Heart of Atlanta chairwoman.  “Arthur’s commitment to the city of Atlanta runs deep, and his advocacy of the mission of the American Heart Association is inspiring, as he is an integral part of the Heart of Atlanta campaign to create healthier lives for all members of our community.” 

For over 25 years, Blank has dedicated his passion and heart of giving through the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The foundation’s priority giving areas include youth development, democracy, environment, mental health & well-being and Atlanta’s Westside. In addition, the foundation supports causes important to Blank, including support of essential Atlanta nonprofit institutions, such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Spelman College and Shepherd Center. Recently, the foundation gave a $25,000 grant to the American Heart Association in honor of Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills player who suffered a cardiac arrest, in support of community training that teaches members how to respond to cardiac arrest with CPR and defibrillators. 

In addition to the Blank Family Foundation, Blank’s Family of Businesses include the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United; the nationwide PGA TOUR Superstore; four ranches in Montana, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch and the Ranch at Dome Mountain; and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which hosted the 2019 Super Bowl and is home to the Falcons and Atlanta United. 

“Having the American Heart Association in Atlanta is a blessing to our city,” said Arthur M. Blank, chairman, Blank Family of Businesses. “Its work is personal for me as I lost my father to heart disease when I was 15 and have since spent my life invested in health and wellness. I’m honored to be recognized, but the true honoree is the American Heart Association and its life changing work, and I share this recognition with them and the countless supporters of their mission.” 

The American Heart Association’s Heart of Atlanta Gala is a celebration of the Heart of Atlanta campaign, a year-round initiative aimed at driving equitable health in metro Atlanta. The initiative raised funds to support the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives for all while supporting priority issues in Atlanta. High blood pressure, CPR education, nutrition security, as well as tobacco and the youth vaping crisis, have been identified by the American Heart Association metro Atlanta board for 2023 to propel work to support the Association’s 2024 Health Equity Impact Goal by reducing barriers to health care access and quality.