Goodwill of North Georgia held its 100th Anniversary Gala on April 18, 2026, at Flourish Atlanta, raising more than $580,000 to fund free career training, job placement services, and workforce development programs at the organization’s 14 career centers and mobile career center across North Georgia.

The event brought together supporters, community leaders, government officials, corporate partners, and friends of the organization. Attendees reflected on 100 years of impact and looked ahead to the next century of service. Over the past century, Goodwill of North Georgia has served more than 835,000 job seekers and connected over 340,000 people to new jobs.

"Goodwill of North Georgia's 100th anniversary is not just a celebration of longevity, it is a celebration of impact," said Keith T. Parker, President and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia. "Every person we've served, every job we have helped someone find, and every family whose life is a little more stable because of what we do together, is what 100 years looks like. And we are just getting started."

Goodwill of North Georgia presented the 100 Years of Impact Award to four individuals and organizations whose partnerships have advanced the organization’s mission to put people to work.

Mayor Andre Dickens, co-Founder of the Goodwill of North Georgia Technology Careers Program and current Member of the Board of Directors:

Mayor Andre Dickens was recognized for his role in co-creating Goodwill of North Georgia's Technology Careers Program, an initiative that has opened pathways to high-wage technology careers for hundreds of North Georgians. Graduates of the program earn an average starting wage of $19.49 per hour and have collectively earned more than $66 million in wages over the past six years. Participants earn industry-recognized certifications in database administration, web development, Scrum, and cybersecurity. Mayor Dickens also serves on Goodwill of North Georgia's Board of Directors.

Wendy Stewart, President, Global Commercial Banking, Bank of America:

Bank of America was recognized for its role in advancing income equality and economic mobility in the communities served by Goodwill of North Georgia. Under the leadership of Wendy Stewart, President of Global Commercial Banking at Bank of America, the bank has served as both an employment partner and a financial empowerment partner, delivering financial literacy and credit-building workshops at all 14 of Goodwill’s career centers across North Georgia. Over the past five years, more than 80,000 families have moved out of poverty through this partnership.

Ricky Smith, General Manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

Ricky Smith was honored for his leadership in making Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport one of Goodwill of North Georgia's most impactful employment partners. As General Manager of the world's busiest airport, Smith oversees daily operations serving more than 108 million passengers annually. Over the past decade, Goodwill has placed more than 2,300 job seekers in and around the airport at an average wage of $14 per hour, generating $67.6 million in annual economic impact for the region. An additional $41.9 million in indirect local economic activity brings the partnership's total economic value to more than $109 million.

Josh Carter, on behalf of the Carter Family and The Carter Center:

Josh Carter accepted the award on behalf of the Carter family, whose ties to Goodwill of North Georgia span more than 5 decades. In 1971, Governor Jimmy Carter attended the opening of Goodwill of North Georgia's inaugural career center. Since 1986, the Carter Center has contracted Goodwill for facility, janitorial, and grounds maintenance. Many Goodwill employees performing this work have physical or mental disabilities and have built lasting, living-wage careers through the partnership.

The evening also recognized the Goodwill 100, a group of leaders whose service and generosity have advanced Goodwill of North Georgia's mission over the past century.

"A century of service isn’t a finish line, but a launching pad," Parker said. "Saturday's gala was not merely a look back; it was a declaration of where we’re heading. By 2030, we will serve 155,000 more job seekers, expand our stores, strengthen sustainability, and deepen our economic impact in North Georgia and beyond. One hundred years ago, civic-minded Atlantans believed in the transformative power of work. We have proven them right, and the best is yet to come."