Our Origin Story:
PAACT: Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive is a citywide alliance working to support high-quality early learning, education, and the healthy development of Atlanta’s youngest children.
PAACT was born from a leadership council convened by GEEARS in 2018. The Atlanta Early Education Leadership Council (AEELC) consisted of leaders from both public and private sectors including local government, state agencies, business, faith, health, philanthropic, and early education communities. By bringing this group together we developed a shared vision, bold yet actionable strategies, and the funding and citywide commitment needed to sustain this work to ensure that all children in Atlanta have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
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Mission
To create a citywide alliance focused on improving outcomes for children ages 0-to-5 years old who grow up in Atlanta.
Vision
Families in the City of Atlanta have what they need to ensure that all children starting at birth are healthy, learning and developing so that they enter school ready for success, thrive once in school, and are prepared to reach their full potential as citizens of our city.
Our Goals
Our Role
We convene and work alongside Atlanta’s leaders in government, education, community organizations and the business sector to support and fund programs aimed at providing high quality educational opportunities and resources for every family with a child under 5 years old in the City of Atlanta.
In an era of inequity and at a time where we invest the least during the age at which a child develops the most, our goal is to ensure that a child’s zip code does not determine his or her outcome.
Our Partners
Get Involved
Join a working group: Subject matter practitioners and community experts collaborating to form strategies and support with the implementation of the PAACT strategic recommendations.
Serve as a community liaison for PAACT: Share information and resources to families with young children or invite the Director of PAACT to community forums and events.
Meet the Director: Schedule a chat to learn more about the initiative, share ideas, and provide feedback. We want to meet you, even if it’s virtual!
Interested? Please e-mail the Director of PAACT, Brittany Collins, at
Subscribe to the PAACT Newsletter:
Our Advisory Board Members
Stephanie Blank, GEEARS, Board Chair
Adam Harrell, NEBO Agency, Co-Founder
Robyn Wallace, Local Green Atlanta, Owner
Margaret A. Stagmeier, TriStar Real Estate
Dr. Lisa Herring, Atlanta Public Schools, Superintendent
Eshe’ Collins, Atlanta Public Schools Board, Vice Chair
Amy Jacobs, Department of Early Care and Learning, Commissioner
Donna Davidson, Easter Seals North Georgia, CEO
Dr. Ryan James, Atlanta Speech School, Director
Rashida Winfrey, JP Morgan Chase & Co., VP Atlanta Minority Entrepreneurs
Janean Lewis, One Atlanta, Senior Director, Youth Engagement
Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim, Mayor’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI), Chief Equity Officer & Executive Director
Council President Doug Shipman, Atlanta City Council
Lauren Koontz, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, CEO and President
Blythe Robinson, Sheltering Arms, CEO and President
Cerrice Dawson, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Senior Director of Early Learning
Akilah Saffold, Community Volunteer
Kate Kennedy, Community Volunteer
Michele Hill, KIDazzle Child Care and Learning Center, Inc., President
Chris Demko, Southern Company Services, Associate General Counsel