Big news for the Russell Center!
On Monday, April 29, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Russell Center as the first stop on her nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour! Vice President Harris visit shine a spotlight on the importance of economic empowerment and the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to uplifting communities across the country. Senator Raphel Warnock, Senator Jon Ossoff, and Congresswoman Nikema Williams joined the Vice President to discuss the recent $158 million Reconnecting Communities Award for The Stitch project to reconnect Atlanta neighborhoods and drive economic growth.
We were truly honored to have Vice President Harris to choose the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs as her first stop in Atlanta. Local entrepreneurs and RICE Stakeholders Charmaine Gibbs-West of Essence Tree Holistic Life along with David Walker of Positivity Alkaline Water had the pleasure to meet VICE President Harris during her tour. This visit isn’t just a big deal for the Russell Center family—it’s a true testament to the game-changing experiences that happen at RICE. This momentous occasion marks another significant opportunity for the Russell Center, allowing us to showcase the strength and dynamism of our community to the world.
Additionally, as part of her economic opportunity tour stop in Atlanta, the Vice President is helping highlight the historic Biden-Harris Administration investments in access to capital and small business support that are available to help entrepreneurs scale and grow their businesses in Georgia with approved lending partners like Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE). She also spotlighted the $65 million investment from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to the Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) Coalition, led by the Georgia Institute of Technology. Georgia AIM is driving the equitable development and deployment of innovation and talent in artificial intelligence for manufacturing across Georgia. RICE is a proud partner in the Georgia AIM Coalition, working to create the LaunchPad AI Innovation Mobile Studio to support underserved entrepreneurs.
Check out photos taken by Founding 100 RICE Stakeholder Adrian Shelby of this incredible experience here: RICE X VP Kamala Harris :: Adrian Shelby Photography (sproutstudio.com)
