Buckhead Organizations Launch Future. Forward. Together. Buckhead.

Posted June 5, 2025

Buckhead Organizations Launch Future. Forward. Together. Buckhead.

A Collaborative, Community-Driven Research & Branding Initiative Will Define Buckhead’s Next Chapter & Support Economic Development

ATLANTA, GA — June 5, 2025 — Today, four leading Buckhead civic and business organizations – the Buckhead Coalition, Livable Buckhead, the Buckhead Community Improvement District (CID) and the Buckhead Business Association – have partnered to launch a bold new initiative, Future. Forward. Together. Buckhead., aimed at collaboratively defining Buckhead’s identity and strengthening its economic development efforts.

This comprehensive research and branding initiative will gather insights from residents, businesses and visitors to inform a shared narrative that reflects Buckhead’s growing energy, momentum and appeal. The research components will include listening sessions, stakeholder interviews, and regional surveys, among others.

“Buckhead has a great story to tell, and this effort will help us tell it together and tell it well,” said all four organizations in a joint statement. “By working from the same foundation, we can chart the future of Atlanta’s Buckhead community to advance its charm, economic vitality, livability and accessibility for the residents, businesses and community organizations that make Buckhead one of the most desirable and attractive parts of our city.”

A Community-Driven Process

Facilitated by Lexicon Strategies — known for its work with Fortune 100 companies and major civic initiatives — the Future. Forward. Together. Buckhead. research project is rooted in deep community engagement. The project includes:

Listening sessions and stakeholder interviews
A comprehensive survey reaching across four states
A comparative analysis of branding efforts in peer cities
A final report featuring a logic model, clear goals, and measurable outcomes

Thank You to Our Steering Committee

This initiative would not be possible without the time and dedication of the Future. Forward. Together. Buckhead. Steering Committee — a diverse group of civic, business, and community leaders committed to Buckhead’s future. We extend our sincere gratitude to the following individuals for saying “yes” to helping guide this transformative process:

Nancy Bliwise, NPU B; Frances Bohn, Jamestown; Kristi Brigman, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Bill Britt, Peachtree Road United Methodist; Mark Buffington, BIP Capital; Samuel Candler, Cathedral of St. Philip; Greg Cole, BCM Georgia; Meredyth Cole, The Lovett School; Kristi Cotten-Morris, Grand Hyatt Hotel; Kaysha Cranon, The Brava Agency and Atlanta Black Chamber; David Cummings, Atlanta Tech Village; Steven DeFrancis, Cortland Partners; Germain Dearlove, Atlanta Police Department; W. Brinkley Dickerson, NPU A; Jim Durrett, Buckhead Coalition/Buckhead CID; Ashley Fielding, Piedmont Healthcare; Brandon Franklin, BM Franklin; Kevin Glass, Atlanta International School; Zack Gober, LaVista Associates; Ernest Greer, Greenberg Traurig; Sheffield Hale, Atlanta History Center; Sonya Halpern, Georgia State Senate, 39^th District; Genna Keller, Trevelino / Keller; Caitlin King, City of Atlanta; Linda Klein, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz; Eloisa Klementich, Invest Atlanta; Allison Kopp, Buckhead Coalition; Heather Lamb, Highwoods Properties, Inc; Terri Lee, Atlanta Housing; Kristine Maggio, Transwestern; Santiago Marquez, Latin American Association; Mary Norwood, Atlanta City Council, District 8; Robert Patterson, North Buckhead Civic Association; Brooke Perez, Georgia Power; Shyam Reddy, BlueLinx Corporation; Matt Rendle, Selig Enterprises; Charles Ritter, Buckhead Business Association; Jonathan Rodbell, Atlanta Property Group, LLC; Jamie Shepherd, Shepherd Center; Howard Shook, Atlanta City Council, District 7; Denise Starling, Livable Buckhead; Bob Stoner, Board Chair, Livable Buckhead; Robin Suggs, Lenox Square/Phipps Plaza; Eric Tanenblatt, Dentons; Debra Wathen, Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods; Edie Weintraub, Terra Alma; Ryan Wilson, The Gathering Spot.

About the Partner Organizations

Buckhead Coalition is an active, member-led organization of business and civic leaders working to support Buckhead’s residents, businesses, and visitors through community engagement and advocacy. thebuckheadcoalition.com
Livable Buckhead is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life in Buckhead through sustainability, mobility, greenspace, and community engagement programs. livablebuckhead.org
The Buckhead Community Improvement District (CID) is a self-taxing district that funds infrastructure and safety improvements to enhance mobility and economic vitality in Buckhead’s commercial core. buckheadcid.com
The Buckhead Business Association (BBA) connects, promotes, and engages businesses throughout Buckhead through events, advocacy, and community involvement. buckheadbusiness.org

Media Contact:

Allison S. Kopp
Vice President
Buckhead Coalition
678-313-2966
akopp@thebuckheadcoalition.org

Scott Cantrell

Scott joined Livable Buckhead in May 2005 and currently holds the role of communications director. Scott is responsible for communications and management of various other projects.