The Creative Media and Entertainment industry joins Atlanta-based nonprofit, re:imagine/ATL in the re:imagine/Alliance to work together towards a vision of a safe, inclusive, and equitable workforce in the film and digital media industry. The Alliance has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial resources, and activated the skills and networks of its partner organizations to directly invest in equipping the next generation of storytellers across metro Atlanta.
In response to the need for a skilled, and representative workforce from Georgia’s growing entertainment industry, re:imagine/ATL has been working with Atlanta teens to expose them to potential careers, provide training in vital skills, and help make industry connections to build their professional networks. The opportunities presented by the burgeoning entertainment and digital media industries are creating space for a new generation of storytellers that is uniquely positioned to tell their stories from a diverse range of perspectives across race, gender identity, socio-economic status, and cultural background. Funding from the re:imagine/Alliance goes directly to supporting those opportunities.
“Teens are heavily influenced by what they see and hear, which means the media that surrounds them can greatly impact their lives. We have a responsibility to equip them with the tools they need to tell their own stories, to create spaces that allow them to discover new opportunities in this field, and to provide platforms that encourage the industry to identify new representative talent,” said Kimberlin Bolton, re:imagine/ATL’s Executive Director. “re:imagine/ATL is working to be a strong, sustainable bridge between young underrepresented storytellers and the creative media industry. We recognize that the magnitude of our vision requires the investment of this industry, which is why the re:imagine/Alliance is a key component of our work.”
The 2019 re:imagine/Alliance is made up of both local and national companies including The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Alston & Bird, The Atlanta Voice, Bark Bark, Eagle Rock Studios Atlanta, EUE Screen Gems, Exchange Communications, The Gathering Spot, Georgia Infrastructure & Studio Alliance, Invest Atlanta, Mailchimp, Mailing Avenue Stageworks, Moonshine Post-Production, THEA (Choose ATL), Third Rail Studios, and Turner. Each of these companies shares re:imagine/ATL’s vision and believes in the power of storytelling.
“Turner believes that art and culture can serve as vehicles for bringing diverse communities together,” said Sydney Langdon, Manager of Corporate Responsibility at Turner. “Through Turner Voices, our signature corporate philanthropy program, Turner partners with impactful organizations, such as re:imagine/ATL, to strategically invest in community arts and culture to promote stronger dialogue and diversity in the industry’s pipeline of emerging voices and to pave the way for the next generation of storytellers.”
Investing in the re:imagine/Alliance supports both the creative and economic future of Atlanta. “Creatives are an integral part of Atlanta’s dynamic workforce, driving significant economic activity in the city,” said Nathan Regan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at Invest Atlanta. “The City of Atlanta is a leader in creative industries, and exposing young people to creative career paths is critical to helping the industry thrive for years to come. Invest Atlanta is proud to continue supporting re:imagine/ATL in fostering inclusive workforce development opportunities for the city’s next generation of talented creators.”
In addition to a financial investment, partner companies work with re:imagine/ATL to offer resources, mentoring, and job shadowing opportunities.