2025 Visionary Awards Luncheon
If you joined us at the 2025 Visionary Awards Luncheon, we hope it was as memorable for you as it was for us. From gathering in the stunning Georgia Aquarium, to hearing the inspiring voices of the SEEit Choir, to celebrating progress and leadership in sustainability with so many dedicated community members—this year’s Luncheon was truly special. For those who couldn’t make it, we hope to see you at next year’s celebration.
Photos from the event are available here!
We were deeply honored to present Ambassador Andrew J. Young with Southface’s most prestigious Argon Award of Excellence, recognizing his extraordinary lifetime of service and his alignment with our mission of boldly building together. Whether through his leadership as Mayor of Atlanta, his pivotal work in the Civil Rights Movement and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965, or his global advocacy supporting decolonization efforts in Namibia and Zimbabwe, Ambassador Young’s legacy continues to guide and inspire our work.
This event would not have been possible without the dedicated support of our partners: Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Fox Gives, Cox Enterprises, Cherry Street Energy, The Live/Work/Walk Foundation, 2KB Energy Services, Smith Gambrell Russell, cove, Green Power EMC, Georgia Tech College of Design, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Chick-fil-a, Southwire, Ryan Companies, Forever Young Aquaponics, Ansley & Mark Calloway, and the Reilly Family Foundation.
We are also incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in “60 Seconds of Giving,” raising more than $9,220 in just one minute. Your contributions—both at this event and throughout the year—directly support Southface’s ability to deliver impactful programs, strengthen communities, elevate sustainability leaders, and continue building a more equitable and resilient Southeast. Your generosity helps us celebrate changemakers like Ambassador Young whose leadership inspires others to take bold action.
Finally, a special thank-you to the local elected officials who joined us and shared encouraging words about the future of our region. Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens offered thoughtful reflections and a shared commitment to advancing sustainability and opportunity across our communities. Also, we are so grateful for 11Alive’s meteorologist and our local celebrity, Chesley McNeil, for doing an incredible job of Master of Ceremonies.
We’re also excited to keep the momentum going at our upcoming Winter Solstice Celebration on December 11—location to be announced soon. This annual gathering brings together partners, neighbors, and sustainability leaders for an evening of community, creativity, and inspiration. We’ll also present the Luminary Award, honoring an organization whose transformative sustainability work is making a meaningful impact locally or across the region. After a wonderful celebration last year at Historic Oakland Cemetery, we can’t wait to bring everyone together again for another unforgettable night. Stay tuned for details—we hope to see you there!
