GeorgiaForward kicked off its 2025 session of its Young Gamechangers program in Athens-Clarke County, welcoming 48 bright and driven young professionals from across the state. The cohort gathered for their first immersive session from April 23-25, beginning an eight-month journey aimed at tackling some of Athens-Clarke County’s most pressing challenges through fresh perspectives, collaboration, and civic innovation. 

The session opened at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, setting the tone with a focus on community engagement and impact. Participants received a warm welcome from local and statewide leaders, including Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Bradley, and Georgia Municipal Association CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson. Each speaker emphasized the importance of innovation, service, and cross-sector collaboration—values at the heart of the Young Gamechangers experience. 

In addition to hearing from key stakeholders and community leaders, participants were introduced to the CliftonStrengths assessment, a cornerstone of the program’s leadership development component, encouraging participants to explore their personal talents and understand how their individual strengths could be leveraged in team settings. The group also engaged in an initial deep dive into the four community challenge questions, which will guide their work throughout the program. 

The second day centered on framing and understanding the core issues selected by the community for focused attention. The four focus areas economic disparity, community impact, town-gown relationship and Athens-Clarke County as a regional hub. 

There were four challenge questions: 

• Economic Disparity: Despite Athens-Clarke County’s vibrant academic and cultural landscape, economic disparity remains a pressing issue, with a poverty rate well above the state average. What innovative strategies can community stakeholders collaboratively implement to foster middle-class growth amid great wealth and poverty in Athens? 

• Community Impact: With great need in Athens-Clarke County, there is also a wealth of resources and stakeholders. 610 non-profits, a major university, and a consolidated city-county government exist alongside a lack of coordination and mixed community perceptions that hinder progress. How can we coordinate local leaders to take action in implementation and achieve shared community goals? 

• Town-Gown Relationship: The University of Georgia is a big part of Athens’ identity, yet the relationship between the university and the broader community is complex. How can we improve the town-and-gown relationship to foster stronger collaboration, communication, and shared initiatives to ensure the university and community are working together toward common goals? 

• Regional Hub: As a regional hub for commerce, culture, education, and healthcare, Athens-Clarke County plays a vital role in Northeast Georgia. How can we balance this regional role and metro growth while prioritizing and addressing critical local challenges? 

The second day centered on framing and understanding the core issues selected by the community for focused attention. The four focus areas are Community Impact, Economic Disparity, Athens as a Regional Hub, and Town and Gown Relationships. The day began with robust group discussions to explore these themes more deeply. Participants then heard from a variety of local experts who shared data, history, and context to ground the group’s understanding in the lived experiences and current dynamics of Athens-Clarke County. A demographic and economic overview provided vital insights into population trends, equity gaps, and growth opportunities. 

A city-wide trolley tour offered a firsthand look at key sites and neighborhoods, helping participants understand the diverse assets and challenges across Athens. This immersive experience was further enriched by issue-specific panels, with local leaders offering commentary, data, and inspiration for each group’s unique challenge question. These panels added important depth and sparked ideas for how the Gamechangers might begin to generate actionable, community-rooted solutions. 

The final day of the session focused on beginning the ideation process. Working in their assigned challenge groups, the participants started developing preliminary concepts and strategies to address their designated questions. Although these ideas are still in their early stages, they mark the beginning of a structured, collaborative process that will evolve over the coming months. 

Looking ahead, the cohort will meet again in September followed by final community presentations on November. 

The 2025 Young Gamechangers program is off to a strong start, propelled by the energy of its participants and the welcome of the vibrant host community, Athens-Clarke County. Through intentional collaboration, deep listening, and a commitment to positive change, these emerging leaders are set to make a meaningful impact—both in Athens and across Georgia.