View or download the Sponsor Packet

Dr. Meria Carstarphen is well-known as an advocate for special education. Under her tenure as Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Carstarphen tackled special education programs in schools and focused on leveling the disproportionate suspension of students with intellectual disabilities by ensuring children with disabilities were provided the support they needed to succeed.

Down Country is an organization that is part of National Down Syndrome Congress’s local and national support programs. The nonprofit operates as a resource for education and awareness for the exceptionally gifted community. Down Country does not only serve those affected by Down syndrome but the entire community that learns “outside of the box”.

Kroger has been a longtime supporter of NDSC and the Down syndrome community. Kroger supports individuals with Down syndrome to live independently by offering them employment in the Kroger family of supermarkets across the country.

The Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth at Kennesaw State University offers a fully inclusive post-secondary college education and experience to students with different intellectual or developmental abilities. The Academy focuses on independence through an inclusive campus program – encouraging social growth and development through real-life college experiences.

Self-advocate Everyday Heroes are individuals with Down syndrome who speak up, make their own decisions, seek the help of others to support them in their journey, and through self-determination accomplish positive impacts on their lives and their community. Through COVID-19, these self-advocate everyday heroes have worked in essential positions of employment supporting us all during the pandemic.

Event Chair – Zack Deming, Russell Reynolds

Host Committee

Liz Blake, Fmr. SVP of Habitat for Humanity

Gray Campbell, Power Systems Group

Cannon Carr, CornerCap Investment Counsel

Tony Conway, Legendary Events

Ben Deutsch, The Coca-Cola Company (Ret.)

David Duke, Living Stories

William Floyd, Pendleton Group

Scott Frank, AT&T Intellectual Properties

Garet Hayes, 12DegreesPR

Martha Haythorn, Self-advocate

Trace Haythorn, ACPE

Serena Levy, The Coca-Cola Company

Wonya Lucas, Public Broadcasting Atlanta

Emory Morsberger, Morsberger Revitalization

Adam Mosley, Uzima Filters

Jenna Quigley, Self-advocate

Jim Reed, The YKK Group

Jeff and Natalie Rosensweig, Emory

Ross Rossin, Independent Artist

Major Snow, The Benoit Group

Ambassador Andrew J. Young and Carolyn Young, Andrew J. Young Foundation