Businesses can achieve more by working together than competing.
Take, for example, Brandon Butler, founder of Atlanta’s cultural channel, Butter.ATL and Peter Kiley, brew master at Monday Night Brewing. The two entrepreneurs teamed up to launch The 404 Fund, named for Atlanta’s first area code and 404 Day, the day designated to celebrate all-things Atlanta. The donor-advised fund, created in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, supports scholarships and grants, youth education and employment initiatives, housing and food insecurity services, and mental health programs in the city of Atlanta.
Inspired by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ slogan that “Atlanta is a group project,” the duo combined forces with a team of advisors comprised of Black-owned business and civic leaders, including Butter.ATL, led by Butler; Atlanta Influences Everything, the Trap Music Museum, Finish First, and Monday Night Brewing. “We’re trying to create a group of mobilizers,” Kiley said. “At some point, I hope this turns into a group project where everyone feels included.”
One way to involve others is the Atlanta 404 Lager, a limited-edition beer from Monday Night Brewing. The brewery is donating 4.04 percent of the beer’s proceeds back into the 404 Fund. “Everyone actually wants to do good by the city, they just don’t always know where to go,” said Kiley. “So we’re going to be that place. We’re going to be that safe landing place where they can listen, they can learn, and if they want to, they can give back with their effort or their resources.”
To find out how you can give back, visit the404fund.com.
Keywords: The 404 Fund, Black communities, collaboration, innovation, education
#CommunityGrowth #Innovation #BlackExcellence
