Insight Corner

Illuminating Pathways to Hope

Celebrating 30 Years of Community Impact

At Emory Beacon of Light, we believe that transformation begins with illumination. When people recognize the possibilities within themselves and their community. For nearly three
decades, that belief has guided our work to strengthen and sustain the Brightwood neighborhood and surrounding areas through access, opportunity, and empowerment.
 

From our 180,000-square-foot Beacon Center campus, we proudly serve as a catalyst for community transformation. The Beacon Center is more than a building—it is a living symbol of what happens when vision, collaboration, and compassion unite. Within its walls
are stories of resilience and renewal: families moving from instability to housing security, individuals gaining economic opportunity, and young people discovering their leadership and voice. Each year, more than 3,000 residents connect with programs that help them stabilize, strengthen, and succeed. Through our core initiatives in housing, food security, economic empowerment, and education, Emory Beacon of Light meets people where they are and helps them build pathways toward where they can be.

 

Our newly expanded Beacon Basket Food Pantry now
offers fresh produce, culturally diverse groceries, and community-choice options that promote dignity and nutritional equity. This evolution reflects our commitment to addressing food insecurity not only as a crisis response but as a cornerstone of community
health and economic stability. We also advance wellness by providing nutritious foods through The Beacon Basket,
hosting Blueprint for Wellness events, and partnering with Choose Healthy Life to expand access to health screenings and information across trusted community networks—because wellness begins with dignity, access, and knowledge.
 

As we prepare to celebrate our 30th Anniversary in 2026, we do more than look back with gratitude—we look ahead with determination. The next decade will focus on deepening impact, scaling innovation, and expanding access. Our ten-year vision is to strengthen the
pillars that sustain thriving communities: affordable housing, food sovereignty, economic mobility, and education equity.

We are also investing in the next generation of culinary leaders through the launch of Aunt Betty’s Restaurant and the Beacon Culinary Arts Academy—a workforce and training program that honors community legacy while creating pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. Together, these initiatives will transform our food systems into engines of empowerment—where meals nourish, training uplifts, and community connections
thrive. This milestone year marks not only three decades of service but the beginning of a new chapter; one defined by bold partnerships, transformative programs, and measurable
community outcomes. Together, we are building a stronger foundation for the next
generation of leaders and families who will call this community home.
 

As we expand our vision, we invite partners, donors, and investors to join us in advancing this work. Your support fuels innovation, strengthens families, and ensures that the light of
opportunity continues to shine across our city. Together, we can continue to build a sustainable, well-supported community where every individual has the chance to thrive. A sustainable, well-supported community is within our reach and it remains our shared
responsibility to keep that light shining bright. Together with partners, neighbors, and friends, we will continue to illuminate, cultivate, and elevate, lighting the way toward a
healthier, more equitable, and hope-filled future for all.
 

In service and solidarity,
Rev. LaTaska M. Nelson
Executive Director, Emory Beacon of Light

"I believe in illuminating possibility—because when people see their own light, they can change the world around them."