Expanding the Winner's Circle. With a record number of nonprofits supported, the Alphas of Atlanta and the #AlphaDerbyWeekend leaves a larger footprint in Metro-Atlanta communities.

There's no place like being in the Winner's Circle.

This is a key part of the mission and mantra of the Alphas of Atlanta, a 501c3 (nonprofit) comprised of members of the Metro-Atlanta graduate chapters. Since its inception in 2015, the #AlphaDerbyWeekend, which is their Kentucky Derby themed signature event, evolves with its programming and reach. From its inception as a 2-day event (2015-16) to a 3-day event (2017) and beyond, including this year's event (as it marks their 11th year of doing so), the combination of networking, a golf-tournament, kickoff party and concert, watch party (which draws Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other dignitaries), and Sunday Brunch make it a "must-attend" event taking place the 1st weekend of May.

Beyond the pageantry is the larger purpose, making it a "win-win" for the Metro-Atlanta community.

This year (2026) is an expansion year, as they increase the number of grants awarded to fellow nonprofit and community centered entities across Metro-Atlanta. With the recent conclusion of delivering said funding, it's about leaving a positive footprint throughout the area and beyond.

For this year, the following entities are awarded funding to support their endeavors focused on education, mentoring, health and wellness, and inter-related community-focused initiatives:

• 3D Girls, Inc. Their primary areas of focus includes creating positive change in the lives of young women, girls, and families (click HERE to learn more).

• Every Girl Shines. Their efforts center on middle and high school girls and pairing them with professional women who will lead them to creating a better world (click HERE to learn more).

• Scholarship Education Outreach. The work they do is at the intersection of education, workforce development, and equity, along with guidance and strategies centered on scholarships, post-secondary pathways, and career opportunities (click HERE to learn more).

• The Diamond Girls Program. With an emphasis on providing disciplined training programs in the industry of cheer and athletics, they provide a platform for the drive and motivation for achievement of their goals on and off the field (click HERE to learn more).

• Eagles Landing Christian Academy. Providing enrichment and engagement within and across education is part of their focus in developing responsible and well-rounded students across the board (click HERE to learn more).

• Girls Who Brunch Tour. Their focus is to cultivate, inspire, and empower at-risk girls (ages 9-17) via the lenses of mentorship, hands-on programming, health and wellness initiatives, and real-world skill-set building (click HERE to learn more).

• The RKL Education Foundation, Inc. This community-centered nonprofit focuses on mentoring along with educational-based activities (click HERE to learn more).

• Sigma Eta Lambda Foundation, Inc. Via their mentoring programs and scholarship opportunities, their focus is to provide support opportunities and making an impact for those focused on post-high school pathways grounded in professional success and community engagement (click HERE to learn more).

• Randal D. Ponder Memorial Scholarship. Through their leadership development programs, they afford scholarship opportunities and related engagement for students and their post-secondary goals (click HERE to learn more).

• Tau Gamma Lambda Education Foundation. Along with scholarship opportunities, leadership development, academic achievement, and community engagement are key focus areas for the students they work with.

• The Omicron Phi Lambda Education Foundation. Through programs around the art of debate, leadership development, and professional development (among others), they provide student and community enrichment and engagement opportunities (click HERE to learn more).

• The Henry Arthur Callis Education Foundation. Their mentoring and related educational programs provide opportunities for students in pursuit of post-high school education and professional areas of focus (click HERE to learn more).

With the 12th edition of the event scheduled for April 29-May 2, 2027, the #AlphaDerbyWeekend looks to build on previous years, including the 2026 edition which features Jon B as their headline artist for the event, making it a key destination benefit event weekend in the city, state, region, and country (as 1/3 of its patrons travel from outside the state of Georgia).

Clearly, the Winner's Circle is more than just the event.

It's about an event serving as a vehicle to generate positive impacts and engagement with an entire metro area.

With this and related efforts, the Alphas of Atlanta continue to show there's no place like the Winner's Circle.

Notes: The photos are provided via the Alphas of Atlanta (Phrozen Memories in particular) and Eagle's Landing Christian Academy. Readers are invited to learn more about the #AlphaDerbyWeekend by visiting the website (click HERE to visit their website); information on their grant program is expected to be available during the fall of 2026 for funding opportunities in 2027 (click HERE for a complete listing of the awardees for 2026).