Dwayne Holt gives a quarter century of support.
Dwayne Holt, southeastern director of operations at Commercial Real Estate Services Worldwide (better known as CBRE) in Buckhead, has been active in The Cool Girls of East Lake since 2012. “For a 25-year-old organization that has worked with over 6,000 disadvantaged girls, The Cool Girls is Atlanta’s best kept secret,” he says. A board member and volunteer, he and CBRE have raised more than $75,000 for the 501c3 nonprofit.
The organization was launched in 1989 when East Lake Meadows was one of Atlanta’s most violent communities. A handful of volunteers from Epiphany Episcopal Church created a safe place for kids to go after school. Soon thereafter, several girls who called themselves The Cool Girls formed a separate group.
“Over the years, The Cool Girls’ program focus has expanded to include mentoring, fitness, an introduction to technology, college tours and more,” says Tanya Egins, executive director. “Members of the American Association of University Women offer tutoring for high schoolers. High achievers who remain active throughout their school years are eligible for college scholarships.”
The organization’s largest fundraising event, Cool Girls Become Cool Women Hot Pink Party, will be held Saturday, April 23, at Loews Atlanta Hotel. The adult-only event with an expected 450 in attendance is open to the public and honors the Cool Woman of the Year, the Cool Volunteer of the Year and the Cool Girl of the Year.
For more information, visit thecoolgirlshotpinkparty.com and coolgirls.org.
BY: Mickey Goodman
