Wachovia Foundation generously gave us $1M last week for the capital campaign for the Center.  Two unexpected things happend on the way to the "money picture" above.  Thought I would share the "behind the scenes":

1) We planned out a lot of details about the annoucement (and rightfully so).  Who would come, who would speak, etc.  At the press conference itself-- we had two luminaries from the Civil Rights Movement with us (Connie Curry and Herschelle Challenor-- both in the picture).  The Mayor spontaneously called them up to speak leading to a wonderful linkage between past and future.  They didn't know they were going to speak-- but they both were wonderful.  Shows how they could lead a movement...

2) I always thought you got to take the checks home-- well little did I know that you can have a dry erase check--- yep, the checks can be used again and again.  You may ask-- did I think about changing the number before the presentation?  You bet I did!  But I didn't have a red marker!  Notice they are different colors-- accidental?  I don't think so...

The press conference should be up on the City of Atlanta video on demand site soon.  Take a look if you get the chance...