2024 People Make the Place Highlights
People Make the Place is the annual fundraiser of the L5P Alliance. We created this event in 2022 to bring neighbors, business owners, community leaders, and property owners together to raise funds for our organization’s key goal - creating a more safe, welcoming, and vibrant L5P by focusing on issues around
Sponsors are a BIG part of our fundraising support, so please consider a sponsorship that helps sustain our work in the Little 5 Points district year-round.
***Stay tuned for our upcoming announcement about 2025 Awardees!!***
2024 Awardees
Don Bender Legacy Award In recognition of an individual who has demonstrated a legacy commitment to the sustainability, promotion, and invigoration of Little 5 Points.
Mayor Maynard Jackson
Many Atlantans know about the significant leadership impact Mayor Maynard Jackson had on the City of Atlanta, but few know about the integral role he had in revitaltizing Little 5 Points. As the City celebrates Maynard Jackson’s 50th anniversary, the L5P Alliance will share stories of Maynard’s passion for community and neighborhoods, his support for small businesses, and how he worked directly with L5P leaders to ensure their success.
UPlift Award In recognition of a resident, organization, elected official, property owner, or business owner that shows above and beyond commitment to the betterment and future of L5P.
Harlon Joye of WRFG
Harlon and his wife Barbara founded WRFG 50 years ago as a nonprofit community radio station in Little 5 Points. Today Harlon hosts “Fox’s Minstrel Show” on Sundays, which is the longest running radio show in Atlanta. WRFG continues to serve as an outlet for local artists and progressive causes.
“In Memoriam” In recognition of those who were integral to the development of modern L5P who are no longer with us.
Chris McPherson, BOND Community Federal Credit Union
Chris McPherson served as the Chief Lending Officer at BOND Community Federal Credit Union for 20 years. He was well known and well loved at BOND and throughout the entire Little 5 Points community. Chris had an outgoing personality, infectious smile, quick wit, and a loving heart. Chris always went out of his way to make people comfortable and happy and loved his family fiercely.
Wilma Stone, The Wrecking Bar
Wilma Stone established The Wrecking Bar as an architectural salvage business from 1970 to 2005. She took pride that she rescued the Wrecking Bar building from demolition and that she was able to purchase and thus prevent her historically important Neel Reid home from being subdivided into apartments. For more than three decades, Wilma owned and served as president of the Wrecking Bar. That building, now protected by the National Register of Historic Places, continues to serve the community as the popular Wrecking Bar Brew Pub.
2024 Spirit of L5P Winner
Julie Odom
Julie is a long-time bartender and event promoter at Star Community Bar. She is a fixture in L5P and regulary shares inspiring and beautiful photos of the L5P community.
Little 5 Points Alliance 2024 areas of focus:
Mobility & Placemaking - wayfinding signs, contracting for Findley Plaza construction, moving the $3M Euclid Ave improvements to full design, Moreland & Dekalb intersection advertised
Public Safety - APD appreciation, helping those experiencing homelessness, regular clean-ups, additional APD patrols
Arts & Culture- Peace Wall Mural, earned a CDAP grant to develop an arts plan for the district, beginning process for Moreland Ave underpass mural