Celebrating 15 Years of Impact

Rising Together

A CareerRise Cocktail Reception

Rooted in Impact, Rising in Opportunity. An elegant evening celebrating 15 years of connecting Atlantans to good jobs, building a stronger workforce, and creating lasting change across our community.

Reserve Your Ticket Become a Sponsor

THE EVENT

An Evening Rooted in Purpose

Join us for an unforgettable cocktail reception at the stunning Summit at 8West, high above the Atlanta skyline. This milestone evening marks 15 years of CareerRise’s work helping our neighbors build careers, earn living wages, and create stable futures.

The evening will feature remarks from community leaders, recognition of a trailblazing honoree, a wine pull fundraiser, and the chance to connect with 150 of Atlanta’s most committed advocates for workforce opportunity.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026
5:00 PM Reception | 8:00 PM Close

Summit at 8West
889 Howell Mill Road, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30318

150 Guests Expected
Business and community leaders across metro Atlanta

Evening Program

5:00

Cocktail Hour & Wine Pull

Mingle with Atlanta’s top community leaders

6:00

Program & Remarks

Celebrating 15 years, impact stories, and our mission ahead

6:30

Award Presentation

Honoring our distinguished Community Champion

7:00

Continued Networking & Celebration

Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails through close

2026 WORKFORCE Champion Award

This Year We Honor an
Extraordinary Leader

HONOREE

Milton J. Little Jr.

President & CEO, United Way of Greater Atlanta

Milton J. Little Jr. is one of the most respected nonprofit leaders in America. Under his leadership, United Way of Greater Atlanta has become a national model for addressing the root causes of poverty and creating pathways to economic stability for families across our region.

As a founding champion of CareerRise, Milton understood from the beginning that meaningful workforce development, rooted in employer partnerships and individual support, is one of the most powerful tools a community has. His vision, his persistence, and his belief in the people we serve have shaped every job placement, every credential earned, and every family whose life has changed in the past 15 years.

This award is our community’s way of saying what we all feel: thank you for your transformative leadership, your tireless dedication to our city, and your unwavering belief that every person deserves access to a good job and a strong future.

“A strong workforce is the backbone of a strong community. When people have access to good jobs, families thrive and neighborhoods transform.”

MILTON J. LITTLE JR.

Mike Kenig Workforce Trailblazer Award

Corporate
Honoree

Recipient Revealed September 15

The Mike Kenig Award recognizes an employer or corporate partner whose commitment to hiring, training, and investing in CareerRise participants has created lasting opportunity for job seekers across metro Atlanta.

This award honors the spirit of Mike Kenig, a tireless advocate for workforce development and the belief that business success and community impact are not competing goals but deeply connected ones.

Legacy Award

Participant
Honoree

Recipient Revealed September 15

The Legacy Award is the most personal recognition CareerRise gives. It goes to a program graduate who not only transformed their own career trajectory but whose story captures what this work is truly about: determination, growth, and possibility.

This honoree reminds every person in the room why CareerRise exists and what 15 years of investment in people actually looks like.

Join Us

Reserve Your Seat at the Reception

Every ticket purchased directly supports CareerRise’s work connecting Atlantans to careers that change their lives.

Your ticket supports

Workforce Training

Skills-based pathways to living-wage careers

Employer Partnerships

Connecting job seekers with 200+ Atlanta employers

Stronger Communities

15 years of building economic opportunity across metro Atlanta

General Admission

$175

per person

Admission to the cocktail reception
Hors d’oeuvres and open bar
Opportunity Drawing participation
Award program and evening remarks
Tax acknowledgment letter provided

Purchase Tickets

Evening highlights

Three Award Presentations

Honoring a participant, a corporate partner, and our Community Champion – Milton Little

15-Year Milestone Celebration

Impact video, live testimonial, and remarks from community leaders

Opportunity Drawing

Wine pull tickets available for purchase at the event

Partnership Opportunities

Sponsorship Levels

Place your organization front and center among Atlanta’s most committed workforce and economic development leaders.

Download Full 2026 Sponsorship Packet

Benefit	Sustainer $25,000	Changemaker $15,000	Workforce Champion $10,000	Workforce Innovator $5,000	Career Builder $2,500
Presenting Sponsor Designation	✓	–	–	–	–
Speaking Opportunity	✓	–	–	–	–
Recognition on All Collateral	Premier Logo	Logo	Logo	Name	Name
Press Release Mention	✓	✓	✓	–	–
Social Media	2 Posts (pre & post)	1 Post (pre-event)	1 Post (pre-event)	–	–
Complimentary Tickets	20	15	10	6	4
Digital Program Ad	2 Full Pages (premium)	Full Page	Half Page	Quarter Page	Quarter Page
Emcee Recognition	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Website Recognition	Premier Logo	Logo	Logo	Name	Name
On-Site Signage	Premier Logo	Logo	Logo	Name	Name
Event Recap	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓