JBWF is an independent private foundation with a mission to help people in need in metro Atlanta through investments in education, health and economic opportunity. Inspired by the legacy of Joseph Brown Whitehead, one of the original bottlers of Coca-Cola, its areas of focus include early childhood education, K-12 education, children and youth, human services and health. In 2024, JBWF provided over $87 million in grants, including $1.2 million for academic enrichment programs.
“Next Gen is incredibly grateful to JBWF for their invaluable support and generosity, which will be transformative for our organization’s next chapter of growth within metro Atlanta and the state,” said Phil Olaleye, executive director of Next Gen. “With this investment, we aren’t just expanding our resources and programs, but building a stronger foundation to ensure the next ten years is prosperous and makes a genuine impact on the students we serve.”
Next Gen aims to close the opportunity gap for local high school students by providing mentorship and exposure to colleges, career options and support. Next Gen partners with under-resourced high schools around metro Atlanta. Led by teachers with college students serving as mentors, the program provides metro Atlanta students with trips to local colleges and businesses, offering an opportunity to network with professionals and gain firsthand exposure to career and educational opportunities they may otherwise not have access to.
To date, Next Gen has served 1,100 students in metro Atlanta, with 99.5% of participating 12th grade students successfully graduating from high school. In 2025, the nonprofit will celebrate its 10th anniversary, after being founded in 2015.
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