Community Sustainability Enterprise

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, CSE honors the power of work by educating, empowering and equipping individuals with the skills and opportunities to strengthen their socioeconomic condition and achieve upward economic mobility through strategic workforce development.

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Deirdra Cox

06/10/2026

Year 8. What a blessing.

Community Sustainability Enterprise is proud to be back with the incredible young people of Trees Atlanta’s Youth Trees Team, powered by our longtime partners at Fifth Third Bank.

This summer, our mission goes beyond a paycheck. Every student will complete a professional resume, LinkedIn profile, and elevator pitch while working toward a personal savings goal of at least $500. These young professionals are spending eight weeks earning, learning, and preparing for careers in Atlanta’s growing green economy.

A special thank you to Pablo for bringing his Morehouse Man energy and leadership to help build this year’s Financial Reality Fair. Thank you to Ginene, Charis, Addam, Tajah, Angela, and the entire Fifth Third Bank team for your commitment to financial literacy and workforce development.

Now, let’s get ready for the YTT 2026 Career Fair. Metro Atlanta employers, take notice—these aspiring green career professionals are gaining the skills, discipline, and confidence to thrive in the workplace.

Georgia Peach Proud 🍑

CSE is honored to be a Trees Atlanta partner and a Fifth Third Bank grant recipient supporting this mission-critical work for the next generation of leaders.

02/16/2026

This week I had the privilege of working with Freddie Broom and municipal leaders from across Georgia.

My assignment was to challenge how they see themselves in their roles — not just administrators, but system builders.

We walked through what I call the architecture of a municipality:

The foundation is leadership behavior and internal culture.
The structure is small business growth and workforce pipelines.
The tools are capital — NMTCs, public/private investment, CDFIs, and housing development.
The roof is ex*****on — decisions and measurable outcomes.

When these parts are disconnected, communities stagnate.
When they align, economic vibrancy becomes normal.

We studied census data and household economics to determine priorities.
We distinguished community development from economic development — and located the intersection where quality of life improves.

Freddie also introduced me to PEST analysis to complement leadership SWOT — now part of my CSE training toolkit.

And one truth became clear:
Leadership isn’t passion alone.
It’s structured thinking, accountability, and responsible capital deployment.

Public service is infrastructure work.

Grateful for the opportunity to serve and continue learning. Georgia Municipal Association

01/19/2026

Honoring Dr. King Through Economic Growth in Every Community

Today, Community Sustainability Enterprise honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by advancing what he stood for—strong communities built on opportunity, enterprise, and sustainable economic growth.

We believe vibrant communities are created when families, entrepreneurs, and neighborhoods are equipped with the tools to build wealth, grow businesses, and create generational stability.

On this MLK Day, we recommit to strengthening local economies and supporting pathways that turn potential into lasting prosperity.

01/19/2026

Today, Community Sustainability Enterprise honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by advancing what he stood for—strong communities built on opportunity, enterprise, and sustainable economic growth.

We believe vibrant communities are created when families, entrepreneurs, and neighborhoods are equipped with the tools to build wealth, grow businesses, and create generational stability.

On this MLK Day, we recommit to strengthening local economies and supporting pathways that turn potential into lasting prosperity.

01/17/2026

More Than Keys: A Journey Toward Thriving Homeownership

So grateful to spend Saturday with the amazing team at Habitat for Humanity 💜

Thank you Rhonda and Jen for inviting me into the 2026 Homebuyer Orientation. What a powerful reminder that homeownership is not just a moment—it’s a movement.

In 2026, CSE is bringing the Wealth Building Brigade together—and we’re proud to welcome Touchmark NB as a key partner. Their leadership as Habitat volunteer champions and experts in money mastery and financial management strengthens this journey for every family.

Together, we’re supporting families through a 5-part wealth-building experience:
✨ Wealth mindset
✨ Income elevation
✨ Financial systems & credit
✨ Home protection & stability
✨ Generational legacy building

Our goal?
To help families become thriving homeowners, so homeownership becomes a legacy outcome, not a single achievement.

Honored to walk alongside these future homeowners. 🏡✨

ThrivingFamilies CSE

01/17/2026

Grateful for a powerful Saturday morning with the incredible team at Habitat for Humanity.

Special thank you to Rhonda and Jen for inviting me to join the 2026 Homebuyer Orientation and for the sacred work you do preparing families for one of the most life-changing milestones—homeownership.

This year, Community Sustainability Enterprise (CSE) is bringing the Wealth Building Brigade together to walk alongside these families—not just to help them buy a home, but to help them thrive in homeownership so it becomes a generational family legacy.

We are also proud to welcome Touchmark NB to this powerful series. Their leadership shows up in two meaningful ways—as Habitat for Humanity volunteer champions and as trusted guides in money mastery and financial management for families building a strong foundation.

Our 2026 Homebuyer Experience includes a 5-part journey:
1️⃣ Cultivating a wealth mindset and vision
2️⃣ Elevating income and career pathways
3️⃣ Strengthening cash flow, credit, and financial systems
4️⃣ Protecting the home through planning and preparedness
5️⃣ Anchoring legacy, stewardship, and generational wealth

This is about more than keys and closing days.
It’s about setting a new financial trajectory for families and future generations.

Honored to be in this work. 💜🏠

01/09/2026

Grateful for leaders who invest where it matters most.

Thank you to Touchmark National Bank and Robert Krimmel for your generosity, vision, and commitment to community-level economic impact. Your support of Community Sustainability Enterprise helps expand access to financial capability, stability, and wealth-building opportunities for families across Gwinnett County.

This is partnership. This is purpose. This is impact.

GwinnettCounty Grateful

01/09/2026

Today we pause to say thank you!

We are incredibly grateful to National Bank and Robert Kimmel for their generosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to strengthening our community.

Your partnership with Community Sustainability Enterprise (CSE) helps families and individuals gain access to financial education, coaching, and tools that lead to stability, opportunity, and generational wealth. This is what true community banking looks like—showing up, investing locally, and believing in people.

Thank you for being champions for meaningful, measurable impact in Gwinnett County. We are honored to do this work alongside you.

We were pleased to present a donation to Deirdra Cox, CPC, President of Community Sustainability Enterprise a premier 501(c)(3) economic and community development organization advancing financial self-efficacy and upward economic mobility in low- and moderate-income communities in Gwinnett County. T...

12/25/2025

As we close the year, Community Sustainability Enterprise extends sincere thanks to the partners and stakeholders who were intentional about leaning in and making a difference.

Sustainable impact is built through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment—and we are grateful for the community that continues to move this work forward.

2026 is a season of gratitude and purpose fully manifested.
Thank you for investing in people, progress, and possibility.