March 27th 2024.
The RYSE Creative Village recently hosted a fireside chat at the UTA Artist Space as part of their "Journey to RYSE" event. The special guest for the evening was none other than former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed, who shared his insights on the city's entertainment scene. According to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE, the event also focused on RYSE's current project, which aims to provide affordable housing and micro homes for creatives.
RYSE is a unique tech-enabled content production studio and development incubator that caters specifically to creatives in Georgia's film, entertainment, gaming, and digital media industries. The event was attended by various community figures and companies, including Rico Brooks, CEO of Adella Thomas Management, and Kenneth Rance, Vice President and COO of Carver Bank, who is currently funding the project's development.
This multimillion-dollar Black-owned production studio has big plans to become a talent incubator for the underserved in southwest Atlanta. The facility boasts a virtual studio, a gaming center, podcasting rooms, a recording booth, a screening theater, and other resources to empower and support emerging and established creatives. Construction for the first phase of the project began in January of this year and is being financed by Carver Bank, one of the most prominent Black-led banks in the United States.
Since its inception, RYSE has hosted over 400 productions and has become a go-to destination for some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Lil Durk, Gucci Mane, and Jeezy. But the journey to this success wasn't easy. The site was once home to Preston Arkwright Elementary, which closed its doors in 2004. For the next two decades, the lot remained vacant until founder Jay Jackson saw its potential and transformed it into RYSE, a state-of-the-art 31,000-square-foot mixed-use facility.
But RYSE's impact doesn't stop there. The production space is now expanding its role in the community by incorporating a housing component in its second phase. Real estate developer Booker T. Washington is leading this endeavor, with the goal of developing micro homes. If successful, this would be the first affordable housing project of its kind in Atlanta, making RYSE a pioneer in the city's creative and housing sectors.
In conclusion, RYSE's "Journey to RYSE" event was a huge success, bringing together influential figures and companies to support and celebrate the growth of the entertainment industry in Atlanta. With its innovative approach to providing affordable housing and resources for creatives, RYSE is truly making a positive impact in the community. And with the support and funding from companies like Carver Bank, the sky's the limit for RYSE's future endeavors.
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