The Inspire Foundation’s SPARK event brought together nonprofit and business leaders from across the country to collaborate on creating a lasting impact in the lives of America’s youth, helping to prepare them for successful futures in the workforce.

By uniting the Food and Music industries – two prominent industries in Atlanta that bring people together – more than 500 attendees were inspired to take action in their communities through a series of keynote speakers and musical performances. “Many of us are here today because someone saw our potential and personally invested in our career journey,” said Inspire Brands Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Paul Brown, who opened the event along with a performance by students from the Ron Clark Academy. “Every child deserves a chance, and that’s what we’re working toward.”

This year’s event celebrated the more than $22 million awarded to support workforce readiness by the Inspire Brands Foundation and Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation in 2024, including the Ron Clark Academy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, 3DE by Junior Achievement, and Café Momentum. Additional speakers included Inspire Chief Financial Officer Kate Jaspon, Inspire Foundation Executive Director Stuart Brown, renowned Wall Street leader Carla Harris, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America CEO Artis Stevens, Folds of Honor founder Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, Founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs Mick Ebeling, U.S. Soccer two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup Champion Briana Scurry, music executive Kawan ‘KP’ Prather, and Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur Big Boi.

To learn more or to join the Inspire Foundation in its mission to support America’s youth, visit foundation.inspirebrands.com.