Grace C. Fricks founded Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs in her laundry room 24 years ago. What started off as a $50,000 loan fund to help small business owners in North Georgia, has become a force to help underserved entrepreneurs across the state of Georgia start and scale their businesses. Since 2000, ACE has loaned $200 million. It’s served 2,600 businesses and created or retained 21,000 jobs. 

Grace C. Fricks founded Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs in her laundry room 24 years ago. What started off as a $50,000 loan fund to help small business owners in North Georgia, has become a force to help underserved entrepreneurs across the state of Georgia start and scale their businesses. Since 2000, ACE has loaned $200 million. It’s served 2,600 businesses and created or retained 21,000 jobs.

An insightful exchange with Atlanta leaders about industry, innovation and lessons on achieving success.

An insightful exchange with Atlanta leaders about industry, innovation and lessons on achieving success.

On Leadership

Grace Fricks On Leadership

Jean Douglas is Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, a nonprofit organization at which she’s spent 30 years, first as a volunteer and then as an employee. It aims to create a world where domestic violence does not exist, through intervention, prevention, education and advocacy. Demand for the center’s services is up. Calls to its hotline increased 35% from last year. It handles about 4,700 calls to the crisis line a year. Last year, it provided 2,200 people with legal advocacy services. 

Jean Douglas is Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence, a nonprofit organization at which she’s spent 30 years, first as a volunteer and then as an employee. It aims to create a world where domestic violence does not exist, through intervention, prevention, education and advocacy. Demand for the center’s services is up. Calls to its hotline increased 35% from last year. It handles about 4,700 calls to the crisis line a year. Last year, it provided 2,200 people with legal advocacy services.

Jean Douglas On Leadership

Sarah Morrison had a 40-year-career working at the Shepherd Center before retiring as its president and CEO in September 2024. A catastrophic diving accident in college and the arduous path to recovery led her to the field of physical therapy and the Shepherd Center. She has seen the Atlanta-based rehabilitation hospital grow from 40 beds to 152. Last year, it launched its “Pursuing Possible” campaign which aims to raise $350 million for new buildings and upgrades to existing space to help patients recover from spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and other neurological illnesses. 

Sarah Morrison had a 40-year-career working at the Shepherd Center before retiring as its president and CEO in September 2024. A catastrophic diving accident in college and the arduous path to recovery led her to the field of physical therapy and the Shepherd Center. She has seen the Atlanta-based rehabilitation hospital grow from 40 beds to 152. Last year, it launched its “Pursuing Possible” campaign which aims to raise $350 million for new buildings and upgrades to existing space to help patients recover from spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and other neurological illnesses.

Sarah Morrison On Leadership

Milton Jones has amassed a wealth of knowledge from his decades-long career in the banking sector. The Atlanta-native is considered a pioneer, having been the first African-American to hold the title of Georgia market president for Bank of America. He also forged a path in his civic involvement. He was elected chairman of the UNCF board, becoming the first African-American to hold that position. He co-founded the consulting firm Peachtree Providence Partners in 2014. 

Milton Jones has amassed a wealth of knowledge from his decades-long career in the banking sector. The Atlanta-native is considered a pioneer, having been the first African-American to hold the title of Georgia market president for Bank of America. He also forged a path in his civic involvement. He was elected chairman of the UNCF board, becoming the first African-American to hold that position. He co-founded the consulting firm Peachtree Providence Partners in 2014.

Grace Fricks On Leadership

In 1 playlist(s)

On Leadership

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips