Summerbridge’s program directors helped New Orleans open its own Summerbridge chapter and the affiliate model was born. More programs would eventually open across the country.

At a National Association of Independent Schools conference in San Francisco, Jim Hendrix attended a breakout session on Summerbridge. After the conference, he returned to the school where he worked in North Carolina with the intent of starting a Summerbridge chapter there. But The Lovett School had other plans for Jim. He was hired as Lovett’s headmaster, and he, along with then assistant head of school, Dick Hall, immediately started championing the idea to open a Summerbridge program in Atlanta.  Jim and Dick gained support from Lovett’s board of directors, the Atlanta Board of Education, city leaders, and others. 

Summerbridge Atlanta was poised to begin as a program hosted by The Lovett School.

Atlanta became one of the first five Summerbridge affiliates in the nation and Keno Sadler, a Summerbridge Miami veteran and Morehouse College graduate, was hired by The Lovett School as Summerbridge Atlanta’s first Executive Director.

While the city was focused on hosting the summer Olympics, Summerbridge Atlanta was focused on a significant milestone of its own: the program officially started when 40 students gathered for summer classes.

Summerbridge National became the Breakthrough Collaborative national office. Affiliates changed their names and Summerbridge Atlanta became Breakthrough Atlanta.

Breakthrough Atlanta’s inaugural class graduated high school, and 34 of the students went on to pursue higher education in a university or college setting.

To commemorate Breakthrough Atlanta’s 20th anniversary, the organization hosted its inaugural Fund-A-Scholar fundraising event, co-chaired by Hilton Ball and Erin Cay—two Lovett moms. The event is now held annually and brings together sponsors, volunteers, and community members to raise much-needed support so students from underserved communities can benefit from the life-changing educational opportunities Breakthrough provides.

When COVID-19 drastically changed our world, Breakthrough Atlanta was quick to respond and adapted its annual summer program into a high-impact, student-centered virtual learning program. Throughout the school year, students participated in virtual enrichment courses that promoted transferable skills such as public speaking, technology, digital literacy, and leadership skills.

The strong foundation laid by The Lovett School since Breakthrough Atlanta’s inception—and its ongoing support—enabled Breakthrough Atlanta to become a self-sustaining nonprofit organization. Lovett continues to be a critical resource as Breakthrough Atlanta cultivates new partnerships and increases its support base toward future growth.

Breakthrough Atlanta is among 24 Breakthrough affiliates across the country, and celebrates its 25th anniversary.