Trash Bags, Civic Pride, and the Power of Showing Up: This Georgia Mayor Is Leading with Purpose
In this episode of “Do Beautiful Things,” host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, sits down with Mayor Bianca Motley Broom of College Park, Georgia—a dynamic community at the gateway of Atlanta—to discuss how local leadership and grassroots action can spark extraordinary change.
Mayor Motley Broom, the very first mayor to sign the Greatest American Cleanup™️ declaration, shares her passion for transforming College Park through community cleanups, the revitalization of green spaces like the Flint River Nature Preserve and Camp Truitt Botanical Garden, and inspiring civic pride among residents. She discusses the challenges and opportunities facing her growing city, and how small acts—like picking up litter or planting flowers—become catalysts for deeper connections and lasting improvements.
Jenny and Mayor Motley Broom explore how beautification projects go beyond the surface, building hope, unity, and community resilience—especially as cities across the nation prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with ambitious goals to clean and enhance thousands of neighborhoods.
Tune in to hear how local champions are making a difference, discover inspiring stories of community transformation, and learn how you can join the Greatest American Cleanup movement in your own backyard.
Quotes:
“I’ve always been one of those people who walks along and picks up trash. Because, honestly, if I’m. If I’m making a loop in my community and I see the same piece of trash that I’ve already passed, well, what the heck? I could have done something about that.”
— Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, College Park, Georgia
Show Notes:
- 00:00 “Greatest American Cleanup Initiative”
- 03:28 College Park: Atlanta’s Airport Hub
- 07:57 Reviving Local Civic Engagement
- 12:04 Camp Truitt Botanical Garden Initiative
- 13:12 Hannah Palmer’s Flint River Vision
- 17:25 Celebrating Unity in Our Nation
- 19:48 See You Next Time!
Show Links:
- Greatest American Cleanup: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/
About Keep America Beautiful®:
Keep America Beautiful®, the nation’s leading community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful® strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green, and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision. The organization is driven by the work and passion of 700 Keep America Beautiful® affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org. MEDIA CONTACTS: McCall Vrydaghs Keep America Beautiful® communications@kab.org