Orange Duffel Bag Initiative 15th Anniversary Celebration Honors 2,500 Grads

ATL Now: ODBI’s 15th Anniversary Celebration Honors 2,500 Grads, National Expansion, and the Power of Radical Change

ATLANTA — The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (ODBI) marked a major milestone on Saturday, July 11, 2026, hosting its 15th Anniversary Grads and Partners Appreciation Celebration at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. Held inside the President’s Box Reception Room, the event brought together alumni, sponsors, educators, and community partners for a powerful afternoon celebrating ODBI’s mission: breaking cycles of poverty and homelessness for at‑risk youth through certified life‑plan coaching.

Nearly half of all attendees were ODBI graduates, a vivid reminder of the organization’s impact and the generational change it continues to spark.

A Legacy Born From One Orange Duffel Bag

The celebration centered around the story that inspired the movement: Sam Bracken, who arrived at Georgia Tech as a homeless teen carrying everything he owned in an orange duffel bag.

“Higher education, stability, and the love and encouragement from caring adults like Coach Bill Curry gave him the mindset and belief that he would succeed,” said Michael Daly, ODBI president. “The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative was founded on that same model… They graduate from our program and, like Sam, receive an orange duffel bag, becoming lifelong members of Team Orange, 2,500 grads strong and growing.”

Co‑founder Echo Montgomery Garrett emphasized that ODBI’s curriculum is rooted in Bracken’s graphic mini‑memoir My Orange Duffel Bag: A Journey to Radical Change and his “7 Rules for the Road,” which continue to guide students today.

National Expansion Through Strategic Partnership

A major highlight of the event was ODBI’s growing national reach through its partnership with The nsoro Educational Foundation, headquartered in Atlanta. Every nsoro scholarship recipient now completes ODBI’s Coaching to College Completion course, and this year marks the launch of Coaching to Career Success — a new program supporting foster care youth as they transition from college into the workforce.

“Seeing our curriculum go national and watching alumni step into leadership roles proves that when you give vulnerable youth a community and a plan, radical change is entirely possible,” Bracken shared.

Alumni Spotlight: Leaders Rising From Team Orange

The celebration honored graduates whose journeys reflect ODBI’s long‑term, generational impact:

• Dedrick Leonard — A graduate of ODBI’s second class, Leonard entered foster care at age 8 and has become a national speaker. Now completing his marketing degree and newly married, he made history as the first ODBI graduate appointed to the Board of Directors. He also served as the event’s MC.
• Qiyamah Sakeem Girard — An early ODBI graduate from Clayton County who now owns an international security firm providing advanced logistics and protection for high‑profile celebrities across four continents.
• Clayton County Public Schools Partnership — Through ODBI’s Coach the Coach program, Clayton County educators have completed continuing education courses that equip them to guide local students through ODBI’s curriculum. Coordinated by Sonia Davis, the initiative has already supported multiple Clayton County high school students in completing ODBI’s program.

Community Partners & Sponsors Powering the Mission

The celebration was supported by a strong network of partners, including:

• Clayton State University
• Clayton County Public Schools
• Georgia Department of Human Services
• The nsoro Educational Foundation
• LocumTenens.com
• The Place of Forsyth

Event sponsors included Amerigroup, DMA Millwork, The Dr. H. Allen Ecker Family, JE Dunn Construction, Marek Brothers, and Truist Bank.

Media Coverage by The ATL Now

The ATL Now provided full media coverage of the celebration, including:

• Event photography capturing graduates, partners, and key moments
• Videography documenting the program, stories, and highlights
• Interviews with ODBI leadership and graduates
• Social media content amplifying the event’s impact across Atlanta’s civic and cultural landscape

For organizations seeking professional event coverage, storytelling, or media amplification:

📩 Contact The ATL Now for photography, videography, interviews, and full media services.
(770)568-4500 or mark@theatlnow.com