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. 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!