Sports

global sports initiative

Elevating Atlanta's Position as an International Sports Hub

From the World to the a: Coffee with legends

international soccer festival

international

visits & Exchanges

diplomacy

From the World to the A: Coffee with Legends

"From the World to the A: Coffee with Legends" is a platform of dialogue with Atlanta's international figures - athletes, diplomats, journalists, historians, business, and civic leaders - as they discuss the city's role in their careers and their experiences in the capital of Georgia.

The first two seasons highlight the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International Affairs’ Global Sports Initiative, which aims to elevate the City of Atlanta as an international sports hub through community engagement, sports exchanges, economic development, and sports diplomacy.

SEASON ONE

For Episode One, we interview Naomy Grand’Pierre, a Canada born, America raised, Haitian woman. Born in Montreal, Canada and an alumna of Whitfield Academy in Marietta, Georgia, Grand’Pierre is the first female Olympic Swimmer to represent the beautiful country of Haiti in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Following the Olympics in 2018 at the CCCAN Games (Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships), Grand’Pierre won the first Haitian medals for swimming: Gold and Silver medals in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke. To add to her impressive resume, Grand’Pierre is also the national record holder in the 50m & 100m Freestyle and 50m Fly.

For Episode Two, we interview Iziane Castro Marques, a Brazilian Olympian (2004 & 2016) and a former WNBA star who played for the Atlanta Dream from 2008 to 2011. “Izi” also had a long career overseas playing in France, Spain, Latvia, Turkey, Poland, and Russia. In 2014, she founded in Brazil the “Iziane Institute” focused on youth, education, and sports.

For Episode Three, we interview Kristi Castlin, an Atlanta native Olympian. She is an American Track and Field athlete, 2016 Olympic Medalist, and lifestyle influencer. Also known by her nickname, "Hollywood" began competing at age 14 and, since then, she has traveled to over 45 countries for competitions and philanthropy. Kristi is eager to engage her followers (50,000 + on Instagram) to come along the journey with her as she trains for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

SEASON TWO

For Episode One of the Second Season, we interview Elizabeth Pérez, an Emmy award-winning journalist and sports anchor for CNN en Español/ Deportes CNN since 2011. She writes, produces, and hosts her weekly interview show “Triunfadores del Deporte” and presents from Monday to Friday the latest and most relevant news of the world of sports during the morning show “Café CNN. Born in Cuba and raised in Venezuela, she is fluent in Spanish, English, and Italian.

Learn more about her journalism career and experience working for CNN in the City of Atlanta!

For episode two of the second season, we interview Paulo Neto, Brazilian esports athlete and Atlanta United’s eMLS representative. In 2020, he won the FIFA 20 Summer Cup Series for South America, marking the second international title that an eMLS player has won. He was also ranked #11 player in the World, #1 ranked South American in Global Series, and a Top 4 in the eMLS Cup. In 2018, he was selected to the Brazilian national team after being crowned the PlayStation champion of the country.

Join us as we learn more about Paulo Neto's career in Atlanta!