Samantha Ramsey
The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes Cameron Jay Harrelson as a Gamechanger at the 2023 luncheon. This year’s luncheon will be hosted by Harrelson, a president emeritus of Athens Pride & Queer Collective. (Photo/Gamechangers)
The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the third annual Gamechangers Award luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 22. The luncheon is being held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at 1055 Barber St.
The Gamechangers Award luncheon was created as a way to honor the top 10 community leaders under the age of 40. Gamechangers are selected by a committee of former Gamechangers and are considered for their achievements, community involvement and volunteer work. Honorees for this event are business owners, judicial workers, and nonprofit employers.
“So, we just want to provide that support for them and also provide a platform, you know, to give them recognition for the important work they’re doing,” said Marissa Chastain, the director of membership and marketing for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Gamechanger initiative started as a partnership between Athens Magazine and the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce to honor the top 10 under 40 in the business community. The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce handles the nominations, selection process and event hosting for the luncheon, while Athens Magazine photographs and interviews the selected Gamechangers.
Cameron Jay Harrelson will host the 2024 Gamechanger luncheon. Harrelson is a 2023 Gamechanger who was honored for his work in the community. Harrelson hosts his own podcast, “Classic City Crime,” where he talks about cold cases from the Athens area. His podcast has amassed over 1.3 million listeners. Harrelson has also served as vice president and president of the Athens Pride & Queer Collective, helping to host the first Pride parade in Athens.
“He has a really large community impact and a really vibrant stage presence. So we’re super excited to have him come back and fulfill that role (host) this year,” said Chastain.
Those who are interested in attending the event can purchase tickets for $45. Sponsorships for this event are also available.
Why I Wrote the Story:
This story was written to spread the news about an honor many community members were being awarded. These honorees have made significant contributions to their community through different efforts and are being recognized for their work.