ATLANTA — Georgia Trend announced its annual 40 Under 40 list, and the Class of 2024 features not one but two people from Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. Jamal Lewis and Robert Grant were chosen from among hundreds of nominations to represent what the publication calls “the most successful and civic-minded people in the state.”
Lewis is the economic opportunity manager for the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation (Partnership), a role he has held since March 2021. His professional background encompasses not only economic development but also branding, marketing, and project management.
Prior to joining the Partnership, Lewis, who earned a master’s in public administration from Kennesaw State University, was the director of business development for the Henry County Development Authority, where he attracted $500 million in investments and 2,706 jobs. At the Partnership, Lewis’s work promotes inclusion in underserved areas, linking rural, small, and mid-sized communities to tech-based economic development resources that foster opportunity.
“Being recognized as one of Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 is a tremendous honor,” said Lewis. “This accomplishment is not only a testament of my success but highlights the influence of my family, colleagues, and all those who have supported me along the way. My hope is this accolade will help the Partnership continue to create inclusive pathways for future innovators, enable us to expand economic opportunities, and make an even greater impact on the communities we serve.”
Grant is similarly multitalented. In addition to working at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) as curriculum and education program lead, he’s the executive director of SparkMacon and founder of Print Your Sheet, which specializes in pop culture–themed greeting cards. Also, together with his wife, he runs a fetal genetic determination company called EZ-Genetics/Revealaroo.
With so much experience launching successful businesses of his own, it’s no surprise that Grant was recently asked by ATDC to serve as the full-time educate program manager and develop curricula that empower early-stage entrepreneurs, following his nearly two years as a part-time startup catalyst for ATDC @ Macon.
“It’s exciting to be recognized,” Grant said. “I think that when you do the work of supporting entrepreneurs and their dreams and staying on the background, people don’t usually see you. For me, the award is a reminder that the work that I am doing is having an impact on people.”
According to Enterprise Innovation Institute Vice President David Bridges, Lewis and Grant embody the organization’s commitment to people-centric economic development.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Jamal and Robert,” Bridges said. “At the Enterprise Innovation Institute, we’re dedicated to socioeconomic development, and one of our organizational values is ‘lead by example.’ Both Robert and Jamal do exactly that, every day, by expanding access to opportunity across communities in Georgia and by championing innovation to support entrepreneurs and future leaders.”
Georgia Trend’s inaugural 40 Under 40 list was launched in 1997. Grant and Lewis join the Enterprise Innovation Institute’s Ben Andrews, ATDC’s statewide program manager, who was included in the publication’s 40 Under 40 list for 2022.