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!

In this podcast episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, spotlights the extraordinary impact of local leadership and civic pride in creating cleaner, more vibrant communities. We travel to Paterson, New Jersey—a city leading by example—where Mayor Andre Sayegh shares how Paterson is transforming its approach to litter, waste management, and neighborhood revitalization.

Mayor Sayegh joins the conversation to discuss innovative initiatives like weekly neighborhood cleanups, a clean commercial corridor program, and the community’s fight against illegal dumping. Learn how Paterson’s commitment to the Keep America Beautiful Greatest American Cleanup campaign is not just a government effort but a collective movement uniting residents across one of New Jersey’s most diverse cities.

Listen in as we uncover the powerful ripple effects of investing in parks, public spaces, and historic restoration, from reducing crime and fires to fostering a sense of shared pride and safety. Mayor Sayegh and Jenny reflect on how even modest improvements can inspire entire communities to take action—proving that when we come together, we can truly do beautiful things.

Tune in to hear more inspiring stories, practical solutions, and discover how you can be a part of the Greatest American Cleanup by July 4, 2026, in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

Join us as we work together to keep our communities clean, welcoming, and full of possibilities.

Quotes:

“People may view keeping their community clean as a spectator sport — but it’s not. Everybody has to be in the game.”

“Our approach is about the three E's — education, engagement, and enforcement. We want people who live in Paterson to understand the importance of keeping their community clean.”

— Mayor Andre Sayegh, Paterson, New Jersey

Show Notes:

00:00 "Empowering Communities: A Litter-Free Movement"

06:11 Addressing Nationwide Tire Dumping Issues

09:35 Urban Green Spaces and Community Renewal

11:50 Addressing Urban Heat with Innovations

14:12 New Jersey's Pivotal Revolutionary Role

Show Links:

• Greatest American Cleanup: https://kab.org/greatest-american-cleanup/

In this episode of Do Beautiful Things, host Jenny Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful, highlights the incredible opportunity ahead as the United States approaches its 250th birthday in 2026. Jenny is joined by Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA, who shares her inspiring journey from one of the nation’s youngest female mayors to leading Pennsylvania’s efforts in celebrating this historic milestone.

Together, they discuss Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in America’s story, the statewide volunteer projects transforming communities, and how the state is contributing to Keep America Beautiful’s ambitious goal of picking up 25 billion pieces of litter and beautifying 25,000 communities through a partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

Cassandra highlights how public service and intergenerational engagement—from parents to children—are driving these efforts. Programs like Pennsylvania Day, community art initiatives, and the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge are connecting people of all ages to the power and purpose of beautification.

Tune in for uplifting stories, practical ways to get involved, and a behind-the-scenes look at how states are preparing for the country’s 250th anniversary—plus, discover why music, volunteerism, and local pride are at the heart of this nationwide movement.

To learn more or get involved with the Greatest American Cleanup and other America 250 initiatives, visit kab.org or america250pa.org. Don’t miss this opportunity to help build a cleaner, greener, more beautiful future—listen to the full episode today!

Show Notes:

00:00 Celebrating America250: Cleanup & Legacy

03:15 Legacy of Political Inspiration

06:44 "Engaging Youth in Community History"

10:09 Pennsylvania Day Volunteer Initiative

15:25 Nationwide Innovation and Local Initiatives

16:52 Retaining Pennsylvania Talent Challenge

20:30 Public-Private Partnerships: Funding Solutions

23:36 "Optimistic Vision for a Greener Future"