OUR FOUNDER
Adrienne Gates
CEO & Executive Director
My Story
From Survival to Empowerment
A proud Atlanta native, Adrienne has always carried an entrepreneurial spirit and a deep passion for uplifting others. Raised in the foster care system, she faced instability early on—circumstances that contributed to her becoming justice impacted as a young adult. As a single mother, she encountered overwhelming personal and financial hardships that tested her resilience and forced life-altering decisions. Without access to the basic support systems many take for granted, Adrienne stayed focused on one goal: providing a better life for her family.
Her journey led her to launch EZ Money Tax Solutions, a small business that has since served over 400 families across Metro Atlanta. But for Adrienne, offering tax and consulting services was just the beginning.
Recognizing the deeper systemic needs in her community—especially for women and families facing similar hardships—Adrienne envisioned something bigger. That vision became Pathways of Wealth & Economic Resources Atlanta (P.O.W.E.R. Atlanta), a nonprofit born from lived experience and driven by a mission to break cycles of poverty through financial education, career support, and holistic empowerment.
Through P.O.W.E.R. Atlanta, Adrienne is creating a resource hub for Atlanta’s West End—offering not just services, but hope. From financial literacy classes to job readiness programs, her goal is to help individuals build stability, reclaim agency, and thrive.
Adrienne’s impact is rooted in more than leadership; it’s lived commitment. She raised four children while also parenting her younger siblings, driven by a fierce desire to be a light for others. Today, she shares her testimony to show what’s possible—and to prove that with the right support, no dream is out of reach.
