Meet Macey Price | CoFounder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Macey Price and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Macey, how does your business help the community?

Specially Gifted Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit (Tax-ID 84-4273422 ) established in January 2020. At Specially Gifted Foundation, we believe that children with disabilities deserve to be loved and valued as equals in our society. We respect the unique journey that each of their families face and are dedicated to enriching their lives by providing them with a special gift or opportunity, beneficial resources, and a sense of community.

What should our readers know about your business?

Specially Gifted Foundation is set apart by two main factors. We do not have a financial requirement for families, and we serve the family as a whole. Meaning when we gift families, not only do we take into account those needs of the child(ren) with disabilities, but also realize the parents and/or siblings might be in need of support.

Ten years ago, I started working as a Therapy Facilitator with a precious angel, Kendall Kernion.  Kendall is severely disabled, but her disabilities have never stopped her from bringing an abundance of joy into the life of everyone she meets.  She is the inspiration behind Specially Gifted Foundation and the reason we are blessed with the opportunity to gift each of these beautiful families.  My relationship with the Kernion family has continued to grow strongly over the years, even throughout my professional transition as a Healthcare IT Consultant.  

Fast forward 8 years to when Kendall’s older sister, Bree Kernion Lanham, asked me to help her serve other families like hers.  In January 2020, we joined forces in order to develop this incredible organization that has enabled us to benefit other families who have children with disabilities.  Our mission was to create a space where these families felt heard, seen, and valued.  Despite implementing a nonprofit in the eve of a pandemic, SGF not only survived but thrived.  We were able to serve 16 families in our first year alone due to the prodigious support of our community and shared admiration for our mission.

Accomplishing this level of success was not easy.  Innovation was one of many guides throughout this journey.  A week before our first fundraiser, we went into lockdown due to COVID.  In-person fundraisers were not a feasible option.  However, we were able to capitalize on the powerful tools of social media and the internet.  With these, we were able to spread the mission of Specially Gifted Foundation in ways we never thought possible.  This enabled us to raise awareness and funds, which in turn led us to serve families who had children with disabilities.  

If I were to share a personal lesson, it would be: when you meet truly beautiful, good people in this world, treat them right.  Give them your very best.  This does not mean you will not occasionally fall short, because you will.  When you do, own it, learn from it, and do better next time.  I could have never imagined at 19 years old that my job interview with the Kernion family would lead me down a path in which I would learn so much about life from a little girl, gain a second family, and give me the foundation necessary to form a nonprofit organization with their eldest daughter 8 years later.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

If I were planning a day-out with a best friend, we would start the day out with a delectable brunch at The Nook on Piedmont Park.  Nothing says, “Wow!” and “Welcome to the south!” quite like their Tatchos (yes, that’s tater tots smothered in goodness) and a bloody mary, which is basically a meal.  After this overload of carbs and “fancy” way of consuming our veggies, we would head over to Ladybird.  Here you’ll find the perfect outdoor area for grabbing a drink and hanging out right on the beltline.  Not to mention, it’s the perfect place for dog lovers and people-watchers!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

To say it’s a challenge to pick one person or group that is deserving of a shoutout would be an understatement.  That being said, I graciously nominate the Kernion family.  While the parents of Kendall and Bree manifest true humility, it is not possible to answer this question honestly without acknowledging the impact Jill & Chris Kernion have had on my life.  From the initial trust in me to work with and love their daughter, Kendall, to offering encouragement, mentorship, and support, they have given me a lifetime of reasons to be thankful over the last ten years.  One could award them with a Nobel Prize and it would not suffice the magnitude of recognition they are worthy of.  Albeit they will likely never see this, I think our relationship is incredibly special and a shoutout is unequivocally warranted.  You never truly know who God will put in your path; this family and their contribution to my life stands as testimony. I am forever grateful.

Website: https://speciallygifted.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speciallygifted.foundation/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maceyleeprice/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speciallygiftedfoundation

Image Credits
Bryce Singleton Photography, Rebecca Marie Photography, and Madison Hernandez Photography.