Meet Dr. Rony Delgarde: Making the world better through paint
We’re thrilled to spotlight Dr. Rony Delgarde, who serves as the Founder and CEO of Global Paint for Charity! Service is not new to Dr. Rony, as he has been named among the 50 Most Influential Latinos and honored by the Metro Atlanta Chamber with the prestigious E3 Award for his contributions to sustainability, social impact, and economic empowerment! He’s the author of How to PAINT Change, a professor and speaker. Dr. Rony is inspiring others through his work, and is truly purpose drive, impact focused and resilient!
Learn more about Dr. Rony Delgarde, in our interview below!
Which Nonprofit Organization(s) do you volunteer with?
Global Paint for Charity, Inc
What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?
I care deeply about environmental sustainability, community revitalization, and equitable access to safe, healthy living spaces. In many parts of Atlanta, underserved communities continue to face challenges related to housing conditions, environmental hazards, and limited resources for beautification and restoration. These conditions impact not only physical health but also dignity, mental well-being, and community pride. Through my work, I have seen how something as simple as paint can transform communities and lives. It helps protect homes, reduce environmental risks, and create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. I am especially passionate about solutions that address waste while creating opportunity-turning what is discarded into a resource that uplifts communities. Atlanta is a city built on collaboration, and I believe that by working together, we can create sustainable, inclusive, and thriving communities for all.
What do you love most about an organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?
What I love most about Global Paint for Charity is its ability to turn a simple idea into meaningful, lasting impact. We take something often seen as waste and transform it into a resource that brings color, dignity, and hope to communities in need. Seeing volunteers, partners, and community members come together with a shared purpose is incredibly powerful. I volunteer because I believe in service and in creating solutions that uplift others. This work is personal to me. I have seen what it means to live without access to basic resources, and I am committed to helping bridge that gap. Volunteering allows me to give back, empower others, and be part of a collective effort that creates real change—one community at a time.
How has volunteering impacted your personal/professional life?
Volunteering has fundamentally shaped both my personal and professional life by grounding my work in real impact, not just intention. Through Global Paint for Charity, I have been part of efforts that have redistributed over 5 million gallons of paint across 44 countries, impacting more than 15 million people. Being on the ground and seeing a school, a home, or a community center transformed with color is a powerful reminder that small resources, when mobilized correctly, can create large-scale change. Personally, volunteering has deepened my empathy and resilience. I have worked alongside communities where families live in unpainted homes and students learn in deteriorating classrooms. Seeing their joy when a space is restored reinforces why this work matters. Professionally, it has shaped how I lead. It has pushed me to focus on measurable outcomes, build cross-sector partnerships, and develop solutions that are both scalable and sustainable. Volunteering has also expanded my network and strengthened my ability to connect purpose with strategy. Ultimately, it has taught me that leadership is not about position, but about service and impact.
What skills have you honed or what have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?
My volunteer journey began with the donation of a gallon of paint, a deep sense of purpose, and a willingness to serve. Through that experience, I have honed leadership, communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills that continue to shape both my life and career. Today, I serve on several corporate and nonprofit boards in addition to leading Global Paint for Charity, and many of those skills were developed through volunteering. I have learned how to lead with empathy, work with people from different backgrounds, and unite communities around a shared mission. Volunteering also taught me how to do more with limited resources, stay resilient during difficult seasons, and turn small actions into meaningful impact. I have strengthened my ability to organize teams, build partnerships, manage projects, and focus on solutions that are practical and lasting. Most importantly, volunteering taught me that leadership is not about titles. It is about service, trust, and the responsibility to help others rise with you.
Can you share a memorable highlight or moment you've experienced that might motivate others to volunteer?
One moment that truly stayed with me was when Global Paint for Charity volunteers partnered with the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless to paint the rooftop vegetable garden and the interior surface at the homeless shelter in Atlanta. This shelter used to serve nearly 2,000 men, women, and children every day, and the garden was built to grow crops that can feed the residents and provide them both food and a sense of stability. We donated 500 gallons of bright, vibrant paint and volunteered side by side with other nonprofits, local partners, and residents to paint the garden beds and the walls, and something powerful happened. The facility began to transform, not just physically, but emotionally. What was once a dirty, gray, worn, and overlooked became a colorful, welcoming, and full-of-life environment. At the end of the day, one young resident looked at the freshly painted walls and said, “Now it feels like a safer shelter.” I remember seeing residents pause, smile, and take pride in the space they helped improve with us. It reminded me that volunteering is not just about giving resources; it is about restoring pride, hope, confidence, creating connection, and showing people they are seen and valued. In that experience and others, I saw how volunteering can transform not only physical building but also how people see themselves and their future. It reminded me that even a simple act of service can create a lasting impact. That experience continues to motivate me, and I hope it inspires others to step forward and be part of something greater than themselves.
Why Atlanta? What do you love about this city and tell us a bit about some of your favorite Atlanta things.
Atlanta gave me my first start. It gave me the space to try, to make mistakes, and to learn how to be resilient, resourceful, and do more with less. The city welcomed me at a time when I was building both my vision and myself, and it nurtured a sense of purpose that continues to guide my work today. What I love most about Atlanta is its energy, diversity, and commitment to equity. It is a city where innovation is not just about business, but about solving real problems together. Through Global Paint for Charity, I have seen firsthand how local leaders, volunteers, and partners show up to serve. From hosting paint drives to supporting community projects, they have played a critical role in helping us grow and impact lives both locally and globally. I am also inspired by leaders like John Hope Bryant, Joey Womack, and Jasmine Crowe, who have built solutions around financial literacy, social good, hunger, and waste. Their work reminds me that purpose is more powerful than any obstacle. Atlanta is more than a city to me. It is a community that believes in service, collaboration, and building something greater than ourselves.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting involved with volunteering?
Start where you are, with what you have. You do not need a perfect plan or a lot of resources to make a difference. My journey began with just five dollars and a willingness to serve, and over time, that small step grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. Volunteering is not about how much you give, but how present and committed you are. Find a cause that speaks to your heart, show up consistently, and be open to learning from the people you serve. You will gain more than you give. You will build relationships, grow as a leader, and develop a deeper understanding of your community. Most importantly, do not underestimate the impact of small actions. A few hours of your time can restore hope, create opportunity, and change someone’s day, or even their life.
Volunteering in April? Share where, when and if others can join you or how they can get involved.
This April, I invite the community to join me in celebrating Earth Day 2026 through two impactful volunteer opportunities right here in Metro Atlanta. On Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, we will host the 15th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Gwinnett Place Mall, 2100 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, GA 30096, in partnership with Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and the Gwinnett County Solid Waste Division. This event brings together 3,000 to 5,000 residents each year and aims to recycle over 6,000 gallons of paint in just a few hours. It is one of the largest recycling events of its kind, and every gallon collected helps us provide free paint to communities in need around the world. Volunteers will play a key role in setup, unloading vehicles, and processing paint donations. Additionally, volunteers are needed to assist with event setup, vehicle unloading, and paint donation processing. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 5 hours and will receive Earth Day T-shirts, PPE, masks, gloves, and safety vests.
Register for volunteer opportunities at Volunteer – Global Paint for Charity or https://www.globalpaints.org/volunteer/
At the same time, we are also supporting the Pope High School Band Recycling Day Fundraiser at the Northeast Cobb YMCA, located at 3010 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event allows residents to recycle paint, electronics, and other materials while supporting local students and sustainability efforts. Both events are hands-on, high-impact opportunities to serve. Whether you donate materials or volunteer your time, you become part of a movement that protects the environment and transforms lives. Volunteers are invited to assist with event setup, unloading vehicles, and processing paint donations. Volunteers who commit to a minimum of 5 hours will receive Pope T-shirts, PPE, masks, gloves, and safety vests.
To sign up for volunteer opportunities, visit Volunteer – Global Paint for Charity, or email us at info@globalpaints.org or popebandrecycling@gmail.com. visit www.globalpaints.org/volunteer
What else Do you think our community should know about you, your volunteer service, or your commitment to Do Something Good!
My commitment to service is not something I do occasionally, it is who I am. Whether serving on the board of a cause, opening doors for the elderly, or assisting someone in need, service has always been part of my daily life. It comes from lived experience, from understanding what it means to grow up with limited resources and seeing how small acts of support can make a lasting difference. That perspective continues to guide my work every day. Through Global Paint for Charity, we have recovered and redistributed more than 5 million gallons of paint across 44 countries, impacting over 15 million people. But beyond the numbers, what matters most are the moments when communities come together, take ownership, and transform their spaces with pride and purpose. I believe doing something good starts with showing up. Whether it is donating, volunteering, or encouraging others, every action matters. My journey with volunteering began over two decades ago through Hands On Atlanta. When I launched Global Paint for Charity and could not afford staff, Hands On Atlanta helped me navigate their volunteer platform. Almost immediately, professionals including lawyers, CPAs, and drivers stepped forward to offer their time and talent to support the vision. That experience showed me the true power of community. My commitment is to continue building solutions that bring people together, protect our environment, and create opportunities for communities to thrive. At the end of the day, service is about leaving things better than we found them, and I am grateful to be part of a city like Atlanta that lives that value every day.