In the 1980s, Swami Bhashyananda, head of the Chicago Vedanta center, sent monks to cities in the South to introduce Vedanta. Swami Yogeshananda stayed in Atlanta and founded The Eternal Quest; classes were held in rented locations. In 1999 friends helped buy a house in Tucker, named the Vedanta Center of Atlanta (VCA).

Swami Yogeshananda retired to Trabuco Monastery in Southern California in 2009. Br. Shankara was sent to VCA as Resident Minister in 2010.

Swami Prabhavananda* accepted Gary Kemper as a disciple in 1973 and named him Shankara in 1975. Swami Swahananda initiated him in 1977. For the next 33 years he lived as a householder and served Swahananda and the Vedanta Society of Southern California (VSSC). He became Brother Shankara when Swahananda ordained him as a monk in June 2010. (His wife of 47 years died in November 2009.)

*Swami Prabhavananda headed the VSSC from 1930 to 1976. Prabhavananda was succeeded by Swami Swahananda. VSSC is now headed by Swami Sarvadevananda.