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June 19 - 24, 2014
Volume 86 • Issue 45
Virtual Academy to Address Atlanta’s Dismal Graduation Rates By Terry Shropshire Georgia educators’ and legislators’ egos were flattened like two flat tires when the U.S. Department of Education released new figures on U.S. high school graduation rankings in 2011. The proud state’s puffed out chest caved in when it learned it ranked near the very bottom of graduation rates — and was, by far, the worst state when it came to graduating its students in four years among all Southeastern states. The state’s fragile reputation was further diminished after the infamous Atlanta testing scandal. Georgia is now attempting to pick up the shards of its fractured ego with new and innovative educational tools designed to improve results across the board. The city of Atlanta educational leaders, in particular, have unveiled its inaugural Atlanta Virtual Academy in 2014. The AVA programs are designed to allow students and their families flexible learning options to meet their educational needs, help boost test scores and, most of all, get more kids strolling across the stage on time with smiles on their faces and diplomas in hand. If Georgia was red-faced with embarrassment at the released statistics, Atlanta’s numbers were downright hideous. Nearly half of its students are failing to graduate on time, prompting the school system to leverage the power and attraction of the Internet as a way to reverse the disturbing trend. The AVA is not seen as the panacea to heal all educational ills. But officials are hoping that the program will help Atlanta Public Schools steadily ratchet its abominable 51 percent graduation rate upward. Something had to be done. The graduation numbers released by the feds were highly embarrassing. Only two states — New Mexico and Nevada, plus the District of Columbia — were lower than Georgia. Worse, the findings place the state
graduation rates far lower than the rates of its neighbors Mississippi (75 percent) or Alabama (72 percent), according to the Department of Education. Georgia’s new graduation rate is much lower than the nearly 81 percent rate state officials had touted in the past. Eugene Walker, school board chairman in DeKalb County, the third largest school system in Georgia, was mortified by that result “That’s totally unacceptable,” he said. “It always surprises me when Georgia is lower than Mississippi and Alabama in anything. It not only surprises me, it disappoints me because we’re much more forward looking.” With Atlanta’s numbers flashing like neon signs at midnight, it makes people wonder why the school was slow to get with internet technology. While Atlanta’s online program is the newest in Georgia, similar computer-based courses have been offered for years throughout the state and surrounding school districts including Gwinnett, DeKalb, Cobb, Henry, Cherokee and Rockdale counties. Now that the program has been implemented in Atlanta, students and parents should expect the following: • The online courses mirror the teachings of brick-andmortar schools, with regular assignments, video lectures, group discussions and tests. • Teachers will be available to answer questions. • Course software will enable instructors to monitor whether they are spending enough time online. • There is an expectation that students will log between 20 and 24 hours a week for a class during the summer, and somewhere between 12 and 15 hours a week during the longer semesters in the regular school year. Observers should be patient and not expect an immediate spike in test scores and graduation right away, implores Tracy
Gray, a managing director for the American Institutes for Research. “Technology is like putting a piano in the room and expecting everybody to be (Frederic) Chopin,” Gray told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.“Unless teachers know how to use the technology and the students have the necessary support they need to master the course content, then it can only go so far.” Besides, the Department of Education’s own research reveals that online classes are about as effective as brick-andmortar classes. Christina Clayton, director of instructional technology for the Georgia Department of Education, which oversees the Georgia Virtual School, says about 20,000 students are expected to enroll in the state’s online courses, with about 8,000 of them seeking to recover credits from classes they’ve previously failed, and the rest taking new courses. Two developments make the AVA an encouraging foray into online education. According to the Athens Banner-Herald, “about 88 percent of students enrolled in the state’s credit recovery classes achieve passing grades,” Clayton said. Instructional content in online courses is aligned with state standards, and students must pass end of course tests to prove their knowledge. “Students who have previously failed traditional classes tend to do well in online classes because they’ve already studied the content once,” added Gwinnett Online Campus Principal Christopher Ray. “It’s almost like an independent study,” Ray explained. “You get out what you put into it. If you’re doing the work and working with a teacher, doing the assignments, you’re going to be successful.”
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NEWS
Diverse Bench Serves All and Strengthens Public Confidence in Judiciary Washington D.C. - Justice at Stake Deputy Director of Federal Affairs and Diversity Initiatives Liz Fujii issued the following statement on Tuesday’s historic confirmation of three judges of diverse backgrounds: “Justice at Stake believes all AmerLiz Fujii icans deserve a diverse and fully staffed judiciary, which sends the message that all people can expect to receive fair and timely treatment in court. “Today we note the historic confirmation of three judges, including Darrin Gayles, who is the first openly gay African American man to receive a lifetime appointment as a US federal judge. He will serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Additionally, Salvador Mendoza will be the first Hispanic judge to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington and Staci Yandl will be the first African American to serve on U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois and the first openly gay Article III judge in Illinois. “Judicial diversity enhances the quality of
justice, creating a broader understanding of important issues, while enhancing judicial decision-making and problem-solving skills. Further, when we fail to tap highly qualified candidates from all backgrounds, we are leaving talent on the sidelines. “Finally, we note that both Gayles and Yandle will fill vacancies that have been deemed ‘judicial emergencies’ by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Justice at Stake has long called for a functioning federal judicial nomination and confirmation process and we are pleased to see that these vacancies have been filled.” Justice at Stake is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to keep America’s courts fair and impartial. Justice at Stake and its 50-plus state and national partners educate the public, and work for reforms to keep politics and special Darrin Gayles interests out of the courtroom - so judges can protect our Constitution, our rights and the rule of law.
June 19 - 24, 2014
GA 400/MARTA Pedestrian Bridge to Open June 24
Atlanta City Councilmember Howard Shook is pleased that the GA 400/MARTA Pedestrian Bridge will open to the public on June 24. The $32 million pedestrian bridge spans GA 400 – joining two disconnected quadrants and creating a new entrance to the Buckhead MARTA station. The bridge gives residents from Tower Place Drive and Stratford Road access to both sides of GA 400 and the train station. Officials with the Buckhead Community Improvement District say the MARTA Concourse Bridge will provide more than 3,000 people who live, work, shop, and worship in the area with a more practical rail transit alternative.
The project was part of a list of conditions Councilman Shook championed as a neighborhood leader in order to accommodate six million square feet of high impact developments applying for Peachtree Road. After Shook took office in 2002, the project was stymied for years by cost and design issues. During those years, he successfully fought off several attempts to re-purpose the money. The bridge will open to the public after a noon ribbon cutting ceremony at the Buckhead MARTA station on June 24. “Although my committee responsibilities preclude my participation in the ceremony, I am thrilled to see this public promise become a reality,” said Shook.
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June 19 - 24, 2014
mRELEVANCE Launches New I’m A Business, Man: Jay Z to Website for Boone Homes Launch Interactive ’40/40’ Drink ATLANTA — mRELEVANCE, LLC is thrilled to announce its recent launch of the new Boone Homes website. With a cleaner look and a variety of exciting highlights, www.boonehomes.net will help the Richmond, Virginia home builder increase engagement and lead conversion while providing a positive experience for users. “The Boone Homes team is all about giving buyers a great home building experience by assisting every step of the way,” explained Mitch Levinson, managing partner at mRELEVANCE. “The website can further help Boone Homes capture buyers from the beginning and show them that they will be buying a quality built home.” To showcase these homes, mRELEVANCE developed an advanced search feature for the site that allows users to search based on general criteria such as community or price, as well as detailed criteria such as the presence of a basement or garage size. This makes users’ searches more effective and a lot more engaging. According to Levinson, the website update also includes a few new features that set it apart from its competitors. For instance, the interactive map allows users to see which amenities, schools, gas stations, hospitals, etc. are located around each Boone Homes community. A YouTube feature enables the site to pull
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BUSINESS
videos directly from Boone Homes’ video channel, allowing them to appear on community and floor plan pages. In order for users to explore Boone Homes’ products on any device, mRELEVANCE made the new site responsive. It can be visited from computers, tablets and even smartphones for easy accessibility. Additionally, the new design lowers page loading time for mobile devices by automatically scaling down images and altering the site’s layout while still providing the same information a user would see on the full website. “One of the benefits of working with a company like mRELEVANCE is that we keep up with the newest trends and developments,” said Levinson. “We deliver effective websites, like the Boone Homes site, that are not only scalable but last for years.” For more information on website development, visit www.MarketingRELEVANCE.com.
By Bria Feliu
Jay Z once said “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business… man” and boy is that seeming to be more true everyday. Not only is the music mogul teaming up with his wife to embark on a summer stadium tour, Mr. Carter will also be teaming up with Mariah Carey and hitting a Duane Reade or Walgreens near you. Yes, you read that right. In a partnership with Go N’Syde, the brainchild of former Def Jam chief Kevin Liles, the two artists have teamed up to target their fans. Both artists will have an individual flavor geared towards a certain demographic. Jay Z’s Arnold Palmer-inspired drink, “40/40,” will target sports-loving males, whereas Carey’s pink beverage, “Butterfly,” is intended for young to middle-aged women.
Atlanta City Council Keeps Eastside TAD When the Atlanta City Council approved the city’s $567 million budget Monday, the Eastside Tax Allocation District stayed intact. The Eastside TAD was established in 2003 to help fund economic development in a number of Atlanta neighborhoods adjacent to the Downtown Connector, Freedom Parkway, and I-20. The Eastside TAD includes portions of downtown, Sweet Auburn, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District, the Old Fourth Ward, and Memorial Drive. Councilmember Carla Smith introduced the amendment to keep the TAD open. Councilmembers Smith, Kwanza Hall, Cleta Winslow, and Natalyn Archibong – whose districts include portions of the Eastside TAD – say the TAD is still needed to help revitalize these areas. “There is so much that still needs to be done in this TAD,” said Smith. “It’s an important economic development tool and we still need redevelopment in this area.” “Carla Smith championed this legislation by introducing an amendment to keep the Eastside TAD money in place for businesses in dire need of assistance,” said Councilmember Winslow. The Eastside TAD also includes much of the Atlanta Streetcar route and the Auburn-Edgewood business corridor. Council-
man Hall says not retiring the TAD is great news. “I am grateful to Mayor Reed and his administration as well as our council colleagues for working with us to identify resources to retain the Eastside TAD,” said Hall. “The recession was tough on many property owners in the Eastside TAD. Now that the economy is moving again, the TAD is poised to help us seize the momentum made possible by the arrival of the Atlanta Streetcar and the popularity of the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail.” “I am pleased that the Eastside TAD remains intact because there is still redevelopment work that needs to be done,” said Councilwoman Archibong. A Tax Allocation District is established for the purpose of catalyzing investment by financing certain redevelopment activities in under-developed or blighted areas using public dollars. Redevelopment costs are financed through the pledge of future incremental increases in property taxes generated by the resulting new development. Typically, upon creation, TADs have vacant commercial and residential properties, blighted conditions, and numerous vacant buildings or are in need of significant environmental remediation. – Invest Atlanta
The best part about this new product might have to be the bottle. Not only is the drink affordably priced at $1.99, it also allows consumers to point their smartphone at the bottle and call up a content platform related to Jay or Mariah. According to Liles, interacting with fans is the primary goal with this new launch: “We have great tasting beverage but the second part of it is providing a new network for the brands or icons to communicate with their fans. I call it disrupting the consumer packaged goods industry by having your products actually talk to you.” Finally a way to have what Jay is sipping on and interact with him at an affordable price!
Coca-Cola Testing New Soda Coke Life in Europe
In the central lobby of the Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, a glass display case features all the types of carbonated drinks currently sold by the company. There’s the classic red can and its no-calorie iterations: Diet Coke and Coke Zero. Then there’s Sprite, Fresca, and the citrus rainbow that is Fanta. Over on the left is a small green can that most American visitors won’t recognize: Coca-Cola Life, a stevia-sweetened version of regular Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola has been quietly test-marketing its new beverage, the first addition to the trademark “Coke” branded sodas in almost eight years. It released the drink in Argentina and Chile last year, and this fall it’s launching in the U.K. Coke Life isn’t exactly a diet drink. Iit contains more than four tablespoons of real sugar and has about 89 calories per can — less than the 140 calories found in a can of regular Coke, but hardly something that will be championed by the quinoa crowd.
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COMMUNITY
June 19 - 24, 2014
Junior Braves Program at Ymca Receives Grant From Baseball Tomorrow Fund
The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta was awarded a grant of $52,500 from the Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF). The grant will support the Junior Braves program at the Atlanta Braves Baseball Academy by providing funding for the purchase and installation
of field lighting at John Smoltz Field. The field lighting equipment will be provided at a significant discount through a partnership between BTF and Musco Lighting, Inc., a leader in the sports lighting industry. The YMCA Atlanta Braves Baseball
Construction Resources Supports Built to Honor
This spring, Construction Resources, Inc. has assisted with PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program in partnership with Operation FINALLY HOME, a non-profit that builds mortgage-free homes for wounded veterans. As a trade partner, the company donated and installed bathroom countertops in the newly-built, designer-decorated home in Sugar Hill for Army Sergeant Perry Haley and his family. Surprised by the PulteGroup on a CNN segment in February, Sgt. Haley was selected for the program because of his honorable service to the country. He spent 13 years in the military after graduating from high school in 2000. He was injured while serving in Iraq and Korea and has also dealt with various health issues resulting from a brain tumor. Sgt. Haley has been commended for his commitment by receiving the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army Superior Unite Award. “When the PulteGroup asked us to be one of their trade partners, we were honored,”
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explained Mitch Hires, co-owner of Construction Resources. “Sgt. Haley has done so much for this country, and helping put this brave veteran and his family in their dream home is the least we can do. We hope our contribution to the program can help make a difference in the lives of this deserving family.” Construction Resources’ Atlanta Marble Mfg., Inc. provided cultured marble countertops for the Haley family’s new home in Barrington Estates, a PulteGroup community in Sugar Hills off Suwanee Dam Road. The natural tone of the marble provides the home’s bathrooms with a sophisticated yet serene look. Marble is naturally softer than many types of countertops, so they will remain pristine with low maintenance for years to come. Additionally, Construction Resouces’ Atlanta Glass & Mirror installed framed mirrors, upgraded bath hardware, a nickel semi-frameless shower door and shelving. “We are excited for the upcoming home turnover,” continued Hires. “It’s been such an amazing process, from the groundbreaking to construction to decorating. It will be such a blessing to help welcome the Haleys into their new home.” Sgt. Haley and his wife Autumn have three daughters, Georgia, Eva and Hannah, ages 12, eight and three. To learn more about PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, visit their website at www. pultegroupinc.com. For more information about Construction Resources and its products, visit www.CRHomeUSA.com.
Academy provides baseball, softball and t-ball programs to 500 disadvantaged youth in a community that has been recorded as one of the poorest in Atlanta. The YMCA will expand programming at the baseball academy to be offered year-round and hopes to provide additional scholarships. “On behalf of the volunteers, members and staff of the YMCA, I am grateful to all of those who have supported the youth of our community. It is not just about baseball or playing youth sports. These additional funds allow us to have a greater impact on the lives of the families living in Atlanta. We are sure to leave a more positive impact on our youth’s self-confidence, leadership development, social skills, and academic performance,” said Shean L. Atkins, board chair of The Villages at Carver Family YMCA on Pryor Road. “The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is pleased to be a part of the collaborative field lighting project at the YMCA,” said Cathy Bradley, executive director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. “We look forward to the continued growth of baseball and softball at the Atlanta Braves Baseball Academy. A special thanks
our partner, Musco Lighting, Inc., for its continued support of our grant recipients and making grants like this one possible.” “Musco is proud to continue our partnership with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund, helping enrich the lives of youth across the nation,” said Musco sales representative Rob Staples. “It is a pleasure working with the YMCA, and we look forward to seeing their program continue to grow.” Other major supporters of the project include The Atlanta Braves Foundation who provided $25,000 towards the field lighting, and Weston Solutions. “We are excited about this collaboration which will enable us to expand the impact of the Atlanta Braves Baseball Academy,” said Ericka Newsome, executive director of the Atlanta Braves Foundation. “This project will allow us to continue enriching the lives of young people through their participation in the games of baseball and softball.” The YMCA is accepting in-kind and monetary contributions for baseball gear and field equipment. Those interested in donating to the project may contact Monteil Weeks at 404-635-9622.
Urban League of Greater Atlanta Hosts 4th Annual Spirit of the League Awards Luncheon The Urban League of Greater Atlanta will hold its 4th Annual Spirit of The League Luncheon on Friday, June 27 with Actress Terri Vaughn receiving the Spirit of the League Award. The Transformation Award will be presented to actor/rapper David Banner. The Spirit of the League Awards Luncheon recognizes individuals who have overcome significant challenges, yet have achieved success while giving back to others and the community. By honoring these individuals, the goal is to inspire people who may be facing difficult times. The awards luncheon was created to encourage people to continue to be motivated to reach their highest human potential. “ This year we are thrilled that Terri Vaughn will be recognized as our special honoree for her ongoing contributions to local and international communities. In prior years we have been honored to celebrate Tyler Perry, Soledad O’Brien and Monique as honorees for the Spirit of the League award,” Urban League of Greater Atlanta CEO Nancy Flake Johnson said. WXIA TV 11 Anchor DeMarco Morgan will serve as master of ceremonies. The Spirit of the League Awards Luncheon will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at the Twelve Hotel in Midtown. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the www.ulgatl.org or call Dottie Johnson at 404-659-6580.
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EDUCATION
Georgia Nurse Receives Excellence in Writing Award The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses presented its Nursing for Women’s Health Excellence in Writing Award to Breanna Lathrop, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC , for her article titled, “A Systematic Review Comparing Group Prenatal Care to Traditional Prenatal Care.” The award was presented at the AWHONN national convention in Orlando, Florida. The 2014 Excellence in Writing Award honors the lead author of an original paper published in Nursing for Women’s Health during 2013. Papers were nominated by the journal editor and the winning paper was chosen by members of the Nursing for Women’s Health editorial advisory board. Criteria for the award include the timeliness and relevancy of the topic; the readability and practicality of the article; and the potential of the article to meet the mission of the journal, which is to inform and enable nurses to provide optimum, evidence-based
June 19 - 24, 2014
Volunteers Needed for National Summer Learning Day – June 20
nursing care to women and newborns. “Dr. Lathrop’s article will help nurses provide the most effective prenatal care possible,” said Nursing for Women’s Health editor, Dr. Mary C. Brucker. “This exploration of evidence-based prenatal care in a group setting will improve pregnancy outcomes for mothers across the country.” Dr. Lathrop is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Good Samaritan Health Center where she provides care for uninsured and underserved families. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Nursing from St. Olaf College in 2006 and her Masters of Science in Nursing and Masters of Public Health in health policy from Emory University in 2008. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Georgia Southern University, graduating in May of 2014. Dr. Lathrop is passionate about eliminating health disparities through improving health care access and health outcomes among vulnerable populations. Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day recognized to spread awareness about the importance of summer learning for our nation’s youth in helping close the achievement gap and support healthy development in communities all across the country. Fact 1 - According to the U.S. Department of Education, a student in poverty loses approximately two months of reading achievement every year over summer break. Fact 2 - On average, middle and high income students don’t experience the same reading loss due to greater access to summer learning opportunities such as camps, educational activities and books, which reinforce reading and language skills. Fact 3 - Summer learning loss, also known as “Summer Slide,” has the greatest cumulative effect on students from low-income families where children can fall three to five years behind in reading by the end of elementary school. Fact 4 - Students who continue to struggle to read at the end of fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, which can lead to life-long financial struggles. Fact 5 - Research also shows a lack of education is often at the root of the cycle of generational poverty. To counter the effects of the “Summer Slide,” Communities in Schools of Atlanta urges residents to participate in the Summer Learning Day event on Friday, June 20 from 8:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. The project site is
located @ 600 West Peachtree Street,. The minimum age to volunteer is 20 and this opportunity is wheelchair accessible. Communities In Schools of Atlanta is an award-winning dropout prevention organization that was established in Atlanta in 1972. What began in the basement of a modest home in the Grant Park community is now the nation’s largest dropout prevention network with a proven track record of positively impacting graduation rates.
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FAITH
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June 19 - 24, 2014
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SPORTS
June 19 - 24, 2014
Atlanta Falcons Release Renderings of New Stadium
2014 CAPACITY Pastors and Man Who Scammed New Birth Church Investors Out of Leaders Conference
Atlanta Falcons Release Renderings of New Stadium Get a load of the Atlanta Falcons’ pristine new home. The Falcons have released renditions of the New Atlanta Stadium, the working title for the ultra-expensive, retractable-roof, multi-purpose stadium that will also house the Atlanta expansion team of Major League Soccer, which has yet to be named. The new stadium will be built adjacent
Millions Arrested
the old Georgia Dome in downtown Atlanta, the team’s home for only 22 years. Deconstruction of the area around the Dome has already begun. Recent news reports state that the stadium will likely open in time for the 2017 NFL season, with the projected cost as high as $1.2 billion, nearly double the original stated price of $700 million. Take a look at the renderings of the New Atlanta Stadium.
Bishop Dale C. Bronner, Sr. Pastor of Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, in Austell, proudly announces his 2014 CAPACITY Pastors and Leaders Conference, October 22 - 24. The CAPACITY Conference is designed for pastors and leaders who want to take themselves and their organizations to the next level of personal and spiritual authenticity, leadership development and organizational effectiveness. Bishop Bronner has assembled an impressive group of pastors, doctors, professors, facilitators
and business professionals who will contribute to the lives of each attendee. This promises to be the most engaging conference of its type that the attendees have ever experienced. Bronner has created an environment that is nurturing for the pastor and leader. The conference capacity is 500 attendees, in order to accommodate smaller sessions allowing participants a more intimate experience with their facilitators and the other attendees. The CAPACITY conference, is a boutique conference so that participants can customize their experiences with a tailored selection of sessions.
The Atlanta Business League invites you to the 8th Annual
MEN OF INFLUENCE
RECEPTION & INDUCTION CEREMONY
Tu e sday, Ju ly 1 , 2 0 1 4
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. • Reception: Heavy hors d’oeuvres & Silent Auction 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Men of Influence Pinning & Induction Ceremony Hyatt Regency Atlanta • 265 Peachtree Street, Atlanta GA 30303 For information or Tickets: www.atlantabusinessleague.org • 404.584.8126 Honorary Chairs
LOLITA B. JACKSON Metro East Region, Atlanta Area Georgia Power
QUINNIE JENKINS-RICE Community Affairs Grassroots Manager Southwest Airlines
MARTINA JIMENEZ Market Manager Field Director New York Life Insurance Company
Legacy Award Dr. Asa G. Hilliard, III
Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Urban Education Georgia State University Posthumously (1933 - 2007)
DR. EDWARD IRONS
Managing Editor The Atlanta JournalConstitution
The Legends Hall of Fame Inductees are pioneers who have paved the way for others to follow in their respective arenas.
LONNIE C. KING, JR.
Author, Civil Rights Legend & Founding Member Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee
The MOI list reflects the names of black men in metro Atlanta communities who have reached senior level positions within their profession, are leading entrepreneurs in their industry, have proven history making feats or have attained the ability to influence large public bodies politically. In addition to professional accomplishments, the Men of Influence have demonstrated their commitment to the citizenry of metro Atlanta by maintaining significant involvement and participation in community and civic activities.
Sponsors
For information visit www.atlantabusinessleague.org
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MYRNA WHITE
Director, Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
The Legacy Award is presented to one legend whose efforts, good deeds and impact will outlast the test of time and positively impact the community for generations to come.
Legends Hall of Fame Inductees Retired Dean Emeritus Clark Atlanta University School of BusinessAssociation
MONICA RICHARDSON
Ephren Taylor, the Kansas City man accused of scamming New Birth Missionary Baptist Church members out of millions of dollars of their retirement savings, has been arrested on federal indictment charges. In total, Taylor, the former chief executive officer of City Capital Corp. of Overland Park, Kan., allegedly duped mostly black churchgoers nationwide for more than $5 million. Investigators with the U.S. Secret Service and the IRS accused Taylor and co-conspirator Wendy Conner, the former COO of City Capital Corp., of swindling 80 investors in Georgia, including members of New Birth in Lithonia, out of at least $2 million during Taylor’s “Building Wealth Tour,” which allegedly targeted church congregations from April 2009 through October 2010. New Birth and Bishop Eddie Long weren’t the only mega churches impacted. Members of Joel Osteen’s Houston-based Lakewood Church also invested with Taylor. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused Taylor of running an $11 million Ponzi scheme, using investors’ money to pay off early investors and to hide investment losses. Taylor turned himself in to federal authorites in Kansas City and is facing charges of conspiracy and money laundering as well as mail and wire fraud. “Mr. Taylor came into our community, promising hard-working citizens a way to make their retirement money go farther,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “The investments he pitched proved to be worthless, along with his promises.” Taylor, who called himself a “socially conscious investor” when he pitched his investment scheme to New Birth members, pleading not guilty in his initial court appearance. His next court appearance will be in Atlanta on June 27.
New Birth, led by embattled pastor Bishop Eddie Long who crafted a secret financial settlement in a sensationalized gay sex scandal just a year earlier, also made a confidential financial settlement with a dozen former members who said Long encouraged them to invest money with Taylor despite several warnings that the investor was running a capital deficit. The members said they lost more than $1 million dollars. “It has always been our prayer for a resolution to this matter in which many lost their investments,” New Birth said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to anyone who suffered losses, and we pray for healing.” Prosecutors said many victims transferred retirement savings to self-directed IRAs. Taylor had clients use specific trust companies, one in Ohio and another in New Mexico. However, Taylor actually controlled their IRA funds, prosecutors said. Taylor allegedly used the money to pay salaries, commissions and personal expenses, and made payments to earlier investors, prosecutors said. The victims were also told that their funds were being used to invest in real estate, laundries, juice bars, gas stations and other small businesses, and that the promissory notes used would be extremely profitable. When the notes were due, the investors were encouraged to get new notes, which meant a delay in delivering proceeds. “This case demonstrates the wide-reaching effects of fraudulent investment schemes, its impact on innocent victims, our northern Georgia communities, and the importance of cooperation among our law enforcement partners to suppress this type of criminal activity,” said Reginald Moore, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service Atlanta Field Office.
Sixth Annual Atlanta Braves All American Blood Drive The American Red Cross has two special reasons to celebrate at Turner Field on June 28, 2014. The sixth annual Atlanta Braves All-American Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the 755 Club. The iconic organization is celebrating 100 years of the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the Red Cross providing service to the Atlanta community. This event is co-sponsored by 680 The Fan, ROCK 100.5 and WSB-TV. This is the largest, single day Red Cross blood drive in Georgia, and Atlanta Braves blood drives have resulted in 2,227 pints of blood having been collected. To put that into perspective, 6,681 lives have been touched by the generosity of volunteer donors. “Summer is a challenging time to collect enough blood to meet patient needs,” said Jerry J.K. Tillery, chief executive officer, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico and Southern Blood Services Region. “We appreciate the Braves, 680 The Fan, Rock 100.5 and WSB-TV for helping us ensure a
stable blood supply.” Blood drive participants will receive: • A pair of tickets to the July 5 Braves game against the Arizona Diamondbacks and opportunity to walk the warning track during pre-game festivities • A commemorative t-shirt and Red Cross centennial pin • Buy one, get one free Braves ticket offer • Chance to win four Braves tickets and batting practice field visit or autographed baseball Memorabilia • Free parking will be available in the green lot the day of the blood drive. The Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region provides blood to patients in more than 100 hospitals. Approximately 1,200 people are asked to give blood or platelets each week day to meet hospital demands. For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call 1-800RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code BRAVES.
Photos: Atlanta Falcons
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ENTERTAINMENT Outkast’s #ATLast Concert Tracy Morgan’s Condition Adds Kid Cudi, Childish Upgraded to Fair
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June 19 - 24, 2014
Gambino, More
what we’ve been giving the rest of the world, Atliens in ATL, homecoming! Festival Killers,” said Big Boi in a previous statement. The duo confirmed in January plans to perform at festivals around the country. The trek began at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Fest and included more than 40 dates throughout the summer. Outkast’s tour came close to home when the pair played the CounterPoint Music & Arts Festival in April, a three-day event in Rome, Ga.
WHERE A WALK ON THE BEACH IS A JOURNEY TO A BETTER STATE OF MIND. VIRGIN ISLANDS NICE.
by Deron Dalton *John Singleton feels very firmly about utilizing blackness. He told an audience at LA Film Festival that negritude sells and said, “don’t be afraid to be black.” He dished about blackness in Hollywood, his new biopic about Tupac Shakur‘s life and his new potential Showtime series about cocaine, “Snowfall.” Singleton told the predominantly black audience to not be afraid of their blackness because black films are proven to go head-to-head with mainstream films. “Everyone’s gonna copy our s*** anyway. I made the blackest Fast and Furious, I made Paul Walker say ‘cuz’ in the movie. I elevated it,” Singleton said. “You can’t front that [black films] don’t make money. I haven’t lost anybody money. People said, ‘12 Years a Slave,’ I don’t want to feel bad, oh, that’s a hard sell — $178 million, so what … is commercial, you know?’” He blasted black actors for not taking on non-violent or outof-the-box films. “They tuck their [tails between their legs] to be accepted, you know what I mean?” He asked. He added, “A lot of people were afraid to take that Jamie Foxx
part in Django Unchained, but it’s Quentin’s most profitable movie, $425 million. It has negritude in it.” Stanley Crouch introduced him to the concept of “negritude,” a literary and ideological movement developed by black intellectuals and artists from the Harlem Renaissance. Singleton confirmed executives want to control directors. “Yeah, that’s why I haven’t worked as much as I could’ve,” he said. But Singleton is looking forward to directing the biopic on Tupac’s life and has been preparing by watching other biopics and movies driven by singular performances. As for his TV work, he’s in talks with Showtime about a new cocaine series. “I think they’re gonna take it. It’s set in 1981, before cocaine hit L.A. It’s in the hood, but it’s also in the Valley and East L.A. It’s about a courier for the cartel and a CIA guy who gets the government in the cocaine business. It’s got negritude, but it’s also La Raza, and there’s a ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ element in the Valley,” said Singleton. “I’m not just in a black bubble; I can tell different stories.”
Jay Z and Beyonce’s ‘On the Run’ Tour Facing Poor Ticket Sales It’s Being Blamed on the Elevator Drama and Cheating Rumors
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*Kid Cudi, Childish Gambino and Raury have joined the lineup of Outkast’s homecoming concert at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park on Sept. 27. Dubbed #ATLast, the concert is being curated by the reunited duo, who promise additional performers at the one-day fest in downtown Atlanta. “Dream come true opening for Outkast, holy fu-k lets go!” Kid Cudi said Wednesday morning on Twitter. “It’s only right that we give the hometown
(AP) - Actor and comedian Tracy Morgan has been upgraded to fair condition following the New Jersey highway crash that badly injured him and killed one of his friends, his spokesman said Monday. “His personality is certainly starting to come back as well,” spokesman Lewis Kay said. The 45-year-old former “Saturday Night Live” and “30 Rock” star suffered broken ribs and a broken leg in the June 7 crash on the New Jersey Turnpike. The crash killed fellow comedian James McNair and seriously injured two other people. Prosecutors say Wal-Mart driver Kevin Roper’s truck hit Morgan’s limo. The Jonesboro, Georgia, resident has pleaded not guilty to death by auto and assault by auto charges. A criminal complaint alleges Roper hadn’t slept for more than 24 hours before the accident when he swerved to avoid slowed traffic on the turnpike and plowed into Morgan’s limo. Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Arkansas, has not explained what Roper’s driving route was. It has said it believes he was in compliance with federal safety regulations. Morgan’s assistant, Jeffrey Millea, of Shelton, Connecticut, has also been upgraded to fair condition, Kay said. Hospital officials said comedian Ardie Fuqua, of Jersey City, remains in critical condition.
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Say it ain’t so. Are fans growing tired of Jay Z and Beyoncé? If ticket sales for their “On the Run” joint tour are any indication, this could be the case. According to reports, the outing is not a must see for Jay and Bey supporters as Ticketmaster reveals less that ticket sales are not what they should be. An industry insider tells the site that drama in the power couple’s personal lives is having a negative effect on their tour, in addition to a lack of airplay on the radio. RadarOnline referenced the leading ticket sales distributor, which stated that tens of thousands of tickets are still available for the “On the Run” concert in Miami on July 25, as well as Atlanta on July 15 and New Jersey on July 12. “Beyonce’s album had a big first month with ‘Drunk in Love’, but the last several singles have tanked on the charts,” the insider told Radar. “If you’re launching a stadium tour, you have to have airplay, and she’s had no
hits lately on the radio.” The struggles of the “On the Run” tour come months after Jay Z and Beyoncé announced the joint trek in April. Anticipation for the tour was soon overshadowed after a leaked video surfaced of Beyonce’s sister, Solange Knowles, punching and kicking Jay Z in an elevator at The Standard hotel while Beyoncé looked on. “It’s overload. The public has been left with a sour taste in their mouth because of the elevator fight and all the information that leaked about Jay and B’s relationship afterward,” the source said. Another source offered a more obvious take on Jay and Beyonce’s relationship by previously telling Radar, “To the public, Beyoncé and Jay Z appear to have it all. But behind close doors, they’re not as happy as people think they are,” Jay Z and Beyonce’s “On the Run” is scheduled for 17 stadium dates in the U.S. and Canada.
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Rapidly-expanding technology, social media and new smart phone apps are no substitute for the hard work needed to fight persistent racism in the United States, says Thomas N. Todd, a longtime Chicago activist and civil rights lawyer. Speaking to the annual convention of 100 Black Men here last week, Todd proudly acknowledged that he doesn’t use email, does not own a computer and doesn’t have a Facebook or Twitter account. “Let me tell you this,” he said after making that disclosure. “I don’t care how sophisticated your technology is, I don’t care how fast your computer is, I don’t care how smart your smartphone is, you still can’t download freedom.” Delegates erupted in wild applause. When the applause subsided, he continued: “There is no app for that. If you want to be free, you must work and work to be free.” More than a century and a half after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans are still not free, said Todd, Northwestern University’s first Black law professor and former president of Jesse Jackson’s Operation PUSH, now Rainbow PUSH. “We are a people somewhere between slavery and freedom, somewhere between servitude and liberation, but we’re still not free,” he said. “We go around and around and around in what I call the evolution of a circle – confusing movement with progress. We are still not free, so we must continue to work.” Thomas N. Todd – nicknamed “TNT” because of his explosive oratory – accused Blacks and the media of doing what Jesse Jackson calls majoring in the minor – focusing on small things instead of the big picture. “One hundred and 51 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, we’re still not free,” Todd said. “I look at where we are and I listen to people talk about what I call media or celebrity racism, worrying about some basketball team owner, worrying about some rancher in Nevada, worrying about duck-calling person in Louisiana and yet racism in education, and housing, and living and unemployment, all are ignored by this media. I’m sick and tired. “What you must understand is that being Black in America has been devalued, discounted and marked down for clearance.” Todd did not limit his criticism to the news media or those who oppress African Americans. “A few years ago, Ceelo Green put out a CD that was so filthy that they made him change the name. And when he was asked about it, he said, ‘Well, those children like 4-letter words. And that‘s why we did that.’ “Well, Mr. Green, I got some 4-letter words,”
Founded August 5 1928; Became Daily, March 12, 1932 W.A. Scott, II, Founder/Publisher August 5, 1928 to February 7, 1934 C.A. Scott, Publisher, February 7, 1934 to July 26, 1997
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Todd said, with his voice rising. “Here are my 4-letter words. Read is a 4-letter word. Word is a 4-letter word. Book is a 4-letter word. Work is a 4-letter word. Pray is a 4-letter word. And love is a 4-letter word. There’s nothing wrong with 4-letter words. You just need to know which 4-letter words to deal with.” Todd urged members of 100 Black Men and the youth they mentor – many of whom attended the convention – not to accept negative labels others try to place on them.. “Don’t let them label circumstances and say, ‘You can’t learn because you’re poor,’” Todd said. “That’s not true.” He recounted, “I had finished high school, I had finished college, I had taken a 21 ½ hour bar exam in Louisiana and passed it the first time before I knew I was disadvantaged.” Saying that we’re in a war for our children’s minds, Todd said education is the most effective weapon to win that war. “Education doesn’t open all doors, but it opens more doors and any other,” he said. “Long after Beyoncé has lost her wiggle, long after Snoop Dog – Snoop Lion, whatever his name is – has become an old dog or an old lion, long after Little Wayne has lost his tattoos, long after Chris Brown stays out of jail and when 50 cents become a nickel, education will always be there.”
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When the Koch Foundation gave the United Negro College Fund $25 million, it set off a maelstrom of comments in cyberspace and real time. How dare the UNCF take money from the Koch brothers, some asked. They ought to send it back, said others. One woman told me she would never give to UNCF again because of the Koch donation. Another says the Koch donation changes her perception of UNCF. The donation will provide $18.5 million in scholarships, money that is badly needed to get some of our young people out of school, especially with the cuts so many experienced because of reduced access to the Parent Plus loan. Another $4 million will go to the 37 UNCF schools for general support, again to make up some of the losses that came from reduced enrollment due to Parent Plus. The remainder goes to UNCF for their general support. What’s wrong with this picture? Koch scholarships will be awarded to students with good grades, financial needs, and an interest in studying how “entrepreneurship, economics and innovation contribute to well-being for individuals, communities, and society”. Sounds like conservative free markets to me. More than that, it sounds like granting scholarships to further the Koch government-reducing, free market focus. Koch protects its interest by having two seats on the five member scholarship committee, with the other three from the UNCF. While non-Koch interests are the majority, it will be interesting to see if a donor can sway a committee. What else? The Koch brothers are making the most of this gift in the media. Rarely have I seen so many headlines generated by a gift of that size. $100 million, maybe. $250 million, surely. But while $25 million will mean a lot to the UNCF, schools like Harvard would likely consider it nothing more than a modest behest. The Koch brothers must think they’ll get some positive publicity from their gift, and they obviously have the PR team to pitch it. Furthermore, these are the very Koch brothers who have supported voter suppression efforts. They would reduce the size of government, which means the Pell grants that so many students depend on would shrink in size. What one hand gives, in other words, the other takes away. If the Koch brothers would fight to maintain or increase the size of the Pell grant, fewer would look askance at their gift. Instead, many see this as the cynical manipulation of a deep-pockets donor who gets much publicity from their gift. It kind of reminds me of the Donald Sterling gift to the Los Angeles branch of the NAACP. After Sterling’s racist rant, his donation was returned. Still, the NAACP had honored him at
least once, prior to his verbal rampage. Indeed the 2014 outrage against Sterling had elements of class bias. The multi-million dollar players weren’t angry when he discriminated against African Americans and Latinos in the slum housing he owned, but they were dismayed when he made negative comments about them. Their silence equaled acquiescence to Sterling’s racism; their protest suggested that they would get angry only when rancid racism was directed at them. Do basketball players really think that Sterling is the only NBA owner that harbors racist views? Those owners have enough sense not to articulate them publicly. If they know that other owners share Sterling’s views then they condone closed door racism, not the open door kind. If they are aware, and don’t care or share, they are making deals with the devil. If the Koch brothers are the devil, then most of our organizations are making deals with the devil. Look at the list of sponsors for any African American organization or event. Sit through a board meeting, and listen to folks review possible sponsors, many corporate. There are “good” corporations whose diversity portfolio is robust, and then there are those who need a little help. The need for funds notwithstanding, are we for sale for the price of a table or a few salmon (used to be chicken) dinners? On the other hand, when the New York Times criticized the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation for its corporate support, Elsie Scott, the then-director said that if we spent money on certain products it was only right that we get their support. Does this apply to the Koch donation? Unfortunately too many African American organizations buy what we want and beg for what we need. Many in the African American community have $25 million to give to the United Negro College Fund. Many could spend the dollars to support our students. The fact that we do not leaves us vulnerable to contributions like Koch, contributions that come with strings and, perhaps, a conservative agenda. Should Dr. Lomax send the money back? Only if someone steps up to replace it! The $18.5 million for scholarships represents 3700 scholarships for students. If the $4 million is divided equally among 37 schools, it means $108,000 per school, enough to hire back one of the people laid off and to support some programs. Should Michael Lomax lay down with the devil? Where is the angel?
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