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Volume 90 • Issue 3
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Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2017
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Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2017
COVER STORY
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Atlanta Daily World: back to the future The city’s oldest black-owned newspaper goes back daily in a bold move
By Donnell Suggs Additional reporting by Katrice L. Mines What started as the dream of a 26-year-old Morehouse College graduate turned into Atlanta Daily World (ADW), Atlanta’s oldest black-owned newspaper. Now, 89 years later, the legacy publication continues to evolve and grow with a transition into a robust digital platform offering news, information, and events for Metro Atlanta. Powered by one of the largest black-owned multimedia companies in the country – Real Times Media Inc. (RTM), which purchased the newspaper in 2012 – the next step for Atlanta’s most tenured black-owned publication is to elevate the delivery of critical stories from Atlanta and the world to its readership faster and more efficiently. “ADW is going digital because of its success but also because there’s a profound opportunity for growth in the market,” said Hiram E. Jackson, chief executive officer, Real Times Media. “With 1.7 million African Americans in the market, Atlanta is a critical audience for us and there is currently a void when it comes to daily news and information on issues impacting the black community. Our transition to a digital platform enables us to return to truly being the Atlanta DAILY World and fill this gap; providing Metro Atlanta with fresh, timely, engaging content while
attracting new readers.” Atlantadailyworld.com currently attracts 1.2 million monthly online views, making it one of the top sources of news and information for issues impacting Black Atlanta. With a readership that spans the country, the site is also a glimpse into what’s new, what’s news, and what’s hot in Black Atlanta for non-residents. The re-energized news and information platform will feature new contributors, content, and weekly podcasts but will also offer special, limited print editions centered on issues relevant to the black community including Black History Month, prostate cancer, breast cancer and HIV awareness, Black Music Month, and more. “The Atlanta Daily World continues to remain extremely relevant in media today, so the new atlantadailyworld.com enables us to better compete while focusing our efforts on exposing a broader audience to what we have to offer in regard to enhanced programming and content,” said Jackson. “Being relevant to black Atlanta was important to us yesterday, as it is, today and tomorrow. Our history has given us the stepping stone to better understand our audience and its evolvement. All of our business decisions are to better position us in Atlanta and to demonstrate our commitment to remaining relevant in the future.” RTM owns three other newspapers, local business lifestyle magazine, Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine and Who’s Who in Black Atlanta. The ADW transition to a predominantly
digital platform is a singular move for the company, The imminent transition to a dynamic digital brand for ADW is an exciting fulfillment of foresight for RTM visionaries including Jackson, who is confident about the launching out. “As the ever-evolving media landscape becomes increasingly digital, it is imperative that we distribute our content in the manner that is most appealing to our readers,” said Jackson. “Our transition to a digital platform enables us to return to truly being the Atlanta Daily World, providing metro Atlanta with fresh, timely and engaging content every day.” “RTM, the Detroit- based media firm, acquired the legendary Sengstacke Enterprise Inc. publication catalog in 2003 for $12 million. Today it owns the Chicago Defender, New Pittsburgh Courier, and Michigan Chronicle, all papers that John H. Sengstacke helped establish from 1940-1965 while he was the Chicago Defender’s publisher (the Michigan Chronicle was established in 1936. RTM added Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine to its family of brands earlier this year. RTM also offers custom programming and publishing in 20 markets across the United States through its Who’s Who brand, producing more than 50 events annually. The burgeoning expansion of ADW will widen the fast-growing reach and scope of the RTM multimedia platform. According to Pew Research, in 2016, just two in 10 U.S. adults frequently got their news from print newspapers, while nearly twice as many read news online either via news websites/apps, on social media or both. Atlanta’s oldest Black-owned publication is on to next and more culturally relevant than before.
NEWS
Founded August 5 1928; Became Daily, March 12, 1932
By ADW Staff
W.A. Scott, II, Founder/Publisher August 5, 1928 to February 7, 1934 Published weekly at 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway Suite 500 Atlanta, Georgia 30354 Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta Mailing Offices. Publication Number 017255 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Atlanta Daily World, 100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway Suite 500 Atlanta, Georgia 30354 Subscriptions: One Year: $52 Two Years: $85 Forms of Payment: Check, Money Order, VISA American Express, MasterCard MEMBER: Associated Press Atlanta Business League Central Atlanta Progress Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce National Newspaper Publishers Website: www.AtlantaDailyWorld.com Lorraine Cochran
Katrice L. Mines
Senior Editor kmines@atlantatribune.com
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Morehouse School of Medicine joins the NIH All of Us research consortium
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City of Atlanta set to get smarter By ADW Staff The City of Atlanta and Georgia Institute of Technology will expand its two-year-old research partnership to design, implement and study Smart City initiatives. The City of Atlanta has embraced Smart City technologies as tools to address urban challenges such as traffic congestion and promote public safety and environmental sustainability, with Georgia Tech as the official research partner for the North Avenue Smart Corridor Project. The project is funded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond program. “Over the past two years, Atlanta has emerged as a national Smart City leader because of our collaboration. With this agreement, leading researchers and students at Georgia Tech will be able to study and analyze data coming from motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and transit on North Avenue,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “The City will then be able to use their insights to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to manage congestion and promote safe, sustainable mobility options on this vital corridor.” The North Avenue Smart Corridor Project involves multiple Smart City technology components designed to: facilitate and promote safety for pedestrian and bicycle traffic; use the latest technology adaptive traffic signals for a safer, more efficient flow of bus and vehicular traffic in real time conditions and prioritize fire engines and ambulances traveling along the corridor on emergency response calls. “By collecting and analyzing data and traffic patterns in
the area immediately adjacent to our campus, our students, faculty, and staff can partner with the City of Atlanta to create a safer and more efficient place to live, work and play, while dramatically improving the overall quality of life in our community,” said Georgia Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson. The expanded agreement will enable Georgia Tech to store and analyze data generated by these Smart City tools, offering professors and students an opportunity to conduct original research and analyze trends, which the City will then use the research and analysis in short and long-term transportation planning. North Avenue was chosen for the Smart Corridor Project because of its prominence as a major east-west artery running through the Georgia Tech campus in Midtown Atlanta and connecting to the Atlanta BeltLine and Freedom Parkway, with a MARTA rail station and multiple bus stops along its length. The road’s unique features offer the City and Georgia Tech an opportunity to study how to improve safety as well as better manage traffic flow during normal traffic conditions and during special events. The City of Atlanta, Georgia Tech and Georgia State University became founding members of the MetroLab Network in September 2015, and have emerged as national leaders in this effort. The White House initiative was formed to research, develop and deploy new technologies to address challenges in our nation’s urban areas. Atlanta will host the MetroLab annual conference in September.
Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) has been selected to join the NIH ‘All of Us’ Research Program as part of the SouthEast Enrollment Center (SEEC) network, awarding $4.45 million to the consortium during the first year. The All of Us Research Program is growing precision medicine initiative with over 25 institutional collaborators across the United States, with the SEEC including Morehouse School of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Emory University, and the University of Florida. Priscilla Pemu, M.B.B.S., M.S.C.R., F.A.C.P, professor of medicine and director of the R-Center Community Based Research Core and the Community Physicians’ Network will lead MSM’s efforts. Other engaged MSM faculty include, Elizabeth O. Ofili, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.C., Atlanta Clinical & Translational Science Institute, senior co-principal investigator, Alexander Quarshie, MD, MS, bioinformatics lead, Dominic Mack, M.D., M.B.A., director of the National Center for Primary Care, and Brenda Klement, Ph.D., chair of the Institutional Review Board. The award will extend the geographic coverage of the All of Us program and address health disparities within precision medicine, focusing on enrollment of participants from lower-income, Hispanic and Latino, African-American, Native-American, and rural communities. As well, the program will gather data from more than 1 million participants within the United States to accelerate research, create personalized treatments, and design preventative methods based on genomic data. MSM will enroll 1,000 participants complete with medical baseline data and blood samples from Georgia’s ethnically diverse populations, working with the Morehouse Healthcare, Grady Health System, and Morehouse Choice ACO, along with partners in the Community Physicians’ Network for this project, including the development of an enrollment core and bio-repository. Among the nation’s leading educators of primary care physicians, biomedical scientists and public health professionals, MSM was recognized – in 2011 – by Annals of Internal Medicine as the nation’s No. 1 medical school in fulfilling a social mission.
Swift Currie attorney appointed to Handshake Atlanta’s Advisory Board Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers LLP associate Donovan Potter has been appointed to the advisory board of Handshake Atlanta, a non-profit organization dedicated to coaching Atlanta high school student-athletes for success in life. The Handshake Atlanta program, launched in 2017, consists of a college scholarship, the assignment by the organization of a “Handshake Coach” to athletes in the program and eight meetings throughout the year to help students prepare for their future. In his new role, Potter will help launch the second Handshake America location and guide it through its first year in Atlanta. Advisory board members also help to ensure the Donovan Potter success of the Handshake Program in its continued support and development of selected high school student-athletes.
“Handshake Atlanta has the potential to make a significant impact on high school students and set them on the right track for their future accomplishments,” Potter said. “Students need mentoring, especially athletes who have extraordinary demands placed on them. I am honored to be a part of this great organization and I look forward to helping these students and the overall program into success.” Other Handshake Atlanta advisory board members include Doug Probst, former CFO at DSW Inc.; Steve Flesher, senior regional director at DSW Inc.; and John Carson, Senior Vice President Human Resources at Herschend Enterprises, which owns or manages attractions such as Stone Mountain Park, the Harlem Globetrotters, and Dollywood. An associate in the firm’s general civil litigation section,
Potter has experience defending premises liability suits, automobile litigation, municipal government liability, and general tort litigation in Georgia state and federal courts. His practice areas include catastrophic injury and wrongful death, premises liability and products liability. In addition to his Handshake Atlanta appointment, Potter is a board member of the Westside Atlanta Charter School. In this role, Potter helps to support effective operation of the school by helping to develop, implement and oversee school governance and policies. Potter is also a member of the Gate City Bar Association, the oldest African-American Bar Association in the state of Georgia. The Gate City Bar Association is dedicated to serving the community and upholding principles of justice. Potter received his undergraduate degree from Miami University in Ohio and his law degree from Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at University of Louisville.
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NEWS
August 24-30, 2017
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NAACP officially on listening tour, first stop Detroit By ADW Staff Last week, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held its first listening tour stop in Detroit. Under the advancement-signaling banner, “Today, Tomorrow & Always,” NAACP Forward is part of the organization’s strategic plan to enhance its vision and mission, and to renew its commitment to the fight for civil rights amid a swirling climate of political hostility, voter suppression, income inequality, mass incarceration, police brutality and anti-immigrant sentiment. Our purpose this week is clear. As the world’s premier membership-based, grassroots civil rights and social justice advocacy organization, we must strengthen and re-invigorate ourselves at every level, said Leon W. Russell, chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors, during its annual convention in July. “We must enhance the ability of every unit to be effective advocates and voices for each and every community represented here and especially those who are not here.”
The Detroit meeting gave attendees the opportunity to engage with Derrick Johnson, interim President & CEO, NAACP; Russell; and Rev. Wendell Anthony, president, Detroit Branch NAACP; and was moderated by Amber Payne, managing editor, NBCBLK. NAACP Forward will convene local membership, supporters and partners to offer their guidance on how the NAACP can retool itself to combat 21st century threats. Along with these public meetings, NAACP Forward in Detroit will also include smaller discussions in the city to better understand the perspective of its membership, local community leaders, activists and others, continuing the series of critical discussions and action plans initiated at the NAACP’s 108th annual convention in Baltimore, Maryland, this past July. The next stop in NAACP Forward is San Antonio, Texas, which will be in September. NAACP leadership will visit several major cities across the country over the next few months.
experts say that persistent underrepresentation often stems from equity issues that begin earlier. Elementary and secondary schools with large numbers of black and Hispanic students are less likely to have experienced teachers, advanced courses, high-quality instructional materials and adequate facilities, according to the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Black students make up 9 percent of the freshmen at Ivy League schools but 15 percent of college-age Americans, roughly the same gap as in 1980. (A category for multiracial students, introduced in 2008, has slightly reduced the share of black students.) Black students remain underrepresented in a number of flagships in states with a large share of college-age residents who are black. For example, in Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and South Carolina, blacks represent about a third or more of each state’s college-age population but less than 15 percent of the freshman enroll-
Dr. Vanessa O. Johnson, a life-long educator, renowned leader, and Navy veteran joined Arlington Christian school this year as head administrator. She is no stranger to educational excellence. Johnson’s career boasts of numerous professional achievements to include service as an assistant principal of Crabapple Middle School in Roswell and Parklane Elementary School in East Point. She also spent a decade as principal of Liberty Point Elementary School in Union City before retiring. As well, she has worked in the higher education arena through the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit at Georgia Tech and Morehouse College. Her passion for education was further fueled by her work in her own company, VanEdge, wherein she developed workshops and educational presentations for parents and students. “[Arlington Christian School] has a rich heritage of developing our scholars so that they may make meaningful contributions to society,” said
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Moreland Avenue’s Kick Start Martial Arts (KSMA) in East Atlanta was chosen as Atlanta’s $25,000 grand prize winner of the 2017 Wells Fargo Works for Small Business: Neighborhood Renovation Program Contest. Kick Start Martial Arts is one of four local, small businesses, and one of twenty small businesses in five cities across America to receive renovation makeovers to support economic development in select neighborhoods across the country. Applicants completed applications and essays, and a panel of judges then reviewed the entries and chose winners in August. Elements of Kick Start Martial Arts’ renovation will include improving and increasing studio equipment and materials storage spaces, installing new flooring, enhancing spectator seating, and adding technology tools for teaching, efficiency and security. “I was thrilled to find out we were chosen by Wells Fargo as a contest winner, and then became even more excited to know we were the grand prize winner!” said Sah Bom Nim Master Renard Beaty, owner, Kick Start Martial Arts. “The $25,000 worth of renovations will go towards enhancing the customer experience in my studio, allowing me to conserve resources I can use to expand my business. I will
Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2017
Use your slow season for enrichment
Johnson. “I look forward to building upon this solid foundation as we endeavor to grow, thrive, and become more globally connected. Now is a wonderful time in the history of Arlington Christian School.” The New Orleans native earned an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Dillard University, as well as master’s degrees from San Diego State University in educational administration and the Naval War College in national security and strategic studies. She earned a doctorate degree in Educational Administration from Clark Atlanta University. “Life has a way of presenting us with an array of experiences,” Johnson said. “It’s fulfilling to know that each of my experiences has played a role in preparing me for leadership at Arlington. The school has made tremendous strides through the years, and I do believe the best is yet to come.”
East Atlanta’s Kick Start Martial Arts Wins $25,000 Grand Prize Wells Fargo Small Business Neighborhood Renovation Program Contest
ment at the flagship university. At the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus, black freshman enrollment has declined significantly over the last 15 years. Students on campus have protested racial inequalities. Many public flagship universities draw students from the state or region, rather than the entire country. While black enrollment at schools like West Virginia University and the University of Nebraska is low, it is on par with the state’s demographics. “There’s such a distinct disadvantage to begin with,” said David Hawkins, an executive director at the National Association for College Admission Counseling. “A cascading set of obstacles all seem to contribute to a diminished representation of minority students in highly selective colleges.”
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BUSINESS
Arlington Christian School welcomes new Head of School Dr. Vanessa O. Johnson
Number of Blacks and Hispanics at top colleges lower than 35 years ago Despite decades of affirmative action, black and Hispanic students are more underrepresented at the nation’s top colleges and universities than they were 35 years ago, according to data available from the National Center for Education Statistics. The share of black freshmen at elite schools is virtually unchanged since 1980. Black students are just 6 percent of freshmen but 15 percent of college-age Americans. More Hispanics are attending elite schools, but the increase has not kept up with the huge growth of young Hispanics in the United States, so the gap between students and the college-age population has widened. The analysis includes 100 schools ranging from public flagship universities to the Ivy League. For both blacks and Hispanics, the trend extends back to at least 1980, the earliest year that fall enrollment data was available from the National Center for Education Statistics. Blacks and Hispanics have gained ground at less selective colleges and universities but not at the highly selective institutions, said Terry Hartle, a senior vice president at the American Council on Education, which represents more than 1,700 colleges and universities. The courts have ruled that colleges and universities can consider race or ethnicity “as one element in a holistic admissions policy, so it’s something that can be considered, but it’s not a magic bullet,” he said. Affirmative action increases the numbers of black and Hispanic students at many colleges and universities, but
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then be able to make an even bigger impact on the community that has been so good to me, developing leadership qualities in even more children and adults through martial arts.” Kicks Start Martial Arts’ mission is to develop a diverse group of tomorrow’s leaders using martial arts principles. According to Beaty, KSMA’s founding principles include goal setting, achievement, self-discipline, accountability, confidence, and respect, all helping youth build skills that last a lifetime. “We want KSMA to be a firstin-class martial arts studio and to become the first place the community turns to for assistance with training their youth to obtain and demonstrate the skills of an effective leader,” said Beaty. “We also combat the stereotypes of the aggressive side of martial arts by underscoring that martial arts actually helps teach self-discipline and socialization skills. My students learn respect, whether from bowing or standing still and waiting for the next command, which can be the most important benefit. This benefit often carries over into school, helping to improve behavior and even grades.”
By Tasha S. Robinson If your business is in a slow season, don’t complain or stress about why the sales or customers are lacking. A slow period is a perfect time to take a step back from everything, and seek opportunities to learn new skills and even to revamp your current business model. Companies that are less than five years old tend to have slow seasons each year. Since launching my consulting company, the summer has typically been my slow season. Learning to prepare for that has been essential to my success and will be for you, as well. Learning new skills The first year, my company experienced a slow season there was a daunting feeling of how I would be able to take care of things. Nevertheless, I began to focus on learning more about finances when it came to my business. When I first launched, there was no e-Course that covered topics such as cash flow, revenue, taxes and scalability. So, I spent that time researching all aspects of money management when it came to small companies like mine. The hands-on education
taught me a plethora of skills that took my company from a mid-five-figure company to six figure company within a years-span. Revamp your business The skillsets I developed during my slow season, I was able to leverage into bringing in a higher revenue stream for my business model. All of my consulting programs were revamped from the curriculum, hourly rate, legal contracts, target audience and digital product production. To some people, these seem like little things that occurred over a short period of time which is true. However, they all had a huge impact on my business. I went from having a collection of clients paying me a lower rate to attracting my actual ideal clientele who were willing to pay 48 percent more for my expertise. Digital sales increased by 400 percent because of my taking the time to learn a new skill set and apply that knowledge to my company. Ask yourself: What can I learn in my slow season to help my business increase its revenue stream, online presence, customer retention, social media growth and more?
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Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2017
POLITICS
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Reverend Joseph Lowery, Congressman David Scott and other notables endorse Stacey Abrams for Governor of Georgia
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA, Martin Luther King III, 2017 NNPA Lifetime Legacy Award and civil rights leader, and Reverend Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, pose for a photograph near the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 2017. Sharpton organized a Ministers March for Justice to support racial healing in the U.S. August 28 was also the 54th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. (Travis Riddick/NNPA)
Civil rights icon, Dr. Joseph Lowery, endorsed Stacey Abrams, Democratic candidate for Governor of Georgia. “I support Stacey Abrams for Governor of Georgia because her life’s work is informed by her dedication to helping others. Now, more than ever, we need a leader who is resilient, puts people first, and refuses to leave anyone behind. Stacey Abrams is a leader who will work for change, and help all of us find the power within ourselves to do the same. A Georgia that Stacey Abrams leads will be our Georgia — one where people are empowered to speak up and take action in the face of injustice.” “I am honored to have the support of Reverend Joseph Lowery,” said Minority Leader Stacey Abrams of the endorsement. “His work as a civil rights leader is a lodestar for all Georgians working to build a brighter future. I look forward to working alongside Dr. Lowery to help create a state where equality fosters prosperity, and we all have the opportunity to succeed — not just survive.” Reverend Lowery joins notables Georgia Congressman Scott, Congressman John Lewis (D-05) and Congressman Hank Johnson
(D-04) in supporting Abrams. “Stacey Abrams is an experienced and principled leader who is not afraid to stand up for what is right, and put service to families in our state first,” said Congressman David Scott. “As the top ranking Democrat in the House who has stopped tax increases on the poor and middle class, fought to expand Medicaid, protected civil rights and stood up for access to quality public education, she is undoubtedly the most qualified person in the race for governor.”
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development of my Mayor’s Homelessness Eradication Plan. I will gather evidence from the people who know the situation best—the homeless mothers, fathers, and children.”
In response to President Trump’s announced plans to end the Obama Administration’s ban on the transfer of certain military equipment to state and local police departments, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s Policing Reform Campaign has called for a moratorium on the Department of Defense program that allows for these transactions and long advocated against overly militarized police forces that disproportionately harm communities of color. “It is both exceptionally dangerous and irresponsible for the Administration to lift the ban on the transfer of certain surplus military equipment to state and local law enforcement organizations. Just a few summers ago, our nation watched as Ferguson raised the specter of increased police militarization,” stated Janai Nelson, Associate Director-Counsel at the LDF. “The law enforcement response there and in too many places across the country demonstrated how perilous, especially for Black and Brown communities, a militarized police force can be. The President’s decision to make this change in the wake of the tragedy in Charlottesville and against a backdrop of frayed relations between police and com-
COMMUNITY
Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2017
Planned Parenthood and Black AIDS Institute partner on program to expand HIV prevention efforts By ADW Staff
Bracing for influx of Harvey victims, Former Fulton Chairman spends NAACP calls for moratorium on the the night with hundreds of homeless president’s reported plan to end ban on persons at Peachtree-Pine shelter transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement
Former Fulton County Commission Chairman and current mayoral candidate John Eaves spent the night with hundreds of homeless people at the Peachtree-Pine facility. Amid the potential of Hurricane Harvey victims flooding Atlanta’s shelters, Eaves spoke with several of the occupants to learn actual stories from people who will be impacted by the facility closing within the next few weeks/months and what it may mean as a new wave of homeless people arrives from Texas. “This is a unique opportunity for me to put real faces on a real problem,” said Eaves. “As chairman of Fulton County, I pushed a plan to reopen Jefferson Place (Homeless Center) with essential health and social services, but that will only hold up to 300 people. Hundreds more at Peachtree and Pine will be left out on the street. They don’t call that a stunt; they’re asking for help. That’s what I aim to do now and as mayor of Atlanta.” Ahead of checking in at the facility around 8 p.m., Eaves made early-evening visits to some “homeless hot spots” throughout the city where at least 800 people go unsheltered; living under bridges; wrapped in blankets, tucked in corners or abandoned buildings. “In light of the pending effects of Harvey in addition to the closing of this shelter, we need to ACT on a plan that will eradicate homelessness,” said Eaves. “My sleeping with the homeless overnight is the first step in the
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munities of color further reflects this administration’s now open effort to escalate racial tensions in our country. This action puts more fire power in the hands of police departments that remain largely untrained on matters of racial bias and endangers the public. Inviting the use of military weaponry against Compensation our domestic population is nothing short of recasting the public as an enemy.” According to the LDF, the current ban is only a partial restriction and sensibly prevents weapons like bayonets and grenade-launchers from being placed into the hands of local law enforcement. “Given the protection provided by our armed forces, we should all ask why a local police force should be militarized in the first place. The current policy also requires training, data collection and reporting that, if eliminated, would give law enforcement unfettered access to equipment that has been used to intimidate communities of color, with little to no training or oversight.” The proposed solution: That Congress takes corrective action with a bill placing restrictions on or eliminating the 1033 Program. “We urge them to do so immediately to preempt this misguided act by the President.”
Planned Parenthood will launch a multiphase pilot program to build and expand its a meaningful impact on public health, offering comprehensive HIV prevention and education an unparalleled opportunity to avert new infecefforts. Gilead Sciences, Inc, a research-based tions and reduce long term costs to the healthbiopharmaceutical company, awarded the care system.” Planned Parenthood provides care in health $900,000 grant to support and expand efforts of HIV prevention and education, including the centers across the country, including nearly integration of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) 700,000 HIV tests each year, and are uniquely awareness, at Planned Parenthood affiliate positioned to deliver HIV prevention services health centers across the country. It is the first and education to disproportionately impacted significant corporate grant of its kind awarded communities, including Black women, Latinas, to Planned Parenthood, and will focus critical transgender people, young adults of all backprevention efforts in communities hardest hit grounds, and men who have sex with men, especially people of color. by the epidemic. McDonald-Mosley added, “Training and The grant work will be carried out in partresourcing more medical providers to provide nership with The Black AIDS Institute, the only national HIV/AIDS think tank in the United HIV and PrEP education, with a particular foStates focused exclusively on Black people, over cus on prevention in underserved communities, is a job for which Planned Parenthood is the next 18 months. “Although this country has made progress uniquely suited. For over 100 years, we’ve been toward greater health care equity, disparities in fighting to ensure that people — no matter HIV rates remain a serious issue for too many where they live — can access accurate, nonjudgpeople and too many communities,” said Dr. mental preventive care and education so they Raegan McDonald-Mosley, chief medical offi- can keep themselves and their families healthy.” Despite the life-saving advances in highcer at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Rates of new HIV cases, along with barriers ly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for to treatment and health care access, continue to treatment and prevention, HIV remains an urmore greatly impact marginalized communities. gent public health crisis, especially for certain With this grant, Planned Parenthood can imple- marginalized communities who face barriers ment life-saving awareness and care not other- to affordable, quality health care. According to wise funded at this scale. It furthers our mission a 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Preto provide all people, especially those already vention (CDC) surveillance report, women of facing barriers to accessing quality health care, color, particularly Black women, are disproporwith comprehensive and cutting-edge HIV pre- tionately affected by HIV, accounting for the majority of the HIV infections, women living vention methods, including PrEP”. PrEP is the medical practice of prescribing with HIV, and HIV-related deaths among womantiretroviral medication to prevent against en in the U.S. “Over 40% of people living with HIV in the HIV infection. “Given the disproportionate impact HIV is U.S are Black. Nearly 50% of new HIV infechaving on Black women and the new tools we tions in this country are Black. and 1 in 32 black women, 1 in 16 black men, and 1 and 2 Black mayhave beat available time travel. our disposal, thisfor is theyour right thing to doand at the right time,” said Phill Wilson, president Gay men will be diagnosed with HIV infection in their lifetime. Yet 85% of current PrEP users and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute. The majority of the grant will directly sup- are white men. What’s wrong with this picture”, port the efforts of Planned Parenthood affiliates said Leisha McKinley Beach, technical assisto develop training and resources aimed at de- tance consultant, Black AIDS Institute. Though awareness of antiretroviral medicalivering a comprehensive program of HIV pretion as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among vention, including PrEP and other methods, in health centers across the country. It will also go men who have sex with men (MSM) has risen toward the creation of patient education mate- significantly, women at risk for HIV still face rials to reach populations most at-risk for HIV, several challenges in getting the services and as well as capacity-building sustainable learning information they need, including structural and cultural barriers such as poverty, HIV stigma, modules across affiliates. “Scientific innovation has greatly improved and a relative lack of access to healthcare proour ability to address the HIV epidemic,” said fessionals trained to offer comprehensive HIV Gregg Alton, Executive Vice President, Cor- prevention, including PrEP and other methods. As part of our mission to help people live porate and Medical Affairs for Gilead Sciences Inc. “Alongside that innovation, diverse pro- healthy lives, Planned Parenthood works in grams and partnerships are helping to ensure communities across the country and with partwe can reach those most in need of treatment ners around the world to provide access accuand prevention options. Prevention strategies, rate, high-quality, compassionate sexual and including PrEP and other methods, can have reproductive health care.
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LIFESTYLE
Aug. 31 - Sept. 6, 2017
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Be an intelligent patient: How to make the most out of a doctor’s office visit By Glenn Ellis As health-reform continues to take effect over the next several years (in one way or the other), millions of newly insured Americans will gain access to a regular doctor. They will soon learn what others already know: Getting the best care from your doctor requires navigating a complex relationship within the precious few minutes during a typical office visit. One thing that all of us should understand is the enormous demands on your doctor’s time. Every day, people just like you are planning to go see the same doctor that you are, and expecting to be treated like they are her/his most important patient. Do you ever feel like your doctor isn’t really listening? Or that he/she doesn’t review notes when meeting with you. Or maybe you are wondering what even goes into the notes? Forty percent to 80 percent of the medical information provided by care providers is forgotten immediately, and the greater the amount of information shared the greater the percentage forgotten. That’s huge, and that lack of retention has negative impacts on patient understanding, adherence and outcomes. People best take in information presented in two ways: verbally and visually. study found that when medical instruction was provided verbally, only 14 percent of the information was retained, versus 80 percent when a visual accompanied with text was provided. Teaming up with your doctor means helping him or her to do the best job possible in treating you. That might mean jumping in and doing a quick review to make sure your doctor is up-to-
date on what you told him/her and what they told you during the last visit. It might also mean correcting your doctor when he/she is in error. Here’s how: Review what you think you heard during the last appointment. Give your doctor a brief summary of where you are to date. It can save a lot of time and frustration for you and your doctor. You can say something like: “I just want to touch base on where we are on _____________. During our last appointment, you said _____________ and as a result I _________________. Are you still comfortable
with that?” This approach has a couple of benefits. The first, of course, is that you help assure you are going to get accurate an appropriate recommendation. The second, less obvious benefit, is that give your doctor an out if he/she has forgotten what was said. Jump in and make a correction. As the saying goes, when you see something, say something! You can do this without being confrontational. Smile and say, “Actually, I heard it another way and I want to make sure we are in sync. I thought you told me to _________________ because _____________.” Stated this way, you
Realtor.com® introduces “My Home” to help homeowners manage their home like an investment
By ADW Staff Want to manage your home as a part of your investment portfolio? Realtor.com® thought you might. The platform now offers My Home, a new feature available on realtor.com®’s desktop and mobile site allowing homeowners to manage their home as an investment. The feature puts expands realtor.com® beyond search to an indispensable resource for homeowners throughout their ownership journey. With My Home, homeowners can easily access tools and information needed to have a complete, all-in-one view of their home value, equity, financing options, neighborhood activity and trends, as well as home improvement projects that add value to their home. “At realtor.com®, we help people with one of the most basic and most important needs – their homes – which is often
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the biggest investment most people will ever make,” said Ryan O’Hara, chief executive officer of Move. “Yet, the time they spend managing this asset once they are in the home is really limited. We’re changing that with My Home. Now with personalized data at their fingertips, homeowners have more insight into their investment and are better equipped to make decisions such as when to sell or when to invest in upgrading their home to their dream home.” As part of My Home, realtor.com® is introducing an enhanced home value estimate for homeowners that utilizes lender-grade valuation models to provide a better estimate of what a home is worth today and in the future. When an owner first enters My Home the dashboard provides an estimate of mortgage payments and equity, assuming a 20 percent down at the time of purchase. An owner can then update My Home with their current mortgage information to track payments and outstanding principal. It also shows financial savings options based on current mortgage rates and equity options. The new feature taps into a growing generational trend of people staying in their homes longer. In 1985, about 10 percent of all homeowners were recent movers and in 2015, that figure dropped to five percent. As people stay in their homes longer, they have more equity in their property making it even more imperative to manage their home as an investment. For those looking to embark on a renovation, My Home leverages Remodelista, Move’s design inspiration website, to inspire homeowners with a one-stop sourcebook for curated remodeling guides, daily design inspiration, and ideas for every room in the home. Moreover, though not a replacement for the value gained from speaking to a local Realtor® about the value of a home, it is a helpful feature for homeowners who want to manage their home as an asset and track the estimated value of their home.
are not saying directly that your doctor is in error, but that there may have been a miscommunication. This isn’t about “sucking up” to your doctor, but it avoids putting your doctor on the defensive, and promotes the type of teamwork that should exist in a doctor/patient relationship. And keep in mind that the misunderstanding could have been on your end, especially if your doctor was moving faster than usual that day and didn’t explain things thoroughly. Express your concerns if you feel your healthcare is at risk in any way. I am not intending to imply that you shouldn’t advocate for yourself. If your doctor’s contradictions or forgetfulness alarms you in any way, e.g. if you are absently-mindedly prescribed what you know to be a medication you should not be taking, then you have a right to make your doctor aware of your concern. Take a direct approach: “I need to express a concern here. I know you have a lot of patients to see. But I am (allergic to, have had no results before from, etc.) that medication. We’ve talked about it before, and it should be in my file. I get worried when I feel like you aren’t giving me your full attention.” You’re helping your doctor to do his/her job better. Remember: Patience is a virtue. But up to a point. There is a fine balance between helping your doctor keep things straight and putting up with forgetfulness or lack of attention that can be harmful to your health. It’s up to you to decide when the line has been crossed. As always, be your own best advocate. Don’t hesitate to take the lead to make sure you’re on the same page. Helping your doctor to do his/her job benefits both of you.
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Labor Day Weekend in ATL Under the Cork Tree: Free Wine Tasting — Aug. 31 At Under the Cork Tree this week, the restaurant will feature the Terrazas De Los Andes Winery, which includes the Altos del Plata Chardonnay 2014, Malbec Single Vineyard Las Compuertas 2011, Cabernet Sauvignon Altos del Plata 2015 and Malbec Altos del Plata 2015. Come this week between 5 and 7 p.m. to taste the wines and learn about their history. Street Eats on the Square — Sept. 1 Kick off the holiday weekend with some tasty food from Atlanta’s food trucks. Grab your friends and come out to The Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Snap a selfie with your colleagues or of your food, tag it with #reimagineCS and post to Instagram, and you might just win a special prize. King Center — Sept. 1-30 The King Center is the official, living memorial dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of America’s greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace. Plan a tour to observe various exhibits illustrating his life and teachings and visit the King Center’s library, archives, his final resting place, his birth home, a gift shop and other facilities. There will be free admission and parking throughout the month of September. The Nook on Piedmont Park: Labor Day Weekend Brunch — Sept. 1-4 While you enjoy all of the Labor Day activities, don’t forget to bring your friends and family each day at the Nook on Piedmont Park. Let The Nook be your after-party playhouse as Atlanta plays host to The Chick-Fil-A College Football Kickoff, DragonCon and Pride Weekend. Brunch will be served every morning (Saturday through Monday) and will showcase your favorite college football team’s game on one of the televisions. If you attend one of the local events and show your ticket or wristband, you
will receive 10 percent off your meal. Art in the Park (Marietta) — Sept. 2-4 Get the chance to view some fine art, a chalk-art competition and a children’s art alley with free art stations in Marietta Square. Decatur Book Festival — Sept. 1-3 Head down to Decatur square to enjoy book signings, author readings, panel discussions, an interactive children’s area, live music, parades, cooking demonstrations, poetry slams, writing workshops and more. Taste of Soul Atlanta 2017 — Sept. 2 Celebrate soul and southern foods, enjoy live music, art, games and more at the foot of Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium and in the heart of the country’s Soul Food capital. Atlanta Jerk Festival — September 3 The aroma of jerk cuisine will tickle your senses. The sounds of Reggae, Dancehall, and Soca music will make you dance. There are few better combinations than tasty food and hot pulsating music set in a relaxed atmosphere. That’s the essence of the Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival. As the only event of its type in the state of Georgia, and one of the largest Caribbean themed food festivals in the USA, the annual Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival has been showcasing the flavors and rhythms of the Caribbean to Georgia and surrounding states since 2006.
Black Pioneers, Counter-Revolutions and the Associated Negro Press: An Afternoon with Dr. Gerald Horne
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The Baton Foundation Inc., in partnership with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, will host a lecture and book signing featuring historian Gerald Horne on September 3 from 3-5 p.m. Dr. Horne is the John J. and Rebecca Moores Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston. His many books include Black Revolutionary: William Patterson and the Globalization of the African American Freedom Struggle. He is a recipient of the Ida B. Wells and Cheikh Anta Diop Award for Outstanding Scholarship and Leadership in Africana Studies. Horne will use his recently published book, The Rise and Fall of the Associated Negro Press: Claude Barnett’s Pan-African News and the Jim Crow Paradox (University of Illinois Press), as a point of departure to talk about a broad range
of topics from U.S. colonial history through the modern Civil Rights Movement up to contemporary global issues. Among the topics to be covered in Dr. Horne’s lecture are: the unspoken motives behind the Revolutionary War; white supremacy; the American Civil War; William L. Patterson; Shirley Graham and W.E.B. DuBois; Paul Robeson; the labor movement; and the Associated Negro Press and Claude Barnett. Dr. Horne also will share his thoughts on the state of Black people today. Horne is renowned for his impeccable scholarship and his dedication to reframing misrepresented history is unparalleled in our times. Known for his far-reaching and unapologetic research as well as for his probing analysis, Horne walks in the tradition of W.E.B. DuBois, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and Dr. Yosef Ben-Jochannan (Dr. Ben). After the lecture, there will be Q & A with the author and a book signing.
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ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Housing Authority of Fulton County, Georgia (HAFC) requests proposals from qualified professionals for the following: General Counsel Legal Services, RFQ2017-003 Due 12 noon EDT on September 29, 2017; Mortgage Lender, RFQ2017-004 Due 12 noon EDT on September 18, 2017; Office Equipment RFQ2017005 Due 12 noon EDT on September 18, 2017; Mortgage Finance Services RFQ2017-006 Due 12 noon EDT on September 18, 2017. See www.hafc.org under the business opportunities tab for full description and submission requirements. C. W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc will be accepting quotations from subcontractors, including City of Atlanta MBE and FBE subcontractors, for City of Atlanta Invitation To Bid #FC-9962 Local Group 2 Resurfacing Projects. This project is bidding on October 4, 2017 @ 2 PM. Items of work include: Hauling, Sod, Asphalt Paving, Signs, Joint Sealing, Rumble Strips, Milling, Concrete Flatwork, Drainage Structure, Water Line Work, Traffic Signals and Thermoplastic Pavement Marking. Subcontractor quotations (including all Required City of Atlanta Forms) will be accepted by C. W. Matthews’ Estimating Department in person, by e-mail: cmartin@cwmatthews.com and/or mikek@cwmatthews. com or Fax: #770-422-9361 until 12:00 Noon on Friday, September 29, 2017. All bidding documentation will be available at the C. W. Matthews Contracting website (www.cwmatthews.com) as well as the City of Atlanta website (http://procurement.atlantaga.gov/fc-9962-localgroup-2-resurfacing-projects/) If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact Chad Martin at (770) 422-7520 X1183. You must register a User ID and Password to access the CWM website. For additional website information, contact C. W. Matthews’ Estimating Department at 770-422-7520.
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Confederate statues fall, but economic racism lingers
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Many people are highly insulted by confederate statues and monuments, and they want them taken down and/or destroyed. Since the latest movement in New Orleans to eliminate these relics that commemorate folks who tried to secede from the Union, which resulted in a war that cost 700,000 lives, some Black people have been asking the questions: “Is it worth it?” “Should we be spending our time on other things?” “If all of the statues and monuments were eliminated tomorrow, would that help propel Black folks to a higher level in this country?” Because I have never been involved in any protest or action to remove a statue, a flag, or a memorial that celebrates the Confederacy, I will not attempt to answer those questions for anyone who has or is engaged in protesting them. But, I will offer my personal take on the matter. Unless I was terrified by these inanimate objects, or they made me physically sick when I saw them, I wouldn’t care about them at all. And so, I don’t care about them. But I remember how my mother hated, I mean hated, the “Lawn Jockeys” we would see when as we rode in our car. She always said if she had an axe she would stop and destroy the little Black faced man holding the horse’s ring. (Many stories abound on its origin and purpose, too numerous to recite in this article) I guess my mother grew up seeing those little statues in West Virginia and was told they denoted hatred for Black people. Having lived in the south during my teenage years, I experienced separate public accommodations. I went from a majority White school in Ohio to an all-Black school in North Carolina, in 1960 no less, and I liked it; those two years were the best of my life at that time. I “grew-up” there and realized many positive things about Black people in the south when it came to ownership, education, and self-determination. I was inspired by what I saw in Black people — not discouraged. I live in South Carolina now, and I see confederate flags on trucks, hats, shirts, and other paraphernalia — it doesn’t bother me a bit. As long as the person wearing that stuff leaves me and mine alone, I’m fine. I am not suggesting everyone be like me; I am just sharing my experience. Practically speaking, Black folks could spend the better part of the next decade or two removing icons of the Confederacy, and upon our victory of doing so we would still
be at the bottom of all economic indices in this nation. According to Five thirty-eight. com, “…The Southern Poverty Law Center began collecting data on public displays of the Confederacy throughout the United States… they found more than 1,500 places or things commemorating the Confederacy, including more than a hundred schools and more than 700 monuments. The SPLC’s list of symbols also includes street and county names, as well as parks, military bases and a broad range of other public works or spaces. The vast majority are located in states that once made up the Confederacy, though they extend north and west as well.” All of those monuments and memorials, in addition to the personal relics owned by confederate supporters, would occupy our time and energy for a very long time. Besides, to be diverted from the existential issues affecting Blacks would be hazardous to say the least. Sure we can multitask; we’ve always been good at that, but we must not abdicate our responsibility to achieve real power, socially, politically, and economically. We must be more concerned and active around substance rather than symbolism. For those who want to protest monuments, please consider Selma, Alabama, where in March of every year Black folks walk across a bridge named after a staunch racist. Where’s the call to change the name of the bridge from Edmund Pettus to, let’s say, the John R. Lewis Bridge, since he is the icon of the Selma march? As a matter of fact, why don’t Black folks just make the change themselves in that 80% majority Black city with a Black Mayor? Do you see the irony here? Also consider the “monumental” problem that exists in the “Black Mecca,” Atlanta, Georgia. It’s called Stone Mountain and features Lee, Davis, and Stonewall. The carving is so large that a grown man can stand inside the ear of one of the horses and is the largest confederate monument in the U.S. Pardon the pun, but folks in the “Atl” have their work cut out for them. Klan Associates, William and Samuel Venable, bought the mountain in 1887 for $48,000 and granted permission to Helen Plane to create her vision of a Confederate memorial carved in stone. As I always say, “Ownership is key.”
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