ADW June 15 by Atlanta Daily World

Do the things others arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t willing to do and you will receive the things others will never have. -Sean Combs

Volume 89 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 44

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June 15-21, 2017

Welcome to

A Seat at the Table

June 15-21, 2017

COVER STORY

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New GPB Show to Bring Black Women’s Voices to the Forefront Founded August 5 1928; Became Daily, March 12, 1932 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

Denene Millner

By Katrice L. Mines This Sunday, Georgia Public Broadcasting will premiere “A Seat at the Table,” a new weekly television series featuring co-hosts Denene Millner, Monica Pearson and Christine White. On the exciting new show, the trio will discuss the diverse experiences, perspectives and challenges of African-American women giving them an unriveled platform in local Atlanta television programming. From candid conversations about national news, family, kids, careers, medicine, sexuality and finance to beauty, fashion and relationships, the hosting trio will relate their ideas and experiences and engage viewers in the conversation. “I think this is a time for us to focus on the things of substance that really impact women, and not only our lives but the lives of the people around us,” said White. “And it’s also an opportunity to really give voice to that which has not been spoken of in public places before … to give confidence to values and thoughts that black women have in private places.” “Each of the hosts is accomplished in her own right and brings a unique point of view to the program,” said Teya Ryan, President and CEO of GPB. A veteran television producer, Ryan believed it important that GPB reflect the many varied and diverse communities it serves across the state of Georgia, so green-lighting “A Seat at the Table” was an easy decision. “Public media is the ideal place to shine a light on conversations that enlighten and provide a platform for all voices. I have high expec-

tations for what these powerful women can accomplish simply through conversation.” For generations, black women have gathered around kitchen tables sharing insights, feelings and wisdom – always wisdom. These thoughtful and informed voices are so rarely heard or fully articulated. Until now. “A Seat at the Table’s” hosts are sharp, outspoken, unapologetic African-American women who will offer straightforward unique perspectives re brought to life through candid conversations about everything from national news to whatever has their attention at the moment. The mission of the show is simple: to give African-American women a forum to educate communities about the black woman’s experience, life and journey. “Since 1969, when I started being paid to do interviews, I’ve always had to keep my thoughts to myself,” said Kaufman Pearson. “Now there were viewers who thought I sometimes did share my thoughts by the way I moved or the way I raised my eyebrows. But this gave me an opportunity to see me more as a reader and more as a reporter in the sense that that’s what I’ve done all my life but they never really knew what I thought. So, at this point it’s like, ‘What do I have to lose? What do I really have to lose?’ Absolutely nothing. And it’s time for people to know me … who I really am, and not their perception of who I am.” Plans call for 13 episodes for the inaugural season, which began filming in May. The program will air throughout the summer and fall, beginning with the June 18 premiere.

New York Times best-selling author Denene Millner is an award-winning journalist whose insightful and captivating pieces have secured her foothold in the entertainment, parenting, social media and book publishing industries. The former Parenting magazine columnist has penned 27 books, including “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man,” co-written with Steve Harvey, “Around the Way Girl,” a memoir with actress Taraji P. Henson and “The Vow,” which later became a lifetime movie, “With this Ring.” Millner also is the editor of Denene Millner Books, an imprint that publishes works featuring African-American children. The Atlanta wife and mother of two has contributed to Essence, Ebony, Women’s Health, Redbook and Family Circle; her extensive broadcast experience includes appearances on many daytime talk and radio shows.

Monica Pearson

Monica Kaufman Pearson is the first minority woman to anchor the daily evening news in Atlanta where she worked for 37 years at the leading station WSB-TV. Pearson is a native of Louisville, Ky., and a graduate of the University of Louisville, where afterward she was a reporter for the Louisville Times newspaper and a reporter and weekend anchor for WHAS TV in Louisville. Pearson has won over 33 Southern Regional and local Emmy Awards for reporting, anchoring and her Closeups celebrity interview show. Since retiring in 2012, Pearson has remained busy and graduated with a Master’s Degree, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass communication in 2014. Pearson hosts a three-hour weekly music and talk show on Sunday on KISS 104.1 FM and also does Closeups Interviews for WSBTV.com.

Christine White

Christine White Esq., MBA is a modern renaissance activist, she is driven by her passion for civic engagement. White is a speaker, author, investor and business advisor. Raised in California’s Bay Area, she took a strong interest and action in creating start up African-American groups for students and studies. White is a proud alumna of Spelman College, John Marshall Law School and Georgia Institute of Technology. Studying Political Science at Spelman College, she began working in the entertainment industry, which allowed her to have leverage in her work as an attorney and launch several criminal justice reform movements. In 2007, White founded a Collective Renaissance Guild with the purpose of infusing arts, civic engagement and philanthropy into the cultural fabric of the Power Generation. She was a former prosecutor in Fulton County and continues to support many community efforts like The Andrew Young Foundation. She is currently serving as Managing Attorney at White Legal Strategy Group, LLC., and serves as co-founder and President of Influencer Coalition (icATL), a political organization composed of entertainment industry professionals in Georgia and resides in Atlanta with her teenage daughter, Karma

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

Attorney Dawn M. Jones of The Firm of Dawn M. Jones LLC in Atlanta has been installed as secretary of the 49,000-member State Bar of Georgia. Jones’ plaintiff-focused personal injury law practice includes medical negligence, wrongful death, motor vehicle collisions, serious slip and falls, and nursing home negligence matters. Before starting her own firm, she worked as a senior product liability defense attorney at King & Spalding LLP, as an associate general counsel for the Grady Health System and as an insurance defense associate with the firm of Cozen O’Connor. The State Bar of Georgia, with offices in Atlanta, Savannah and Tifton, was established in 1964 by Georgia’s Supreme Court as the Dawn M. Jones successor to the voluntary Georgia Bar Association, founded in 1884. All lawyers licensed to practice in Georgia belong to the State Bar. Its more than 49,000 members work together to strengthen the constitutional promise of justice for all, promote principles of duty and public service among Georgia’s lawyers, and administer a strict code of legal ethics. Installed on June 10 during the organization’s Annu-

al Meeting, Jones served the past year as a member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Georgia. She is a past president of Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, a past president of Atlanta Legal Aid Society, a past chair of the State Bar of Georgia Advisory Committee on Legislation and a past chair of the State Bar of Georgia Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee for District Five. She has held other leadership roles in local voluntary bar associations and organizations throughout the state. The native of Alexandria, Va., has received numerous honors and awards, including the State Bar of Georgia Commitment to Equality Award, the Thomas R. Burnside Jr. Excellence in Bar Leadership Award, and the Atlanta Bar Association Leadership Award. She is a graduate of the Georgia State University College of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2000. Prior to pursuing her law degree, she worked for 14 years as a critical care registered nurse in various hospital intensive care unit settings. Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in critical care nursing/clinical nurse specialist from Georgetown University.

Nuclear Project Continues to Pose Environmental, Financial Strain for Plant Vogtle Community

June 15-21, 2017

Atlanta Area Gets Terror Funding Boost A substantial increase in federal funds used to prepare cities and states to prevent or respond to a terrorist attack is being funneled into the Atlanta area. The Department of Homeland Security has allocated an $8.43 million grant in fiscal 2017 for Atlanta metro to improve its public safety readiness in the face of a serious local threat. The funding is a 55 percent increase over fiscal 2016 when the area received about $5.43 million. “The administration remains committed to strengthening the security and resilience of our state and local communities,” said Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly. “FEMA grant programs are flexible by design and will be used to help to address evolving threats, and each grant will go toward building and sustaining capabilities across all levels of government and the whole community to maximize preparedness.” The “anti-terror” grants were created as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. The goal is to help cities, states and territories improve the response to potential terrorism by enhancing law enforcement capabilities. That includes preventing terrorist threats before they happen through “pre-operational activities,” the department said. While Atlanta received a boost in funding this year, the amount is short of the $13.5 million the area received in 2010. Belt-tightening in the years that followed consumed a lot of the funding and by 2013 Atlanta’s grant had been cut to $5.2 million.

Barack Obama, the namesake of first Georgia School

Website: www.AtlantaDailyWorld.com Lorraine Cochran General Manager lcochran@realtimesmedia.com

Katrice L. Mines

Senior Editor kmines@atlantatribune.com

Kamille D. Whittaker Associate Editor kwhittaker@atlantatribune.com

Juan Sifuentes

Graphic Designer jsifuentes@realtimesmedia.com

Atlanta Daily World is powered by Real Times Media The Atlanta Daily World is not responsible for unsolicited photos, manuscripts, etc., unless return is requested with postage. Address all correspondence to and make checks payable to Atlanta Daily World, rather than to individuals.

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NEWS

Dawn M. Jones Installed as Secretary of State Bar of Georgia Atlanta Daily World

About the hosts

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By Taylor Lee After a contentious negotiation period, protracted by delays and key contractor bankruptcies, Georgia Power Co. has entered agreements with the chief contractor at the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion and its parent company to take over management of the project to build two nuclear reactors at the site. A service agreement calling for Georgia Power and affiliate company Southern Nuclear to take over the work is subject to the approval of the board of directors at Westinghouse Electric Co., which filed for bankruptcy in March 2017. A second agreement between Georgia Power and Toshiba Corp., Westinghouse’s Japan-based parent, affirms Toshiba’s guarantee of $3.68 billion to Georgia Power. The first payment under the new agreement is due from Toshiba in October. The agreements will allow the construction activity at the project site to continue, during the management transition, said Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. The new Vogtle reactors were supposed to eventually supply clean power for 1.5 million homes. But the project is cur-

rently $3.6 billion over budget and almost four years behind the original schedule. In the meantime, customers of Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power already pay a Vogtle-related surcharge that adds about $100 a year to the average residential bill, with the ultimate effect on ratepayers yet to be determined. “We are continuing to work with the project’s co-owners to complete our full-scale schedule and cost-to-complete analysis and will work with the Georgia Public Service Commission to determine the best path forward for our customers,” Bowers said. The addition of two nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle has been beset with cost overruns and delays, a scenario that was further complicated when Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy. Southern Co. CEO Tom Fanning said during last month’s annual shareholders meeting the company likely will decide in August whether to continue or stop the project; and the elected members of the Georgia Public Service Commission eventually will determine the actual construction costs – both environmental and financial — to be taken on by ratepayers.

The DeKalb County Board of Education voted to name an elementary magnet school of technology after the 44th president of the United States: Barack H. Obama. The Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology – administered by Angela Thomas-Bethea; principal; Pamela Wooley and Winfred Watts, assistant principals -- is the first school in Georgia to be named after the former president. “President Obama embodies the values of a strong family, hard work, and education as the means of getting ahead,” said Superintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green. “These values are reflected in the DeKalb County School District and are the keys to college and career readiness.” From August to December, the school was temporarily housed at what was previously Terry Mill Elementary School. The school is currently located at the site of the former Clifton Elementary School, and cost about 23 million dollars to rebuild, DeKalb County School officials say. The new location has a larger capacity for students in 3rd through 5th grades who have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA as well as a strong interest in technology. The fall will be Principal Thomas-Bethea and the students’ first full year in the new location. “We look forward to seeing the progress the school will make in the upcoming year.”

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June 15-21, 2017

NEWS

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BUSINESS

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Rents Out of Reach for Low Income Earners

There is nowhere in the United States where someone working a full-time minimum wage job could afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment, according to an annual report released by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which documented the gap between wages and the cost of rental housing. Downsizing to a one-bedroom will only get you so far on minimum wage. Such housing is affordable in only 12 counties located in Arizona, Oregon and Washington states, according to the report. You would have to earn $17.14 an hour, on average, to be able to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment in a safe area without having to spend more than 30 percent of your income on housing. Make that $21.21 for a two-bedroom home — nearly three times the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The report details how much a household must earn to be able to afford rent in every metropolitan area and county in the country. Renters in the United States make, on average, $16.38 an hour.

5 Ways to turn a ‘No’ Into a ‘Yes’

The minimum hourly wage required to afford rent on a two-bedroom apartment, of course, depends on where you live - ranging from a low of $11.46 in some counties in Georgia to a high of $58.04 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Someone making the federal minimum wage would need to work 117 hours a week — or nearly three full-time jobs — to be able to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Many of the occupations projected to add the most jobs by 2024 pay too little to cover rent. These are customer service representatives, personal care aides, nursing assistants, home health aides, retail salespeople, home health and food service workers who make, on average, between $10 and $16 an hour. Those whose earnings put them below the federal poverty level wouldn’t be able to comfortably afford the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in any state. The national average rent is $892 a month for a modest one-bedroom apartment and $1,103 for a two-bedroom. As a result, more than 11.2 million families end up spending more than half their paychecks on housing, the report said — a trade-off with other basic needs such as food, transportation and medical care. The picture is not expected to improve in the near future as the rental market remains strong and vacancy rates decline. A record 43.3 million households were renters in 2016, a 27 percent increase since 2006, the report said. Household income, meanwhile, has not kept up with the pace of rent increases. Between the 2007 housing crisis and 2015, the average rent in the United States. rose by 6 percent, after adjusting for inflation, while the average household income declined by 4 percent, according to the report, which analyzed Census Bureau data. The National Low Income Housing Coalition characterized the lack of affordable rental housing as a national crisis for poor and middle class Americans of all ethnic groups, in cities as well as rural communities.

By Tiffany Pennamon The saying “You have to fail to win” has been around for decades. However, hearing “No” again and again after pitching a business proposal can become frustrating. Here is an effective list of ways to get potential partners and supporters to say “Yes!”

Need A Work Space? Looking for a creative space to work? Spaces, The Battery, an innovative and inspiring working environment located in The Battery at SunTrust Park opened this week. Home to the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team, The Battery’s vibrant live, work and play streetscape is the energy behind what promises to be a thriving social and professional hub of entertainment and retail. Spaces is a creative working environment with a unique entrepreneurial spirit. Its workspaces offer an inspiring environment designed to integrate lifestyle into work, and members are encouraged to build their networks by initiating new connections in the space. The 49,065-square-foot hub, built around the concept of community and shared ideas, boasts 256 private offices available for rent and three meeting rooms that can be rented by the hour or day by members or community residents. As well, business and networking events will be hosted within the 7,000-square-foot business club just minutes from the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce to further encourage connection and collaboration. At Spaces, The Battery, corporate shak-

Social Media Handles Now Under Scrutiny for Travelers In an apparent attempt to proactively screen for potential terrorists and terrorist activity, the federal government including various customs offices and embassies has begun asking travelers to supply details about their social media handles to include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat and more. The collection of social media data was first proposed by Homeland Security in the summer of 2016. At least one United States Embassy – the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados — has confirmed that it can ask certain visa applications from the Caribbean for their social media handles to include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat and more. In responding to international media reports, the Embassy said the measure was implemented based on a March 6 2017 Memorandum from President Donald Trump. “Certain visa applicants worldwide will be required to provide additional background and identifying information, including their social media handles, if requested by a consular officer during the application process, based on a determination that the applicant’s circumstances warrants enhanced screening,” the Embassy said in its statement. The Embassy made it clear that consular officers will not ask for social media passwords, interact with individuals on social media, or attempt to circumvent their privacy settings. “The same safeguards and confidentiality provisions that already protect a visa appli-

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cant’s personal information will remain in effect for social media handles and all other newly collected information,” it said. Based on international media reports, the Trump administration has rolled out a new questionnaire for U.S. visa applicants worldwide that asks for social media handles for the last five years and biographical information going back 15 years. According to Reuters News Agency, the new questions, part of an effort to tighten vetting of would-be visitors to the United States, was approved on May 23 by the Office of Management and Budget despite criticism from a range of education officials and academic groups during a public comment period. Critics argued that the new questions would be overly burdensome, lead to long delays in processing and discourage international students and scientists from coming to the United States. However, the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean said, “national security is our top priority when adjudicating visa applications”. It noted that “every prospective traveler to the United States undergoes extensive security screening. We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes and to support legitimate travel and immigration to the United States while protecting U.S. citizens.”

June 15-21, 2017

ers, business nomads, freelancers, energetic entrepreneurs, international workers, mobile movers, project teams, start-ups and well-established companies alike are within steps of the newly rebirthed Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre, an iconic venue where you can wind down from a hard day’s work and enjoy a concert or comedy show. Experience an unmatched selection of sensational cuisine from award-winning chefs, including gourmet burgers from the famous Walhburgers restaurant. Whether you’re mind-mapping, meeting or crunching numbers, the designer desks, tables, sofas, super-fast Wi-Fi and informal meeting areas provide the perfect place for every business need. So even if you want a quiet desk Monday to finalize the details of your plan, a large table Tuesday to coordinate with your team, a lunch table Wednesday to meet a new client, and a cozy coffee corner the rest of the week to vet potential candidates — Spaces may be just the space you need.

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It’s not you, it’s me. “If you hear “No” a lot — too much — it is probably a hint that you are doing something wrong.” Instead, try reevaluating your pitch and your product, and get constructive feedback from colleagues. Deal with the objections. Address the five basic obstacles (no need, no money, no hurry, no desire, no trust) before making a pitch. If the prospective client does not have to worry about these obstacles, you are on your way to a “Yes.”

Make it better. Author Jack Canfield says to ask prospects, “Was my proposal a 10? If not, what would it take to make it a 10 for you?”

‘Yes?’

Don’t take it too seriously. Business writer Steve Strauss says, “Having the right attitude about a ‘No’ can really go a long way toward getting more ‘Yeses’. After all, what is a ‘No’ except a prelude to the next

Memberships start at $220 per month. Private offices start at $799 per month.

MARTA Receives National Rail Safety Award

MARTA celebrated top honors for heavy rail safety at the national transportation convention in Baltimore. The American Public Transportation Association recognizes rail systems from across North America for excellence in operations, security and safety for both light and heavy rail services. This year, MARTA received the GOLD Award for Safety in Heavy Rail from APTA which highlights the Authority’s commit-

Get a clue. No doesn’t always mean no. It could mean “Maybe, I’m not sure, or Not right now.” Investigate, do your research, or simply get to know your prospective client more.

ment to performance quality, best practices, and safety standards. Ridership, expanding access, advances in engagement and overall success in helping to improve system safety also factor into the award selection process. “This is a huge honor for MARTA as we continue to work to provide the safest, most affordable transportation option in our region,” said MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker. “This is a well-deserved distinction that truly reflects the efforts of all our employees and confirms what many Georgians already know: MARTA delivers safe, high-quality transit options.” During the 2017 APTA Rail Conference, MARTA’s enhancements in Wayside Access/ Standard Operating Procedures and Right of Way protocol upgrades were also noted as the Authority’s major accomplishments in safety. “MARTA’s success is a reflection of the attention to detail and daily dedication to safety shown by each of our 5,000 employees in providing the essential services that the entire Atlanta region depends on,” said Elayne Berry, MARTA AGM of Safety & Quality Assurance.

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POLITICS

June 15-21, 2017

Stacey Abrams Resigns as House Minority Leader

House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams of Atlanta announced in an emailed statement to colleagues that she would leave her leadership post as leader of the House Democratic Caucus in the state Capitol – a post that she’s held since 2010. “As I pursue my bid for Governor of Georgia, the Caucus will be best served by a leader for whom the Caucus is the central focus.” Abrams sited efforts to fend off “Republican attempts to gain a super-majority by winning six GOP seats since redistricting in 2011,” and the impact of the investment in year-round staff in engaging constituents, recruiting candidates, winning seats and growing Democratic margins in the state. Abrams touted house minority led initiatives like A Promise Kept military bills, advocacy for the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Expansion, and the legislative strategy that secured $100M for transit. She also highlighted her collaborative efforts to support budget allocations, deliver on bills for education, rural economic development, tax policy, criminal justice and environmental protection. Since becoming minority leader, Abrams has led the Caucus to a revenue-positive position for the entirety of her tenure, including more than $2.7M in direct investment, which helped lead the effort to win races, flip several counties and boost Democratic turnout across the state. Abrams stated she would leave her leadership post effective July 1, 2017.

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ATLANTA DAILY WORLD

June 15-21, 2017

City of Atlanta Launches New ATLPlus Parking Program The City of Atlanta this week announced that SP Plus Corporation (SP+), a leader in parking management, ground transportation and ancillary services, will begin managing the City’s on-street parking program, ATLPlus. The municipal division of SP+ will provide parking enforcement, meter maintenance, collection and citation processing services. “The City of Atlanta is pleased to announce the launch of a new, customer-based parking experience with ATLPlus,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “With the addition of upgraded equipment and integration of smartphone apps, ATLPlus will minimize the time it takes for residents and visitors to safely and legally park their vehicles. In addition, customers will now have an opportunity to dispute tickets through an administrative review process. We are confident that SP Plus will bring a new level of experience and service to parking in our city.” For the first time, ATLPlus will allow customers up to 14 days to contest a citation online, in person or by mail. Each contested citation will be reviewed by the Department of Public Works’ Administrative Review Process. The purpose of this process will be to determine if the citation is valid or invalid. This will provide increased oversight of SP+ and rapid feedback regarding the validity of a parking citation. Administrative reviews will be conducted by specially trained staff in the Department of Public Works and within

IF YOU WANT A TESTED LEADER WHO WILL FIGHT FOR GEORGIA JOBS,

ELECT KAREN HANDEL.

15 business days each contested citation will be reviewed and individuals will be notified of the validity of their parking citation. SP+ will upgrade the City’s 2,400 metered parking spaces—ultimately, providing residents and visitors with a state-of-the-art smart parking system. Immediate upgrades include the conversion to a program using license plate r e c o g n i t i o n technology for enforcement. Over the coming

months, SP+ plans to meet with neighborhood stakeholders to discuss the impact of the new program, enhanced customer service and operational efficiency. “We are excited to have earned the City’s trust to make needed improvements to this valuable public service. Our objective will be to enhance the parking experience for customers by deploying new equipment while our staff maintains the southern hospitality for which Atlanta is known,” said Thomas Hagerman, executive vice president for SP Plus. “We’re excited about the enhanced benefits customers can expect from ATLPlus,” said Department of Public Works Commissioner William Johnson. “The City’s new parking program is designed to enhance the customer parking experience, and users will benefit from the convenient payment options and the technological and safety improvements.”

Karen has the experience to deliver results for Georgia, having served as: Georgia’s Secretary of State Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners P resident of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce

Karen Handel has a proven record of: Balancing budgets Cutting taxes Pushing back against overregulation Helping Georgia’s small businesses grow and create good-paying jobs [Source:

e Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 1/22/04]

Color of Change PAC reaches out to black voters in text drive Black voters could be the deciding factor in whether or not Democrat Jon Ossoff wins a historic election victory in Georgia’s 6th Congressional district this month. The district is more than 13 percent Black, and with Ossoff falling just 2 percentage points short of an absolute majority in the primary, Color of Change PAC — the political action committee of Color of Change — believes Black voters could make all the difference. The nation’s largest online racial justice group is engaging Black voters in the 6th District through an innovative platform in which volunteers across the country can text voters directly. During the primary, COC PAC was able to reach over 16,000 voters with this model, and for the runoff the organization is aiming to reach more than 50,000 voters, which could increase the Black share of the electorate to over 8 percent — a 12 percent increase from 2010. CoC PAC has employed a host of strategies to support Democrate Jon Ossoff including: •Partnering with Planned Parenthood to host a text-athon — a party where volunteers are trained on texting voters and spend an afternoon or evening doing voter outreach — in the district on June 17. •Distributing voter guides that explain why Ossoff is the right choice for Black voters. •Doing outreach at a Trap Karaoke event in Atlanta. “Our work isn’t just about electing the best possible candidate — though the stakes are especially high for every election in this political climate. It’s about building independent

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Black political power, that’s separate from any one candidate or party,” said Rashad Robinson, spokesperson for Color Of Change PAC. “Rather than just stumping for candidates who forget about us after election day, we’re focused on accountability and results—ensuring that the needs of our community remain an urgent priority for elected officials during their entire term in office. And we’re doing that with a Black-led organizing platform that not only gets folks out to the polls, but keeps them involved in organizing. Our members connected with more than 15,000 Black voters in the primary election, and we’re looking to reach over 50,000 by June 20.” On June 7, while Ossoff and Republican candidate Karen Handel debated, the PAC hosted a text-a-thon in Atlanta with 60,000 texts transmitted to Black voters in the district reminding them to vote on June 20th. “If we can raise $25,000, we’ll be able to host several in-person text-a-thons in Georgia. This will cover the cost of the venue, food for volunteers, trainings, and the technology needed to contact Black voters. Your contribution ensures that we’re able to text 50 percent of all Black voters in this congressional district before election day,” PAC officials said on the group’s advertising page. The winner of Georgia’s 6th Congressional District special election would replace Tom Price, who vacated the seat after he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as secretary of health and human services in February. Color Of Change PAC is a Political Action Committee focused on building independent Black political power, amplifying Black voices, electing candidates who share our values, and holding them accountable to our communities.

ilies, for us, for our fam g in ht ﬁg of rd co Karen has a re jobs. On June es and for Georgia ss ne si bu l ca lo r for ou al deal! vote. She is the re y m t go s n’ re Ka , the 20th ny Isakson – U.S. Senator John

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JUNE 20TH: VOTE KAREN HANDEL SHE’S ONE OF US!

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LIFESTYLE

June 15-21, 2017

Michael Vick, Roddy White Retire as Falcons By Taylor Lee The Falcons held a retirement ceremony for former quarterback Michael Vick and Roddy White to commemorate their time as Falcons. “I’m here today as a retired Atlanta Falcon, and I can live with that forever and will forever be grateful,” Vick said. Vick played 13 seasons in the National Football League, but his career highs happened during his run as quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons from 2001 – 2006; winning four Pro Bowls as quarterback along the way. In 2007, Vick was removed from the Falcons’ roster after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges involving dog-fighting financing and execution. He served 18 months in a federal prison in Kansas. Upon being released from prison, Vick went on to play for the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Vick’s public displays of support of the Falcons during their journey to the 2017 Super Bowl paralleled his story of redemption. White played 10 seasons with the Falcons before getting cut in 2016. The four-time Pro Bowler joined Johns Creek High School’s coaching staff this season. He’s the Falcons all-time leading receiver with 10,863 yards. He had 63 touchdown receptions in his career. The ceremony recognized the contributions and impact both former Falcons made to the organization and the city of Atlanta. “We consider all former Falcons to be Falcons for life, and part of our family,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. “Both men have made a huge impact on my family, our franchise and this city and we are thrilled to be able to honor both Roddy and Michael’s wishes to retire as Falcons, and celebrate their careers.”

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An Artful Welcome Start making memories in ATL before even leaving the airport. Loupe, the innovative art-streaming platform that has taken the number one lifestyle app spot in the Apple Store in 35 countries, now has a presence in the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport arrivals terminal. This summer from June until August travelers will be able to experience a curated collection highlighting artwork from Atlanta natives. Loupe’s Airport Art Installation aims to bring a sense of tranquility to the chaos of what is known as the busiest arrivals termi-

nal in the world. Work from artists including Alea Hurst, Khalilah Birdsong, and DL Warfield will help travelers escape from the stressful airport hustle and bustle to a unique and serene environment. Loupe’s installation will completely transform the arrivals terminal into a virtual art gallery, making the baggage claim process an enjoyable and memorable activity. There’s no better way for visitors to be welcomed to the city than by Atlanta’s most talented artists and an art experience unlike any other.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Grammy Award Winner Cece Winans’ Fall in Love Tour Stops in Atlanta Ten-time Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum-selling artist CeCe Winans will follow her recently released number one album “Let Them Fall In Love,” with a national tour. The Fall In Love Tour presented by Medi-Share is Winans’ first solo tour in a decade and will make a stop in Atlanta June 23. Winans is the best-selling and most-awarded female gospel artist of all time and is credited as one of the most accomplished and celebrated women in modern music history. Her current release ‘Let Them Fall In Love’ (released via Puresprings Gospel/Thirty Tigers last month) has been both critically and consumer acclaimed. Photo by Jeremy Cowart

Virtuoso reveals top destinations and best tips insider tips for seamless summer vacations

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A new survey by international luxury travel agency network Virtuoso unveiled this summer’s must-visit recommendations from professional travel advisors as well as insider tips on how to successfully manage trips during the busy season. A survey conducted by the agency revealed its agents’ favorite worldwide destinations for this summer and the love for Europe endures. This is the ideal time to venture to the continent due to the low euro for experiences like a river cruise down the Danube where tuckedaway villages and historic highlights converge in countries such as Hungary, Austria and Germany. Portugal, a less crowded and more affordable option than other Western European destinations and Iceland, an emerging locale popular for its adventure and family travel opportunities are interesting options. For travelers planning on staying closer to home, Virtuoso’s expert advisors’ picks for U.S. destinations this summer included the national parks, especially in the West such Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion and Bryce Canyon. Looking for an out-of-the-box alternative? Ski destinations such as Park City, Utah or Aspen feature exceptional deals on accommodations during the off-season. Northern Michigan is also on the radar for its scenic parks and lakes, as well as resort communities such as Mackinac Island, and Maine, with its beaches, recreational opportunities and quaint towns is top of the list.

Tips for optimal travel during the busy summer season: • Plan ahead to secure the best airfares and avoid squeezing in a last-minute trip during August before school starts, as this is the busiest time. In fact, it is not too early to start thinking about summer 2018 travel. • Stay in the least expensive room in the best hotel, and enjoy the enhanced service, amenities and overall experience at a better price point. • Allow a minimum of two hours between connecting flights. The extra layover time may help you make your plane if summer storms wreak havoc on airline schedules. • Seek off-the-beaten-path destinations for better value and fewer crowds. • Arrive at the airport a minimum of an hour before boarding, not an hour before departure. This is a newer rule and should be heeded during the busy summer season. • Splurge on a hotel that is closer to the sights and activities you have planned. It will save you precious time and travel costs. • Book economy seats, but use miles to upgrade to business class. • Arrive at your hotel at check-in time (3:00 pm). You will have more options available then to change your room than later in the day after more guests have arrived.

The album debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Chart. The eighth of 10 siblings in the revered Detroit-based Winans family, CeCe Winans became a prominent contemporary gospel artist through performances and recordings with brother BeBe. As a duo, BeBe and CeCe proved to be the most commercially successful of the numerous Winans groupings. Their first album, “Lord Lift Us Up,” was released in 1984. In the mid- ‘90s, CeCe began her solo career – releasing “Alone in His Presence” in 1995. By the end of the ‘90s, she had a handful of RIAA gold and platinum certifications, as well as eight Dove Awards. In addition to heavy airplay across Urban Adult Contemporary, AAA, and Non Comm radio stations, her recent project’s first single “Never Have to Be Alone,” landed in the Top 5 on the Hot Gospel Songs. “I’m looking forward to my upcoming Falling In Love tour! I’m excited about sharing love and joy through my music,” said Winans. “We are honored to partner with Grammy-award winning Christian artist, CeCe Winans,” said Christian Care Ministry CEO, Ted Squires. “As the best-selling female gospel artist of all time, CeCe has touched hearts and changed lives with her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. What a privilege to stand beside her as she shares her heart and passion with audiences during her “Fall In Love” tour, featuring songs from her latest album.” For ticket information, visit www.cecewinans.com.

June 15-21, 2017

Can You Work It? By Tra’Keiyah Carter The Queen of Rap & Hip-Hop, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott held an open casting call for an upcoming project in Atlanta, taking to Twitter just days before and calling for all dancers and “tricksters” ages 16 and older. The specific instructions: Be at Dance 411, one of Atlanta’s most elite dance studios, at 8 p.m. sharp. By 6 p.m., lines were wrapped around the building and spilling into the streets. Although a frenzy was predicted, the turnout was more than anticipated. Three hours into registration, notable choreographers, Sean Bankhead and Dante Corde’, had to move the gathering outside where they taught the choreography in large groups to Missy’s singles “WTF” and “Get Your Freak On.” Mykenzie Shephard, a Warner Robins native and recent Houston County High School graduate, was amongst the few to arrive as early as 4 p.m. and was able to learn the choreography indoors as well as audition in front of Missy Elliott herself. “The experience was very fun, hectic, and wild. I would definitely do it again,” says Shephard, who waited for 11 hours. Auditions continued up until 5 a.m. the next morning, giving everyone in attendance an opportunity to be seen. It’s been a while since the “Work It” and “I’m Better” rapper has hosted open auditions. While details of the project have not yet been disclosed, it’s confirmed Missy will be headlining the FYF Festival next month in Los Angeles, alongside singer Frank Ocean and others.

Old Art Ordinance Presents New Thorn For City’s Artists Bill Duke Follows Up Dark Girls The City of Atlanta recently began enforcing a mural ordinance, calling on local artists and business owners to get their works of art that are displayed on private owned property — not work on city buildings or in parks — approved by the city, or risk citation or their erasure. Per the ordinance, future public art will also have to undergo a cumbersome approval process, including getting a greenlight from the Office of Transportation, the Urban Design Commission, the Office of Cultural Affairs, City Council and the mayor. Artists who don’t comply with the approval process may face criminal prosecution. A group of other artists and business owners sued the city in response. The complaint contends that the ordinance is unconstitutional, and violates the plaintiffs’ freedom of speech and expression. “[City officials will be] picking and choosing what kinds of topics can occur in the public sphere and public debate,” said Gerry Weber, Atlanta-based an attorney who filed on behalf of the artists, says, “and governments aren’t supposed to do that.” In fact, after consulting with various arts organizations across the country that regulate art on private property, Weber concluded that “almost all the cities have regulations about art on public property, public sponsorship of art, that kind of thing, which makes total sense. But the regulation of art on private property? Other cities don’t do it.”

With Legal Thriller

According to the suit, the criteria “are vague, overbroad, and convey standardless discretion to numerous officials.” Additionally, no parameters, to date, exist which govern the approval timeline for artists. While the context and circumstances surrounding the city’s renewed interest in enforcing its public art ordinance is unclear, since it’s occurring four months after Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed proposed a dedicated funding stream to help local artists. A city spokesperson

said: “The City is currently negotiating with the plaintiffs in this dispute to resolve the matter in a manner that is favorable to all … the City recognizes the importance of public art and artistic expression. The City has no plans to remove any existing art work on June 9 or on any other date.”

It’s been six years since famed actor/director Bill Duke stunned audiences with his shocking documentary, “Dark Girls.” He returns with the same impact and controversy through “Created Eqaul” - an independently produced legal thriller, which will be featured as a “World Premiere” during the American Black Film Festival. In a world where gender equality remains a critical issue, this controversial film, doesn’t set out to challenge the Catholic Church doctrine, but asks a very modern question... should women be allowed into seminaries to study for priesthood? “Created Equal is a film that gives you a voyeur experience into the stained glass ceiling that exists in the Catholic Church and asks the question about women being allowed into seminaries without actually taking sides,” shares Bill Duke. “We are so excited that the American Black Film Festival has officially selected our film as a world premiere and look forward to the conversation that is created around this highly debated topic.” The film stars Broadway actor and singer Aaron Tveit (Grease Live!) Latina actress Edy Ganem (Devious Maids), Yohance Myles (Shots Fired), veteran actors Lou Diamond Phillips (Longmire) and GregAlan Williams (Greenleaf).

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June 15-21, 2017

GUEST COMMENTARY

by Armstrong Williams

by Rushern Baker

Bill Maher, the N-word and How He Betrayed Black Intellectuals When considering the implications of Bill Maher’s latest antics, it is important to level set. Maher has, over the years, become the trusted media host for Black left-wing intellectuals. His roster of guests includes a Who’s Who of the Black intelligentsia; luminaries from old stalwart Cornel West to MSNBC host Joy Reid and others have been regular guests over the years. So, given this history it would seem surprising that Maher would so readily toss his friends under the bus by his casual on-air use of the n-word. But if one really considers Bill Maher and his history, a more complicated story emerges. Maher is a liberal prognosticator who exhibits a pretense of tolerance and open-mindedness—thereby giving him comedic license to offend. Maher’s latest missive — responding to Senator Ben Sasses’ exhortation to engage in grass roots ‘field’ political organizing in Nebraska with the dismissive remark, ‘Senator, I’m a house n***er,’—is not surprising. But the remark was so out of context that it could not have been anything other than a strategically-timed joke — one that unfortunately missed the mark. Bill Maher Read in the context of Maher’s irreverent stance on many issues — it seems that the use of the n-word was meant to remind Black liberal intellectuals that they are the wholly-owned property of the liberal elite. It was an open admission of something conservatives have noted all along — Black intellectuals do not have an actual ownership stake of the liberal establishment, but in fact serve at the pleasure and whim of the liberal wing of the Democratic Party. Whether Maher, a 61 year-old White guy who has been employed by HBO for the past 14 years, actually considers himself a ‘house negro’ is not what’s significant here. He, in fact, may identify his job with that of a wellkept slave on the media plantation. That Maher chose to use the n-word on his ‘scripted’ talk show (deceptively named ‘Real Time’) was undoubtedly a calculated act. This was probably not the first time Maher has used the ‘n-word’ in the presence of African Americans — he probably believes that since he allows many of them to come on to his show and debate, and that he sticks up for them against the various conservative ‘straw boogeymen’ whom he constructs for dramatic effect, he therefore has earned license to use the term. Maher didn’t ask any Black person for such license of course, yet he assumed it, in the storied tradition of liberal arrogance and privilege of which he is a proud descendant.

It goes without saying that the n-word is a vulgar, disgusting term, with a history fraught with pain. As someone who grew up in the deep South at a time when many parents and relatives were openly and customarily called the ‘n-word’ by Whites, they know first-hand how hurtful it is. The word is an obscene smear created for the specific purpose of putting Black people in their place — relegating them to second-class citizenship, and alerting the intended victim that he is less than human. I have personally never used the term (nor any form of obscenity), and regard it as one of the most abhorrent terms in the English language. I don’t like it when Black entertainers use it, and I certainly don’t like it when Whites use it either — no matter what their so-called liberal bona fides. I believe the word has no place in public discourse, much less in the enlightened sphere of intellectual debate. Curiously, the reaction among Black intellectuals to Bill Maher’s verbal attack has been typically passive. They seem to have taken it on the chin and let him off the hook. No one has seriously demanded Maher’s resignation from HBO, and there has been no organized boycott of his sponsors at the network. Can you imagine the reaction if a conservative host on Fox News or any conservative media channel was caught using the n-word? The Black community would be in total uproar, on the warpath, seeking blood, guts and retribution. And yet we’ve heard barely a peep from the Black intellectual elite that polices conservatives’ speech like a mall cop on steroids. The reason Black intellectuals won’t challenge Maher — and the reason he still has a show after the ‘n-word’ incident — is because they can’t. Maher is smart. He calculates that he can get away with a lot more offense now that Trump is in the White House. With a guy like Trump on the other side of the street, he reasons, where are Black folks going to go? They have no choice but to stay on the liberal plantation, no matter how much abuse the liberal elite heaps on them. Sadly, Maher’s cynical calculus seems to be correct. Now that he has gotten away with it, Maher’s behavior, despite his tepid apology, is likely to get worse, not better. In the meantime, Black intellectuals will undoubtedly accept these betrayals as the so-called ‘price of progress.’ They will lie to themselves and justify such open racism, because, at the end of the day, they think it preferable to be kept on at the Democratic plantation than to leave and have to face big, bad Donald Trump on their own.

Making the Case for Investing in HBCUs UNCF’s iconic, “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” advertising campaign remains the gold-standard for shining light on the urgency of investing in Black colleges and universities. No nation, the stories in the campaign reminded us, can be great if it leaves behind a large portion of its residents. More than 40 years later, the need for sustained investment in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) remains as great as ever. With the change in presidential administrations, HBCUs have once again returned to the national conversation, with some openly questioning the need for such institutions, particularly in the face of advances over the past several decades. The conversation is not new and the answer has not changed. We need HBCU’s to continue to exist and they need all of us helping to support their coffers and make the case to decision-makers about the continued value they provide. HBCUs represent only three percent of all two- and four-year U.S. colleges and universities, but they enroll 10 percent of all African American undergraduates. They produce 17 percent of all African American college graduates and generate 24 percent of all bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields earned by African Americans annually, according to UNCF’s Patterson Research Institute. Part of the reason is that Black graduates of HBCUs are significantly more likely to have felt supported while in college, according to 2015 data from an ongoing Gallup-Purdue University study. But statistics are only part of the story. HBCUs have produced influential Americans including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, filmmaker Spike Lee, Oprah Winfrey and many other business, civic leaders and entrepreneurs.

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On campuses around the nation, parents beamed last month as newly minted graduates of HBCUs set out to make names for themselves and to fulfill their dreams. At Howard University, my alma mater, I witnessed U.S. Senator Kamala Harris remind graduates that the world will not always be welcoming and that they have a duty to serve. “That is your duty — the duty of your degree,” Harris said. “That is the charge of a Howard graduate. So whatever you plan to do next — whether you want to design the latest app or cure cancer or run a business. Whether you’re going to be a dentist, a lawyer, a teacher, or an accountant — let your guiding principle be truth and service. At a time when there are Americans — disproportionately Black and brown men trapped in a broken system of mass incarceration... peak truth — and serve.” It is advice that we should also — no matter our age — aspire to. And one truth is surely that the nation’s HBCUs are as relevant and necessary now as when some of them were founded over 150 years ago. These institutions were an antidote to the racist policies that, in some cases, banned educating Black students. At a time where college costs are going up, and attacks on Black students on predominantly White campuses are on the rise, the need for Black colleges is greater than ever. As a government, we have to continue to ensure that funding is there to keep this pipeline going. And as private citizens, we have to open our wallets to ensure the long-term viability of the institutions that are working for us and our communities. Rushern Baker, a graduate of Howard University, is the county executive in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

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June 15-21, 2017

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD

Bring it to the table.

The food, the stories, the same old jokes and games. All the year’s happenings. Everyone and everything. Bring it all, because that’s what family is about. And this wouldn’t be a reunion without it.

Learn how Publix can help make it a family reunion to remember at publix.com/familyreunion.

Black men struggle with masculinity so much. The idea that we must always be strong presses us all down. It keeps us from growing. -Childish Gambino

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