The Atlanta Voice E-Edition 011725 by theatlantavoice633

the Dream

The late Civil Rights Leader, Pastor, author, orator, father, and husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is Jan. 15. The Atlanta native and Morehouse College alumnus would have been 96 years old this year. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Fitness on the Field is back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Events taking place on Martin Luther King Jr Day

The annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr is approaching, and The Atlanta Voice has curated a list of events people can take part in for the special occasion.

MLK Day events taking place in Metro Atlanta:

1. Ebenezer Baptist Church 2024 Community Commemorative Service (Monday, Jan. 18)

Information: Join Ebenezer Baptist Church for their 2024 community commemorative service to celebrate and remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Guests will enjoy a beautiful service alongside keynote speaker Rev. Shavon Arlene-Bradley

Address: Ebenezer Baptist Church, 101 Jackson St. NE, Atlanta

Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

2. MLK Day 5K Let Freedom Run (Monday, Jan. 20)

Information: This 5K walk/run will take place entirely on New Peachtree Road. The FLAT & FAST out & back USATF certified race course and Peachtree Road Race qualifier will have a 3.1-mile drumline all along the racecourse. This 5K will have a vibe like no race ever run. The party starts at 8am. This is a unique event that allows participants to register their school PTA, Church, or other organization to receive proceeds from MLKDAY5K.

Address: 5935 New Peachtree Road, Doraville (The Doraville MARTA Station is across the street)

Time: Drum Run Starts 9 a.m.

3. Empowered Voices: MLK Day at MODA (Monday, Jan. 20)

Information: Join MODA and Black Voters Matter (BVM) for a special day of community, creativity, and civic engagement as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. This free-admission event is sponsored by Black Voters Matter and marks the final day to experience CHARACTERS: Type in Action, an exhibition that explores typography as a tool for social justice.

Address: Museum of Design Atlanta, 1315 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta

Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

4. Interfaith Children’s Movement MLK Day Parade (Monday, Jan. 20)

Information: Join ICM for Atlanta's Annual King Day Parade on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. March and stand up for children. Close the parade at the “Have a Heart Legislative Writing Party” and send a message to leg-

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s work as a human rights activist and purveyor of justice and fairness for all is celebrated the world

native son has several streets named for him around the country, and he remains a symbol of peace worldwide.

Atlanta Voice

islators imploring them to prioritize child well-being in Georgia.

Address: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Visitor Center, 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta

Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

5. Children’s Museum of Atlanta MLK Weekend Events (Jan. 18 – Jan. 20)

Information: From Jan. 18 – 20, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta will host a plethora of events for kids. The events are going to be a way for kids to learn about Martin Luther King Jr., his message of hope and acceptance, and more with fun activities with the National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Markell Williams.

Address: 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta

For more information, visit https://childrensmuseumatlanta.org/programs/martinluther-king-jr/

over. Atlanta’s

Photos by Kerri Phox/The

Georgia’s Black women unite under the Gold Dome

BY DONNELL SUGGS

Former Georgia State representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler stood in front of dozens of women, each dressed in matching brown t-shirts. Dawkins-Haigler, who knows her way around the Georgia State Capitol after serving District 91, stepped to the microphone and said she was excited to be there with the other women because “God has assembled this for such a day like this.” Dawkins-Haigler, a radio talk show host on local radio station 1380 WAOK, said, “No longer will we take a second seat to anybody.”

The Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable (GBWR), an arm of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, gathered on the south wing steps of the Georgia Capitol on Monday morning with several general issues in mind. On a day when dozens of organizations and hundreds of elected officials were to be downtown pining to be heard, the GBWR wanted to make sure their voices were also heard.

There are only 40 days (through late March/early April) to decide on the state’s annual operating budget and to propose state laws by the Georgia’s legislature, which is led by the Republican Party, and is one of the largest legislative bodies in the country. On Monday the House representatives voted 153-27 in favor of electing Republican Jon Burns as its speaker for the 2025-26 session.

“I am incredibly confident in each member of this body and our ability to pass measures to make Georgia better,” Burns said following the vote and being escorted back onto the House floor by a committee of his peers. “It’s a great day to be in Georgia and an even greater day to be a Georgian.”

Downstairs during the vote, the Black organizations in attendance at the press conference wanted to voice their opinions on how to make it a better day to be a Black woman, mother, business owner, parent, and voter in Georgia. The groups, some of whom wore sorority gear, while others carried other t-shirts and even a coffee mug that read “Rent Control,” used the first day of the legislative session to put a spotlight on a report compiled by the GBWR highlighting concerns and challenges facing Black Georgians. Some of the issues in the report involved education, mental health initiatives, voting rights concerns, Project 2025, one of the more polarizing topics throughout the most recent presidential campaign, and Black women’s entrepreneurship. The press conference, which lasted less than 20 minutes and featured three speakers, took place minutes after the National Anthem during the opening minutes of Monday’s opening session.

National Council of Negro Women National Chair Dr. A. Lois Keith opened with talking points about why the women were gathering in such a manner for the first time at the State Capitol. Dr. Darlene McGhee Whittington, the National President of Jack and Jill, Inc., also took a turn telling the crowd at the inaugural meeting in the State Capitol, “We

are here today to stand in solidarity with our sisters.”

There was no mention of whether other meetings similar to this one would take place again during the 2025 session, but the image of dozens of Black women crowding the South steps was new for the legislative session, and according to Dawkins-Haigler, it could not have come sooner.

“We don’t want not one Black woman left behind,” said Dawkins-Haigler. “This is our moment, this is our time. Black women are here, and

are here to stay.”

The Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable (GBWR), an arm of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, gathered alongside supporters of other Black interest groups at the South Steps inside the Georgia State Capitol on Monday, January 13, 2025. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/ The Atlanta Voice

Linda Jordan (above) wore her Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable t-shirt to the State Capitol for the gathering. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

A supporter (above) of the Georgia Black Women’s Roundtable shows off her “rent Control” mug inside the Georgia State Capitol on Monday morning, the first day of the 2025 legislative session. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

“If you don’t understand yourself, you don’t understand anybody else.”— Nikki Giovanni

As Dr. King once asked, where do we go from here?

BY CHARLENE CROWELL

The year 2025 marks the nation’s 39th observance of a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ironically, the still-beloved minister and martyr was only 39 years old age when an assassin’s bullet took his life on April 4, 1968.

While many will rightly recall his valiant civil rights activism, his equally vigilant call for economic justice remains as urgent today as it was decades ago.

Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s fourth and final book was published in 1967 after a decade of activism that led to the enactment of federal laws on civil rights (1964), and voting rights (1965). Despite notable and significant victories, he wrote of the unfinished journey that America still faced, and was morally-bound to pursue.

“There is nothing to prevent us from paying adequate wages to schoolteachers, social workers and other servants of the public to ensure that we have the best available personnel in these positions which are charged with the responsibility of guiding our future generations,” wrote Dr. King.

“Let us be dissatisfied until America will no longer have high blood pressure of creeds and an anemia of deeds. Let us be dissatisfied until the tragic walls that separate the outer city of wealth and comfort from the inner city of poverty and despair shall be crushed by the battering rams of the fires of justice.”

Multiple and recent research reports highlight in precise terms many of the ways Black America remains economically shortchanged. Across the country, local communities continue to struggle with the still-rising costs of housing and homelessness. In 2024, about 23 of every 10,000 people in the United States – experienced homelessness in an emergency shelter, safe haven, transitional housing program, or in unsheltered locations across the country, according to the most recent report by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Further, although Blacks comprise just 12 percent of the nation’s population, and 21 percent of the country’s poor, we bear a disproportionate 32 percent of all people experiencing homelessness.

In times past, America’s homeless were frequently veterans. But in the past year, children under the age of 18 represented a 33 percent increase in homelessness, the single largest surge, while that of veterans dropped by eight percent, according to HUD.

“Sadly, we know exactly how we got here”, said Congresswoman Maxine Waters in reaction to the disturbing findings. “For decades, a lack of investment in affordable housing has forced countless families out of their homes and onto the streets. This is a crisis in every county and city across America, whether they be rural, urban, or suburban communities.”

For generations of Black Americans, higher education has long been viewed as a ladder away from poverty. But today, millions who dedicated time and energies in pursuit of higher education remain mired in unsustainable and long-term debt. Among Black college graduates, the detrimental effects of historic economic disparities are particularly severe for those who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“Paying from the Grave”: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Alumni and the Burden of Student Loan Debt, a 2022 report by the Center for Responsible Lending tracked nagging and extensive economic hardships borne from heavy student debt.

“Representing only 3 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities, HBCUs enroll 9 percent of all Black students and award 13 percent of all bachelor’s degrees earned by Black students,” states the report.

“HBCU graduates are more likely to use loans to pay for college and to borrow greater amounts than non-HBCU graduates,” the report continues. “Taking on a large debt at an early age impacts lifetime earnings and generational wealth by delaying or preventing the opportunity to buy a home, start a business, or invest in retirement, thereby widening the racial wealth gap.”

Unfortunately, Black America’s saga with student debt extends into the older years of many consumers, according to the New York Federal Reserve Bank. Its analysis of indebtedness by generation showed although borrowers ages 35 to 49 ($635 billion) and those ages 25 to 34 ($490 billion) held the highest debt in dollars, significant billion-dollar debt was still owed by borrowers ages 50 to 61 ($284.5 billion), and 62 and

older ($116 billion).

This high level of debt that extends over multiple decades makes building wealth or some measure of financial stability that much harder for Black America. As this column recently reported, a report by the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) detailed how owning a home – the nation’s most reliable building-block to wealth – shortchanges Black America yet again. In fact, the 400 wealthiest Americans control the same wealth as all 48 million Blacks.

These and other contemporary economic challenges were prophetically championed by Dr. King.

“When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people the giant triplets of racism, economic exploitation and militarism are incapable of being conquered,” Dr. King foretold in a speech entitled, The Three Evils of Society.

“A civilization can flounder as readily in the face of moral bankruptcy as it can through financial bankruptcy.”

In a few weeks, Congress must wrestle with both a recurring debt limit and budget priorities as authorization on each face a ticking time clock.

“Freedom is not won by a passive acceptance of suffering,” wrote Dr. King in his final book. “Freedom is won by a struggle against suffering. By this measure, Negroes have not yet paid the full price for freedom. And whites have not yet faced the full cost of justice.”

Amen, Dr. King.

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

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Spiritually Speaking: Sin Manager

BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON

The Atlanta Voice

How do you master sin? Is sin for you not sin for me? What are the consequences of sin, or is it just a set of rules that someone down through history decided were moral conditions needed to keep society in check? I mean, is it not true that the culture and customs of a particular nation might make the stomachs of those in a different country turn inside out?

There are sins of the flesh as well as sins of the spirit. However, there seems to be universal acceptance of what is moral and immoral. As many people would agree with this, some believe ‘it’s yo thang…do what you wanna do.’But isn’t morality a barometer for sin? Aren’t there rules for the ages that are etched in stone and never change?

There have been countless volumes of faith and dialogue devoted to Jesus’ blood contract with us that, in fact, freed us from our sins.“…and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the

“To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood…” Revelation 1:5

firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood…” Revelation 1:5.

It shouldn’t be complicated, but it appears that living morally, righteously, and between the lines is a struggle matched only by understanding the meaning of life itself. This is hard, I know, but is it worth it?

I don’t know about you, but the struggle to live without sin is a recognized and acknowledged impossibility. The beauty of this is that God is a God of another chance. The key once again is attitude, yours, not God’s. That attitude will eventually dictate the outcome. If it is God-centered, if

it is truly controlled by a sense of humility and vulnerability in relation to God, if remorse is real, then perhaps mercy will be forthcoming. With the right attitude, then, in relation to the desired outcome, sins can be mastered. Confess them. Yeah, that’s right! Confess them to God. You see, confession to God is not like any other confession. Lying ain’t happening to God because truth can’t hide, won’t hide from you or the Lord.“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteous.” 1 John 1:8-9.

The outcome, if we can com -

prehend it, is eternal life, which requires faith, belief, and a daily resolve to choose against sin in the name of the Lord. If you believe this life is all there is, I might understand deliberate sinful pursuits. If you believe in more, then the sinful mistakes are just those mistakes made not in the name of the Lord.“But if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:1. From time to time, Jesus deserves a break. His birthday might be a good place for us to start. It’s not that hard in reality to get the outcome you want. Remember the rules really are etched in stone.

May God bless and keep you always.

This column is from James Washington’s Spiritually Speaking: Reflections for and from a New Christian. You can purchase this enlightening book on Amazon and start your journey toward spiritual enlightenment.

Ensuring Maternal Health: Why Georgia’s Medicaid Changes Threaten Black Pregnant Women

BY LAWRENCE JONES II, PH.D

Georgia stands at a crucial crossroads, with recent decisions regarding Medicaid managed care contracts potentially endangering the lives of its Black pregnant women. These changes, if implemented, will not only disrupt established healthcare relationships but could also exacerbate already critical disparities in maternal health—a pressing issue that demands our immediate attention and action.

As a healthcare professional, I work tirelessly to champion equitable maternal health policies and to ensure that every Black woman has the care and resources needed for a safe and healthy maternity experience.

Georgia faces a severe maternal health crisis, with maternal mortality rates nearly twice the national average. For Black women, these rates soar even higher, highlighting systemic inequalities that persist in our healthcare system. Black women in Georgia are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts. These statistics are not just numbers; they represent mothers, daughters, and communities suffering from preventable tragedies due to a lack of adequate care.

Medicaid is a lifeline for pregnant wom-

Submitted

en in Georgia, providing essential health coverage and services that ensure safe pregnancies and deliveries. However, the Georgia Medicaid administration’s decision to award new contracts to unqualified managed care organizations threatens to sever this lifeline. The proposed contracts could dismantle existing care networks meticulously developed to serve Black communities, cutting ties with experienced providers who understand and address cultural and health-specific needs.

Switching providers during such a sensi-

tive period is not merely an inconvenience; it is a potential catastrophe. Continuity of care is vital, particularly for expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies or those with pre-existing health conditions. Established relationships between patients and healthcare providers foster trust and lead to better health outcomes—a trust that risks being broken by transitioning to new, inexperienced organizations.

The decision to proceed with these contracts disregards the network adequacy required to meet the needs of vulnerable Georgians, including Black pregnant women. The proposed new providers lack adequate healthcare networks and cultural competency, essential factors in delivering effective and compassionate care. Without immediate action to reconsider these awards, more than 1.17 million Georgia Families members face uncertainty in accessing their health services.

The procurement process must be reconsidered with a specific focus on safeguarding the health and well-being of Black pregnant women. We need leaders, influencers, and advocates to champion this cause and demand that Georgia's healthcare decisions prioritize health equity and maternal safety. Failure to do so could not only worsen health disparities but also erode public trust in a system that is meant to protect our most vulnerable.

Championing Maternal Health

Georgia’s Black communities cannot afford to bear the brunt of hasty and ill-considered decisions—decisions that threaten the progress made in maternal health care. It is time to stand together, raise our voices, and insist on a responsible, transparent, and fair process that places the well-being of all Georgians at its core.

As both a father and husband with a large family, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by Black mothers. I am deeply committed to addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. My dedication is driven by my love for my family and desire to uplift my community.

We must ensure that those responsible for steering Georgia’s healthcare prioritize the safety and health of Black pregnant women. Let us urge state officials to halt the current procurement process, call for its reassessment, and commit to a managed care system that truly serves all Georgians equitably. Join us in fighting for a future where every mother and child can thrive securely in a system that values their lives and health.

Dr. Lawrence Jones, Ph.D., is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Biotechnology Health Management and Care LLC and a contributing health and medical writer to the syndicated digital publication The Narrative Matters.

Dr. Lawrence Jones, Ph.D., is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Biotechnology Health Management and Care LLC. Photo

Mayor Dickens and city leaders report crime is down in Atlanta

BY LAURA NWOGU

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta Police Department gathered inside the Thomasville Recreation Center on Monday morning to detail the city’s leaders and its residents’ progress in reducing overall crime.

“We are here today to shine a light on some of the great work that's been done by the people whose jobs are in some fashion connected to keeping people safe in the city,” Dickens said.

APD Chief Darin Schierbaum and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis joined Dickens. LaChandra Burks, the chief operating officer for the City of Atlanta, Gary Davis, the director of Next Level Boys Academy and Theresa Austin Gibbons, the interim director of the Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Program, also joined them.

According to APD Chief Darin Schierbaum and the department’s 2024 crime data report, crime in Atlanta decreased by 5%. There was an 8% reduction in crime against persons, which included homicide, rape, and aggravated assault, and a 5% reduction in crime against property which included robbery, burglary, motor vehicle theft, theft from motor vehicle, shoplifting and all other

larcenies.

“Last year, we lost 44 fewer people than the year before. That's 44 fewer mamas that had to bury their children. We should never lose sight of what these crime reductions mean,” Willis said.

The efforts made by the city to reduce crime fall under Dickens’ One Safe City plan.

The plan works with the government, partner organizations, communities, and residents to target gangs, drugs, illegal guns, and repeat offenders to ensure the city of Atlanta is safe. These efforts are helped by programs and initiatives such as midnight basketball, nightlife division, investing in 911, community-oriented policing, repeat offender

tracking unity, pre-arrest diversion services, and youth employment programs, the latter of which helped Pembrook High School student Madison Brownlee and Morehouse University student Kevin Scott Jr. who were in attendance at the conference.

Gibbons said arrests among the youth decreased by 23% in 2024. Davis shared the sentiment that “all it takes is for someone to care.”

“We cannot prosecute our way to the issues that we have with young men. So at Next Level Boys Academy, we do life skills, social skills, job readiness, professional development, giving these young men opportunities they never had.”

Zone 3 was awarded for being the zone with the largest reduction in crime in 2024. Zone 3 saw a 22% reduction in overall crime, which Major William Ricker, the APD’s commander for the zone, attributed to technology, dedicated officers, and the community's willingness to “see something, say something.”

“One Safe City is about responding to emergencies, but it is also about prevention and preparedness and building the city that we love where residents feel secure in their homes, on the streets, at their nightlife and in the parks and their community,” Dickens said.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (above) and the Atlanta Police Department gathered inside the Thomasville Recreation Center on Monday morning to detail the progress the city’s leaders and its residents have made in reducing overall crime. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Fulton County District Fani Willis was also in attendance at the press conference on Monday.

Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Love. Courage. Hope.

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State

Charles Person, youngest Freedom Rider, passes away Georgia’s 2025 Legislative Session

BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN

During the 2024 election season, the topics debated throughout the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia were education, immigration, the cost of living, and women’s healthcare. Even though Atlanta’s progressive roots plus its Civil Rights history and lineage are strong, there may be a hedge of protection. However, a mere four-hundred steps from Atlanta City Hall lies Georgia’s political battleground: The Georgia State Capitol.

Atop the Georgia State Capitol, the building’s dome is capped in 24 carat gold leaf. Inside ‘The Gold Dome’, Georgia’s laws are created. Plus, the powers of cities, counties, and municipalities can be either uplifted or chopped down within this 40-day legislative session. For example, the City of Atlanta cannot solve Georgia’s atrocious maternal mortality rate. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the City Council can’t protect the right to vote and equitably fund education. However, Georgians from all 159 counties can visit the Gold Dome during this time and discuss the issues with lawmakers.

The Georgia General Assembly meets between the dates of Monday, January 13th through Thursday, April 3, 2025. With that in mind, here are the topics that will likely be debated during the 2025 Legislative Session.

Education: The State’s funding formula shall be re-examined

Georgia State Superintendent Richard Woods wants to modernize Georgia’s education funding program, known as the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula. When it was instituted forty years ago, it was a landmark achievement by Governor Joe Frank Harris. It factors specific variables such as the number of students, the cost of each student based on their grade or instruction program, school expenses and the training and experience of teachers and certified staff.

The Georgia Department of Education is seeking to modernize the formula in a list of legislative priorities for 2025.

Connected to QBE, the controversial school voucher program that passed during the 2024 Legislative Session will begin disbursing money at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. As a refresher, there is $6,500 set aside per child per year for private school or homeschooling for kids in the lowest 25% of performing public schools. The money for the program comes from funds set aside for K-12 public schools in Georgia.

During his press conference, House Speaker Jon Burns said the important issue that affects Georgians is education. “We want every child in this state to have an opportunity for a good quality of education,” Burns said during a Jan. 8 press conference.

The Georgia Education Savings Authority, the overseers of this program, predict at least 1 out of every 5 children in Georgia will be eligible for vouchers. Georgia currently has about 1.75 million public school students. The authority will accept applications beginning January 21, 2025 and the portal closes February 21, 2025.

Healthcare: Practice or Be Prosecuted?

Georgia’s maternal mortality rate is among the worst in the country with 33.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. That is according to data compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics between 2018 and 2021. Republicans are looking to codify in vitro fertilization (IVF) into Georgia law during this Legislative Session.

The GOP has no appetite regarding any reform of the state’s heartbeat ban, which was passed in 2019. Amber Nicole Thur-

man died in 2022 after becoming septic when doctors delayed performing a Dilation and Curettage (D&C) procedure. When doctors finally operated, it was too late. Thurman’s ordeal is the first publicized case of a woman dying as a result of Georgia’s abortion ban.

Doctors can be charged with felony under Georgia’s abortion ban with few exceptions, specifically when the mother’s life is under threat.

“I think our law is clear,” Burns said. “I think there should be some understanding from physicians, they’re very intelligent folks, on how the Heartbeat Bill works.”

Democrats within the General Assembly are continuing to champion a woman’s right to choose plus pushing for Medicare and Medicaid expansion. During the 2024 Legislative Session, Democrats introduced bills in both chambers designed to protect access to contraception and IVF.

“For us, that means expanding access to affordable healthcare,” said Georgia State Representative Tanya Miller in a statement. “It means we stop leaving federal funds on the table that could feed hungry children so they can learn or see a doctor when they are sick. It means making our state safer for pregnant women and mothers.”

School Safety: How much oversight is necessary?

The fallout from the Apalachee High School shooting in September 2024 stretched far and wide. Colt Gray was fourteen when officials said he brought his semiautomatic rifle to school, killing two students and two teachers and wounding nine people. Speaker Burns plus Superintendent Woods believe agencies must share information on students likely to commit violent acts in schools.

The public is asking the State of Georgia to spend for more police officers in schools and more counselors. Requests for more social workers and mental health counseling have been documented. Concerned citizens also support mobile panic buttons and technology to detect guns.

Georgia Democrats are pushing to limit children’s access to guns. Conversely, Republicans refuse to limit gun rights.

Speaker Burns also wishes the Legislature clarifies the legislative intent and rules around the use of school cameras. The speaker said the original intent was to have the cameras operating during the times when students are arriving and departing school, not 24 hours a day.

Insurance/Tort Reform: A simpler way to say, ‘no more frivolous lawsuits’

Awards in personal injury and wrongful death cases were reported in Georgia totaling more than $3 billion. This is according to a 2022 study published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform. That is an example of a ‘tort’. It is defined as a wrongful act, such as a car accident or medical injury, that leads to a lawsuit. It ranges from incidents such as slip-andfalls to medical malpractice to product and premise liability.

Supporters of tort reform say stopping frivolous lawsuits and payouts would lead to lower insurance rates for businesses and consumers. Their argument is if Georgia is the number one state to conduct business, it cannot be a ‘judicial hellhole’. Currently, Georgia law allows jurors to award damages for the “full value of life”. As a result, some verdicts have skyrocketed. Jury verdicts of $10 million or more are defined as ‘nuclear verdicts.’ Twelve verdicts awarded $10 million or more in 2023. Supporters of tort reform cite the $1.7 billion verdict against Ford Motor Co. in Gwinnett County that was voided by the Georgia Court of Appeals.

“We want to be very respectful if a Georgian is legitimately injured and there’s a claim, we want to make sure that Georgian has his day in court and certainly is, then is made whole,” Burns explained. “I believe, though, that insurance companies will come to Georgia. Competition is good. It’s not one simple solution to this, but I think the first step is a reasonable opportunity to swing back a little bit on some of the issues that have favored the plaintiff side in the legal system.”

Sports Betting: Will this wager finally pay off?

In 2024, Senate Resolution 579 and Senate Bill 386 could have passed. But, Democrats were not willing to agree on how to spend the revenues from sports betting. For example, the Democrats wanted to spend the taxes on expanding the HOPE Scholarship and funding school meals for K-12 public school students.

State Senator Sam Cowsert amended the bill to propose up to $22.5 million to treat gambling addictions. Currently, 38 states permit sports betting, including Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee and North Carolina. Mississippi allows betting inside casinos. However, Georgia Republicans have no appetite for the building of casinos or legalizing horse racing. But, Governor Brian Kemp has long since been protective of the HOPE Scholarship program.

“My position has been very clear on gaming. That being said, the Legislature, especially, if they’re trying to do a constitutional amendment, it doesn’t really matter what I think,” Kemp said during a December press conference. “My whole thing is if they’re going to do something like that we need to make sure it does not cannibalize the lottery and HOPE scholarship.”

A constitutional amendment means any legislation must pass by two-thirds vote in both houses before voters can weigh in. When the Georgia Lottery was created in 1992, it passed via constitutional amendment and the voters made the final decision.

The Balance of Power

The Republicans currently hold all levers of power. They have a 33-23 majority in the Senate, which features three new Democrats and one new Republican in 2025. Meanwhile, in the House, eight new Republicans and 12 new Democrats will join the ranks. While the Democrats won a net gain of two seats, Republicans retained their majority in the House. The GOP has 100 seats to the Democrats’ 80

The Gold Dome of the Georgia State Capitol shines on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Photo By Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

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Inspired by Dr. King’s unwavering fight for fairness, we work tirelessly to close gaps in healthcare, extend compassion to those most in need, and create pathways to wellness for all. At Grady, we don’t just provide care - we change lives.

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What happens to celebrities’ outfits after a red carpet event?

“It’s Time for a Change,” says Stockbridge Commissioner Jayden Williams

BY ISAIAH SINGLETON

Jayden Williams, current commissioner of Stockbridge, and a student at Clark Atlanta University is just 21 years old. Williams, the youngest candidate to run for mayor in Stockbridge, hopes to bring fresh ideas to the community he’s called home.

Williams told The Atlanta Voice he is focused on making Stockbridge a model for growth and opportunity, prioritizing economic development, public safety, housing, and arts & youth programs, all while preserving the city’s close-knit spirit.

He said the reason he’s running for mayor is because he’s “seen what Stockbridge was and what Stockbridge is to come. Running for mayor was something I definitely prayed about. I spoke with some of the constituents about it and it’s time for a change because we need new direction, new leadership as to where Stockbridge is going in the future.”

On becoming the youngest candidate to run for mayor, Williams said, is invigorating and the community support, questions being asked, shows how engaged the Stockbridge community is and will be in the future.

“We’ve already started on the campaign trail, and you can also clearly tell they’re in search of a candidate/mayor that wants to move in a different direction and to move forward,” he said. “I’m happy to be the youngest candidate in this race and I’ll be even more happy when we win.”

If elected mayor, Williams says although he appreciates what the current Stockbridge Mayor Anthony S. Ford has done over the course of his term; his main goal is to look at Stockbridge’s housing strategy and see how they can discuss new opportunities for housing.

“I want to dive into our economic development and pour into our small businesses here in Stockbridge,” he said. “I want to ensure we’re encouraging and pushing for young people to get engaged in liberal arts and STEM in any type of extracurricular to make them local advocates and mobilize in our community.”

With the housing strategy, Williams said he wants to go from unlimited townhomes and apartments to building a balance. He also says he wants to build a renewal combat team, which would be members of the community eager to combat climate change in the Stockbridge community.

“Our small business owners and marginalized business owners are the heartbeat of our city and the epicenter of what brings Stockbridge together,” he said. “We don’t have many corporations in our area, so a lot of our economic development comes from our small businesses.”

port, he’s asking for a new energy and vibrancy to come through the city.

“I’m asking for leadership and a new direction when it comes down to the next generation of leaders, not specifically focusing on the fact I’m 21, but focusing on the next generation after this one that will have to pour into our community, so I’m asking for support,” he said.

He also said he’s asking for empowerment from Stockbridge’s small businesses, empowerment from their marginalized groups, and empowerment from the next generation who are ready to vote and mobilize.

Additionally, he says with Stockbridge becoming the next home of the first senior county STEM school, he wants to ensure they have opportunities for students to also engage in the community.

Leadership and service run in Commissioner Williams’ blood, his grandmother, Vivian Thomas was the former commissioner for Henry County District 4, and her dedication to public service has inspired him to build upon their family’s legacy of creating meaningful change.

Williams credits his great grandfather and his grandmother as inspirations that motivated him to be in this position.

“My great grandfather laid the foundation when many of our family moved out of Georgia. He saw opportunities in Georgia for his family that many did not see, so my grandmother did something huge, which led into what I love, and that’s community service and passion for public service,” he said.

Williams said his grandmother was one of the first black graduates from Georgia state and his great grandfather would always tell her to never stop in Henry County for gas.

“My family is originally from Hawkinsville, Georgia and they’ll say, ‘never stop for us in Henry County, it’s one of the most racist communities in the south metro Atlanta area’,” he said. “Looking today and almost five years ago, where she had been an incumbent as the first black and first female to sit on the county commission for that district, it shows history, mileage, and compassion.”

Furthermore, what Williams wants readers to know about him and the campaign is it’s time for change in the city and time for leadership that’s moving with the time just as fast as Stockbridge is moving.

“It’s time we bring in real leadership, dedicated leadership that has transparent and efficient government,” he said.

Also, some values Williams said he’d carry over as mayor would be a sense of direction. “It’s about to be my last semester at Clark Atlanta University and I’ve definitely learned different opportunities in leadership, and that gives me the opportunity to set myself apart.”

when he had to toggle $100,000 budget for the university. Williams says this gives value to leadership/cooperation strategy and that’s what he wants to bring to office.

As an example, Williams said when he was in the Student Government Association (SGA) he had to advance through budgeting

As to why people should vote for Williams, he says it’s time for a change in Stockbridge. When he asks people to vote and their sup -

His vision for Stockbridge, he says, is quite simple and that’s to build a community where people can live, work, and play where they have a thriving community and can also be engaged and involved.

For more information, visit https://www. facebook.com/jaydenforthepeople/.

Jayden Williams (above) credits his great-grandfather and his grandmother for inspiring and motivating him to run for office. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Williams, currently a city commissioner in Stockbridge and a student at Clark Atlanta University, is just 21 years old. He is the youngest ever mayoral candidate in Stockbridge. He said his hope is to bring fresh ideas to the community he’s called home. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Elise Ice Cream brings healthy, homemade options to McCamish Pavilion

BY DONNELL SUGGS

There’s plenty of food to try throughout the concourse at McCamish Pavilion, but if you’re looking for a healthy option, Elise Ice Cream might be the right place. Simone Elise Grier started the homemade organic ice cream brand in July 2022 because she felt there needed to be a healthier ice cream option out there. According to her mother, Sharon Gordon, Grier, a former competitive cheerleader, enjoyed ice cream and just wanted a healthier way to do so.

Gordon manned the Elise Ice Cream station inside McCamish Pavilion on Saturday, Jan. 4. Gordon said Elise Ice Cream is “made with love” and is a family business.

“God gave her the vision when she was in college,” said Gordon.

Elise Ice Cream also serves homemade cookies and brownies. According to Gordon, the business has a stand on the main level at McCamish Pavilion and sells ice cream during the football games at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Elise Ice Cream started doing business at the Morningside Farmers Market in Atlanta.

Along with the traditional vanilla and cookies and cream offerings, Elise Ice Cream serves coffee-flavored ice cream and peppermint chip ice cream, in addition to an assortment of flavors. Pints can be purchased at the farmers market, while cups can be purchased at Georgia Tech sporting events.

Seven more home games remain on the Georgia Tech men’s basketball schedule, so there’s plenty of time to get down to McCamish Pavilion and try Elise Ice Cream. There’s always the Morningside Farmers Market too.

Elise Ice Cream is a Black-owned business that sells organic ice cream, homemade cookies and brownies. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Mrs. Sharon Gordon (above), the mother of owner Simone Elise Grier, the business’s namesake, at the Elise Ice Cream station on the main level at McCamish Pavilion. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Emory Law School hosts Dr. King lecture on fighting poverty

BY LAURA NWOGU

“There is nothing new about poverty.

What is new is that we now have the techniques and the resources to get rid of poverty,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said during his “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution” speech in 1968.

Emory Law School hosted its annual MLK Jr. Day lecture on Wednesday to celebrate the civil rights leader’s birthday. This year’s lecture delved beyond King’s focus on racial harmony to examine his activism and fight to eradicate poverty in the U.S. In collaboration with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), King organized the Poor People’s Campaign, a nonviolent protest movement, in 1967. The campaign is just one of the few ways King sought to focus the nation’s attention on economic injustice and systemic poverty through income and housing before his assassination.

Crystal McElrath, senior supervising attorney at the Economic Justice Southern Poverty Law Center in Atlanta, was the keynote speaker for the lecture. She explained that most of her recent work has focused on economic justice, such as affordable housing, intergenerational mobility/ building generational wealth, job access and workers' rights, and how those intersect to maintain systemic poverty in the U.S., especially with Black Americans.

“Poverty persists in America because people will and wish it to do so,” McElrath said.

From water crises in Jackson, Mississippi, to Flint, Mich-

igan, she talked about how the lack of access to clean and affordable water disproportionately affects Black Americans, leading to health risks and economic consequences.

“Disparities and access to clean water and sanitation follow the same lines as redlining and segregation in almost every area. Black residents are two times more likely to live in communities with lead service lines,” McElrath said. “In Chicago, there was lead infrastructure throughout the entire city by mandate at one point, but by 2020, the only remaining lead service lines were low-income, Black and brown service areas. Intentional decisions were being made at that point.”

McElrath was joined by Tolton Pace, the senior program officer of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation; David McMillon, assistant professor at Emory University’s Department Of Economics; Pierce Hand Seitz, a judge at the Atlanta Municipal Court, and Ifeoma Ajunwa, an Asa Griggs Candler professor of law at Emory University.

The panelists discussed what economic justice looks like in Atlanta, the fight of the Gullah Geechee on Sapelo Island to preserve their historic Black communities from development and gentrification, and investment in creating jobs and living wages for communities such as the Westside of Atlanta.

“A hungry man is not a free man,” McElrath said, quoting Adlai Stevenson, a former US Ambassador to the United Nations. “I look forward to seeing how Emory Law School will work to produce the next generation of poverty activists.”

Emory Law School hosted its annual MLK Jr. Day lecture on Wednesday to celebrate the civil rights leader’s birthday.

Photo by Alex Cates/The Atlanta Voice

Walking just 5 minutes a day makes a difference

Former Ravens Reed and Lewis have connection to Chamblee football

BY DONNELL SUGGS

Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, a former Super Bowl Champion during his time with the Baltimore Ravens and college football national champion as a University of Miami Hurricane, is now the offensive coordinator at Chamblee High School. The hire was announced via Reed's social media accounts on Monday.

One of the less successful football programs in metro Atlanta, the Chamblee High School Bulldogs have something unique going for it.

Reed's former teammate on the Ravens, former Pro Bowl running back and Frederick Douglass High School all-state recruit Jamal Lewis has a connection on the Chamblee Bulldogs roster. Both men have sons on the team. Current junior Edward Reed, a receiver and defensive back, and Jazz Lewis, a freshman receiver, are expected to be impact players on the 2025 roster.

The Bulldogs finished the 2024 season with a 2-9 overall record under head coach Bob Swank. The two victories came against Lakeside (23-21 on October 5) and Arabia Mountain (28-21 in OT on November 1) on the final day of the regular

season. Adding Reed to the football program will be a good move for all involved, Lewis told The Atlanta Voice during a phone interview on Monday night.

"We needed to tighten up the coaching staff and we need an offensive coordinator like Ed Reed because he knows how to get the ball around to our players," Lewis said.

Chamblee's football program has only six coaches in comparison to bigger city programs that have nearly twice as many coaches.

"That's where we need help," said Lewis. "Ed Reed is going to keep it simple, spread the ball around, and use the offensive assets we have on this team."

Along with Lewis, who received an offer from the University of Memphis following a strong freshman season, and Reed, Jr., the Bulldogs saw improved play from freshman quarterback Brayden Doss, a midseason transfer from Pace Academy.

On Doss, Lewis said, "He has a lot of upside and really got the offense going when he came in."

Reed will also have rising junior running back Isaiah Cowan to work with. Lewis told The Atlanta Voice that he has plans to work with Cowan during the off-season.

Former Baltimore Ravens star and Frederick Douglass High School standout Jamal Lewis’s (above) son Jazz plays receiver on the Chamblee High School football program. The Class of 2028 receiver has already received a scholarship offer from the University of Memphis. Photo courtesy of Lewis family

A night of jazz at Thee Manor

BY NOAH WASHINGTON

Walking into Thee Manor on Thursday, January 8, guests were instantly immersed in the vibrant elegance of the Harlem Renaissance—the décor adorned with elements inspired by London’s Savile Row shop, Huntsman. The tone for the evening was set and signified a new chapter for Thee Manor: its evolution into a luxury private members club.

Thursday, January 8th, the inaugural “Night Out At Thee Manor” series was launched. Dedicated to providing attendees with live music, bespoke tailoring, and a convention of like-minded individuals all in attendance to show appreciation for the finer things in life.

Originally established during the pandemic in December 2021 to include Mr. Classic’s Haberdashery, with a focus on arming men with the most powerful weapon they could have in their arsenal: a well-tailored suit, Jay-De Robinson, managing director and founder of Thee Manor Private Members Club, elaborated on the shift. “We still provide bespoke clothing for men and women, but now it’s under the membership model. Anyone walking in off the street cannot simply request a suit; they must be a member,” Robinson explained.

Thee Manor’s pivot aligns with Robinson’s long-term vision. “It was always the goal to create a private members club. Once we built up our client base and established ourselves in the city, we transitioned back to that vision,” he said.

The club’s nestled in West Midtown Atlanta location is a call-back in history and a haven for luxury, offering fine dining, bar services, and, most recently, an art gallery curated by the Rhi.Emagine art duo—Elijah McCreary, Jr. and Rhiannon Vincent. The gallery adds a cultural dimension to the club’s offerings, featuring innovative mixed-media art meant to resonate with Thee Manor’s sophistication and its attendees.

Rhiannon Vincent, ½ of the Rhi.Emagine duo shared her journey into the Rhi.Emagine partnership, beginning with her and her business partner Elijah’s serendipitous meeting on social media before deciding to become collaborators. Their initial collaboration—a viral piece created for Latoya Wright—catapulted their careers. “That moment launched our business,” McCreary added, “and we’ve continued to build from there.”

The duo subsequently opened an exhibit this past October titled “Project X,” featuring over 40 pieces created in just three months. Their synergy and dedication culminated in

the opportunity to curate Thee Manor’s gallery after being visited by Jay-De Robinson, “When Jay-De came to the exhibit, he saw the potential and offered us this space,” McCreary said. Within three days, the duo craft-

ed seven pieces for the gallery, “I’ve known Elijah for years and admired his work. When we reimagined the backroom space, it made sense to feature his art,” Robinson shared. The exhibit, comprising seven pieces, was

only made possible through their collaborative undertaking. Speaking about their collaborative process, Vincent and McCreary emphasized balance and trust, “We start with an idea and build on it together,” Vincent explained. “I’m very detail-oriented, especially with elements like stones, while Elijah brings a broader vision. Together, we complete each other’s work.”

Their favorite piece, Power in the Shadow, is a monochrome, African-inspired canvas adorned with gold accents, perfectly complementing Thee Manor’s refined and elegant ambiance. “When you walk in here, it’s like an escape,” McCreary said. The art should reflect that—drawing you into a new world.”

Thee Manor has expansion plans, according to Robinson, who revealed potential new locations in cities such as Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Houston. “Wherever we go, we’ll maintain the intimate, exclusive atmosphere that sets us apart,” Robinson said. Robinson summed up the ideal scenario coming out of Thee Manor best, “It’s not just about luxury. It’s about connecting with like-minded individuals, engaging in stimulating conversations, and elevating yourself and your network.”

Jay-De Robinson, managing director & founder of Thee Manor Private Members Club. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

On Thursday, January 8th, launched the inaugural “Night Out At Thee Manor” series. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Spice opens Graci Noir Street Lines: 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 V8

BY DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON AKA ALE SHARPTON

The 2024 Land Rover Defender kicked in the year with this four-door 110 V8 version and the judgment is in: This is an exceptional fusion of luxury, power, and all-terrain capability, where both adventurers and urbanites will be fully content. I can undoubtedly say it’s one of the top SUVs of the year.

My review model was presented in a highly recommended Santorini Black. Of course, the six-spoke, 22-inch wheels in gloss black; rear spare with body-colored cover; roof rails; signature LED lighting package; and opening panoramic roof surely garner style points as well.

Under the hood, the Defender 110 V8 boasts the introduction of a muscle-flexing 5.0-L V8 gas engine, topping out at 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque with 7,716 pound-towing capacity. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and Land Rover’s plethora of driving applications, this vehicle is going to garner instant praise for how

Health

effortless the off-roading capability is. The air suspension has its function for off-roading but looks even captivating when onlookers gawk at the way it rises and drops during driver exits in a city parking lot.

Inside, the pampering hits new levels starting with the Vintage Tan Windsor leather and seats embellished with Ebony Dinamica suedecloth and Steelcut premium textiles which are temperature controlled. I personally appreciate the suedecloth heated steering wheel—it just reminds me of luxury with every turn—and a front-center console

refrigerator to keep refreshments just that, refreshing. Rear passengers also get some love with heated seats in a 40:20:40 split-fold configuration, 110-volt outlet for traditional plug-ins, rear privacy glass, three-zone climate control, cabin air ionization, and an air quality sensor to keep everyone’s driving experience at its finest—and healthiest. The optional WiFi makes excursions even more practical and convenient for everyone.

On the tech side, Land Rover answers a lot of demands while keeping the controls user friendly. The Defender’s 11.4-inch Pivi Pro

infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Meridian sound system bangs out a theateresque 700 watts. Other driver perks include a ClearSight interior rearview mirror, interactive driver display, an interactive driver’s display, adaptive cruise control, a 3D surround camera, and Blind Spot Assist provide confidence in any situation.

To summarize it, the 2024 Defender 110 V8 is lavish but don’t get it twisted: it’s also rugged when nature demands it. This is a top-of-theline SUV with numerous amenities to make the price break the six-figure price range, and the V8 engine gets an average of 16 miles per gallon, but if the ultimate goal is to drive fearlessly and take on any terrain in luxury, the Defender is the one to strongly consider.

Fuel Economy: 14 city/19 highway/16 combined

Price: The 2024 Defender 110 V8 is $111,300 MSRP, and $116,195 as reviewed with options including integrated air compressor and Extended Black Exterior Pack. For more information, visit Landroverusa. com.

New Rule Wipes $49B in Medical Debt From Credit Scores

BY JENNIFER PORTER-GORE

In a move that could lift the finances of millions, on Tuesday the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued new regulations that prevent unpaid medical debts from showing up on Americans’ credit reports.

Besides wiping away $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of an estimated 15% of all U.S. households, the new CFPB rule also means that banks and lenders cannot use information about unpaid hospital or medical bills when reviewing a credit or loan application.

Statistically, the ruling is a big win for the Black community, particularly for folks who either have or will apply for a credit card, auto loan, or mortgage this year.

“People who get sick shouldn’t have their financial future upended,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement. “The CFPB’s final rule will close a special carveout that has allowed debt collectors to abuse the credit reporting system to coerce people into paying medical bills they may not even owe.”

Allison Sesso, CEO and president of Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit advocacy group, called the move a “huge step in the

right direction.”

“We know that many providers like hospitals have already stopped reporting medical debts to credit bureaus,” Sesso said. “Nonetheless, this is a huge achievement to make substantive change in patients’ lives and further elevate the issue of medical debt on the national stage.”

But debt collection industry groups like the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals warned that the change would give some patients a free pass. The association said the rule would result in “reduced consequences for not paying your bills, which in turn will reduce access to credit and health care for those that need it most.”

Although the vast majority of Americans have either private or publicly funded health insurance, medical debt — accumulated through circumstances like an unforeseen medical emergency, out-of-network fees or expensive diagnostic tests that aren’t covered — plagues millions of people.

According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, medical bills are the number-one reason people file for bankruptcy each year. An analysis of Census Bureau data found 15%

in 2021, but a CFPB study published in 2014 found that consumers may be overly penalized on credit reports for medical debt that goes into collections.

The study also found that the scoring models used by the credit reporting agencies, or credit bureaus, may not be crediting consumers who repay the medical debt that has gone into collections. And in March 2022, the CFPB released a report estimating that medical bills made up $88 billion of reported debts on credit reports.

Studies show Black households were more likely than than other demographic groups to report having medical debt. Thirteen percent of Black people reported owing medical debt, compared to 8% of whites and 3% of Asian Americans.

The new CFPB rule also closes a loophole that had allowed debt collectors to threaten to report consumers who disputed inaccurate or erroneous medical bills.

The CFPB’s action builds on changes made in 2022 by the three major nationwide credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. When the CFPB raised concerns about medical debt credit reporting in early 2022, the credit bureaus announced they would remove of certain types of med-

ical debt from credit reports, including collections under $500.

Sesso, the Undue Medical Debt executive, said much more work remains to address what she said is an estimated $220 billion of medical debt weighing down families.

She pointed out that nearly half of people surveyed said they or a family member skipped necessary care because they feared it was too expensive.

The CFPB has estimated that the new credit reporting rule will raise the credit scores of people with medical debt on their credit reports by 20 points on average.

However, the debt collection industry strongly opposes the new rules and it is expected they will contest the rule in court President-elect Donald Trump may also try to undo the rule after he takes office on Jan. 20. Patient and consumer advocates have been preparing to work with state-level legislators to expand consumers’ access to relief from medical debt.

“The election simply shifts our focus,” Eva Stahl, who oversees public policy at Undue Medical Debt, said in an interview with The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. “States are going to be the epicenter of policy change to mitigate the harms of medical debt.”

Photo courtesy of Land Rover

You are hereby notified, in accordance with OCGA 40-1119 (a) (2), that the above-referenced vehicles are subject to a lien and a petition may be filed in court to foreclose a lien for all amounts owed. If the lien is foreclosed, a court shall order the sale of the vehicle to satisfy the debt. The vehicle is currently located at 1314 Brookwood Avenue, Jackson, Georgia 30233. Anyone with an ownership interest in this vehicle should contact the following business immediately: Business name: Southern Style Towing Address: 1314 Brookwood Avenue Jackson, GA 30233 Telephone#: 470-344-1634

Vehicle: 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Red) VIN: 2G1WX15K429233547

SENIOR (62+)

Spacious 1-Bedroom Affordable! Rent Based on Annual Income Amenities, Great Location, and Convenient to Marta

Please call for detailed information (404) 586-9098

FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSAL

Request for Proposals for 25RFP0107B-EC, Consulting Services for the Office of Contract Compliance, on behalf of the Department of Purchasing and Contract Compliance will be accepted by the Fulton County Department of Purchasing & Contract Compliance electronically through BidNet Direct at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty on Thursday, February 6, 2025. All proposals submitted must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated date.

Proposal(s) shall be publicly viewed via BidNet Direct web, only the names of the Proposers shall be disclosed at the opening.

Scope of Work:

The selected firm will assist Fulton County’s Office of Contract Compliance with Outreach Plan Development and Facilitation, Utilization and Monitoring of County Projects, and Workshop/Training Development and Facilitation.

In order to obtain complete information about this solicitation, please go to the link below where this document and supporting documents can be downloaded, https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty

Fee: There are no fees associated with this proposal.

Proposal Bond: No Proposal bond is required with this proposal.

Term of Contract: The initial term of this contract will be for 1 year with 2 one-year renewal options.

A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 11:00 A.M., at the following link to provide proponents with information regarding the project and to address any questions.

Zoom Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/s/97595871086

Phone one-tap:

+14702509358,,97595871086# US (Atlanta)

+14703812552,,97595871086# US (Atlanta)

If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Elsa D. Castro, Chief Assistant Purchasing Agent, Elsa.Castro@FultonCountyGa.gov or phone 404-612-4216

Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities.