The Atlanta Voice E-Edition 032924

Bee Free and Farm

Bee Free Farm founder, owner, and operator Joy Carter (above) began the farm just a few years ago, but the bug for farming bit her as a child. Carter is a former teacher in the Atlanta Public School system. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Metro

Bee Free to Farm

BY DONNELL SUGGS

On a cool Friday morning, Joy Carter made her way into Richard N. Fickett Elementary School in the Ben Hill section neighborhood and down a hall towards a classroom full of students. Under her arm was a box of praying mantises, which were going to be hand-delivered to a garden on the school grounds. That’s if they didn’t find their way out of the box first.

Carter, an Atlanta native and former educator in the Atlanta Public School system for 20 years, planned to use the insects to help keep away some of the pests that feed on crops.

“I love it, I love seeing them exploring and learning,” Carter said as the students watched the mantises crawl out of the box and onto the pants below. Other students made their way to the chicken coop to see if there were any eggs that had been laid, while another kid used his laptop to look up the best environment for the mantises. Jr., a brown-skinned boy wearing a thin gold chain, finished his research and learned bushes are the best place for mantises to hide and better be able to eat all of the flies and grubs they can handle.

Directing traffic in the school’s greenspace between the building and the playground, a smile creeps across Carter’s face. She spent decades educating Black children like these and continues to do so in a different way these days.

“My farm is now my classroom,” said Carter, a mother of five who wears her natural hair in curls, and can often be seen in overalls and yellow rubber boots. “I still enjoy seeing the kids want to learn. They get excited about learning to grow things.”

Carter started the Sunny Side Up Chicken Hatching Program in August 2023. The idea of the program being that school-aged children, preferably at younger ages, can start learning about the hatching process of chickens in order to better understand where their food comes from. In 2020, while still teaching, Carter got her first chickens and bees from her friend Liz Milagro, the owner and operator of Milagro Farm in Atlanta. Milagro inspired Carter to buy her first bees in 2016 and chickens in 2017.

The Sunny Side Up Chicken Hatching Program has been an overwhelming success thus far, according to Carter. What began with Whiteford Early Learning Academy, as the first school that hired her to bring the program to its campus, has turned into several schools being involved. This year there were six schools during January, and three schools during March. Next month there are three other schools she will be working in.

ONLINE RICE receives $2 million donation from Truist Foundation for building expansion

come back to pick up the chicks and chickens, " Carter said. “I try to tell them to not be so attached,” she joked.

After allowing fresh eggs to be dropped off at the schools and then go through the threeweek process of hatching by way of a device called the Smart Incubator, Carter takes the chickens back to Bee Free Farm, but sometimes she gifts them to teachers that want to take them home.

One morning at Hollis Innovation Academy, located just a couple blocks away from the Atlanta University Center, Carter came to pick up chicks that had hatched while in the care of a pre-K class. “Y'all not going to take the chickens, right,” asked a 5th grade student who was walking past Carter in the hallway. She believes teaching the children at a young age will make farming education a lot easier. The children that she is educating on what came first, the chicken or the egg, might never set foot on a farm in their lifetime.

“I have been learning along the way and listening to the children and the teachers about what they are seeing,” said Carter.

The pre-K students and their teachers named the five chicks that were born in their first-floor classroom. It was Sprinkles, Money, Sasha Fierce, Coco, and a blonde chick, Hollywood.

Carter said when she started the program she didn’t expect the kids to take a liking to the chickens like they have.

The bonds that the students and teacher snake with the chickens has been “I’ve had kids and teachers crying when I

Carter taking a rest at Bee Free Farm, which is located in College Park. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Carter (left) with a student at Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy in Atlanta on Wednesday, Mar. 20. This is one of the many schools she has brought her Sunny Side Up Chick Hatching Program to within the past two years. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

‘The state of our city is strong’: Dickens state of the city address preaches progress

BY DONNELL SUGGS

The auditorium inside the Woodruff Arts Center filled quickly after 8 a.m. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was going to give his annual State of the City Business Address. Coming out onto the stage to Usher’s “Yeah!”, Dickens immediately thanked the three former Atlanta mayors in attendance; Ambassador Andrew Young, Bill Campbell, and Shirley Franklin.

Dickens took a moment to thank the numerous government officials, City of Atlanta employees, his family and close friends. He also took time to thank the family of former Atlanta Mayor and legendary civil leader Maynard Jackson, the first Black mayor in the city’s history, who were also in attendance. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jackson being elected.

“I’m blessed to have a talented group of people on my team,” Dickens said.

Governor Brian Kemp was not in attendance, but was also acknowledged by Dickens for his work leading the state.

“The state of our city is strong,” said Dickens at the beginning of his address. He listed a couple of reasons why he believes the city is in as good of fiscal and professional shape as it has ever been. Dickens listed the services provided to citizens, effective government, the city’s strong AA+ credit rating, and how there is a better relationship between the city and state governments.

He even had time to joke about the never-ending potholes blanketing the metro Atlanta area. Dickens said more than 23,000 potholes were filled during his time in office, including on DeKalb and Cascade avenues, and on West Paces Ferry Rd. All very busy streets, particularly during rush hour traffic and on weekends. This drew a massive amount of applause from the capacity crowd.

“All of these things are a testament to our city’s forward momentum,” Dickens said.

That forward momentum includes the reduction in violent crime which has continuously been highlighted by both the Mayor’s office and the Atlanta Police Department (APD). Dickens credited the creation of units like APD’s CARE unit and the nightlife division, which began in 2022.

Both housing and finding constructive things to do for and with the city’s youth have been bedrock’s of Dickens’ tenure as mayor. He asked a man named George to come to the stage. The former truck driver, who now needs a wheelchair to get around, fell on hard times following multiple strokes and wound up homeless. George now lives at The Melody, a community of shipping container homes that the City recently debuted as a part of a homelessness initiative. Dickens has a goal of having 20,000 units of affordable housing built and The Melody is

one way to inch closer to that number.

“I’m thankful to say now George has a key to a place he can call home,” Dickens said. “We’re not done yet. We’re going to have some more Melodies across Atlanta.”

On the eve of an election year Dickens pulled out all of the stops during this year’s State of the City address. There are goals to build a MARTA station with rail and access to the Beltline on the Southside. Dickens also mentioned plans to build three infill MARTA stations throughout Atlanta. The mayor called MARTA “underutilized, in part because we don't have enough stations located where our residents need them most.”

The diversity of the city was on full display with the morning’s invocation, prayer, and benediction being performed by Rabbi Peter Berg from The Temple, Rev. Dr. Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor at Second Ponce De Leon Baptist Church, and Imam Plemon T. El-Amin of Atkanta Masjid of Al-Islam.

Prior to Dickens taking the stage, Woodruff Arts Center President and CEO Hala Moduelmog, Carol Tome’, UPS CEO & Atlanta Committee for Progress Chair, and The Coca-Cola Company Chairman & CEO James Quincey. A performance from a pair of spo -

ken word artists from the Morehouse College Theatre Ensemble also took place during the event.

During Tome’s time behind the micro -

phone, she echoed the Mayor’s “team project” ethos for the city. “We all have to have a role to play in the Mayor’s key initiatives,” she said.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (center) during his annual State of the City address at the Woodruff Arts Center on Monday, Mar. 25, 2024.

Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

A video plays before Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens took the stage inside the Woodruff Arts Center on Monday, Mar. 25, 2024. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Voices

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I have created nothing really beautiful, really lasting, but if I can inspire one of these youngsters to develop the talent I know they possess, then my monument will be in their work.”

— Augusta Savage, Sculptor and Teacher

We Need More Than Billionaires to Transform Medicine

BY KHALID RUDO SMITH

Albert Einstein famously said, “If I had only one hour to save the world, I would spend fifty-five minutes defining the problem, and five minutes finding the solution.”

In late February, Dr. Ruth Gottesman, chairman of the board of trustees and professor emeritus in pediatrics, gifted $1 billion to make the Albert Einstein College of Medicine tuition-free. But the question is, “What problem does this solve?”

NPR quotes a source from the school saying that this gift “radically revolutionizes our ability to continue attracting students who are committed to our mission, not just those who can afford it.” Read that again. Is it naive to think a billion dollars might still be enough to “radically revolutionize” medical education in a way that creates new, better, and different possibilities?

As co-founder of a startup I certainly believe I could change the world with “just” a billion. Our organization MedReimagined Inc., exists to save Black and brown lives by creating paths for scholars from communities with the greatest need to become physicians.

For us, radical and revolutionary is teaching four to eight years of summer, afterschool, and elective medical school beginning in middle school and sticking with our scholars until they get their white coats. I’m honored to work with many brilliant and committed Black doctors and educators. I turned to a few of them to understand what a billion might do to “radically revolutionize” doctor preparation.

The Mathematics of Medical School

Dr. Antonio Graham is a Black geriatrician, educator, and part of the startup team behind what is anticipated to be only the nation’s fifth historically Black medical college. Dr. Graham recently relocated to Baltimore to be the inaugural chair of clinical medicine at

the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Morgan State University, set to open in 2025.

This innovative venture aims at two seemingly competing targets. On one hand, it will operate as a for-profit public-private partnership without burdening students with excessive debt. On the other hand, it aims to produce physicians who will practice in much-needed primary care specialties and areas of greatest need.

Dr. Graham explained how the new medical school was exploring ways to maintain reasonable tuition rates while serving the most debt-sensitive population of aspiring physicians. We thought, who better than him to help us better understand the mathematics of medical school? You know, for the next time, a billionaire has a billion to fix medical education.

Despite comprising 14% of the population, Black physicians make up only 5.5% of doctors. Anyone who has struggled to find a primary care doctor or felt uneasy about the choices of OBGYNs, or perhaps you’ve faced the frustration of trying to get an urgent appointment for a sick child to see their pediatrician knows the struggle. All these sit-

uations are much harder for Black patients who would like a doctor who shares their background and life experiences. The lack of Black doctors has a serious impact on every measure of health outcomes for the Black community. In America, the healthcare system has a cold, but communities of color have the flu.

The conversation about doctor shortages in certain specialties often revolves around the high cost of medical school and the staggering debt burden faced by aspiring physicians. The hope is that without this financial strain, more doctors would choose to practice in underserved areas. However, the reality is more complex.

One of the most surprising points was that tuition is just one piece of the puzzle. Medical schools rely heavily on federal research grants. Over 80% of the National Institute of Health’s $48 billion budget in medical research is awarded through almost 50,000 competitive grants to more than 2,500 universities, medical schools, and research institutions. Johns Hopkins University led all U.S. institutions in 2021 NIH funding with $825 million. In

comparison, Hopkins’ 120 medical students pay $65,000 annually, making revenue from tuition amount to $7.8 million, less than 1% of NIH funding.

The Role of HBCUs

This fact sparked ideas about how these large funding allocations might be repurposed to create not only tuition-free schools, but also programs that could further the mission of an HBCU medical school — healthier communities without discrimination.

One might argue that all medical schools have a mission to create healthier communities. But the data doesn’t bear this out. The lack of Black doctors and health disparities in the medical system are not new problems, nor are they trending in the right direction. As we’ve seen recently, diversity and equity initiatives can be easily discarded when opinions shift, so it’s important as ever to build and strengthen these institutions at their core. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long been champions of equity in education, despite facing resource disparities themselves.

Read full article online at www.wordinblack.com

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A $1 billion gift to Albert Einstein College of Medicine raises the question of what needs to happen to produce more Black doctors. Photo Credit iStock.com/SeventyFour

Undefeated Love

BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON The Atlanta Voice

There’s a belief or a saying, at least, that love conquers all. In the secular world the reference is to the power of emotional love to compel men and women to do extraordinary things. Love is said to move us to do the unthinkable with sometimes positive and in many instances negative results. One of the reasons for this apparent inconsistency lies with another saying and that is “Love is blind.” Again, in this secular world nothing can be reckless and misdirected as blind love. Now take the same saying and apply it with biblical references and it takes on a whole new meaning. Love conquers all. Just for the sake of giving an example, God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. The greatest commandment is love of your neighbor as yourself. God is Love. Out of love, we have been saved. From this perspective love takes on a set of characteristics that only result in positive endings.

I'm reminded that spiritual love

FARM

Continued from page 2

“When you talk to kids they give you their purest thoughts,” Carter explained.

Bee Free Farm

In May 2023 Joy Carter, a graduate of Frederick Douglass High School and Virginia State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Petersburg, Va., decided to totally shift gears and change her career path. At 48, Carter, a mother of two sons, “decided to say goodbye” to Georgia’s largest public education system and hello to another way of life: farming.

“My passion for agriculture was bubbling over and I wanted to teach this to children,” she remembers. “I want them to see the purpose behind it and how important it is for their lives.”

A psychology major in college, Carter has always been interested in the thought process behind work. Becoming an urban farmer, her farm, Bee Free Farm, is located just off of Flat Shoals Road in College Park, would allow her to teach something that doesn’t come with a statewide test or national equivalency requirement, and be able to teach it where she grew up.

Carter grew up in Atlanta, but spent summers on her grandparents property in Linden, New Jersey. She credits her late grandfather, Edmond L. Carter, Sr. with being the spark that began her farming interests. He remembers him telling her, ‘Always plant things early enough to give them time to grow.’ Asked if

differs from secular love in that one is conditional and the other is not. By that I mean love in this sense, from its biblical basis, is an unconditional state of being. Love, according to scripture, is a constant. It never ceases to be and it never ceases to give.

I believe that is what is meant by

unconditional. Love by and other definition is not love. It is a perversion of God’s great gift to us. Love like faith requires covenant. I am moved by Daniel’s prayer,” O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with all who love HIm and obey His commands…” Daniel 9:4. I must tell you that this sums up quite a bit for me about this subject. Unconditional love begets something less than unconditional love in return. So all of this begs the question how do you love someone? How do you attempt to love God? Unconditional does not mean undisciplined. It does not preclude commitment. As a matter of fact scripture would indicate that you can’t have anything real happen in your life unless it's based on the love about which I speak. Our entire existence is seen from the perspective of love of family, mother, father, wife, son, husband, fellow man, God. Jesus was crucified based on this love. Isubmit to you that our obligation to each other is to attempt to love ourselves

in such a manner as to recognize the God within us and to then appreciate the God in everyone else. We are then in a covenant relationship with self, each other and therefore in line with the covenant that God has with man. The end result then must be a positive outcome. Jesus' crucifixion had a positive outcome. I submit again that his very directed and guided love will always guarantee an outcome consistent with the wishes of God. Therefore again I say in this context love conquers all. It is our reason for being. It is the reason for salvation”...God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him.” 1 John 4:16.

May God bless and keep you always.

The following passage is from “Spiritually Speaking: Reflections for and from a New Christian” written by James Washington. You can purchase this enlightening book on Amazon and start your journey towards spiritual enlightenment.

he would be proud of what she is building at Bee Free Farm, which is named after Carter’s free nature, “and I have bees,” she said, “He would be extremely proud.”

At Bee Free farm she bottles honey, and even has an organic cayenne pepper flake-infused bottle for sale. She wants to make farming a lifelong venture, not just a reprieve from being a teacher. “I want to be able to achieve financial stability through what I am doing,”

Carter said. “Whether that is through grants is also a possibility.”

Along with the Sunny Side Up Hatching Program, Carter has a couple ideas up her sleeve for 2024. One being the “Cooped Up” program, which she plans to start in April. That program will be used to teach people about how to properly keep chickens on their property. She also plans to start hosting field trips to Bee Free Farm. The first one is sched-

uled for later in the spring. All of these plans are for the future of Bee Free Farms and Carter’s uncle Wayne Carter believes her move from teacher to farmer was a positive one.

“It’s a great idea. We as a people, we need to grow our own food,” he said. “I’m hoping that she can develop some generational wealth for her boys.”

The seeds for that generational wealth are indeed being planted at Bee Free Farm.

Love, according to scripture, is a constant. It never ceases to be and it never ceases to give. Photo Credit: iStock.com/Kara Gebhart

Along with working on the farm and with the chickens, Carter, a teacher for 20 years, still gets to teach her junior-farmers-in-training in a classroom setting from time to time. Above: At Fickett Elementary School in Atlanta. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

State

Getting regular exercise in 2024 may actually be attainable with these 3 steps

Georgia Senate approves school voucher bill

BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN

The Georgia Senate passed the school voucher bill, along party lines on Wednesday afternoon. After the 33-21 vote, the bill is now headed to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for his signature.

The bill promises $6,500 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.

This is how the program is structured: If a parent wants to use the money to pay for part of a private or homeschooled education, the money would be placed into a Promise Scholarship Account. Additionally, if a parent wants to draw down those funds to pay tuition for a particular school, the state must also determine that the school is authorized to participate in the program (provided that the student gains admission to the private school of his/her choice).

The changes the House made to the bill last week adds a means-tested priority for students whose families make 400% or less than the federal poverty level, which equates to a family of four making less than $120,000 annually. The second change to the bill establishes a dedicated authority that will be housed within the Georgia’s student finance commission which manages the disbursement of funds, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

It caps the appropriations at $140 million dollars per year and $14 billion through the life of the program at the end of 2035. The caveat being a student that is enrolled in 2035 can still finish the scholarship program.

The bill also codifies the teacher pay raises that were approved in 2019, Governor Brian Kemp’s first year in office. Teacher salaries increased $6,500 per year. As soon as the bill passed out of the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones issued the following statement:

“Today, the Senate voted to give parents greater control over their children’s educational needs. I made passing school choice a priority and am proud of the Senate for leading the way in the most substantive initiative to pass the Georgia General Assembly in decades. This is a critical first step but the fight does not stop to give parents choice and resources for their child’s diverse and unique educational needs.”

In a move to increase enrollment in pre-kindergarten classes, the legislation also would let public schools use state capital construction funds to build new pre-k facilities.

Senator Greg Dolezal, a Republican from Cumming, authored the bill. He said this legislation provides transparency by which

parents and the public can see what their investment is.

“So we have this feigned outrage about the distribution of funds, but it’s really, really selective outrage,” said Dolezal. “And I can’t help but wonder why. Do you know what the median cost is for a private school in the state of Georgia? Maybe not the ones that you all send your kids to, but the median cost of a private school in the state of Georgia? $8,300. So don’t tell these parents that a $6,500 bridge can’t change the life of their family, because it can.”

After the bill was passed, House Pro Tem Jan Jones, State Rep. Todd Jones, and other Republicans that supported the bill applauded its passage.

“Every yes vote today was a vote to empower families and students with the choices and

resources they need to chart bright futures for Georgia’s students,” said Americans for Prosperity-Georgia Director Tony West. “We applaud the lawmakers who heard from their constituents and made the right choice to expand educational opportunities in the Peach State. This unlocks so much potential for Georgia’s students.”

“I also wish to thank AFP-GA activists who knocked on over 39,000 doors and hundreds of emails to their lawmakers urging them to join other states in expanding education freedom.”

Meanwhile, Democrats voiced their outrage during the debate.

“It is a battle for our education system,” explained State Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes, a Democrat from Duluth. “For too long our public schools have been suffering from a

lack of funding. Public schools are the bedrock of our communities, especially in rural Georgia.”

According to a poll by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) from the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs Survey Research Center, 50.2% of Conservatives (+14.4% margin), 57.3% of Moderates (+26.1) and 56.7% of Liberals (+18.5) responded that they would not support any form of public money funding private school vouchers. Democrats claim this bill could be potentially damaging to rural public schools and public schools in Atlanta that do not receive adequate funding from the State.

Furthermore, there are studies that inextricably link students’ academic performance to their socioeconomic backgrounds. According to a 2020 study by the United States Department of Agriculture, Georgia had more children (aged 0-17) in poverty than 43 other states. Georgia is also one of only six states that does not provide added support for students living in poverty.

State Senator Derek Mallow, a Democrat from Savannah, argued Senate Bill 233 is unconstitutional.

“This is done under the guise of educational freedom and educational choice,” said Mallow. But colleagues I tell you, the way I look at it, it appears to me to be a little unconstitutional. When I think about what it means to talk about public education, and what’s happening in schools, I think history has shown us the condition of our schools are based on the environment in which we placed them.”

Georgia State Senator Derek Mallow, a Democrat from Savannah, speaks against Senate Bill 233 inside the Senate Chambers at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Georgia State Senator Greg Dolezal, a Republican from Cumming, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 233 inside the Senate Chambers at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Election Central

Clayton County sheriff candidates meet at community forum

BY DONNELL SUGGS

FOREST PARK, GA. - The lobby of Living Faith Tabernacle was full of local election candidates and tables full of campaign flyers, cards, yard signs, and bumper stickers on Sunday evening. The church was the site for the first candidate forum of the election season. The three people looking to unseat current Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen, Jr. during the May 21 election, Clarence Cox, Jeffrey Turner, and Charlene Watson-Fraser, all arrived at the church for what would be a well-attended forum. Allen did not attend. He also failed to attend a candidate forum for the special run-off election in January 2023 , but that did not stop him from winning the election by 266 votes over Cox.

The forum, which was moderated by WCLK-FM radio personality Kiplyn Primas, began with the seat to the right of Cox empty and each candidate making opening remarks. Turner, a 35-year Clayton County employee in a number of capacities, including Clayton County Police Department chief, referred to himself as a “local guy.” Watson-Fraser, who spent part of her law enforcement career in Baltimore as a police officer, also has experience working for the county as she is currently a detective with

the Clayton County Police Department. She seemed nervous during her opening remarks and made sure to mention that she is a mother and grandmother. Cox, no stranger to campaigning for sheriff, said during his opening remarks, “I’ve led before and I will continue to lead, and with your help we can change the dynamic of Clayton County.”

The first topic of discussion for the sheriff candidates focussed on the 24-year-old Clayton County Jail and what to do with the facility going forward. Though 24 years isn’t old for a county facility, there have been interior issues with the cell locks, for example, at the jail. The candidates were asked what two issues they would immediately address

regarding the jail if they were sheriff and Cox said, “You can’t fix what you don’t know is broken.” He listed having a department-wide forensic audit as a way to learn what exactly needs to be fixed. Watson-Fraser, who looked to become more comfortable after a few minutes, said the Sheriff’s Department’s budget and proper training were her two immediate concerns.

“My job would be to make sure no one else leaves that jail in a bodybag or on a stretcher,” she added.

The question of whether the candidates would support the creation of a citizen review board if they were to be elected was met with both yes and no votes. Both Cox and Turner thought a citizens review board would better serve the Clayton County Police Department, not the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department. “An advisory board would definitely be welcomed,” Turner said.

Watson-Fraser was the only affirmative in this case.

“I believe everyone should be accountable,” she said. “I believe there should be open dialogue between the sheriff’s department and the citizens of Clayton County.”

Cox’s experience as the county’s first leader of school police helped him be the most prepared for a question about school infractions

The Future of the APEX Museum

BY MYA GRANT

Founder of the APEX Museum, Dan Moore Sr., has died at the age of 88. His death was announced earlier this month on the museum’s website leaving many to wonder what will happen to the museum.

Located on Auburn Ave., the African-American Panoramic Experience is the oldest Black history museum in Atlanta highlighting different perspectives of the Black experience to “help all Americans and international visitors better understand and appreciate the contributions of African Americans to America and the world.” Since 1978, Moore and his team has routinely changed exhibits to keep telling untold stories of the Black narrative.

The idea of the APEX Museum came from an inspirational meeting between Moore and Dr. Benjamin Mays, minister, activist and former president of Morehouse College.

From that meeting, Moore understood the need for preserving accurate Black history and began creating a unique experience that wasn’t centered around slavery being the foundational knowledge of origin.

“Generally, a museum includes an individual, era, or a location,” said his son, Dan Moore Jr. “Unlike other museums, you get the full panoramic experience. Our history did not and will not begin with slavery.”

This year, the APEX Museum celebrates 45 years of business, but the unfortunate passing of Moore Sr. is leaving many to question the future of the museum. Moore Sr. left a big impact and an even bigger legacy with APEX and his involvement in the community.

Moore Jr. is currently taking over operations and wants people to always remember his father as the loving, caring and passionate man that he was. While Moore Sr. has been recognized as a Presidential Lifetime

Achievement Award recipient among other accolades, his love for helping others is what he was most known for.

“I want people to remember his love for his people and his passion for teaching the world,” said Moore Jr. “It was phenomenal to see individuals grow under his tutelage.”

Moore Sr. mentored many authors and young people into success. Moore Jr. recalls a former APEX employee that now has a doctorate’s degree and living a fulfilling life in another state, all thanks to the guidance and encouragement of his father.

Some of Moore Sr.’s favorite exhibits were “Women in STEM” and “Black Inventions” as they honored contributions from people who had been overlooked in the history books. Those exhibits will now be on a travel display, meaning they will be on display at any given time.

The Moore family says that they are adjusting as best as they can and are planning

being down by 75% in the 2023-24 academic year. “This is an easy one for me,” said Cox. “If a kid knows you care, they tend to do better. I am for having school resource officers in K-5.”

The department's budget, safety for inmates and officers in the jail and in a moment of humor, who would be the first person to earn an honorary deputy badge under their term as sheriff were among the topics of discussion during the one-hour forum.

Audience questions were submitted throughout the forum and presented to the candidates towards the end of the night. The topics of the questions were mental health training, how to better build a relationship with the Clayton County Police Department, and how to better keep Clayton County judges safer at the county courthouse.

The closing remarks from the candidates included Turner saying, “When I become the next sheriff of Clayton County it will be because the citizens place that trust in me.”

Cox said he would remain as humble and responsive with the public if elected the same way he has been while campaigning for office. “My doors will be open,” Cox said.

Watson-Fraser answered that transparency, fiscal responsibility and “bringing the sheriff’s department into the 21st century” were her goals.

a bigger memorial service in August. Moore Jr. keeps the memories of his father very close to him and knows that his spirit will live on. Implementing Moore Sr.’s future plans for the museum is what keeps him grounded and his father’s vision relevant.

Phase two of the APEX museum will include incorporating newer technologies in the museum. Moore Jr. and the museum plan on collaborating with a television network, AI programs and virtual reality experiences through Morehouse College. Upholding the vision of the future, they also look forward to working with youth ambassadors and other fundraising initiatives to keep the museum connected to the community.

Moore Jr. is very hopeful for the future and will continue to keep his father’s legacy alive. The museum is still open and welcomes visitors to enjoy the African-American Panoramic Experience.

Candidates for Clayton County Sheriff, (left to right) Clarence Cox, Jeffrey Turner, and Charlene Watson-Fraser addressed voters during a forum in Forest Park on Sunday, Mar. 24, 2024. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

BY NOAH WASHINGTON

Almost 40 years ago, global footwear and apparel brand Nike launched the first sneaker to feature air cushioning technology. The design came from the mind of former N.A.S.A. engineer Frank Rudy.

In honor of the launch of the Nike Air Max first released on March 26, 1987, The Athlete’s Foot hosted a commemorative activation honoring the release of the shoes at their Atlantic Station location. The occasion was topped off with the launch of a new product, the Nike Air Max DN.

The event also served as a platform for fostering community engagement, particularly targeting Gen- Z consumers. Recognizing the unique digital-native characteristics of this demographic, Athletes Foot curated a social media campaign featuring multiple Gen Z creators and entrepreneurs. The campaign, centered on the theme of "maxing out reality," encouraging individuals to reflect on their aspirations and contributions towards shaping a better future. Some of these featured Gen-Zers include Anwar Dougsiyeh co-founder of Lotus Rosery, actor Jason Jabbar, and musical artist Cam the Artisan, amongst a selected few.

For the curation of the event, The Athlete’s Foot partnered with William Harper, an Atlanta native and founder of 404 House Productions, to help explore the significance of connecting with Atlanta's Gen-Z cultural pulse. “We worked with seven amazing content creators in their own separate fields,” Harper said. “We tried to diversify them as much so that the regular everyday consumer

that comes in can see themselves.”

Scattered throughout the store was signage detailing each creator and their vocation. Among them was Logan Chelise, a 24-year-old stylist and designer originally from Columbus, Ohio, now based in Atlanta. Growing up, Chelise developed a deep affinity for the Air Max shoe while remembering detailing her troubled middle school experience filled with bullies, “Honestly, I hated Middle School. But my kicks always made me feel better. I got bullied a lot in school, but I always had my own personal style,” said Chelise.

Central to Nike's strategy is the seamless integration of digital elements within physical retail spaces. Athletes Foot Social Media Specialist Aisha Glass highlighted the incorporation of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences, allowing visitors to interact with the store environment and participate in immersive activities.

Collaborations with AR/VR content creators and another highlighted Gen-Zer, such as Julian Slater, 27, alias "tech man 7.0," which had guests virtually shooting hoops as if they were playing an arcade basketball game, while inside the giant “air bubble” meant to evoke the very same design language in the trademark shoe.

Moreover, the redesign of Nike's store concept, exemplified by their new 3.0 concept, which infuses digital elements such as LED screens, neon lights, and hyperlocal signage, Nike aims to create a consumer experience tailored to each store’s identity inside their community.

To see more visit https://www.theathletesfoot.com.au/

Business

Pioneering Interactive Technologies for Inclusive Futures

BY LENTHEUS CHANEY

In the realm of tech innovation, entrepreneur Farah Allen has a compelling story. Allen, the CEO and founder of The Labz, has journeyed from solving pressing issues in the music industry to revolutionizing interactive content creation.

From Music Innovation to Interactive Revolution

The Labz began with a unique mission: to protect the intellectual property of songwriters in the music industry through blockchain technology. However, despite solving a critical issue and gaining recognition from major industry players, the venture faced challenges far beyond technological barriers.

“It was very strange and very sad too because I reached the highest of the high of where I could go with it,” Allen said. “It wasn’t a problem with getting customers. It was a problem of funding the company. I was a technology company that didn’t have adequate funding.”

A 2018 Morgan Stanley sponsored study showed that investors believe minority businesses receive adequate capital. The 20-page study states that many white male investors have little contact with non-white or female business owners. These investors also report that women-owned and minority-owned businesses “receive a fraction of the capital, yet most believe that the funding landscape today is balanced.”

“So, there were a lot of microaggressions when it came to fundraising and me being an African American woman,” Allen said. “I had all these people who said this is great and I had all these customers, but of course, you can’t run a technology business without the funding to back it.”

The turning point came for Allen when the film industry saw immense value in The Labz’s collaborative tools and sparked a pivot that would redefine the platform’s purpose.

Under Allen’s leadership, The Labz evolved into an intuitive, no-code platform enabling users to transform static content into vibrant, interactive experiences. This capability became particularly crucial as organizations sought more immersive ways to host events and build communities online.

“We came to the point where the film industry wanted what we had built,” Allen said. “They loved the collaborative part of what we had designed, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, we actually got the film industry involved and started building tools that were more immersive for collaboration.”

Empowering Voices through Innovation and Equity

Allen’s trajectory has not been without its hurdles. The tech industry, notoriously challenging for Black female founders to navigate due to systemic barriers to funding and recognition, posed significant obstacles.

The establishment of ventures like the Fearless Fund, which focuses on supporting women- and minority-led startups, marks a critical shift toward a more equitable ecosystem.

“Fearless Fund is one of my biggest investors to date, and without them, I wouldn’t have been able to stay operational or have seen the growth with The Labz as you see it today,” Allen said.

With this critical funding, The Labz expanded its focus to include interactive events and virtual spaces.

“We’ve had tremendous growth with the biggest companies in the world using the platform, from Microsoft to Google, and Delta is one of our biggest customers,” Allen said. “They weren’t looking at me as just a Black woman. They are looking at me as an innovator and someone bringing something inno-

vative to market.”

The Future of The Labz and Interactive Technology

Looking ahead, Allen envisions The Labz as the next big platform for creating immersive web experiences, akin to Canva for interactive content.

“I see a pathway to that. I’m closing a funding round right now that’s going to allow me to push the marketing and push the technology to the levels it needs to be so that it’s more accessible to everyone to use,” Allen said. “We’re taking over what a website used to be and saying, ‘Hey, if it’s not Labz, you’re not in the game.’”

Furthermore, Allen emphasizes the importance of embracing AI not with fear but as a tool to unlock unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, creativity and inclusivity.

“It’s all about knowledge and knowing how AI can benefit you by making things efficient,” Allen said. “Efficiency and converting people through engagement.”

Standing on the Shoulders of Others

Allen’s journey is a testament to resilience, and in her story, we find the essence of what it means to be a trailblazer, no matter the background.

“I think about my parents, Jamaican immigrants, and the strength it took for them to come to America and start over,” Allen said. “I think about those Black women in corporate America who became CIO and CTO. I got denied in corporate America too.

“So, I looked up to those people because I know the denial that exists,” she said.

With an amazing work ethic and gracious attitude, Allen focuses on the positive intersections of tech and equity.

“I can’t afford to think about the negative side of what’s going to prevent me from being successful,” Allen said. “I can only receive and be thankful for the support of folks that want to see me get there.”

Allen, the CEO and founder of The Labz, has journeyed from solving pressing issues in the music industry to revolutionizing interactive content creation. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Bonika Wilson believes successful marriages are treated like businesses

Encouraging Health and Wellness in the African American Community

BY RADHIYA ALSTON

The importance of physical, mental, and emotional wellness is something that should always be highlighted in the African American community. Sekou Walton, personal trainer and founder of Body Assassin, is an advocate for educating our community about the importance of health and wellness. Walton, who founded his personal training business Body Assassin in 2007 says “one thing that I’ve noticed is we lack the knowledge of fitness and wellness.” There are many factors that play a role in gaining beneficial knowledge.

Walton explained that working out plays a role, but the focus must start with nutrition. The food that we eat and how it is prepared needs to be reevaluated. When it comes to the meals we prepare, Walton says, “it has to start with our elders, we have to encourage them to make better choices.” He also explained that the rate of hypertension is high in the African American community. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) African American adults are 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure.

Some easy tips and tricks that Walton has when it comes to nutrition is understanding how the body works and what it needs to thrive and survive. He says that “in order to see change it is important to keep it simple.” Understand what you are putting into

your body. Staying away from processed, fried, and high sugar foods is key. Walton explained that it is important to find grocery stores like Sprouts, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods that can meet those needs.

When it comes to being involved with fit-

ness Walton says, “you do not have to join a gym to be active, use your local parks or places around your area to stay moving.” He also explained that it is important to be aware and check in on the stressors of your life. It is good to know that when you are active it can also help with your mental being as well. Walton has seen since being in this industry that for other cultures and demographics fitness and having a trainer is a lifestyle for them. He is hoping to see that become the same way for our culture. In the future Walton hopes to see more Black families being active together and spreading the importance of it all to others.

Walton’s goal is continuing to educate the African American community on the importance of getting your rest, eating foods that fuel your body, working on staying in a good mental space, and staying active. He believes that when we show up for ourselves, that is when we are able to be seen as the best versions of ourselves.

To find out more information, or if you have any questions or inquiries about Sekou and Body Assassin check him out on Instagram @bodyassassin.

MSM, Families First provides psychiatry care to kids

BY ALLISON JOYNER

According to the Work Health Organization (WHO), one in seven 10-19-year-olds experience a mental disorder, including depression and anxiety, with suicide being the fourth leading cause of death for 15-29 yearolds.

Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), along with mental health nonprofit Families First, is helping to bring accessible mental health care for young people with its new child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) clinic.

MSM behavioral health clinicians will be available to see patients on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Families First facility on Joseph E. Lowery Blvd, where CAP fellows and psychiatry residents will evaluate and treat mental health conditions in youth up to age 21.

“Our weekly clinic at Families First is open to patients up to the age of 21, who will be evaluated and treated by MSM physicians, as well as fellows and residents in training,” said Dr. Sarah Vinson, Chair of MSM’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and professor of psychiatry and pe-

diatrics. “Young people who need primary medical care will be referred to our nearby Morehouse Healthcare clinics.”

For over 130 years, Families First has been the state’s longest-running nonprofit. It improves the outcomes for families with complex challenges by helping them strengthen their resiliency.

“Collaboration and partnership are the essence of effective and comprehensive behavioral health services,” said Paula Moody, CEO of Families First. “Responding to the needs of people struggling with mental health challenges can’t be addressed by one agency; it takes a team of organizations to

help break the stigma, treat trauma, and provide mental health services to everyone regardless of their circumstances.”

Through the new partnership, Vinson says that Families First First and MSM will provide culturally and structurally informed child and adolescent psychiatric care that aligns with the historically Black medical school’s mission of reversing social determinants of health that are high and the availability of services is low.

“Partnering with MSM gives us a little more bang for our buck,” said Chris Haider-Bardill, clinical director for Families First. Medicaid recipients don’t have to wait

weeks or months for an appointment. As a core provider, Families First can bill the health care provider for services.

Before the global pandemic began in 2020, there was a stigma in the African American community in terms of going to a psychiatrist. Now Moody says that stigma is slowly going away.

“Kids are social creatures, and one of the huge challenges with the pandemic was essentially isolation,” Moody said. “The services that we’re providing here are in person, and we’re able to interact with a child rather than through a virtual little window.”

She added that she is proud of the progress that has been made in the Black community to address mental illness and mental health and acknowledges that help is a good thing.

To make an appointment with a psychiatric physician, call Families First at (404)8532800 or email counseling@familiesfirst.org.

“When you come to Families First for behavioral health and comprehensive behavioral health services, you will work with people who are accessible, empathetic, nonjudgmental, and caring,” Haider-Bardill said.

Walton who founded his personal training business Body Assassin in 2007 says “one thing that I’ve noticed is we lack the knowledge of fitness and wellness.” Photo by Radhiya Alston/The Atlanta Voice

Photo by Allison Joyner/The Atlanta Voice

Nicki Minaj returned to Atlanta with Gag City Tour

BY ISAIAH SINGLETON

“Sell out shows, we don’t sell our souls,” The Queen of Rap Nicki Minaj said in a tweet back in January.

Fast forward to March 20-21, Nicki Minaj touched down in Atlanta for her next stop on the Gag City World Tour. Minaj has also sold out eight shows so far on her critically acclaimed Pink Friday 2 World Tour.

For context, Minaj dropped her fifth studio album and sequel to her debut album Pink Friday, Pink Friday 2 back in December.

I have been anxious for weeks now and the time has finally come! The Barbz were outside in Atlanta showing off their pink outfits to celebrate the Queen of Rap.

Welcome to Gag City Atlanta!!!

They need rappers like Nicki Minaj! When Nicki said, “We’re going to Gag City”, I wasn’t aware she literally meant GAG CITY!

As a barb himself, this was my first-time seeing Nicki Minaj live on tour, so I had to go all out and purchase the VIP “Gag City

Headquarters” Package. This included light refreshments like curry chicken samples and southwest egg rolls, two drink tickets for cocktails, Photo backdrop moments and opportunities, early access to merch, etc.

The lounge felt like a nice precursor before entering Gag City and it did not disappoint.

Once seated, I was sitting so close to the stage where I had an amazing view of Nicki and her dancers. Before Nicki came out on stage, the Barbz were rapping lyrics to her songs, bar for bar, while Nicki’s DJ, DJ Boof, was playing her classics to get the crowd hyped.

One minute we are all vibing and the next, the stage activates, and we are instantly transported into Gag City.

Opening with “I’m The Best”, instantly transported me back to the original Pink Friday days. There’s something so magical about seeing Nicki Minaj in her element and zone. It’s even better when you can feel the genuine love and respect the Barbs have for Nicki.

The setlist included classics like “I’m The Best”, “Feeling Myself”, “High School”, “Super Bass”, “Right Thru Me”, “Save Me”, “Here I Am”, “Starships”, “Roman’s Revenge”, “Monster”, and more. It also includes new and recent hits like “Barbie Dangerous”, “FTCU”, “Beep Beep”, “Press Play”, “Hard White”, “Win Again”, “We Go Up”, “Big Difference”, “Pink Birthday”, “Cowgirl”, “RNB”, “Fallin 4 U”, and more.

Some of my favorite songs played live at the show were Red Ruby Da Sleeze, Save Me, Press Play, Feeling Myself, Fallin 4 U, Starships, Hard White, FTCU, and Super Freaky Girl.

One of the most amazing moments of the show, to me, was hearing the entire State Farm Arena yelling to the top of their lungs, Nicki’s lyrics. Some were shedding tears of joy; others were dancing their tails off and having so much fun with their friends. The bond between Nicki and the Barbz are immaculate, you can tell the love between the two is genuine.

Once Nicki finished her first set, Monica came out looking beautiful as ever. She really showed Atlanta a great time and even was a little emotional from all the love she received.

Monica’s set list included "U Should've Known Better", "So Gone", "Before You Walk Out of My Life", "I Keep It to Myself", "Angel of Mine", "Why I Love You So Much", and "Don't Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days)".

Another one of my favorite moments of the show was towards the end when Nicki gave all of us some inspiring affirmations to chase after our dreams and never stop until we reach them. It was a truly beautiful experience.

I encourage all Barbz (even if you aren’t a barb) to go see this tour because it’s worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and this felt like a dream come true.

For more information on the Pink Friday 2 World Tour, visit https://www.nickiminajofficial.com/tour/.

Arts

Art is inflatable

BY ISAIAH SINGLETON

Abrand new visual and interactive exhibition has come to Atlanta.

The Balloon Museum presents: Let’s Fly at Pullman Yards in Atlanta is an original concept featuring works from the most inflated to the most colorful.

Walking from exhibit to exhibit, participants are in for a treat! Synonymous with freedom, flight, and access, the Let’s Fly experience takes guests on an unprecedented sensory journey. Centered on physical interaction, the exhibitions offer an escape into a universe of freedom never imagined.

The entire exhibit takes a little over an hour to complete and each room feels psychedelic, mysterious, and innovative. The Balloon Museum is a format created by a curatorial team who designs and realizes contemporary art exhibitions with specific works in which ‘air’ is a distinctive element.

Guests can play, touch, and feel their way through atmospheres with Cyril Lancelin and his monumental, immersive, and luminous labyrinth, to Rub Kandy and his zany tribe of GINJOS, the bouncing spheres by Motorefisico and delve into a completely new terrain created by Camilla Falsini with her original colorful graphic creations.

Participants can submerge themselves in hypnotic visual effects, transitioning from light, colorful worlds exemplified by artists like Michael Shaw and his aerial installation entitled Lava Lamp as well as Sasha Frolova’s intoxicating kaleidoscopic fountain.

Projections, sounds and movements of different elements accompany the experience: the sky, the sea, and the earth merge until they mingle for the spectacle of the cycle of life. The viewer is invited to immerse, play, and be lulled by a candid environment, becoming an integral part of the work.

Additionally, for the Let’s Fly exhibition, Filthy Luker invites participants to land on an extra-terrestrial planet with their two artworks, Eye Scream and Octopus Attack, while Atelier Sisu joins Balloon Museum for the first time with their grand ethereal bubbles, Evanescent, and Penique Productions make their return with Centipede to take over the space and alter its perception.

The idea behind this exhibition, according to the website, is to provide visitors with a unique, made-to-measure experience.

During my time at the museum, I was able to marvel at the graceful bubbles of the Italian collective, “Quiet Ensemble”, which draws help from the ADA sculpture conceived and designed by German-Polish artist Karina Smigla-Bobinski. I also was able to admire the Floating Giants by the artist Max

Black Kids, Underfunded Public Schools Are Inequality Factories

Overall, the Balloon Museum is a magical journey through out-of-scale installations with unexpected shapes in which the interaction with viewers is placed at the center of the experience.

Streicher.

In this exhibition-experience, artworks stimulate senses through touch, sight, and sound. Having fun while discovering transdisciplinary works of art through immersive proposals is the concept of the Balloon Museum.

Since 2022, artistic propositions have expanded. Today, inflatable art appears in digital projects, with the Ouchhh collective for example and its Data Art experiments, or with the Sila Sveta collective, inviting visitors into their utopian worlds through animated pop images. Founded in 2020, Balloon Museum is an exhibition born in Rome, Italy.

The artists are aware of the need to renew exhibition formats and are constantly seeking to push the limits of this material, which can be transformed at will. In addition, you’ll discover a space devoted to the history of inflatables, from the first experiments by the Montgolfier brothers in the 18th century to the famous Balloon Dog series by American artist Jeff Koons.

Art one can touch, to live with and share, never static that creates an innovative relationship with the user, giving life to an experiential path of socialization. This unconventional approach to culture is fascinating and intriguing to adults and children, as they are passionate and curious, and are helping to establish Inflatable Art as one of the most acclaimed ‘Pop’ movements in the world.

My favorite exhibit of the museum was the “Hypercosmo”. The ball pit was the highlight of the night for me. Participants were able to take pictures and jump into the sea of balls. The ball pit also came with a small light demonstration, which felt euphoric.

Hypercosmo, according to the website, represents the heart of the entire exhibition.

“The Hyperstudio collective takes guests to a new macrocosm, a re-imagining of a natural environment in which the upper and lower parts are in direct communication and involve what is at the center: man,” the website reads.

If it’s for date night, friend’s night, or just a new experience, I recommend everyone to try the Balloon Museum out before it leaves this spring.

The Balloon Museum will be in Atlanta until May 19.

To purchase tickets, visit https://balloonmuseum.world/tickets-atlanta/.

The Balloon Museum presents: Let’s Fly at Pullman Yards in Atlanta is an original concept featuring works from the most inflated to the most colorful. Photos by Isaiah Singleton/ The Atlanta Voice

Sports

BY DONNELL SUGGS

The Atlanta Hawks were 33-39 on the season as of Thursday, Mar. 28. They are firmly entrenched in the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, one game behind the Chicago Bulls and six games in front of the Brooklyn Nets. There are many reasons to consider this season another dud heading into the postseason, but there’s also the emergence of reserve center Bruno Fernando to consider. With 11 more regualr season games to play, Fernando is looking like a solid reason to be positive about the future of this team. A former second round draft pick of the Hawks in 2019, after leaving Atlanta following the 2020-2021 season, Fernando has played for the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, and both times he has been in limited roles off the bench with the occasional spot start. This season he continues to come off the bench for the Hawks but in a much bigger way. He

is averaging career highs in points per game (4.8), rebounds per game (4.2), and minutes per game (12.8).

During Friday night’s 132-91 victory over

the Charlotte Hornets at State Farm Arena, Fernando scored a career-high 25 points in 26 minutes and made 11 of his 14 shot attempts.

“I just try to come in and do my job,” Fernando

said during the postgame press conference. “I just try to find ways to make myself available.”

Fernando grabbed six rebounds during the Hornets game and after the game he credited playing behind Hawks starting center Clint Capela for learning how to offensive rebounds better. The 4.2 rebounds per game that he is averaging this season is also a career high.

The Hawks front office will have one less thing to worry about during the postseason with Fernando under contract for the 20242025 season ($2.7M) and with a club option for the 2025-2026 season ($2.8M), according to data provided by Spotrac.

“I’m going to continue to do as much as I can,” Fernando said after the game against the Hornets. On Monday night during a comeback victory over the Boston Celtics Fernando scored 13 points off the bench and during 120-106 victory over Portland on Wednesday night he chipped in seven points and nice rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.

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