The Atlanta Voice E-Edition 040524

James A. Washington April 26, 1950. - April 2, 2024

James A. Washington, 73, a champion of Black press, passes away

BY DONNELL SUGGS

James Washington, the president and general manager of The Atlanta Voice, a longtime advocate of the Black press, and the 2019 National Association of Black Journalist Legacy Award winner passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

He was 73.

For over four decades Washington had been involved in nearly every level of the communications field. From his time as the publisher of The Dallas Weekly, a Black-owned and operated publication, to his work as the public relations manager for the Dallas Ballet, Washington had always been a strong representation of Black excellence and intelligence.

Washington has twice served on the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce board, the Dallas Arboretum, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association. He is a former tri-chair of Dallas’ Commission on Race Relations and the Dallas Together Forum. He is also a former member of the Federal Reserve Bank's Small Business and Agriculture Advisory Committee in Dallas. Jim was named "Man of the Year" in 1986 by the Dallas Metropolitan Club of Negro Business and Professional Women. Since then, he has been honored for outstanding community service by organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, The Links, Inc., United Way, Dallas Independent School District, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Daniel "Chappie" James Learning Center, the NAACP, KKDA, and KRLD radio stations, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Museum of Arts, and the State Fair of Texas.

James served on various boards, such as the Dallas Theater Center and the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce. He has also been a member of the City of Dallas' Marketing Committee for Southern Dallas, the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Citizens Council. In addition, James has chaired The Fair Park Merchants Association. He has served on the advisory committees of various organizations such as the Dallas Opera, the Dallas Independent School District, Guaranty Federal Bank,

and Nations Bank (now Bank of America). He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Friends of the Dallas Public Library, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Private Industry Council of Dallas, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Zoological Society, Cotton Bowl Athletic Association, Dallas Historical Society, “I Have a Dream” Foundation, The Science Place, American Heart Association, Junior Achievement, and the Greater Dallas Planning Council.

James has a long history of public service. He served as an advisor to the original Citizens Charter Review Committee, which brought single-member City Council districts to the city. He has also been a member of several other committees and advisory groups, including the Mayor’s Task Force on Childcare, Youth Services, and South Dallas/Fair Park, the Census Education Committee, and the Public Education Committee of the American Red Cross.

James Alfred Washington was born on April 26, 1950, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Frank Spencer Washington Sr. and Cecelia Eva Burns Washington. He was the youngest of their two sons. James exhibited characteristics that would serve him well from an early age as he became a master communicator. His family relocated to Chicago, and he graduated from De La Salle Institute in Chicago.

Following the trail blazed by his mother, Washington also became a Jaguar at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he received his bachelor’s degree in English and Instructional Media. He then graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a Danforth Fellow.

An author, Washington published his book Spiritually Speaking, Reflections For and From a New Christian, in 2019.

Washington is survived by his wife, The Atlanta Voice publisher Janis Ware, his children, daughter Elena Bonifay (husband David Bonifay) and son Patrick Washington, the current publisher of The Dallas Weekly (wife Jessica Washington); his grandchildren James Spencer Emanuel Washington, Penelope Elena Jimenez Washington and William Emmanuel Edward Austin Bonifay, and a host of nieces and nephews.

James Washington, the president and general manager of The Atlanta Voice, a longtime advocate of the Black press, and the 2019 National Association of Black Journalist Legacy Award winner, passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on Tuesday, April 2 2024. Photo by Trarell Torrence

Protesters rally against appeal in Ahmaud Arbery murder case

BY DONNELL SUGGS

Acrowd of non-violent protests stood just a few feet from the entrance of one of the highest courts in the land on Wednesday morning in downtown Atlanta. Their purpose was to let their voices be heard in opposition of an attempted appeal.

The three men convicted in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery; William Bryan, Gregory McMichal, and Travis McMichael, were granted an opportunity to appeal their convictions. The court hearing took place at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. A rally organized by a number of civil rights and grassroots organizations, including Black Voters Matter, Georgia NAACP and the Transformative Justice Coalition brought dozens of protestors and supporters to Forsyth Street.

Looking around at the crowd assembled outside the crowd, Arbery’s father Marcus Arbery, Jr. said of the overwhelming support for his family, “It makes me feel so good because what happened to Ahmaud, if we don’t stop this now, it will happen again.”

Along with Arbery, Jr., Ahmaud’s mother Wanda Cooper Jones, his aunt Carla Arbery, and other family members were in attendance for the hearing earlier that morning.

Georgia NAACP President and attorney Gerald Griggs said of the full-throated supporters and familial support, “The message that we are sending is that the NAACP in Georgia will show up anytime, anywhere. This is the first protest at the 11th Circuit.”

Cliff Albright, the co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter added, “We wanted to send a message that we have not forgotten. We are going to be here. Wherever there is an injustice done to the community, we will be there.”

Chants of “Bring Jackie Johnson to Justice” were heard throughout the rally. The former Glynn County District Attorney was ultimately charged with one count of violating her oath of office and another count of obstructing and hindering law enforcement, but some of the civil rights leaders and attorneys in attendance believe justice has not been served in regards to her yet.

A number of supporters that were not affiliated with any of the organizations or the Arbery family were also in attendance, including Alichia Lewis. Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Lewis was standing outside the courthouse holding a “Justice for Ahmaud” sign. Lewis was in the courtroom for the appellate hearings. She wasn’t impressed with the defense. “They tried to bring up irrelevant stuff, but it didn’t work,” she said. “It was interesting.”

In an election year, with both local and national implications galore, all eyes will remain on Georgia. Griggs believes a turnout

like what took place at the courthouse is just a small example of the people power that resides in Georgia.

“Everybody wants Georgia votes, so you better come do some justice in Georgia,” he said.

What’s Next:

There will be an appeal hearing on the state level on Wednesday, June 5.

A “Justice for Ahmaud” rally took place in front of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit Wednesday morning, March. 27, 2024. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Alichia Lewis outside of the courthouse on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Black Voters Matter co-founder and executive director Cliff Albright. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

“Don’t be afraid to go outside

Don’t be afraid to think outside the

Don’t be afraid to fail big, to dream big, but remember, dreams without goals are just dreams.”

Fani Willis Forgot Black Women Are Always on Trial

BY HIRAM JACKSON

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis appeared to be a promising prosecutor who was exceptionally qualified to bring former President Donald Trump to reckoning for seeking to overturn election results in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election process. The thought of a self-assured, determined and accomplished Black woman determining his fate and toppling his reign looked like divine justice.

Although Willis showed Herculean strength in bringing RICO charges against the perpetrator of the “Big Lie” and ultimately indicting Trump and 18 of his closest friends and political allies, her professional conduct has become the cornerstone of the entire ordeal.

Judge Scott McAfee, 34, is expected to rule by the end of this week whether, as The New York Times put it, “to disqualify Ms. Willis on the grounds that a romance she had with Nathan Wade, the lawyer she hired to run the case, created an untenable conflict of interest.”

But the vigor with which Trump and his supporters have sought to disqualify Willis from the legal proceedings against him and his co-defendants is next-level political theater designed to discredit Willis by leaning into racist stereotypes of Black women as hypersexual, hostile, aggressive, incompetent, and unprofessional.

“I’m never surprised when I’ve seen Donald Trump attacking women, especially Black women. This is who he is,” Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.

Indeed, Black women in positions of power — like Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and former Harvard University President Claudine Gay — are often targets in America.

A statement released on Monday by a coalition of more than 100 prominent Black women, including former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin and civil rights leader, Helen Butler called out how “When Black women ascend to positions where their voices can be heard, their presence seen, and their power felt, it often unsettles certain individuals in this country.”

The coalition noted, “We knew that the first Black woman to become the district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, would face challenges, especially when prosecuting powerful men.”

The statement pointed out that folks weren’t putting Willis’ personal life under the microscope “when she prosecuted and locked up Black teachers, or when she indicted Black gang members.”

But the standard is suddenly different now because Willis is pursuing charges against Trump. “Remove the unfair burdens placed on Black women and stop subjecting us to higher standards than others. We are not Wonder Woman,” the coalition wrote. No doubt, Black people

— especially those of us who know it’s true we have to be “twice as good” at our jobs — are angry with Willis. She didn’t appreciate just how volatile her position is and she underestimated how her romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade would impact the proceedings against Trump. But we would be wrong to villainize her for her indiscretion.

The Willis-Wade relationship is controversial, but it shouldn’t be a get-out-of-jail-free card for Trump and the other defendants in the RICO case. According to Georgia law, a prosecutor is disqualified from a case due to a “conflict of interest” when the prosecutor’s conflicting loyalties could prejudice the defendant, leading to an improper conviction. This romance doesn’t rise to that standard.

The district attorney’s predicament is not a case of “white people do it all the time” either, as critics of all colors have admonished Willis for her affair with her colleague.

Political operators have been working against the popular prosecutor since the onset of the election tampering investigation. One month after the August 2023 indictments against Trump and his allies, Republican agents began putting pressure on Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp, to convene a legislative session to investigate Willis. Kemp refused.

A month later, in September 2023, Newsweek published an article, “Four Ways Georgia Republicans Could Remove Fani Willis.” None of

the four tactics — being indicted for a felony, impeachment by a Georgia Senate vote, recall, or being found unable to fulfill her constitutional and statutory duties — applies to Willis’ situation.

But a love affair opened the door to removal from the case against Trump, which without Willis (and Wade) will probably result in acquittal.

Should Willis have seen this level of scrutiny coming? Yes. She was aggressively pursuing and caught a fiendishly “big fish.” This is the man who called the Jan. 6 insurrection, “a beautiful day.”

But what did she really do?

According to mainstream media, she may have committed an indiscretion so egregious that it may disqualify her from prosecuting the Trump case. The actual indiscretion is that she has the gall to indict a former president. Trump and his allies have achieved what they intended to do: demean the prosecutor and derail the judicial process.

Whichever way the judge rules, the damage is done, and we can only hope the fallout doesn’t affect our democracy — or other powerful Black women who have worked so hard for a seat at the table.

Hiram Jackson is the CEO & Publisher of Real Times Media, which includes The Michigan Chronicle, a partner in the Word In Black collaborative

Donald Trump knows racist stereotypes about Black women make Willis an easy target, even when he’s the perpetrator of the “Big Lie.” Photo by Alex Slitz / POOL / AFP

Count on Him

BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON

Iheard something this morning that has stayed with me and has become embedded in my spirit, so I thought I would pass it along. ‘God is not schizophrenic.’ It sounds simple enough, but at close inspection, this is pretty powerful stuff. When I looked for a biblical reference to elaborate on this point, there were actually too many to quote.

I mean the bible is full of confirmation about God’s consistency and his unwavering faithfulness to us. God keeps His promises and in His unpredictability, he is predictable. God Loves us and no matter how hard we try to deny this, remove ourselves from this truth, the Bible never changes. Warts and laws and faults, God loves us.

The problem with God’s consistency is our inconsistency. When you put that into perspective alongside God’s steadfastness, our fickleness screams out almost as some kind of bizarre laughter. Our behavior might become unsteady and sinfully shaky, but our faith should not be. In the context of faith then, the consistency of God’s

promise and His oath/covenant flourish. We’re not dealing with trick questions or slight of hand or spiritual illusions when it comes to God’s promise of eternal life and everlasting salvation in the kingdom. With fiath comes the understanding that “God is not schizophrenic.” Someone once told me that there should be some things in life that you can count on.

The reference was to the many things in life that you can’t count on. Friends will let you down. Family will fail you. Circumstances will change.

God Loves us and no matter how hard we try to deny this, remove ourselves from this truth, the Bible never changes. Photo Credit iStock.com/ Jacob Wackerhausen

Fate is inconclusive and fame is fleeting. Yet and still, God is. Being a Christian, however, does not exempt us from the challenges that confront us everyday. They are severe. Tests and testimony are real. Yet and still God is. He does require, rather demands, the discipline of faith. Unfaithfulness, schizophrenia, relapse, back sliding, that’s what gets us into trouble. Faith, fortunately, gets us out. Faith gets us out because God is good all the time. God is God all the time, always was, always will be. Again, God is.

He is not lost. He hasn't moved. He’s at the same place where you originally found him and He’s waiting for you to acknowledge Him again and again. My bible says faith proves itself by obedience to the Lord. The more we accept God’s steadfastness, the clearer our pathgets. Faith in almighty and all-powerful God raises our understanding to that level.

When all is said and done, what more do you need? Once you understand where home is and that it will always be there, no matter where you are or what you encounter, you’re never lost. And so it is with God. Because we recognize who He is and therefore who we are in relation to Him, we too, will never be lost or forsaken, May God bless and keep you always.

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

Should

transgender women be allowed to participate in sports competitions alongside individuals who were born female?

“I believe that transgender women should be able to participate in collegiate women's sports if they are non-contact sports. I believe it will increase the competition in the game, push the women's game forward, and allow women to compete in spaces they feel comfortable in. I added the stipulation for non-contact sports for obvious physiological reasons. However, it also draws ire and attention to the leagues and the organizations that may be unwanted. So, if we start by experimenting with non-contact sports, maybe we can transition into seeing what that looks like in contact sports.”

AKEEM ADEWALE

“My response to the question of whether trans and non-trans women should compete together, my answer would be no, based on genetics or physical, not even genetics: male and female. Even if you call yourself a female now, you still do it naturally. Yeah. The average guy is going to chart in the top-tier women people. So, I feel like there's no longer an equal playing field. And I think it doesn't make for a good competition. It's just an onslaught of one race going against another race. But it's not a race, but it shouldn't be. So, I don't believe they shouldn't compete against each other. But if everyone's asking for equality and an even playing field, everyone should have all this equality stuff, and it will work out. But I don't think it's this competitive at all. I think it's just like bullying, honestly.”

LAUREN ARTIS Stone Mountain

“I feel that it is a disadvantage to cisgender women when transgender women are playing sports when their physical body is different from cisgender women. I'm a part of the LGBTQ community, so I don't have anything against them. I feel like the way their bodies are structured;cisgender women cannot compete with that.”

KEANU HALL Decatur

“My answer is no, only because I ran track. So, I do not know how it is to be disadvantaged in sports that don't have that financial backing, they don't have that exposure to the Olympics, and everything else. We are put back simply because of the advantage of testosterone. So yes, we know about the treatments, the medications, and things of that nature. What I think should happen is that they should have their section within whatever sport they are. So that way they can have an equal playing field and then everyone else that doesn't identify as transgender or whatever the case may be, they aren't at a disadvantage due to, you know, the other things.”

The Atlanta Voice

“YOUR VOICE”

JIHANNE BURGESS Atlanta

Decatur

Local DeKalb County State Court Judge candidates appeal to voters

BY LAURA NWOGU

General elections for DeKalb County state court judge will occur on May 21, and the Decatur-DeKalb chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women is working to help voters make an informed decision. In partnership with the Junior League of DeKalb County and the DeKalb NCNW Section, the organization held a panel at the Stonecrest Library on Thursday evening for the judicial candidates running for DeKalb County State Court judge division A-3: Mecca Anderson, Yolanda Mack and Dionne McGee.

The women are vying to fill the open seat that will be vacated by retiring judge Wayne Purdom. The panel was hosted by Cherise Challenger where the attorney asked the candidates questions about what motivated them to pursue law, how they navigate challenges such as adhering to legal principles in difficult circumstances, how they would handle cases involving vulnerable populations and measures they would implement to address issues of judicial transparency, accountability and backlog.

About the Candidates

Anderson is an assistant solicitor in the State Court of Fulton County. She is the only candidate whose legal career has been primarily focused on civil litigation. However, once she knew she was planning to serve as DeKalb County State Court judge one day, she transitioned into prosecuting misdemeanors.

“I have no probate court experience or juvenile court judge experience. However, I have the exact tailored experience for this particular role. I do believe in collegial resolution of cases. That is the respect that I give all my opposing counsel and that's the reputation that I hope to have earned,” Anderson said during the panel. “My resume is extensive in terms of service … in terms of the hundreds of students I’ve mentored. Domestic violence, homelessness — all the issues that face our community that I have served to help resolve.”

Mack, a DeKalb County native, is currently the deputy district attorney for the Sexual Assault Unit at the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and has over 20 years of experience as a lawyer. She is the only candidate with experience as a prosecutor and public defender.

“I believe, based on my experience in DeKalb, being in the community, being involved in the communities that I represent. DeKalb wants someone who's rooted in DeKalb, who understands DeKalb, who understands the people that come before the court, not just this idea of who the people are that are coming before them,” Mack said. “I

think that's important to have someone who has extensive experience, and then someone who has demonstrated leadership the last eight years.”

McGee is the senior assistant district attorney in the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. She is a DeKalb County native with years of experience in both criminal prosecution and defense. She spent five years in civil litigation, representing clients in personal injury cases and family law. She also served as a pro hac judge in the Atlanta Municipal Court, presiding over traffic cases.

“I am a daughter of DeKalb with a legacy of service, and that service is woven throughout my life,” Mcgee said. “I understand that lawyers must know the law, but I also understand, and more importantly, they must apply that knowledge and wisdom with compassion. So while I will hold criminals accountable for their criminal behavior, I believe in supporting programs that rehabilitate individuals for their behavior and get to the root of the issue.”

Early voting is from April 29 to May 17. The general primary will be held on Tuesday, May 21. All DeKalb County electors are eligible to vote.

Left to right: Judicial candidates running for DeKalb County State Court judge division A-3: Mecca Anderson, Yolanda Mack and Dionne McGee. Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice

Forum moderator, attorney Cherise Challenger of Challenger Law Group. Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice

Business

Clayton County set to lose only Barnes & Noble, leaving residents without major bookseller

BY DONNELL SUGGS

The fifth largest county in the state of Georgia will no longer have a major bookseller after May 7. The only Barnes & Noble franchise in Clayton County is scheduled to close in May and with it the only opportunity for locals to browse a large bookstore on weekends or read and study quietly in the attached Starbucks during the week.

Clayton County has just under 300,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census and with no major bookseller within the county boundaries after Store #2865 on Mount Zion Rd. in Morrow closes, residents will have to drive into Atlanta, more specifically, to Buckhead, to shop at a Barnes & Noble. The Morrow store, which is 23,000-square-feet and is on a two-acre lot, had been in business for nearly 30 years. The

closest major bookseller will be the Books-A-Million franchise on Jonesboro Rd. in McDonough, which is 15 miles away.

The letter on the door of Store #2865 began with:

Dear Barnes & Noble Customers, It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of this bookstore as the landlord has chosen not to renew our lease.

The letter also read in part:

It has been our honor and privilege to be your bookseller here in Southlake for the last 27 years.

The closure of Barnes & Noble isn’t all bad news. Clayton County’s other bookstore, Nubian Books, will reap the benefit of the closure, says its owner.

“It’s good for me,” said Marcus Williams, owner and operator of Nubian Books, the only Blackowned bookstore in Clayton County.

On a warm spring Saturday af-

HomeReady

ternoon Nubian Books was busy with customers buying books and fraternity and sorority merchandise. The store is one of the few places on the Southside to be able to buy either product. It is the only place where Black authors can hold book signings, which often takes place outside of Nubian Books. A lack of an available Barnes & Nobles or franchise bookseller will mean more business for this small business.

In an email to The Atlanta Voice, City of Morrow City Manager Jeff Baker said the city is “actively engaged in finding a suitable location for Barnes & Noble to relocate”.

“We aim to ensure this valuable community resource continues to thrive and serve our residents,” Baker said in the email. “The mayor and council are committed to supporting local businesses and maintaining our city’s vibrant character.”

On May 7th the only major bookseller in the fifth largest county in Georgia will close, leaving the county with just one independent bookstore to serve close to 300,000 residents. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

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State

Georgia state Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick champions access to investment

capital

What passed and what didn’t inside the Gold Dome

BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN

The last day of the legislative session saw many controversial bills get close to the finish line inside the Georgia State Capitol. Some bills passed out of the General Assembly and others did not.

Governor Brian Kemp now has forty days to approve the bills, sign them into law, or veto the legislation. Meanwhile, all fifty-six Senate seats and the 180 House seats are up for re-election later this year.

Here’s the rundown on the key bills that hung in the balance.

Notable Bills awaiting Governor Kemp’s signature

House Bill 1105 was created after the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University in Athens. The named suspect, Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26, is not a U.S. citizen.

“As we looked at the situations and circumstances in Georgia around immigration and illegal immigrants, certainly we know that Georgians deserve to be safe in our homes, where we work, where we play, where we run,” explained House Speaker Jon Burns.

House Bill 1015 would reduce Georgia’s state income taxes to 5.39%.

Senate Bill 63 would require cash bail for thirty additional crimes, including misdemeanors. It also restricts who can post that bail. Essentially, no person or organization could post more than three cash bonds in a year. Charitable bail funds or churches would be subjected to the same rules as bail bonds companies.

Senate Bill 351 would require social media companies to get parental permission before letting children younger than sixteen years of age to create accounts. It also bans the use of social media using school computers and the internet. Lastly, it creates new anti-bullying rules.

Senate Bill 189 would create new rules for challenging voter qualifications, allow more candidates of any political party on the ballot that has qualified in 20 states, while banning the use of QR codes to count ballots after 2026. Senate Bill 189 passed by a 101-73 margin in the House. Meanwhile, House Bill 1207 allows a reduced number of voting machines on Election Day. That measure passed 100-75. Republicans say this makes Georgia’s elections more secure.

“Since we’ve been in the majority, we’ve worked on election bills every year, there’s been a tweak to our elections,” said Burns. “We have been looking at different alternatives that will allow our elections to be run very efficiently and effectively. But with se-

curity. And we did take some steps with that in the budget today to make sure that the Secretary of State and his team are able to do the job that gives Georgians confidence in our elections.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia announced if Governor Kemp signs the measure, they will file a lawsuit.

“Access to the ballot is at the heart of our democracy,” said Andrea Young, executive director, ACLU of Georgia, in a statement. “This election ‘Frankenbill’ violates the National Voter Registration Act. We are committed to protecting Georgia voters. If the governor signs this bill, we will see him in court.”

Bills that failed to pass out of both chambers

Proponents of Sports Betting in Georgia will have to wait another year. Senate Resolution 579 and Senate Bill 386 could have passed but Democrats were not willing to agree to how the taxes would be spent. 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, a Republican from Athens, amended the bill to propose up to $22.5 million to treat gambling addictions. Currently, 38 states permit sports betting, including Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina.

House Bill 1104 was a bill originally authored by State Representative Omari Crawford. The new version would have called for the prohibition of students born as biological males from playing in girls’ high school sports, ban the teaching of sex education before the sixth grade and force schools to notify parents whenever their children get books from the library. It was the proverbial Christmas Tree of Conservative culture war bills tacked onto Crawford’s bill.

The measure was not taken up by the House on the final day.

“We know there’s some social issues, if you will, that are important to Georgians that we embrace,” explained Burns. “But, we’re continuing to work with the Senate to

look at those issues, and make some determinations on what’s good for all Georgians, from every walk of life. And we’re conscious of those issues and their priorities. Many of them are but maybe not the same ones the Senate has.”

Next, Senate Bill 235 did not pass out of the House Higher Education Committee. It would have established the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity Planning Districts Commission under the University System of Georgia. It would create community impact districts in the neighborhoods around Georgia’s HBCUs. There were concerns raised during the committee hearings regarding whether or not the bill would usurp the authority from the University System of Georgia with regards to what benefits the schools.

Lastly, Senate Bill 429 would have created a commission that recommends that people who are imprisoned and later cleared of wrongdoing be paid at least $60,000 for each year they were imprisoned.

A photo of the Georgia State Capitol. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

ONLINE

MARTA Airport station closing for renovations, starting April 8 Community

BY ISAIAH SINGLETON

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will close its Airport Station for six weeks from Monday, April 8 through Sunday, May 19 to renovate the concourse and platform levels.

Fortunately, MARTA service will continue to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport via a bus shuttle between College Park Station and the North Terminal Lower Level, downstairs from North Baggage Claim, 22 hours a day, 4 a.m. to 2 a.m.

MARTA officials told individuals during a press conference on March 29 to allow an extra 30 minutes when taking MARTA to the airport.

During the renovation period, MARTA will remove and replace the floor tiles on both the concourse and platform levels at the station as well as prepare the site for the new canopy structure.

The Airport Station Project is designed to improve the safety and appearance of the concourse and platform levels of the rail station that connects to the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The station is served by the Red and Gold Lines and is one of MARTA’s busiest rail stations with approximately 11,000 daily customers.

The project is part of MARTA’s approximately $1B multi-year Station Rehabilitation Program and primarily paid for with State of Good Repair Funds in the Capital budget. The total project cost estimates around $55 million.

Other airport station improvements include:

· New RideStore

· Public art installation

· Replacement of all signage

· Renovation of employee areas

· New canopy complementing Airport canopy

· New wall cladding, ceilings, and lighting in concourse

· Rehabilitation of existing elevator and installation of new elevator

This six-week station closure is necessary to ensure the safety of both customers and workers while also significantly reducing the overall construction time by 17 months.

Additional impacts to complete the project include nightly closures planned for 10 months in 2025 as well as a potential second six-week closure at the end of construction to install the new canopy structure. MARTA began station rehabilitation work at the Airport Station in June 2022. To date, construction teams have completed structural work in preparation for the new elevator installation, replaced the south vestibule and

national destinations all over the world.”

Greenwood said it’s also about the people that are in Atlanta day in and day out who depend on the vital connection to get to and from destinations, which is MARTA.

“This is the first impression for many people coming into the city and coming into this country and we think it’s very important we maintain the standard of caring that people have become accustomed to,” he said.

“As we continue to serve as a vital hub for global travel, the upcoming renovations at MARTA’s Airport Station reflect our joint commitment to enhancing the travel experience,” Atlanta Airport General Manager Balram “B” Bheodari said. “We fully support this upgrade, encouraging our airport community to plan accordingly by allowing extra time for travel. The availability of shuttle service ensures uninterrupted access, and we are grateful for everyone’s cooperation and patience during this transformative time.”

Other key tips beginning April 8:

· If you’re flying out or heading to work at the airport, travel to College Park Station as you normally would and follow the signs for the shuttle to the airport. The shuttle will drop you at the North Terminal Lower Level Doors LN1 and LN2 – conveniently located near the employee entrance.

· If you’re flying in or heading home from your job at the airport, follow the signs to Ground Transportation and North Baggage Claim, and take the stairs, escalator, or elevator down to the North Terminal Lower Level · Doors LN1 and LN2 – to catch the shuttle to College Park Station.

· Delta customers should follow the signs from South Baggage Claim to North Baggage Claim and the North Terminal Lower Level – Doors LN1 and LN2 – to catch the shuttle to College Park Station.

International arrivals: Follow signs to Ground Transportation and take the airport shuttle to the Domestic Terminal. From there, follow the signs to the North Terminal Lower Level – Doors LN1 and LN2 – to catch the shuttle to MARTA’s College Park Station.

progressed electrical upgrades.

MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood said MARTA is on the midst of their most ambitious capital expansion program ever in the history of MARTA.

“It’s worthy we’re standing here to talk

about that type of work we’ve been doing which includes expanding high-capacity transit lines, brining on new trains, new buses, improving our stations, and our refurbishment,” he said. “We have more than 11,000 people who fly in on a daily basis from inter-

MARTA has signs and announcements throughout the rail system and at the airport to alert riders of the temporary rail station closure and bus shuttle service. If you are hosting visitors between April 8 and May 19 who plan to take MARTA from the airport, please advise them to catch the shuttle at the North Terminal Lower Level –Doors LN1 and LN2 – below North Baggage Claim, to connect with College Park Station and the MARTA rail system.

For more information, visit https:// itsmarta.com/airport-station-temporary-closure.aspx.

MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood (above) said this renovation is necessary to ensure the safety of both riders and workers. Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice

A rendering of what the MARTA airport station will look like following a six-week renovation was on display during a press conference on Friday, mar. 29, 2024. Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice

Arts

‘Adversity For Sale’: Jeezy talks about his book at Cam Kirk Studios

Ancestral Origins: The Fractal Vision of Steve R. Allen

BY STAN WASHINGTON

One of the most compelling art exhibitions that this writer has ever seen is by internationally acclaimed artist Steve R. Allen which is currently in the Jack Sinclair Gallery at the ArtsXchange in East Point. The exhibition titled: “Ancestral Origins: The Fractal Vision of Steve. R. Allen '' runs until March 31.

According to Allen, each painting in this Afro-Futurism series took five to six months to complete. And upon close examination of the paintings the evidence is there to back up his claim. You see layers on top of layers of work. You would need to spend at least 30 minutes examining each painting in order to capture its full essence.

Fractal? What are we talking about here?

Scholar Tamara Holmes Brothers, PhD writes, “The ancient wisdom of fractals derives from Africa as it was a commonly used technology by people and civilizations throughout history. The knowledge and understanding of fractals and Afrofuturism provide pathways that unlock the doors to successfully administering his designs. Allen’s vision exists in combining history and fantasy to explore African American experiences aimed to connect those from the Black diaspora with their historically excluded African ancestry.”

Allen’s work hangs in a number of world capitals and in many prestigious collections from Athens, Greece to Rio de Janeiro to Beijing to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. Four of his original paintings have been acquired by The National Museum of African American HIstory and Culture. His work has appeared at eight Olympic Games.

I caught up with Allen for a brief interview at ArtsXchange. This is an edited version of our conversation.

AtlantaVoice: Steve let’s talk about your calling. You had a calling while working in corporate America (Xerox) and you were doing well - to go into art. How long had you heard that voice that was telling you: This is where you need to go?

Steve Allen: I actually hadn’t been hearing a voice. I was happy at what I was doing (Sales at Xerox in California) and one day the boss wasn’t talking right, so I gave him his job back that morning. I went to the unemployment office when I left there and went home and started painting. It was just that quick.

AV: Do you remember the first piece that you painted?

Allen: It was called “Come Monday”. It’s a picture of my grandmother washing clothes in those big tubs like they use to on Mondays. My momma suggested that name. There are three women in the piece and an old house

in the background and we used to live in that house. That was the first piece I painted with brushes and the brushes came from a fellow who found them in a gutter in Los Angeles. I sold that painting years ago back then for $600.00. That was a lot of money. I wish I still had it now.

AV: What brought you to Atlanta?

Allen: I first came when I was 18 years old. My brother lived here. I was here for a year and then left and moved around. I wanted to see what the world looked like. (He moved back to Atlanta in 1992.)

AV: What inspired your current work here on display at the ArtsXchange?

Allen: It wasn’t like I decided that I was going in another direction. Since I don’t have any formal training, it just comes sort of natural to me. The piece “Embrace” was my first

foray into that style away from realism. I did that one in a few hours and then the ideas for the other ones just came. Each piece took five to six months with me working on it everyday.

AV: What is your favorite time of the day to be productive?

Allen: At night is best for me. The phone doesn’t ring. When people are asleep, I’m wide awake. My normal time to go to bed is about 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning and I

wake up about 8 or 9. A nap may come on later and then I get back at it.

Steve R. Allen gives more insight into his work in the video online at: www.theatlantavoice.com

Ancestral Origins: The Fractal Vision of Steve R. Allen Now until March 31, 2024

ArtsXChange

2148 Newnan St., East Point, GA 30344

Artist Steve R. Allen with his exhibition at the ArtsXchange in East Point. Photos by Stan Washington

Health

Obesity Care Week Begins as Report Reveals that Nearly 50 Percent of African Americans Have Obesity

The fight for obesity: Advocates push for Medicaid coverage

BY CLAYTON GUTZMORE

“Iam the poster child of why people living with obesity must have access to all options of care. We must work together to create policies that allow Health Care cultures to promote strong patient-provider relationships that build trust and reduce stigma,” said Michele Tedder, M.S.N., R.N. Senior Program Manager for the Black Women’s Health Imperative.

This is one of the many points shared during a virtual round table discussion with advocates, doctors, and politicians on effective treatments for obesity. All of them were gathered by the independent nonprofit organization Healthywomen. They aimed to explain why obesity should be considered a disease and all parties’ struggles. The group revealed where we are regarding access and progress and shared what the government plans to execute regarding the problem.

“The only way to achieve better health is to ensure access to the tools necessary to create individualized comprehensive treatment plans that include surgery, anti-obesity medications, lifestyle change programs, healthy foods, and mental health care. This

should be a right for all, not a privilege,” said Tedder.

Healthy Women's virtual congressional briefing on treatment for obesity was held on February 1. The online conversation featured Tedder and Dr. Angela Fitch, president of the Obesity Medicine Association, and Dr. Travis Batts, a representative of The Association of Black Cardiologists. The briefing was moderated by WUSA9 weeknight anchor Lesli Foster.

The group explained obesity should be considered a disease because an individual’s genetics, development, environment, and behavioral factors play a role. According to the CDC, 40 percent of American adults are affected by obesity. In 2013, The American Medical Association defined obesity as a chronic disease because it meets specific benchmarks. Conditions lasting more than one year, requiring ongoing medical attention, and limiting the activities of daily living are those benchmarks.

The panel elaborated that people’s belief that it is not a disease is holding back solutions to this problem. Dr. Fitch highlighted that for centuries, everyone has placed the blame on obese people for how they got into

that state instead of looking at it as a complicated problem. She informs the panel that Medicaid does not cover obesity, and the T.R.O.A. (Treat and Reduce Obesity Act) needs to be passed for that to change.

“If I go into the doctor and say I want help with my obesity and my doctor codes my obesity as a disease, that claim gets denied. The doctor doesn’t get paid for that visit. Commercial insurance does not cover obesity, and we need to pass T.R.O.A. to get around so people get the care they need,” said Dr.Fitch.

The Treat and Reduce Obesity Act is a bipartisan bill introduced to the Senate in 2021. If passed, T.R.O.A. will expand Medicaid to cover obesity treatment. Right now, there are six FDA-approved anti-obesity medications available. Without insurance, people would pay close to $1,000 for it. The anti-obesity medication would reduce fat absorption in the body. It would also reduce cravings and appetite, increasing the feeling of fullness after eating.

“This is a game changer. We are seeing the results, and we are seeing people getting healthier because of research and new options in treating and managing obesity as a

disease,” said Beth Battaglino, RN C.E.O. of HealthyWomen

The panel discussed how anti-obesity medication is among the few things Americans need for total health care. They break down how people with obesity need nutritional, behavioral, and mental health counseling. Bariatric surgery is recommended when appropriate. Dr. Batts has a method for his patients that helps their behavior and mental issues before they start taking the anti-obesity medication. It is an acronym for his patients that can help them balance their lifestyle.

“I ask my patients if they took their M.E.D.S.S.S.? I ask them if they focus on mindfulness, exercise, diet, sleep hygiene, social connections, and avoiding risky substances. When they’ve done these steps, I then institute the medication so the patient can see those pounds come off,” said Dr. Batts.

The briefing concluded that Medicaid needs to expand coverage to Obesity treatment. The panel unanimously agreed that science has proven it is possible to resolve this national issue. More information can be found on Healthywomen.org.

According to the CDC, 40 percent of American adults are affected by obesity. Photo Credit: iStock.com/Diamond Dogs

Entertainment

Nicole Cardoza Brings Black Girl Magic to Atlanta

BY LAURA NWOGU

When Nicole Cardoza saw a man pull a rabbit out of a hat as a kid, she knew right then that she loved stage magic. However, even with all the suspension of disbelief that it requires, she could never imagine herself being a magician.

“I never saw another Black woman being a magician,” Cardoza said. “I still haven’t.”

In the realm of stage magic, the presence of women is a rarity, with studies revealing that only 3-8 percent of magicians are women. This statistic becomes even smaller when considering the scarcity of Black women in the field. Yet, Cardoza is challenging this statistic by bringing her unique brand of stage magic to venues and churches across the U.S., proving that 'Black girl magic' is more than a phrase.

The magician stopped at The Atlanta Theater on Friday for the fifth leg of her spring tour and her first time touring in the city.

“By the end of this hour, I want you to recognize the magic that is inherent in you,” she said at the beginning of her show.

An intimate theater of 50 people watched as Cardoza used cardistry to showcase her first illusion. She asked three random audience members to pick a color, suit and number of their choosing. Combined, their choices created a black six of spades. Cardoza revealed that what seemed to be a deck of cards in front of her was actually one card.

“I had a dream about this card last night.” She revealed a single black six of spades in the card pack, eliciting gasps and applause.

Cardoza's journey into stage magic began a decade ago, intertwining with her work in the wellness community. Her studies of magic led her to draw connections between stage magic and the cultural appropriation of spiritual and healing practices during colonization. She was also surprised to find stories of Black magicians throughout history including Richard Potter, the first magician in America to achieve fame; Henry “Box” Brown, an enslaved man who mailed himself to freedom and became a magician; and the Armstrongs, a Black family of magicians during the Jim Crow Era.

“Why, like with so many other things, is there so much blackness at the center for practice but we’re never on stage?”

Her show is aimed at bringing those stories to the stage, blending cardistry, illusions and storytelling to honor the history and future of Black magicians. While the Atlanta show was held in a theater, most of her shows are intentionally performed at churches. Cardoza recognizes that there may be a lot of people within the Black community who haven’t seen a magic show because of the negative

In the realm of stage magic, the presence of women is a rarity, with studies revealing that only 3-8 percent of magicians are women. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

connotations that magic holds as being evil.

Still, she hopes to redefine how people associate stage magic.

“I really just want to reckon with what has taught us as Black people of what is good magic versus bad magic and what is worth

believing.

“There's so much stage magic, and it looks and reflects so much of what we know as Black people. But it's been taken from us in many ways, and so have the practices of which it reflects. So, it's a reclamation of

magic in all its forms.”

Even though she amazes audiences for the better part of the year, being a magician isn’t the only trick Cardoza has up her sleeve. She’s also an award-winning serial social entrepreneur, investor, author and public speaker, upholding her desire to “reimagine what’s possible.” Cardoza is also challenging the ideas people may have surrounding her identity as a Black queer woman performing stage magic. She said her identity doesn’t dictate what she wears and it shouldn’t set her apart from the norm that is a white man performing magic.

“I don't feel tied to gender representation or, in many ways, race in magic in the same way that I think other people do a lot, especially a lot of white women … I think people don't take me seriously. The industry is so far behind. They're just having these conversations around representation.”

Cardoza said she hopes her Atlanta show brings healing and youthful excitement to audiences. She also shared that she’s excited to have a show in a Black city, especially in a region where the stage magic community isn’t substantial.

“So much of Black stage magic’s history in particular is rooted in the South and rooted in Georgia, and so I just think that's really powerful.”

“I never saw another Black woman being a magician,” Nicole Cardoza said. “I still haven’t.” Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

STREET LINES:

For those who appreciate edgy, stylish, and rugged, the new 2023 Ford Bronco Raptor is the epitome of that combination.

Ford successfully kicked in the door with the reintroduction of their iconic Bronco SUV in 2022, and they have made some very impactful alterations to their different trims ever since. This Raptor edition is arguably the most head-turning model, starting with its welcomely imposing exterior. The Ford grille; signature LED lighting package; tow hooks (two in front and two in the rear with 4,500-pound capacity); rock rail with removeable running boards; Raptor branding; and stunning review model color, “Iconic” silver metallic, comes highly recommended. The eye candy factor continues with the 37x12.5R17 all-terrain tires encasing 17-inch alloy wheels, plus the hardtop with a molded-in-color finish, and a MOLLE strap system for any gear accompanying the ride. Of course, the Raptor experience wouldn’t be complete without the doors and roof being removable. The heart is a 3.0-liter V6 all-turbocharged

2023 Ford Bronco Raptor

ONLINE

Bruno Fernando’s improvement is bright spot in up and down season

engine, kicking out 418 horsepower and 440 lb.-ft. of torque, all enhanced with the 10-speed automatic transmission. and fourwheel drive maneuvering. To boost confi-

dence, the front/rear locking differential, front stabilizer bar disconnect for less body roll, Hoss 4.0 suspension with Fox Live Valve dampers for optimal stabilization, and a

terrain management system with G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type Of Terrain) makes virtually any landscape conquerable.

Inside, the Onyx leather-trim/suede seats, sporty leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, 12-inch LCD center stack touchscreen command center that is user friendly, and 360-degree camera pamper the driver and up to four others during every excursion.

Additional standouts include an IP cluster with an 8" digital screen, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi. The overhead console complete with auxiliary switches with pre-run accessory wires provides the conductor with a feeling of an aircraft pilot.

The Bronco Raptor gets a city/highway average of 15 MPG, but you have to pay to play with the extensive list of adventures that await this trim.

Ultimately, whether on the road or off, this Raptor is a stunner serving as the perfect balance of grit, imposing power, and luxury.

Price: The Ford Raptor starts at $86,580 MSRP

For more information, visit Ford.com.

HD Supply, Inc. seeks Manager, Applications Development for Atlanta, GA office.

Req Bachelor’s or equiv in Comp Sci or rel field + 7 yrs wrk exp. Will also accept Master’s or equiv in Comp Sci or rel field + 5 yrs wrk exp.

Duties include manage systems dvlpmnt & oversee project mgmnt. For complete reqs/ duties & to apply visit http://hdsupply.jobs/Job ID: R24001322.

Photos courtesy of Ford