The Atlanta Voice E-Edition 041224

Husband and wife team Vaughn (right) and Cassandra Irons are the owners of Privi, a 143,000 square-foot mixed-use retail project that was once a Sears in the City of Stonecrest. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

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Breathing New Life Into Stonecrest

BY ISAIAH SINGLETON

Husband and wife team Vaughn and Cassandra Irons have been busy over the last few years introducing Priví in the Mall of Stonecrest. Priví is a 143,000 square-foot innovative transformation of the former Sears building at Stonecrest Mall. The goal was to turn the property into a mixed-use project with culinary, entertainment, and cultural hotspots for the growing East Metro Atlanta community.

“Everything in here is about experience,” Vaughn said. “If you go to other places, you’re buying products, but here, you’re buying the environment, the smells, the experience, the architecture.”

Priví is short for privilege and a double entendre because the normal spelling indicates “to be in the know”, Vaughn explained.

The space offers immersive attractions like the aquarium SeaQuest, Picasso’s Splat Room, a multimedia art studio, a mixed martial arts and fitness studio, library, history museum, art gallery, coffee shop, juice bar, conference rooms, and more.

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Early last month, the Irons opened a new location of the nation’s leading luxury massage and facial brands, Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. This marks the couple’s first spa in the Hand & Stone franchise system.

Cassandra said it feels “pretty good” to finally have Hand & Stone open. She also said she’s happy they’re doing it, and all the pre-opening business is behind them.

“Everything is moving forward, and it feels so good to be at this point,” she said.

Cassandra also said they are planning an official ribbon-cutting ceremony around the second week of April.

“We opened March 10, of course on corporate guidelines, so we definitely want to invite the community out and let everybody know,” she said.

Additionally, the Irons decided to open Priví and Hand & Stone because they are residents of Stonecrest and were tired of traveling outside of their community for the things they want to enjoy.

“We decided it was important for us to take on a leadership role in bringing the amenities and services we can afford, and our community deserves,” Vaughn said. “The lifestyle center of Priví was the concept and businesses like Hand & Stone breathe life into that concept because it emphasizes our commitment to customer service, quality experiences, and high level of quietness of the built environment.”

Vaughn said it has been a long journey getting Hand & Stone opened with having to

Along with an art gallery (left), Privi has among its many attractions, a library, history museum, coffee shop, juice bar, and conference rooms.

build it from scratch.

“From the concept, to architectural and design through building and opening an operations hiring stack, which was finding the right team of people throughout this whole metro area, it took months of work for recruiting a great team,” he said.

The Irons said they want to provide a haven for relaxation, rejuvenation, and self-care.

The spa brings professional massage services, including Swedish, Himalayan Salt, Sports, Deep Tissue, Oncology and Prenatal massages to the Stonecrest community. Guests can also visit the new spa to enjoy Hand & Stone’s signature hot stone massage and facial and hair removal treatments tailored to everyone's needs or skin concerns, with a wide range of services available for women, men, and teens.

Through

it all, we have each other

Having been together for eight years and recently married, the Irons have each other’s backs in both love and in business.

Not too long ago, Vaughn was diagnosed with stage 5 kidney disease. When a suitable match for an organ donation couldn’t be found, Cassandra put her name in, but unfortunately was not a match.

In 2022, during the development of their Hand & Stone spa location, she donated her kidney to a stranger, who, in turn, donated theirs to Vaughn. Through these health challenges, the Irons remained focused on their goal of creating generational wealth for their family and a legacy for their children, while finding new ways to serve their community.

Additionally, Vaughn said one of the moments that inspired him as an entrepreneur and added more inspiration for Priví was during his stage five kidney disease battle. This pushed the Irons to want to do something for the community in a big, impactful way.

“It's nice to rally around a health issue, but we wanted to put a tangible example of what people could do to prevent from having health challenges or how to make it easier to build,” he said.

The entire idea, Vaughn said, came while he was at Grady Hospital and what people will see once they enter Priví, is the result of the inspiration the Irons received from God.

“Every couple should have a project, and this is the project we worked on hand in hand,” he said. “This is the spirit of both of us, putting our talents together, the inspiration from God, and us being obedient. We hope people get a taste of that as they move through and see what’s here.”

Additionally, Vaughn said Cassandra was

REMEMBERING JAMES WASHINGTON

Chase and the Atlanta Hawks pay tribute to the life and legacy of James Washington. His contributions to Black journalism and to Atlanta will live on and continue to inspire us.

It’s time to put abortion on the ballot in Georgia

BY GEORGIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE PARK CANNON AND DAVAN’TE JENNINGS

Since the Supreme Court’s devastating Dobbs decision, the people of Georgia have suffered at the hands of our state’s near total abortion ban. And as the fight for reproductive freedom rages on, one thing has become overwhelmingly clear: abortion bans are highly unpopular and the American people want abortion access to stay in place. In fact, in some cases, Americans’ support of abortion has increased since Roe v. Wade was overturned, with a record-high of 69% believing that abortion should be legal in the first three months of pregnancy.

State by state, voters are showing up in record numbers to that effect. From Kentucky to Ohio, Kansas to Vermont, we’ve seen voters mobilize and unequivocally choose to protect abortion rights despite all odds. And this November, abortion will be on the ballot in both red and blue states, giving a critical opportunity to make their voices heard on this crucial issue. Georgia, too, must seize this moment – it’s time to put abortion on the ballot in Georgia.

Currently, Georgia has one of the nation’s strictest and most severe abortion bans, outlawing abortion at six weeks. Most people do not even realize they are pregnant at six weeks, so stripping them of their reproductive health care options before they even know they need them is life-threatening. Studies have shown that states with abortion bans have some of the worst health care systems, which rings true in Georgia.

Abortion bans hurt Black, Brown, and young communities the most facing the highest rates of maternal mortality due to racial discrimination and economic disparities. Georgia, in particular, has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, almost twice as high as the national rate. To make matters worse, the South is an “abortion desert,” with the nearest clinic potentially hundreds of miles away — further limiting and restricting our reproductive health care options. This data makes clear what Georgians already know and have experienced. We deserve better than this. The will of the people is clear: a 2022 poll found that nearly two-thirds of Georgia voters oppose the state’s six-week abortion ban. Georgians overwhelmingly reject laws that endanger the lives of millions of people each year and threaten their well-being. Many Georgia legislators have made efforts to honor their constituents’ pleas and have been drawing attention to the dire need for reproductive health care and abortion rights for years. While it may not always seem like it, there are lawmakers on the right side of history. Most recently, Representative Kim Schofield introduced HR 836, a resolution in the Georgia House, to let the people decide, a measure that would establish a fundamental right to repro -

ductive freedom. This resolution would codify abortion rights into state law once and for all, and if passed through both chambers, would go to the voters in November.

While it is unfathomable that these anti-choice lawmakers in our state are going against the will of voters on abortion access, it’s not altogether surprising. Right here in Georgia, lawmakers pushed through SB 202, one of the worst anti-voter bills in the nation, which made it illegal to offer food and water to voters waiting in line and put the ballot box farther out of reach. Restricting bodily autonomy and democracy go hand-in-hand, Georgia is the epicenter of both fights. Witnessing these attacks has been alarming, but we refuse to be silenced.

Republican politicians are fighting tooth and nail against efforts to put abortion rights on the ballot because they fear what would happen if the people’s voice prevails. In states that have let the people decide, the voters have overwhelmingly turned out in favor of each initiative. Voters should have the opportunity to decide what access to reproductive health care options should look like – not lawmakers or courts with political agendas of their own.

It’s Georgians’ turn to decide whether they want to enshrine abortion rights in their state, and we should have the opportunity to do so,

unfettered by intimidation or criminalization.

This November, Georgians must have the freedom to steer the future of our state in a direction that reflects our collective will and values. To make this our reality, it’s essential that abortion is included on the ballot.

State Representative Park Cannon serves the citizens of Georgia’s House District 58. The new District 58 includes a diverse cross-section of intown Atlanta within Fulton County. Specifically, Westview, Harris Chiles, Ashview Heights, AUC, The Villages at Castleberry Hill, Castleberry Hill, Vine City, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, Southwest Atlanta, Laurens Valley, Campbellton Rd., Adams Park, Venetian Hills, Oakland City, Bush Mountain, and the West End. In 2021, Rep. Cannon was named “Legislator of the Year” by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Davan’te Jennings is a community activist with a passion for community engagement and social justice. With 5 years of experience in community organizing, he has developed a deep understanding of education and communication. Known for organizing a dormant chapter with the Clayton County Young Democrats, Chair of the Young Democrats of Georgia Black Caucus, Davan’te is dedicated to social equality for all people.

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You Really Can’t Hide From God

BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON The Atlanta Voice

You know, it’s pretty hard for people to lead with their weaknesses as opposed to showing off their perceived strengths. We all like to let the world see us in our best light. It’s for other reasons that we want to keep our shortcomings hidden in the dark, hopefully never to see the light of day. Some of us can even trick ourselves into believing that our true self is the one we show to others and not the one we take to bed with us, by ourselves each and every night. The longer we hide from ourselves, the more we’re likely to have difficulty understanding and then dealing with who we really are as people. Some might call it denial. The problem with spiritual denial is it’s impossible to do. You cannot deny your own sinfulness. You cannot hide from your own sin. There is no rationalization for the exclu-

sion of God in your life. Regardless of how much you want to show the world your high moral standards or perceived high spiritual standing, when it comes right down to you and God, that dog simply won’t hunt. In order to get your life in balance, you must first recognize the futility of trying to come off to others as if sin is not a part of who you really are. Then again, isn’t it how you come off to the Lord that’s the issue?

After all, when the lights go out, and it’s just you, are you really alone? Maybe that’s why some people need to have anything but silence and solitude as companions. In relation to God, it’s not a very comfortable situation because you know, in God’s eyes, you’re never alone. You know, in God’s eyes, you can’t even run, let alone hide. Wherever you are, He is. Whatever you are, He knows. Whatever you did,

well, that’s the nature of God. And the nature of the Lord says to lead with your weaknesses. Bring Him your sins. Confess, and then, maybe, then, and only then can you and your God take positive action about your life. But first, we’ve got to take care of the basics. Empty the closet. Acknowledge the dirt. Understand its nature. Then, bring it into God’s house. He’s the only one who can clean it up anyway. He’s the only one who can, and by His nature, will accept what He’s interested in. That’s one of the many beauties of Christ Jesus. His life and death and life paid for and took care of the need to hide your sinful nature from anyone.

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Proverbs 28:13.Confession allows God to enter into the picture. Confession is a declaration that comes

from a place inside you that you mistakenly think is controlled by you.

Once you recognize and accept who is really in control, then from that point on, you become an example to the world that openly declares, My name is (insert your name), and I’m a sinner who has been saved. God has accepted me for who I really am. It’s now your turn because, without Him, I am nothing. With Him, I am everything. Look at me and learn.

Examine me and see Him. I am who I am, blessed in the sight of God, and I pray that He will also bless you always.

Amen…

This column 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.

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Mayor hosts first Youth Town Hall at Gathering Spot

BY LAURA NWOGU

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens held a youth town hall on Tuesday at The Gathering Spot, where students at Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta universities have the opportunity to ask the mayor and city officials questions concerning their community.

The inaugural event hall was a part of Dickens’ initiative to foster a spirit of partnership between the city and Atlanta Public Schools, building off the mayor’s announcement that 2023 was the “Year of the Youth.”

Since then, Dickens said the City of Atlanta has employed 5,000 people between the ages of 14-24 with an average wage of $17 per hour, has raised $4 million in scholarships, and invested $1.5 million in youth organizations and $20 billion in early childhood education.

The goal of the town hall was to increase connectivity, improve transparency and strengthen civic engagement.

“This won't be our last mayor's youth town hall. We will have more of these because we want to hear from you. We supported you in 2023 … but the truth is, we are going to make sure that we have a Year of the Youth now every year.

“We're building leaders in our cities that can recreate all that we're doing here to go forward. And I say building because this means there's a lot of work still in progress for us. We launched something but we are not done.”

Brooke Shelton, a senior at Booker T. Washington High School and member of The Community Group (TCG), attended the town hall. TCG, a partner of the event, is a nonprofit organization that promotes civic engagement through a democracy tour and democracy fest that engages APS schools.

“The community group has really opened my eyes to being able to help people that look like me,” Shelton said. “As a young lesbian in Atlanta, it is different, and especially African American. It's just good to see people come out and represent, so I love these events.”

Students and community leaders were able to submit questions prior to the event that addressed a host of concerns. The most pressing questions and concerns ranged from promoting tools to increase civic engagement among AUC students, violent crime on campus and surrounding areas, food and housing insecurity, cultural programs for the youth and bullying and mental health care.

Leaders and officials in the Atlanta community, including the Atlanta Police Department, were in attendance, fielding questions from students and providing resources for concerns. While Dickens showed support

and provided insight into the questions, Shelton admitted that she wished the town hall had been structured in a way that directly involved engagement between the mayor

and students rather than answers funneled through other leaders in the city.

“I would’ve had it been more personable,” Shelton shared. “It's not real Atlanta. As a se-

nior smack dab in the middle of Atlanta, you see so many people who go through real life, and the questions they were asking are not real life.”

Dickens acknowledged that while he won’t be able to solve all the problems in the city, he has a team of nonprofit, business, and government partners who will help him better the community.

“My number one goal is to make sure that Atlanta is the best place in the nation to raise a child,” Dickens said.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens held a youth town hall on Tuesday at The Gathering Spot where students at Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta universities got the opportunity to ask the mayor and city officials questions concerning their community. Photos by Kerri Phox/ The Atlanta Voice

STONECREST

Continued from page 2

Metro a huge champion through his kidney disease journey. With Vaughn being a developer by trade and Cassandra having an operations background, he said it’s a “really great synergy” of their skills.

“Knowing I could depend on my wife to be able to figure out how to make the operation work was an amazing feeling. I handled real estate, and she handles the day-to-day operations,” he said.

“I make sure we have the right staff that fit within the scope of everything that we have going on here all the way from the accounting side, finance side, and ensuring our facilities are where they should be,” Cassandra said.

The Irons said only God could have gotten them through all the challenges they faced while getting Priví started.

“It’s all inspired and protected by God,” they said.

The Future of Priví & Beyond

The complete vision of Priví comes in phases, according to the Irons.

Currently, the Irons are working on phase three of the project, which will be a 40,000-square-foot chef-driven food hall. The food hall will include 13 restaurants and seven bars, according to the Irons.

“That’s very challenging, but we’ve had a lot of great support from the City of Stonecrest. When the food comes, I think everything else will take off,” Vaughn said.

There will be restaurants like the Atlanta Breakfast Club, The Original Hotdog Factory, and more. There will also be fine dining restaurants with steak, sushi, and seafood alongside a wine bar.

Cassandra also said the next phase after the food hall will be a hotel, which has an expectancy date of 2026, just in time for the World Cup, which will have its semi finals take place in downtown Atlanta.

As far as advice, Cassandra said to continue to stay steadfast in your dreams and goals.

“It’s not an easy road being an entrepreneur and of course being a Black entrepreneur, you get it a little harder,” Cassandra said. “Just stay the course and know exactly

what it is you align with and what your visions are going to be for your company and stay steadfast.”

Vaughn said entrepreneurship is 100% fear management and the first fear you should conquer is getting started and stepping out on faith.

“Every day you’re waking up and you must

face the fear of how to generate enough cash flow in order to meet your obligations,” he said. “For all the entrepreneurs, they have to realize that an idea is only a seed, and if you don’t water it or nurture it, it’s never going to come to fruition.”

For more information, visit https://www. privistonecrest.com.

Privi offers its customers a combination of work (left) and play spaces, such as Picasso’s Splat Room, a multimedia art studio. Photos by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Education

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Eight Georgians among 100 dreamers in Disney Dreamers Academy 2024

BY DONNELL SUGGS

ORLANDO, Fl. - Day 1: Dream Big

Led by their drum major, Mickey Mouse, a brass band and trio of drum majors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), started a procession into a ballroom at Disney Contemporary Resort. Behind them were 100 talented young people representing communities from all over the country. They are the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2024.

Eight of the Disney Dreamers are from the state of Georgia, with three hailing from metro Atlanta: Cameryn Polk, a senior at Elite Scholars Academy in Clayton County; Hannah Dennis, a freshman at Elite Scholars Academy; and Hollis Amir Law Mason, a junior soccer player and honors student at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta.

The other students from Georgia are Bengina Amponsah, a senior at Lithia Springs High School who is interested in studying mechanical engineering; Lillian Farrar, a senior at Tallulah Falls High School; Riley Kennard, a junior at North Cobb High School’s Magnet Program for International Studies, Bianca Orfila-Molinet, a senior at North Cobb High School, and Ellis Schroeder, a 17-year-old that is passionate about LGBTQ+ advocacy and the arts.

Once seated, the Disney Dreamers were greeted by Tracey Powell, Sr. Vice President of Consumer Insights, Measurements and Analytics of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and Disney Dreamers Executive Champion. Powell, dressed in a colorful floral gown, spoke of her 21 years of working for the global entertainment brand and how she moved from job to job within the company, the entire time believing in herself and her abilities.

"Each year, thousands of exceptional young people apply, of all the applicants, you are the 100 Disney Dreamers chosen to be here," Powell said. "Believe me, there's a reason all of you are here. You have made the sacrifice to be here."

After recognizing the dreamers' parents and guardians in attendance, Powell asked everyone to watch a short video about the Disney Dreamers Academy program which featured previous classes. Another video of former Disney Dreamer and current Sr. Specialist, Communications Raevon Redding giving the roll call included photos and descriptions of the career goals of members of the class of 2024.

A judge of the Disney Dreamers applications, Powell spoke about reading the essays and said the process of selecting just 100

dreamers is daunting. She took a moment to thank the other judges, some of whom were in attendance during the hour-long welcome celebration.

Her co-host for the event was another former Disney Dreamer Academy (DDA), Princeton Parker. Other DDA alumni were also on hand to cheer on the latest class.

A powerful and inspiring performance of "Shadowland" from "The Lion King" by singer and actress Kissy Simmons followed. A mother of an 11-year-old daughter, a wife, and performer, Simmons' advice to the dreamers was to "Just be grateful for what you have," she said. "That's the number one ingredient for life."

When asked about the importance of mentorship, Simmons, who grew up in Floral City, Florida, a small town outside of Tampa, said she thought mentorship was important to everyone's development, no matter their career choice and goals.

"All the time, you are being watched, she said. "It lets you know you are important, you are seen. So please always appreciate where you are."

This year's "DREAMbassador" and the grand marshall of the Disney Dreamers Academy parade is actress and singer Dara Renee. Last year's DREAMbassador was actress and singer Halle Bailey.

Later that afternoon, a parade of Disney Dreamers made their way past thousands of well-wishers and park visitors at Magical Kingdom. The dreamers held signs representing the various states that they were

from, but they also held signs that read "Courage", "Constancy", "Curiosity," and "Confidence."

Day 2: Living Your Dream

Education is a large part of what takes place during Disney Dreamers Academy week. For many of the dreamers, there is an opportunity to not only hear from some of their favorite actors, actresses, engineers, and celebrities but there is also a chance to receive direct mentorship for the career fields of their choice.

The Living Laboratories offers interactive career workshops that are led by Disney cast members and professionals. Along with workshops on Disney Imagineering, the culinary arts, law, marine biology, the film industry, and aerospace engineering, there was also a journalism lab.

The three dreamers who participated in the journalism lab were Ahlaysia Beasley, from Desoto, Texas, Eli Munoz, from Mesa, Arizona, and Julia Spencer, from San Antonio, Texas.

Their mentor for the three-hour session was Tony Weaver, Jr., a writer from Atlanta who began his writing journey with poetry. He later transitioned to writing for the stage. Weaver credited legendary playwright August Wilson as an early inspiration. Having been selected for an August Wilson monologue competition as a high school student, Weaver was sent to New York City to watch a reading of Wilson’s “Fences”, and was among a few students that Academy Award-win-

ning actor Denzel Washington taught an impromptu acting class to.

“From that point on, I knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” Weaver said. “I wanted to write stories that save people.”

Weaver believes stories can have a major impact on the way young people see themselves. “If you don’t figure out a way to tell the stories you want to tell sustainably, you won't be able to tell them,” said Weaver, who also brought an advanced copy of his forthcoming book, “Weirdo” to show them. The opportunity to learn about how the publishing business and being an author works was not lost on the dreamers in attendance. Each of the dreamers had a chance to read a small description of what their writing goals were for Weaver to listen to and discuss with them.

“Some of the writing that you will be doing will not be creative,” Weaver explained. “As a writer, you have to have the discipline to do both.”

He advised the dreamers to be “authentically themselves” and that even though less than 6 percent of published authors Are Black and Hispanic, there is room for them in the literary world. Weaver recommended using social media to get their words out to the world. He also taught the dreamers about the three major publishing agencies in the country, the importance of the Publishers Weekly website, and doing research on the industry no matter what genre of writing they would like to pursue.

“As a writer, having an idea of the market you want to thrive in is a good way to succeed,” said Weaver.

Munoz and Beasley said they want to write fantasy fiction, while Spencer is interested in becoming a broadcast journalist and/or a children's author.

One of the questions Beasley asked Weaver was whether she could have a self-published book instead of dealing with the major pub -

Members of the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2024 led the way during a parade in their honor. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Elite Scholars Academy senior Cameryn Polk (above) is a varsity cheerleader, track & field athlete and cross-country runner. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Education

lishing houses. Weaver explained how much each book cost and the fact that most independent books don’t sell more than 5,000 copies.

“Even if I drove around the corner, it’s hard to carry around a thousand books,” Weaver said. “If we sell 1,500 books, and we’re making $8 per book, then you subtract the work you put in, essentially the numbers don’t get to the place where it’s sustainable.”

He added, “If you have that dog in you, then independent publishing can be for you.”

Weaver also recommended acting classes for better public speaking. "You need to have confidence in what you're doing," he said.

Following the session, Weaver was asked what he enjoyed most about talking to young authors in the making. "I think youthful dreams and ambitions are really valuable and should be protected," he said.

Day 3: ‘Make Yourself Known’

Cameryn Polk bounded into the sunny outdoor space where her Saturday morning interview was scheduled to take place. A cheerleader, track and field athlete, and cross-country runner at Elite Scholars Academy in Clayton County, she could be the living and breathing example of Disney Dreamers Academy energy.

Polk is planning to attend Denison University, a private liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio, in the fall following graduation from Elite Scholars. The electricity that Polk gives off comes from her five years as a cheerleader, and she said she used that experience to help her with the Disney Dreamers Academy interviews and panels.

“During cheer you have to learn how to use your voice because you are surrounded by a whole bunch of girls who already have that powerful voice and already have that character in them,” Polk said. “So you have to make yourself known.”

During her time at the Disney Dreamers Academy, Polk has used those skills to make herself known. “You have to find yourself, you have to make yourself known, it helps you get your voice heard and shine your light amongst a bunch of other stars.”

Part of the Disney Dreamers Academy experience has always included interviews with media members from across the country. Along with The Atlanta Voice, reporters and editors from other Black-owned and operated publications, such as The Dallas Weekly, Amsterdam News, and The Charlotte Post, interviewed the Dreamers about their experiences this week.

Despite never having taken part in anything like this, Polk said she wasn’t nervous. Her years of competing in front of crowds have prepared her for this unique and special experience. “Everyone here has made themselves a part of a community where you feel like you’re comfortable with them, like you have known them before. Disney Dreamers Academy has really been like a family-oriented process.”

Polk says she has just “been herself” and taken in all of the sights and sounds of Disney World. She told The Atlanta Voice that

Cyn, a recording artist that hails from Tennessee, was one of the performers during the Disney Dreamers Academy commencement ceremony that took place Sunday, April 7, 2024. She spent time during her performance giving positive affirmations to the Dreamers. “You are the energy that breaks generational curses,” she said.

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friends.” Mason explained that he plans to keep in touch with many of the people he met during the academy. Admitting that he was shy as a child, sports broke him out of that bubble. As a player with Southern Soccer Academy Under 16 team, Mason, an honor student and member of his school’s Model UN, plays at a high level and has to trust his teammates in order to achieve success, so working in groups at the Disney Dreamers Academy was familiar territory. As a second-year news reporter on his school’s newspaper, The Westminster Bi-Line, Mason recognized that he was on the other side of the story during the week.

“I had to step out of my comfort zone,” he said.

she didn’t necessarily prepare for what was to come at the Disney Dreamers Academy, she just was her authentic self.

“If they wanted me I had to just come and show up,” she explained. “I have gotten a lot of resourceful advice, basically, we are here, we’re in the moment and we need to make sure we leave a legacy.”

Polk wants to return as a Disney Dreamers Academy ambassador. “I hope so,” she said with a smile.

A pair of other Dreamers, Bengina Amponsah and Hannah Dennis, are also soaking up the experience. Both are also from Georgia, and the young ladies are at the opposite ends of their high school journeys. Amponsah is a senior, and Dennis is a freshman; both are Disney Dreamers with very lofty goals for the future. Amponsah said she wants to be an astronaut one day, but also has interest in becoming a CEO. Dennis wants to one day become a commercial airline pilot and through this academy had the opportunity to talk to Delta Air Lines pilots. She also has an interest in psychology.

“So far my experience has been absolutely amazing, I’ve met new people, and people with amazing careers,” Dennis said.

Amponsah said she has “loved meeting new friends” and during her Living Laboratory experience she met Lanny Smoot, a Disney research fellow and legendary Disney Imagineer.

“I have always wanted to be an inventor growing up, so meeting him was really cool, because I didn’t know inventors still exist today,” Amponsah said. She isn’t sure where she is going to college in the fall, but has applied to numerous in-state colleges, including Kennesaw State University, the University of Georgia, and Valdosta State University.

Asked how they prepared for four days of Disney Dreamers Academy life, both Amponsah and Dennis said they approached this opportunity more like a discussion and less like an interview.

“Honestly, I didn’t really prepare, I am just taking in everything,” said Dennis.

Amponsah agreed. She just wanted to tell her story to whomever was willing to hear it. “I think it’s just better that the adults that I have been speaking to are curious about my journey and where I want to go,” Amponsah explained. “Since I know what that is and how clear that is, I think having that defined for yourself helps you.”

Hollis Mason used his many years on the soccer pitches around metro Atlanta to help him while he was at Disney Dreamers Academy. Having played soccer since he was fouryears-old, Mason understands what it takes to be a part of a team. He said he has found several new teammates during the four-day academy.

“I didn’t expect to meet so many cool people,” Mason said. “I have so many new

Mason, who turns 16 in July, had advice to students that are thinking about applying for the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2025: Do it.

“Apply because this is an amazing opportunity to nurture your own dreams and you want to surround yourself with ambitious people,” Mason said.

Day 4: ‘I Belong Here’

The final day of Disney Dreamers Academy always culminates with a commencement ceremony and this year’s class was presented with a little something extra to go with their farewell. The Class of 2024 was given class rings.

This year’s Dreamer of the Year was David Lopez, who was gifted with a trip for four to Disney World Resorts courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

There were also a number of performances, including by Samara Cyn, a recording artist that originally hails from Tennessee, who after performing two songs gave the Dreamers a positive affirmation.

“You are the energy that breaks generational curses,” she said.

Fubu founder and Shark Tank star Daymond John also gave a few words of advice to the Dreamers. He spoke to the Dreamers about being a diagnosed dyslexic, and having to start from the bottom of the fashion world before reaching his current status. “We all have the same 24 hours in the day,” he said.

High school junior Hollis Amir Law Mason (above) not only is a

for his school newspaper, but he is a high-level soccer player. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Samara

Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

High school freshman Hannah Dennis (left) and high school senior Bengina Amponsah were among the eight Georgians in the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2024. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Business Wadada Healthy Market and Juice Bar marks five years in Atlanta

BY LAURA NWOGU

Wadada Healthy Market and Juice Bar, Atlanta's first Black woman-owned health market and juice bar, is celebrating five years of business in the West End. The fifth-anniversary celebration was held on Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. with a unity ceremony at 2 p.m. The celebration included all-day giveaways, a new menu launch, tastings, and discounts on purchases of $20 or more.

When Jeanette Sellers, also known as Sister Nilajah Ma'at, opened Wadada in 2019, it was born out of a need to address the health crisis in the Black community. Over the past 30 years, Sellers said she had to watch as many of her family members, young and old, died due to heart disease and cancer. The illnesses within her family led her to adopt a plant-based lifestyle and explore the Rastafari movement, a spiritual way of life developed in Jamaica that stresses eating fresh, organic and preferably homegrown produce.

Through that lifestyle change of eating healthier foods, Sellers said the journey gave her the roadmap of combining foods to increase healing.

“Wadada is here to hopefully encourage our community to simplify their diet and make healthier choices,” Sellers said.

“We have to solve our own problems. Profit over people is deeply entrenched in the culture of America, and so people benefit from sickness. That's really just the bottom line. Unfortunately, Black communities are the most neglected, and I'm just here to kind of solve the problem and be a servant and see what I can do to change our state and our condition because it can be changed and it doesn't it really doesn't take a lot.”

According to the Department for Health and Human Services’ Office of Minority Health, African Americans are generally at higher risk for heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes and HIV/AIDS compared to their white counterparts. These risks are due, in part, to a lack of access to affordable and healthy food in low-income, minority neighborhoods.

A report by Emory University’s Rollin School of Public Health in 2023 stated that 75% of Atlanta’s residents lived within a halfmile of fresh produce in 2020 compared to 52% in 2015. However, the progress that had been achieved through residents gaining access to new neighborhood markets, grocery stores and farmer’s markets was seen

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it's one of those things where it's just like, build it and they will come.”

Sellers have also been able to give back to other local Black-owned business owners by carrying their products at Wadada and hosting food trucks and pop-ups throughout the week.

primarily in neighborhoods with higher proportions of white residents.

The vegan grocery store is working to bridge that gap, and its efforts are present on every shelf and wall lined with herbs, tonics, cold-pressed juices and vegan meals. The menu is intentional, incorporating organic fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, blueberries and ginger, the latter of which is blended in all Wadada’s smoothies along with sea moss.

Each smoothie is blended with various superfoods and adaptogens that help to pump minerals into the body and address issues prevalent in the Black community such as

stress, heart disease, digestion, brain fog, cognition, immunity and circulation. The store also sells food items such as vegan Jamaican patties, sea moss jelly and vegan desserts.

From a wife who buys a natural herb that helps her truck-driving husband sleep when nothing else has worked to a daughter who was able to use products from Wadada to help naturally treat her mother’s colon cancer, the testimonies have shown Sellers that she has crafted something impactful and positive.

“People come in all the time and they say ‘Thank you for putting this type of store here. Thank you for putting this in our community,’ which lets me know that it’s valued because

“Our health and our wealth — those two things come together. So financially, if we're not sound and we're not grounded financially, that causes stress. Then stress causes disease. And so, it's about creating wealth. It's cooperative economics.”

In the next five years, Sellers hopes to open five more locations in the Atlanta area and move the flagship store into a bigger space to continue to promote health and wellness, two things she said are a divine right.

“Wellness is our birthright, and we just want to make sure that every member of our community experiences health and wellness as a kind of right of how nature intended it. Nature gives us everything so abundantly that it's almost like a message to us that you just have to tap into what is available and this is your divine right.”

The fifth-anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. with a unity ceremony at 2 p.m. The celebration will include all-day giveaways, a new menu launch, tastings and discounts on purchases of $20 or more. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Jeanette Sellers (above), also known as Sister Nilajah Ma’at, opened Wadada in 2019. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

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Insight on Curating Reality Television from a woman's perspective

BY RADHIYA ALSTON

On Saturday, April 6, Onyx DNA Media, co-founded by Delia Hobbs and Arlene Wilkinson hosted their inaugural event. The event was in partnership with WIFTA (Women in Film and Television in Atlanta) and was held at Atlantucky Brewing in downtown Atlanta.

Curating a Reality Show: Insight from Behind the Camera was moderated by Rosalynn Daniels and the panelists included Crystal L.R. Kelly, Shanté Paige, and Princess Banton-Lofters. The ladies sat down to discuss their insight in the film and television industry.

Kelly is an Emmy Award-winning producer and is currently the co-executive producer for MTVs Unfaithful hosted by Tami Roman. Kelly explained when it comes to producing reality television you must know your talent. She said, “you have to humanize your talent” and be able to tell their sto -

On Sat., April 6th Onyx DNA Media, co-founded by Delia Hobbs and Arlene Wilkinson, hosted their inaugural event, Curating a Reality Show: Insight from Behind the Camera. Photo by Radhiya Alston/The Atlanta Voice

ry in the most authentic way. Kelly also explained that when she is producing a show, she feels like it is important that she looks

at it from a viewer’s standpoint, she said “viewers love to have someone they can relate to and root for” when it comes to watching a show.

Paige pivoted from the music industry to the film/reality television industry, where she started creating her own content. She explained that she wanted to get into a space where she could be more creative. When it comes to finding talent that will shine through for viewers Paige said, “you have to find compelling personalities in the people that you choose.” She explained that she had to go against the curve when it came to her show that she produced called Behind the Pole. Paige said that “no one wanted to touch a show that was talking about strip culture.” It was important for her to not only tell that side of the story for those women but to also show them as mothers, daughters, sisters and even friends.

Banton-Lofter originated the concept and the original cast for the Real Housewives of

Atlanta. She said when she got the meeting with the producers of the Real Housewives of Orange County that “my goal was to put black women on television.” When it came to creating the cast for the first season Banton-Lofter explained that it was an ensemble of women that knew each other and that is what initially made the franchise work. Banton-Lofter has since also pivoted and is now a talent on WE TVs Bold and Bougie.

A few things that all of the panelists agreed on when it comes to reality television is to have something that you can promote, have a real thing that is going on in your life. Paige said “show what is going on in your life and give your real authentic story. Another thing that the panelist agreed on collectively is when you get work to show up as your best self. Kelly said “your last job will predict your next job.”

To see what’s next for the ladies, you can follow them on Instagram @ckel12, @shantepaige, and @producerprincess.

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Suicide is the second leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Photo Credit IStock.com/PeopleImages

UGA study: Rural black men face high suicide rates

BY CLAYTON GUTZMORE

Suicide is a sensitive topic because of how damaging it is for the person who does the act and the lives of people around them who need to cope. A recent study from the University of Georgia (UGA) reveals that young Black men from rural areas are dying by suicide at alarming rates. The study explains that one in three rural Black men reported they recently experienced suicidal ideation or thoughts of death. These thoughts stem from childhood adversity and racism. Steven Kogan and Michael Curtis are the co-authors of the study. They are human development and family studies scholars. They explain why everyone needs to care about this subject, what signs we can look for in the young black men around us, and why we need to play a role in prevention because the system won't.

"I think in this country, we have stopped investing in people. We are more focused on what they can produce than what they can become. Our study particularly demonstrates that the system is systemically failing these men. From exposing them to childhood adversity to insufficient support in adulthood to keep them alive. That's very problematic," said Michael Curtis, University of Georgia graduate, and Emory University postdoctoral fellow.

UGA's study on Young black men and suicide was released on March 26. The study was conducted over ten years and surveyed over 500 young black men. Participants in the study were in their late teens and were followed by researchers until their early 20s. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 15 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide is particularly prevalent among Black men, who die

by suicide at a rate more than four times that of Black women.

What Kogan and Curtis uncovered with the study is that growing up in a low-resource environment and experiencing racial discrimination during young adulthood makes it challenging to engage in healthy, trusting relationships. Strong feelings of mistrust and caution toward social relationships can lead to feelings of isolation, which in turn can prompt thoughts of death and suicide.

"The transition to adulthood, for young black men, particularly in low resource environments, is a place where there are so many changes that can affect your life," said Steven Kogan, University of Georgia professor of Human Development and Family Science.

The material also presents young Black men in general, and those living in rural areas in particular, are disproportionately affected by childhood adversity. They're more likely to come from economically distressed families, grow up in low-resource neighborhoods, and experience trauma in their communities than their white peers.

"The poverty rates in rural Georgia, among black families and young men, are just ridiculous. To knit a life for yourself to take care of a family to get a job, often the school systems are not great, and they fail to serve the needs of black youth. Growing up and finding a life in a rural environment can be particularly hard to thrive," said Kogan.

"When we think of the concept of rural, we often don't think of black Americans, even especially here in the South. There are huge black rural communities that are well-established but don't have access to resources. It's a bit of a perpetual cycle because there's no one attempting to address their

issues," said Curtis.

Relationships are the best prevention against suicide. The study states thoughts can set in quickly, and one of the most significant protective factors against suicide is healthy relationships. An example is having someone to call when those feelings get overwhelming. Kogan explains how quality relationships can make a difference in one's health, and withdrawal from those relationships could be a warning sign.

"Connection is fundamental. I think some of the warning signs concern the quality of relationships. Suppose you start disconnecting from sources of support and nurturance, from family, from partners with children. In that case, you start on a path where you're less integrated into the parts of the community that feed your soul, which is a hard place to be," said Kogan.

Signs to look for in those who are socially isolating themselves are lack of communication between them and their loved ones. If the individual starts giving away items of significance, it is another signal to be aware of. More considerable signs are if the person needs to make plans for the future and if they uncharacteristically buy weapons.

"These are warning signs if someone's creating a plan of action. If you see them buy something lethal out of nowhere, that seems out of character for them. What's scarier for many people is that they often don't have plans; it just happens at the moment. That is where the support becomes critical," said Curtis.

If you or someone you know is going through a hard time and is contemplating suicide, dial 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline. It is a 24/7 free and confidential support resource to help those in distress.

Food

The Keith Lee Effect helps local vendors in a big way

BY LAURA NWOGU

Popular TikTok food critic Keith Lee returned to Atlanta on Wednesday to host a free food giveaway. In true Keith Lee fashion, he partnered with small, locally-owned Black businesses to help him give back to the community for the FamiLee ATL Community Event. In true Atlanta fashion, the city showed up in droves to support.

Over 500 people lined up outside of Za’Acai Cafe on Piedmont Avenue to grab free food and meet with the food critic as he returned to Atlanta. The event, which he announced on TikTok on Tuesday, was planned after he shared that he had to postpone his anticipated “redemption tour” visit to the city due to “business reasons.”

In October, Lee visited and reviewed some Atlanta and metro Atlanta businesses as a part of his ten-state 2023 food tour, prompting a debate about the city’s food scene and customer service. He later ranked Atlanta as the worst city on the tour due to poor customer service and the rules set in place by some businesses.

However, Lee said Atlanta has welcomed him back with open arms.

“It’s amazing… it's more than 1000 people. I was expecting less than 500, so I paid for about 500 plates,” Lee said. “I appreciate Atlanta. This is crazy. I thought it was going to be a turnout, but I didn’t think it was going to be this. I’m just blessed.”

The FamiLee Community Event was initially set to be held at Selena S. Butler Park at noon; however, the overwhelming turnout caused the city to shut down the event, forcing them to move to another location. For those who had been standing in line — some for over three hours — it was a mad dash to the new location. For Deonte Atkins, the owner of Za’Acai Cafe, it was the opportunity he had been waiting for.

Atkins said he’d been trying to contact Lee for a few months to partner with him, but he wasn’t even sure if Lee would even be at the event. When the people at the first location were told they would have to relocate, Atkins offered his store as the event site. Thirty minutes later, he was shaking hands with Lee, his wife Ronni and the rest of Lee’s family.

“Y’all see how manifestation works. Y’all see how God works,” Atkins said. “I think it's amazing. I think it’s amazing to highlight minority entrepreneurs, and I think it's amazing what he chooses to use his platform for. Number one, I think it's amazing that he followed God and he gives God the glory.”

Lee’s platform has been built on reviewing local businesses and mom-and-pop shops that don’t have the marketing prowess of bigger restaurants. His reviews began in Las Vegas, where he is based, and spread to other cities

as his following exploded. The impact of his reviews can be seen in the days, weeks and months following a good review as hundreds of customers flood small businesses that either weren’t getting a lot of traffic or were on the brink of closing. On the flip side, a bad review can break a restaurant. The impact has been dubbed the “Keith Lee Effect.”

“Hopefully after the ‘Keith Lee Effect’ you will be seeing the Stuffed ATL food truck rolling through here,” said Shawn Buford, owner of Stuffed ATL who spent six hours baking 120 gourmet cupcakes in her home after she heard Lee was hosting the event. “It was an amazing experience. It was really good meeting everybody. I gave out every business card I had.”

Lee was joined by popular streamers Kai Cenat and Fanum who are a part of the YouTube group AMP and were instrumental in helping Lee set up the event. Christina Scott, the owner of Larry and Cris Corner Kitchen, shared that she’d done business with the group before and they’d called her to help Lee give away 500 plates of food to locals.

“I feel excited because he called Larry and Cris Corner Kitchen so we can let him taste some of this good old Southern food and let him know we welcome him here,” Scott said.

Eggroll Boyz, Steve’s Caribbean Kitchen, Kayla’s Italian Ice, My Favorite Ice Cream Truck and Burritos Locos were among the food trucks that joined Lee in giving out free food. They shared that they weren’t personally invited by Lee and his team, but had decided to join his efforts to give back to the community. And it was also a chance for these businesses to market themselves to those who may have not been familiar with them.

“This is just another opportunity for us to get out there and tell people exactly who we are in the community, and we are here for them,” said Theresa Bostic, owner of Kayla’s Italian Ice.

Brand New Wave Mobile, a mobile barbershop that regularly serves the community through barber services, also gave free haircuts to the kids in attendance.

Ahmad Bizzell, owner of the barbershop, shared the sentiment that seemed to propel other small-business owners to help during Lee's food event: “It was one of those things. I saw he was giving back. It touched my spirit. I pulled up."

Keith Lee thanks the many people that came out to support the local vendors on Wed., April 3, 2024. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Egg roll Boyz food truck. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Sports

Fields of Dreams

BY DONNELL SUGGS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga.- With shovels in hand, a number of United States Soccer executives, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, and Arthur M. Blank Foundation owner and namesake Arthur Blank moved the first terra firma associated with what will forever be called the Arthur M. Blank Foundation U.S. Soccer National Training Center.

All of those people, local elected officials, local business owners, and the media were on hand for a groundbreaking ceremony Monday morning. Located in Fayetteville on a 200-acre plot of land surrounded by farms and winding two-lane roads, the U.S. Soccer National Training Center will be the headquarters for this country’s soccer clubs, including the men’s and women’s national teams, and all of the youth teams associated with the national level.

With the entire soccer world scheduled to be in Atlanta for the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, the groundbreaking could not have come at a better time. There is no definitive timetable for when the training center will open. Still, the fact that the headquarters for United States Soccer will be in the south has a lot to do with what Blank and Major League Soccer helped bring to Atlanta seven years ago with Atlanta United.

Blank mentioned that and his sin Joshua’s love for the game as a youth as part of his growing connection with the sport. A large contributor on a financial level, Blank found out that his name was going to be added to the facility a few days ago. Joshua handled voiceover duties for the honorific video that played before United States Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone thanked Blank and welcomed him to the stage for comments.

“This facility will be where dreams will be nurtured and be born,” said Blank, who added that he was amazed at how every country in the world plays soccer. The World Cup semi finals will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Blank's own backyard.

Kemp thanked Blank as well and thanked the United States Soccer Federation for “choosing Georgia.”

“Georgia just has a long and storied sports history,” added Kemp. “We’re so good at hosting these events because we have such good assets and such good people.”

Some of those people will find jobs at the training center as more than 400 jobs will be made available during and after construction, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation.

U.S. Soccer Federation CEO JT Batson, an Augusta native, used last Saturday’s attendance of more than 50,000 at Mercedes-Benz

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The timeline for the training center is unknown, but there are rumors that it will be open before or near the time when the World Cup will make its way to Atlanta in the summer of 2026.

Stadium for a United States Women’s National Team Friendly against Japan as additional proof that Atlanta is a soccer city.

“We’ve all seen this week how much Georgia loves soccer,” he said. “The National Training Center will provide a world-class environment for the national teams.”

Batson also credited Fayette County and Fayetteville officials for helping make this moment possible. “Y’all have supported us all the way,” he said.

The site is located 15 miles from the bus-

iest airport in the country, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and 23 miles from the center of downtown Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of Atlanta United.

Kemp thanked Blank and the teams behind the U.S. Soccer and Atlanta United for helping make the groundbreaking ceremony possible.

Tiffany Blackmon, a radio and television sports reporter in Atlanta and former Georgia State University Panthers soccer player,

was the event’s MC. Having played soccer all around Georgia since she was a little girl, Blackmon said she couldn’t believe she was a part of this moment. She admitted to “fangirling out” when she saw Parlow Cone earlier that day.

“I started playing soccer at the age of eight, and to see how much the game has grown is unbelievable,” Blackmon told The Atlanta Voice following the groundbreaking. “This was really special for me. It’s amazing.”

The ground just got broken at the future home for United States men’s and women’s soccer

dreams are already coming true.

and

Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur Black (center, no helmet), Georgia Governor Brain Kemp (second from left), First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp (furthest left) and United States Soccer officials dig their shovels into the site of the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville on Monday, April 8, 2024. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Local radio and television journalist Tiffany Blackmon (above) grew up in Metro Atlanta and played soccer as a youth all the way through college at Georgia State University. “I started at the age of eight and to see how much the game has grown is just unbelievable.”

Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Photo by Kerri Phox/ The Atlanta Voice

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Lifestyle Street Lines: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited

BY DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON AKA ALE SHARPTON

In an earlier article, Street Lines covered the. They enjoyed the experience in many facets, and now comes the Ioniq 6, another version that embraces a sedan-style body enhanced with numerous captivating features. While the Ioniq 6 comes in various trims, the Limited should be strongly considered regarding power, amenities, convenience, AWD capability, and the dual-motor option. Initially, the exterior is strikingly curvaceous and gives onlookers a sneak peek of what the future might have in store. Aerodynamics is the main priority. The space-age vibes continue with stunning LED parametric pixel headlights, a collective of hundreds of individual cubes. The power door handles are hidden into the body (ideal for aerodynamics), touch-sensitive, and released collectively for easy entry upon approach. The review car’s “Gravity Gold” exterior provided a welcomed matted look, while the essence of metallic still makes its presence. The 20-inch wheels, rear spoiler, DSM (Digital Side Mirror) camera, and shark antenna raise the cool factor even more. The entire cabin is spacious, welcomely minimal, and peaceful. Thanks to the plush H-Tex seating, flat floor, 64 colors for dual-color ambient lighting, five USB ports, and an obvious priority to soundproofing,

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up to five adults will significantly appreciate the accommodation on every excursion. Boasting a vibrant, curving 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster integrated into another a 12.3inch infotainment screen, Hyundai’s signature BlueLink service, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto connectivity, and theateresque eight-speaker Bose sound system, the cockpit leaves virtually nothing to be desired for the driver.

The Ioniq 6 drives smoothly, the maneuverability is optimal thanks to the AWD, and vthe overall responsiveness is impressive, topping at 320 horsepower and 446 poundfeet of torque, all activated by a seamless, single-speed automatic transmission with Shift By Wire (SBW) on the column. The driving range is also generous, with the dual-pack battery option delivering an EPA-estimated driving range of 260 miles. There are five driving modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, and Custom—to help with whatever roads and highways demand. To sweeten the deal, charging is much faster than other competitors at 7.5 hours (using 240V

charger), plus this model provides V2L (vehicle-to-load) charging, which welcomes the capability of charging other electrical gadgets and appliances like televisions and scooters. The trunk space is adequate, but the option for folding the back seats adds to the cargo space.

Hyundai’s reassuring warranty packages consistently prove the carmaker’s confidence in their workmanship, including a five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery and EV mechanisms, and complimentary scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. Be sure to visit their website for the plethora of safety technology. Trust us, there are too many to list here.

Yes, the Ioniq 6 checks virtually every box for anyone looking for an electric sedan that turns heads, provides value, and gives a sneak peek into what the future holds.

Price: $53,650 MSRP

Gas economy: 103 MPGe/111 city/94 highway

For more information, visit Hyundai.com.

DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER –SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

bach degr or frgn equiv in Mchncl Eng, E.E., or rltd fld & 5 yrs of exp in dsgn eng. Exp mst invl the fllwng: 3-D mdlng sftwr; prdct dsgn;

must include Ref. #28-GA, full name, email

on enhancing the quality of HIV/AIDS care provided and increase access to services. In order to obtain complete information about this solicitation, please go to the link below where this document and supporting documents can be downloaded, https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty. Fee: N/A Term of Contract: This agreement is effective shall begin on the date of execution of the Agreement in the year 2024, for an initial term of 6 months, expiring on December 31, 2024. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., local time, via Zoom to provide bidders with information regarding the project and to address any questions. Link: https://zoom.us/j/92813434230 Meeting ID: 989 1981 8197 One tap mobile +14702509358,,92813434230# US (Atlanta) +14703812552,,92813434230# US (Atlanta) If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Phyllis Stewart, Assistant Purchasing Agent at Email: phyllis.stewart@fultoncountyga.gov or phone 404-612-4215. Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities.

Photo Courtesy of Hyundai