Tiana Tukes, the first ever Black trans woman to be a lecturer in entrepreneurial management within the economics department at Spelman College, is no stranger to pioneering change.
Before her current role, she served as cochief executive officer at LGBT+ VC, a global nonprofit created with the goal of advocating for and supporting LGBTQ investors. Tukes co-founded the organization in late 2022.
Before founding LGBT+ VC, Tukes held positions in investment, operations, and partnerships at various firms, including Silicon Valley Bank, Plume Clinic, Sequoia Capital, Accenture, and Spotify.
She already had roots in the Atlanta University Center (AUC) after having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with high Latin honors from Morehouse College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, awarded the Oprah Winfrey Merit Scholarship, and designated an HBCU All-Star by The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). Tukes had been recognized as one of Forbes 30 under 30 in venture capital. Most notably, she is regarded as the first transgender woman to work in the venture capital industry.
Tukes has a major history in the AUC that includes her Great Grand Uncle Bishop Cornelius Henderson, who’s name graces the student center at Clark Atlanta University. Henderson was a member of the United Methodist Church and passed away in 2000.
Returning to the AUC, Tukes says “it’s a homecoming and a full circle moment”.
“It’s really fulfilling, I love being back,” she said. “I love being on campus, working with students, and getting the opportunity to talk to the next generation of student leaders, but also to see entrepreneurs crafting their gifts.”
Tukes said it wasn’t her ambition to be the first Black Trans woman to teach at Spelman College, she just wanted to get back to the AUC.
“I went to Morehouse [College] and really enjoyed my time there and learned a great deal from my professors. They all poured into me in different ways, but what really means the most to me at this point in my life is finding ways to give back,” Tukes said.
Late last year, Tukes was introduced to the Chair of the Economics Department, Dr. Marionette Holmes, and was asked to first advise her on the development of the internship program, and later joined the faculty.
“I jumped at the opportunity,” Tukes said. Tukes also said she always knew she want-
ed to teach at some point, but she had no clue it would be this soon. However, when it comes to teaching, Tukes said there’s nothing more noble or more important than the role of educators to touch young minds and share what you know with them.
“I come from a family of educators, and I know how much education has meant to my family, but also to my friends and my community,” she said.
Tukes said her faith is what motivates her to continue to shine a light on the LGBTQ+ community.
“What most people don’t think about is that a good number of most LGBTQ+ people
live in the south. As a queer person growing up in the South, I was raised Christian and my faith is still something that’s very important to me,” she said.
Tukes refers to the Matthew 5:14-16 scripture which talks about being a light on a hill and she said sharing her life and being an example for others to see. Tukes believes that verse is an example of how God loves her for who she is.
“God loves me and there’s nothing anyone can do about it,” she said. “It’s really empowering, and I think a lot about that and that’s what motivates me because I know I’m loved unconditionally.”
Growing up in the metro Atlanta area and attending Eastside High School, Tukes is also not a stranger to perseverance and trailblazing.
March 31 was International Transgender Visibility Day and Tukes makes it known how important this day is to her and other trans people. She said this day is crucial for trans people and non-trans people because they all need to see a representation of trans people in all facets of life.
“I think there’s certainly a great representation of trans people in entertainment, but very few representations of trans people in the business, technology, and academia fields,” she said.
Additionally, Tukes is determined to change the statistics and minds of those who don’t support individuals and businesses in the queer community.
Recent data showed public support for nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans has fallen for the first time since 2015. Tukes believes you lead by example, which is the easiest thing someone can do. An example: How you treat people.
“Treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are and what their background is,” she said. “I think my experience as a Trans woman has certainly shown me how important it is to be kind and compassionate to others.”
Tukes said she accepted the teaching position at Spelman College, because she wants to set an example for trans students particularly at Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morris Brown College.
“Representation matters, but also character matters and what I hope people see from my work and hopefully the work of other trans educators is that we have a heart and mind just as anyone else,” she said.
As far as goals for 2024, Tukes said she wants to find more ways to drive and help the next generation of student entrepreneurs know they have everything they need. As far as advice to Black trans men and women and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, Tukes wants them to know they are already good enough.
“People want to diminish and dismiss who you are and try to deny you, but I think more so than anything, your willingness to be courageous, authentic, and to express yourself beyond limitations placed on you, is the first sign you’re already special and supernatuSee
Rico Wade, one-third of the legendary production team Organized Noize and founding member of the Dungeon Family, has died. A cause of death has not been released at this time. Wade was 52.
Wade was a pioneer, a trailblazer, and helped provide the sound for a generation of Atlanta artists. He produced records for OutKast and Goodie Mob, and he was integral in bringing in his younger cousin, Future, into the music business. Wade also TLC’s “Waterfalls” and En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go (Love).” The Dungeon Family was named for Wade’s basement studio, the Dungeon.
Killer Mike took to Instagram to pen the following tribute:
I don’t have the words to express my deep and profound sense of loss. I am Praying for
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your wife and Children. I am praying for the Wade family. I am praying for us all.
I deeply appreciate your acceptance into The Dungeon Family, mentorship, Friendship and Brotherhood. Idk where I would be without ya’ll.
This is a part of the journey. You told me “It ain’t been hard throughout the journey, it’s been a Journey” . The journey ain’t gonna be the Same Journey without U. Like U say tho Umma “Stay Down on it”……we all are.
The family of Rico Wade issued the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our son, father, husband, and brother Rico Wade. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a talented individual who touched the lives of so many. We ask that you respect the legacy of our loved one and our privacy at this time.” – The Family of Rico Wade
No matter how much the right derides the word, the Black community needs to stay woke. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a disturbing trend that threatens the foundations of our democratic society: the rise of book bans, curriculum censorship, and attacks on historical narratives in our educational institutions.
These actions not only threaten the principles of academic freedom and undermine the integrity of our education system, but they also position America as a democracy on the brink of collapse.
Education is meant to be a journey of unlocking the unknown, expanding critical thinking, and advancing intellectual growth. Central to this journey is the freedom to engage with a diverse range of ideas, perspectives, and honest history.
When they censor books, sanitize curricula, or suppress truths like the harsh effects of slavery, Jim Crow, Reconstruction, and various civil rights movements, they are robbing students of the opportunity to grapple with complex issues of the past and design a future that embraces a more just society.
In a country growing more diverse by the day, we cannot let the right whitewash our history or dilute cultures that ignore the multicultural America and world our young people reside in. To do anything other than teach both historic and modern realities is erasure.
Education should encourage dialogue, debate, and the exploration of diverse viewpoints, not shield them from various ideas, uncomfortable truths, or controversial topics. And yet, more than 4,200 books were targeted for censorship in 2023, a 65% increase than the previous year the according to the American Library Association(ALA) — with 47% of them centering the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and people of color.
“Nobody’s as powerful as we make them out to be.”— Alice Walker
This isn’t by mistake; it is a deliberate effort to propagate (cis-hetero) white supremacy. As a result, there has been a dangerous domino effect with the rollback of hard-earned civil rights progress. The so-called anti-CRT and anti-DEI culture wars have coincided with the downfall of affirmative action in college admissions, the decimation of voting rights, along with amplified white grievance politics and claims of reverse racism. Schools have always been battlegrounds for civil rights — today is no different.
Black and Latino students are particularly impacted by the erasure of their history and culture. With the majority of students in the U.S. being students of color, they deserve a rich and rigorous education that is culturally relevant to them. Not only is it just, but it has positive effects: Research shows that children are more engaged and have better academic outcomes when they can see themselves in books, learning materials, and teachers. In other words, representation matters. Similarly, curriculum censorship stifles academic inquiry
and hampers educators’ ability to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education. The right’s attacks on history are particularly insidious, as they seek to rewrite or erase the past to fit a memory of America that no longer represents who we are or where we are going.
History is not static; it is a dynamic and ongoing process of inquiry, interpretation, and revision, and it should not be diluted or distorted. And whiteness should no longer be the default perspective.
Moreover, book bans, curriculum censorship, and attacks on history disproportionately impact marginalized communities and perpetuate systemic inequalities. By silencing voices and perspectives that challenge the status quo or highlight the experiences of marginalized groups, we perpetuate a narrative of exclusion and erasure. Our histories, our heroes, and our experiences cannot be erased.
That’s why EdTrust and renowned leaders in education and civil rights are hosting Can’t Be Erased: An Event to Rally Against
Book Bans and Curriculum Censorship on Wednesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. E.T. Attendees of this free virtual event can learn how to push back against efforts to suppress the teaching of honest history and the diversity of identities and ideas in your community.
The call to provide every student with a culturally relevant curriculum in a safe, inclusive environment has never been more pressing. Book bans and policies that restrict discussions of race, gender, and identity not only stifle academic growth but also obscure students’ understanding of diverse cultures both in the U.S. and the world around them.
Ameshia Cross is the director of communications for the Education Trust. She is also a strategist for national, state, and local campaigns, a regular political commentator and contributor on MSN, NBC, BBC, SiriusXM, iHeart Radio, and more. She is also a former campaign and communications adviser for President Barack Obama and a policy adviser for the National Urban League.
BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON The Atlanta Voice
You know, sometimes I think I know what it takes to guarantee salvation only to discover how wrong I really am.Again and again and again, I am reminded I have nothing to do with my own salvation. I cannot earn my way into heaven no matter how hard I try. Hell is quite a different story, but for someone like me who has gotten by on a unique blend of intelligence, street savvy, business skills and basically a good heart, not being able to help myself is a difficult concept to swallow. I mean, the more I read and the more Iaccept Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior and the more I understand scripture, I begin to accept the fact that I simply need to get over it. I need to stop fooling myself into believing that I’ve actually got it when I really don’t. I am powerless in this regard. I’m naked and clearly vulnerable when it comes to realizing that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the light of my salvation.
That may sound trite to some of you but I’m constantly struggling not to go beyond this rather easy to understand reality. God has given all of mankind, not just me, the only guarantee possible to secure eternal life; Jesus. You know you can come up with other scenarios about work and lifestyle and love and other things because the bible refers to them all in some form or fashion. But in the final analysis, the answer to this riddle is still Jesus. Now can you accept that? Can you acceptand do you believe He is the Son of God? Can you accept and do you believe He was crucified on the cross to absolve mankind of its sins, now and forever? Can you accept that He died and rose from the dead and acts as the only acceptable way to get to God? Can you accept the fact that Jesus is coming back? “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12.
The entire bible rests on this one set of principles that guides us in the development and maturation
of our faith. At least that is what I’ve come to believe at this very moment. And if I truly believe, then my focus must change from trying to earn the right to enter eternity to rejoicing in a job well done by Jesus. He did what I couldn’t and what you can’t. My efforts then must be to honor God by honoring His child. I honor His child by first thanking Him for the greatest sacrifice that He made for me and mine.The best way to do this is to try to emulate His way, copy His style, live according to His Word, never questioning His motives, His intent or His authenticity.
As with most things in scripture this is not difficult to understand.This indeed is the point of the gospel.The question is can you handle it fully, immediately and comprehensively? The answer to that question is not as simple as it seems. The answer requires a truth, a faith, a knowing that is only known by you and the God you claim to serve. I’m just publicly acknowledging that it's a struggle at times and a struggle I am more
than willing to undertake. I must. I have to. “However I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.”Acts 20:24. It’s amazing to me no matter how hard I try to confuse myself in this regard, it all comes back down to this. Do you believe it? If you don’t, then you have a number of compelling issues facing you in order to try to prove yourself in the eyes of God. If you do believe, then you have the only reason you need to fall on your face and give thanks to theCreator of all things who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son for your salvation.
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.
Morehouse College hosted their second annual Dream Makers Summit, a showcase of student excellence at the school.
The Dream Makers Summit is a signature event at Morehouse College, which highlights and celebrates student excellence in scholarship, creativity, and innovation. It’s also an opportunity for select industry partners to introduce students to training and career opportunities at their organizations.
The purpose of the Dream Makers Summit is to support scholars as they showcase their potential to shape a better future through research, creativity, and innovation. During the summit, attendees engaged with students and learned about their scholarly productions, creativity, and innovations. The event was held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Shirley A. Massey Executive Conference Center.
Students in the humanities, social sciences, media, arts, business, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics studies delivered presentations and demonstrations along with supplemental presentations from industry partners and notable Morehouse alumni. Alongside the presentations, the
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ral,” she said. “You’re sacred and you matter.”
Tukes also said she so often meets trans people who have energy that feels defeated and she wants her queer and trans youth to know they are already winners.
Additionally, Tukes said there was a time where she was afraid to fully show up as herself, but she overcame the feeling by “saying prayers and meditating”.
“It took me a long time to accept myself,” she said. “Like so many other people in our community, I thought I could pray it away, but then through divine intervention, I realized I’m okay and I’m grateful I had that breakthrough.”
She also said she knows now God loves her for who she is and that was important to Tukes very early in life. Tukes said she knows regardless of what people might think about her, she is loved.
At the end of the day, Tukes said she wants her students to know she cares about them immensely.
Jordyn Hudson, a junior at Spelman College, said she loves Tukes and enjoys the Black entrepreneurship mindset course. The insight Hudson mentions includes learning different aspects of how to build revenue and how to generate income when it comes to building their own companies and learning more about venture capital.
“As an entrepreneur myself and a film-
Morehouse College hosted their second annual Dream Makers Summit, a showcase of student excellence at the school. The Dream Makers Summit is a signature event at Morehouse College, which highlights and celebrates student excellence in scholarship, creativity, and innovation. Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice
program also included student entrepreneurial demonstrations, lightening talks, and an alumni panel discussion on the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in innovation.
Panelists included Founder of Therapeutic GI and Gastroenterologist Dr. Kevin Woods (graduated in 1999), Director of Multimedia and Virtual Events Kennard Garrett (gradu-
ated in 2001), and Founder of MooreAG and Biochemist Dr. Desmond Moore (graduated in 2008).
Students also had a chance to eat lunch and learn with industry partners as well.
Some of the presentation's topics included “County-Level Prevalence of Obesity Related Risk Factos”, “Social Determinants of Medication Use for Depression and Anxiety among individuals with a history of Cancer”, “Molecular Mechanism of Sleep Regulation at Serotonergic Synapses in Drosophila”, “Intersecting Inequalities: Race, Law, and the Ongoing Struggle for Justice in Black Communities”, and more.
Students spent most of the semester and even longer working on these presentations and collecting data.
Junior Joel Walker said he and his group had been working on the presentation for "two summers".
"We have been working on the molecular mechanism of sleep regulation for two summers now and I'm glad we finally got it done," he said.
Senior Marchellos Scott said his presentation on "Intersecting Inequalities" was very moving and very crucial in events like George Floyd and many others.
"This was a topic near and dear to my heart
and I wanted to address it in my research," he said.
Additionally, this year, the keynote speaker was Director for Center for Biomedical Engineering Technology Acceleration (BETA) Dr. Manu Platt, who graduated in 2001.
Platt said to the students to be your most authentic self and do not change for anyone or any job/career.
“Be sure to reach back and hold someone else up and celebrate the thing itself. No one wants to do a job if they must change who they are to be a certain way. I like to say, you don’t have to change who you are, be a scientist, be a researcher, just come as you are,” Platt said.
Platt also quotes one of Maya Angelou’s speeches, “If you are always finding a normal, you will never know how amazing you can be”.
“What Morehouse has allowed it’s Black men to be is to not fit in a box,” he said. “Don’t be the Black guy that destroys the future because some are out here trying but be the Black guy who dreams of a better future and who builds up others to make those dreams real.”
For more information, visit https:// morehouse.edu/life/signature-events/ dream-makers-summit/.
maker, it’s been really inspirational to be able to get insight through this course,” Hudson said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time this semester through studying with professor Tukes and learning all I can and soaking the information up.”
Hudson owns a business called “Shape the Culture”, which is a social impact company that’s dedicated to showcasing all the work youth of color are doing within their own individual communities.
Additionally, Quenisha Moss, also a junior at Spelman College, said she believes professor Tukes is a great professor because in addition to what they learned on paper, they also learn about themselves and how to be confident when walking into a room knowing they deserve to be there.
“Professor Tukes is a very direct professor, so everything is straightforward, and I really appreciate that because we all need somebody to be straightforward,” Moss said.
Teachers matter, according to Tukes, who remembered her own experiences at Morehouse College, where she had “phenomenal professors” like Dr. Patricia Pogal and Dr. Dolores Stevens, who taught her how to show up in the world and be confident in whatever she does.
“It mattered to me most that they cared enough about me to be at their best because I do think those women and those doctorate professors were at their best when they taught us and I bring that excellence to my work,” she said.
Beyoncé is sending Levi’s and Western boot sales soaring
News is Out and Word In Black, together announced the 16 fellows selected for The Digital Equity Local Voices Lab, a new initiative powered by Comcast NBCUniversal to place journalists at 16 Black and LGBTQ+ serving news publications across the country. During the year-long fellowship, the group will receive the training and resources needed to tell stories within marginalized communities through media and technology and celebrate the work being done by Black and LGBTQ+ leaders in their communities.
“Through Project UP, we are proud to donate $1 million to launch this unique, first-of-its-kind program that will support coverage of Black and LGBTQ+ topics in the media as well as emerging journalists with a passion for reporting on issues of importance to these communities,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation and President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.
“Comcast is one of the earliest corporate leaders in LGBTQ+ inclusion, so it should come as no surprise that they
understand the value of local LGBTQ+ media,” said Mark Segal, founder of the Philadelphia Gay News and member of News is Out. “Their investment in our growth is also an investment in the future leadership of LGBT media and intersectional LGBTQ+ media.”
The fellows will receive best practices, learnings and mentorship from journalists and media professionals at News is Out, Word In Black, and NBCUniversal. In addition, they will report on stories of Black and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and creatives in their communities, share training and resources on using technology more in their daily lives, report on policy related to technological access and connectivity, and share the work being done to advance digital equity.
“I am excited to be a part of a fellowship that is specifically geared toward the promotion of diversity, inclusivity and intersectionality,” said Davi B. Ulloa-Estrada, News is Out and Philadelphia Gay News fellow. “We are missing such crucial and different perspectives on world issues, so I look forward to being a part of this project.”
“This fellowship program is the epitome of what journalism means to me –
using innovation and creativity to fuel a passion for multimedia storytelling and uplift the voice and perspective of the overlooked,” said Word In Black and Washington Informer fellow, Jada Ingleton. “It means so much to know that I’ll be in a position to produce stories that could enact change and affect lives the same way generations of journalists impacted mine.”
The Local Media Foundation (LMF) is managing the fellowship and Lab and facilitating content creation to reach diverse audiences between the 16 publishers, Comcast NBCUniversal and NBCU Academy. Word In Black and News is Out are collaboratives that were launched by LMF.
In February, the three organizations announced the launch of The Digital Equity Local Voices Lab and application period. The Lab is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion initiative to connect people to the Internet and advance digital equity and economic mobility through programs and community partnerships that open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators across Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky.
The 16 fellows are:
• Megan Sayles, AFRO News (Baltimore)
• Edwards Cates, The Atlanta Voice (Atlanta)
• J.L. Odom, Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco)
• Melissa Whitler, Dallas Voice (Dallas)
• Marlissa Collier, Dallas Weekly (Dallas)
• ReShonda Tate, Houston Defender (Houston)
• Ebony “JJ” Curry, Michigan Chronicle (Detroit)
• Leah Mallory, New York Amsterdam News (New York City)
• Davi B. Ulloa-Estrada, Philadelphia Gay News (Philadelphia)
• Christine Shelby, The Sacramento Observer (Sacramento)
• Kira Doyle, Seattle Medium (Seattle)
• Devored Horton, The St. Louis American (St. Louis)
• Victoria F. Vega, Tagg Magazine (National)
• Henry Carnell, Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.)
• Jada Ingleton, The Washington Informer (Washington, D.C.)
• Lu Calzada, Windy City Times (Chicago)
James Washington played a vital role in our organization, and his vision and ability to communicate our goals and objectives were instrumental in shaping who we are today. He inspired young talent and encouraged them to pursue their own goals, leaving a lasting impact on many careers. Although we deeply feel his loss, we are grateful for the support, prayers, and generosity we have received during this difficult time. Your kindness and compassion have given us the strength and hope we need to continue James’ legacy and make a positive impact on the world.
Janis L. Ware Publisher
High rates of suicide among young black men in rural areas: Study reveals systemic failure
With seven NAACP theater awards, Kinnik Sky shines as a beacon of artistic brilliance. As a multifaceted producer, actor, and playwright, she prepares to entertain Atlantans with her latest theatrical work, "Peace Be Still.”
Sky's journey as a former hopeful contestant on "American Idol" weaves an exciting narrative, but her love for the arts began long before her national television debut. For example, her youth was filled with impromptu performances in front of a one-person audience.
"Since I was a small child, I would go in my room and get my church shoes and tell my daddy to watch me tap, but I never took a tap dance class in my life," Sky said.
Yet, it is not just her flair for entertainment that defines her. Sky credits her work ethic to her late father's emphasis on consistency and professionalism.
“My dad is my work ethic,” Sky said. “The principles that he instilled really stayed with me and have carried me to the point that I am in life today.”
Although many might see her time on the fifth season of "American Idol" as her big break, Sky views it as a significant learning experience.
“It almost broke me, my spirit, literally,” Sky said. “I look at the experience very differently, but I am moving into a place of not having regrets and just understanding that everything that I experienced created who I am, and I was meant to experience it for whatever reason.”
However, it was through navigating Hollywood and the entertainment industry's intricacies that she found her true calling: writing, acting, and producing for the stage, a medium that she said offers a direct connection between the artist and their audience.
“It took me a long time to realize that just as much as you have people cheering you on, you have people that detest that somehow you're still always able to make it happen,” Sky said. "When you eliminate the middleman, it's a harder, longer, harder, longer, harder, longer journey.
But it puts me in a different position because then I'm able to give my art directly to my audience without someone else telling me what I can and cannot do,” Sky said.
Sky’s plays "Pieces" and its sequel, "Peace Be Still," encompass the complexities of life and relationships and draw audiences into an introspective journey that challenges their perceptions.
And as both the writer and producer, she
ensures that each production carries her unmistakable mark of authenticity and professionalism and pushes the limits of independent theater.
“You’re watching more than just a playwright. You're watching more than just somebody who decided to do stage plays,” Sky said. “I fell into my purpose. And my purpose for my audiences is life changing. In the most beautiful, complex, messy, real way.”
As she gears up for the premiere of "Peace Be Still" at the Balzer Theatre at Herren’s, she extends an invitation to experience a production that promises not just entertainment but a transformative encounter with art and storytelling.
“There's not an emotion that you will not feel deeply by the time you leave that theater,” Sky said. “So, if God is giving you the opportunity to know about this, you need to come [and] get your whole life on April 20, let's be clear.”
Apiece of legislation that could save thousands of lives was passed in Congress recently.
The Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act was passed in The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. This act would help ensure students and school staff are prepared to respond to a cardiac emergency. This victory is enormous for those who have been advocating for this bill to go through.
"To have this bill passed is a very good start. They only had defibrillators in high schools. To have defibrillators in every school in Georgia is amazing to me. The blood, sweat, and tears to get this done have been very moving for me because of the loss
of my son," said Tracy Wilson, Parent advocate for the HEARTS Act.
The HEARTS Act was passed in Congress on March 22. It goes into effect in 2025. The HEARTS Act was initially presented 17 years ago. The act will help prevent cardiac emergencies like heart attacks or cardiac arrests at public schools. Cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere. The solutions to those emergencies are performing CPR or having an automated external defibrillator (AED) available until medical professionals arrive. Before the HEARTS Act, high schools only had AEDs due to sports; they were not required at middle and elementary schools. Wilson is one of many parents who lost their child to a cardiac emergency. She became a CPR instructor and advocated for this bill because of the incident with her son. She now equips parents with the cor-
rect information to handle cardiac emergencies.
"Imagine being a single mother of two boys and your child, who you thought was a healthy young 14-year-old boy, dies from something that you had not known that he had any problems from birth. I don't want to see another child go through trauma because there's no working defibrillator or CPR instructor in the school," Wilson lost her 14-year-old son Terrell in 2007. He had an aortic dissection, which is a tear in the main artery that runs from your heart to your stomach. It is rare to find this issue in children. Aortic dissection is usually in older adults who put a strain on their heart. Stephanie Rouse is another mother who advocated for the bill. She lost her 13-year-old son Monty to a cardiac emergency at a Basketball game this year. His cardiac event was preventable because an AED was on site at the game, but the staff did not move quickly enough to retrieve it nor used CPR to save him.
"If the bill was in place, maybe it could have potentially saved my child when he went into cardiac arrest at his basketball game," said Stephanie Rouse, parent advo -
cate.
"Many people had no idea that several schools didn't have plans. If they did have an AED, many of them found that it didn't even work. This prompts people to ask more questions," said Rouse.
What is next for the HEARTS Act is for the bill to be passed on the federal level. Wilson and other advocates are traveling to Washington, D.C, in May to lobby for this bill to pass to save more lives. Wilson and Rouse encourage parents and individuals to learn about the HEARTS Act and contact their local legislators to support it.
"We've lost a lot of children since 2007 from sudden cardiac arrest at very young ages. So, this makes a difference, and hopefully, we can get this done in every state so that no child goes unseen,” said Wilson.
“You should support the HEARTS Act because it saves lives. Right now, elementary and middle schools are not required to have an AED or don't have an emergency response plan. Having the training and knowing what to do when a child becomes unconscious can save a life,” said Rouse.
More information about the HEARTS Act can be found at heart.org.
Atlanta was the final tour stop for the U.S. leg of Offset’s “Set it Off” tour. It was the former Migos’ first solo international tour and an appropriate finale for the Georgia-born rapper who helped pioneer an iconic sound that forever changed the Atlanta rap scene.
As confetti floated down from the raptors of the Coca-Cola Roxy on Wednesday night and the sounds of the hit Migos record, “Bad and Boujee” petered off to close out the concert, the energy in the venue continued to hit a crescendo. The concert was jam-packed with hits from Offset’s second solo album, “Set It Off;” and tracks from “Without Warning,” a compelling collaboration with producer Metro Boomin and rapper 21 Savage, and hits created as one-third of the Migos.
Each transition journeyed into his career that has spanned over a decade and kept the crowd hype and singing along, signaling a sought-after longevity that has carried him from a trio act to a solo artist. It’s a transition that only so many have been able to carry out successfully, especially when coming from iconic groups — just look at Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. But Offset’s masterclass in reinventing himself as a solo artist has leaned on showmanship and challenging himself creatively.
He opened the show with “Say My Grace” featuring Travis Scott amongst a spectacle of smoke machines, strobe lights and backup dancers. He continued into singles from his albums such as “Fan” and “Worth It” with Don Toliver as well as hits such as “Ric Flair Drip,” “Clout,” “Fight Night,” “Zeze,” “Narcos,” and “Motorsport.” Offset was joined by acts including J.I.D, Young Nudy, Key Glock, Drill Baby, Skilla Baby, Mango Foo and SleazyWorld Go.
As much as the concert was a homecoming, it was also a tribute to late Migos member Takeoff. “If you love Takeoff, let me get a Takeoff,” he said to the crowd as a sea of phones lit up in tribute right before he went into “Last Memory” off of Takeoff’s only solo studio album. Throughout the show, he paid tribute to his cousin by wearing a cutoff shirt with his face plastered over it as his wardrobe, playing his verses on their songs and revealing his ongoing grief over his death.
It was clear that Offset was in his element, from his punchy rap cadence that bounced around the stage as he did to his electric stage presence that showed just why the Migos were as successful as they were — each member was a star in their own right. His smooth Michael Jackson-inspired moves that made it clear the King of Pop
was his biggest inspiration was one of the concert's highlights. His ability to keep up with his professional background dancers made it even less surprising that he’d been a backup dancer in a Whitney Houston music
video as a child.
The concert was a refreshing look into Offset's efforts to align himself not just as a rapper but a full-blown solo performer and entertainer.
ORLANDO, FL. -- One of the most popular Disney princesses of all time will have a signature ride of her own and it opens this summer.
Princess Tiana from the classic film, "The Princess and the Frog" and all of the other characters, sounds and color that make the film a forever classic, will be featured in "Tiana's Bayou Adventure." Though there isn't a definitive launch date, signage for the attraction is all around the site, which is the former site for Splash Mountain.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure has long been a part of the future plans for Disney's Magic Kingdom, according to Walt Disney World Marketing Strategy Vice President Sivonne Davis. During a recent interview with The Atlanta Voice, Davis said the attraction is more than just a new ride at Disney World. Much more.
"It is absolutely beautiful to see this coming forward. Tiana's Bayou Adventure is energy, it's vibrancy," Davis said. "Between the 52-foot drop giving you thrills and energy and the vibrancy of color and storytelling
®
HomeReady
from so many different characters, friends, and family from the Princess and the Frog film, this showcases the next chapter of her story."
The only Black Disney Princess will have her story told on a ride down the Bayou. Davis calls the attraction "amazing, one-of-akind, and truly in New Orleans style. And if you love New Orleans you'll love this experience."
Having an attraction in honor of a Black character is also something that will attract visitors that might not have come to Disney World and more specifically Magic Kingdom before. That fact is not lost on Davis, a Black female executive with one of the world's largest entertainment brands.
"It's authentic, inclusive, relevant, and it's fun," added Davis. "It's a story that is so connective to so many. That important story is showcased in this attraction, it's showcased in who Princess Tiana is."
When asked for a specific date when the attraction was going to open, Davis replied, "It is in fact summer, but we will certainly make sure to keep you posted as we get the final details that are coming real soon," joked Davis.
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Atlanta United hosted the Philadelphia Union without its leading goal scorer, one of its best defenders and a player that has scored three goals in the past two matches. It wouldn't matter however, because there were plenty of players remaining on the roster that could provide the necessary firepower during the 2-2 draw.
"For me, this was kind of a playoff game," Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said during his post-match press conference. Giorgos Giakoumakis, Derrick Williams, Jamal Thiare joined Xande Silva and Stian Gregersen among the players that were not on the active roster for Sunday afternoon's match against Philadelphia. Along with Noab Cobb and Tyler Wolff, Daniel Rios was in the starting lineup. Sunday was the first start for Rios, a forward that's new to the club and was playing in his first match for Atlanta United and it would become a special day for the
Despite a 0-0 score, the home team dominated possession during the first 20 minutes of the match, earning several shots-on-goal in the process (Philadelphia would have seven shots-on-goal at halftime to Atlanta's six). Atlanta would hold 65% possession during the first half.
Philadelphia got its first serious chance at a scoring opportunity in the 27th minute after earning a foul and free kick 20 yards away from the Atlanta goal. The free kick was blocked and a subsequent rebound and shot was stopped by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Minutes later he would save a header from giving the visitors the lead. Atlanta United (3-3-2 overall) came into this match 3-1-1 in their past five matches. Philadelphia had yet to be defeated this season (now 3-50).
The teams exchanged yellow cards during the first half, with Atlanta United star Thiago Almada earning his on a slide tackle following a turnover and Philadelphia being given three, with two coming just before halftime. Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda even got one in the 64th minute.
Feels
Rios would score his first goal of the season on a header in the 55th minute, putting Atlanta ahead 1-0. The assist came from Almada on a brilliant pass from the right wing. Rios came out of the game in the 59th minute and was showered with applause from the 42,763 fans in attendance.
On Sunday, April 14, 2024 Atlanta United gifted two HBCU students, Clark Atlanta University senior Jailyn Funn (on left) and Sachi Russell, a sophomore at Morehouse College, were awarded scholarship checks for $7,000 as part of the team’s HBCU Night celebration. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
Atlanta United midfielder Tristan Muyumba nearly scored his first goal of the season in the 88th minute. The shot bounced over the Philadelphia net, eliciting a roar from the crowd. Pineda said Muyumba had "an outstanding game", but also credited the overall effort by the team despite the result.
Atlanta ahead 2-0. "Caleb's goal was very good and I am really happy for him," Pineda said. "Today's is a reward for a kid that has been very disciplined in what we are asking for."
The goal was Wiley's second of the season. Philadelphia tied the match with goals in the 72nd and 77th minutes with the latter coming from German defender Kai Wagner.
Along with match day and the last day of the annual Dogwood Festival, Sunday was also HBCU Day. With the Atlanta University Center in the shadows of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it was only right that the Morehouse College Battalion Color Guard present the flag, the Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College drumlines played before the match and at halftime.
Two goals in three minutes
A second Atlanta goal would come from Caleb Wiley on a strike in the 63rd minute to put
"I will say that everyone played pretty well. There were many, many good performances, I think Luiz Abram did a great job as well, Noah Cobb, Brooks Lennon, Thiago (Alamada) had a great game, everyone," said Pineda.
A pair of students and members of the drum corp were surprised with $7,000 scholarship checks from Atlanta United. Clark Atlanta University senior Jailyn Funn and Sachi Russell, a sophomore at Morehouse College were presented with the checks following the halftime performance.
What's Next:
Atlanta United will host Cincinnati on Saturday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to Chicago for a meeting with the Chicago Fire on Saturday, April 27.
BY DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON AKA ALE SHARPTON
Experiencing an automobile from Alfa Romeo was highly anticipated, and this 2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio did not disappoint.
For those seeking a sedan that provides luxury, power, and captivation, this vehicle flaunting the highly recommended “Verde Montreal” tri-coat exterior paint checked all the boxes. More outdoor eye candy includes the 19-inch wheels with Romeo’s signature five-hole spokes and Pirelli performance tires; Brembo brakes; dual mode quad exhaust; front and rear fascias; a carbon fiber spoiler; optional carbon fiber roof; and attractive LED lighting package. Another prominent standout alongside the metallic green body, is the shamrock emblem that tastefully adorns the automobile’s upper side. How about a little history? The signature, four-leaf “quadrifoglio” signifies it’s a high-powered vehicle which dates back to 1923 when Alfa Romeo’s race car driver Ugo Sivocci had a
hand-painted green four-leaf clover “Quadrifoglio” on his vehicle for luck during the Targa Florio race. Well, Sivocci was victorious, so that historic good-luck charm is honored to
this day in this select trim.
Inside, the only thing missing is a pair of racing gloves to complement the paddle shifters mounted on the column; carbon fi-
ber drive shaft and steering wheel; leather appointments throughout the cockpit; and wireless charging pad. Entertainment leaves virtually nothing to be desired as well, with the Apple CarPlay/Android connectivity, vibrant 12.3-inch TFT (thin film transistor) color display, 8.8-inch radio screen, and eargasmic 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
Be sure to visit Alfa Romeo’s website to learn about all of this car’s safety features and optional packages, including the Quadrifoglio RWD-Package 25P featuring a plethora of driver-assist applications, plus other physical appointments.
Ultimately, ever since Sivocci conquering the checkered flag back in 1923, the Quadrifoglio is still a winner and one of our top cars of 2024. Price: $86,755 MSRP (Including
via Zoom. Bid Bond: N/A Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) Provide the supply of print periodicals, serials, and newspapers (local and international) for Library customers, and to provide library personnel with information relating to Library orders and related services. In order to obtain complete information about this solicitation, please click the link below where this document and supporting documents can be downloaded, https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/ fultoncounty. Fee: N/A Term of Contract: The “Commencement
