United States Vice President and Democratic nominee for president Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz made their first public appearance at a rally in Philadelphia, Tues. August 6, 2024. Photo by Julia Beverly/The Atlanta Voice
National
Pearl Cleage’s Tribute to Maynard Jackson
Harris/Walz ticket to visit midwest, west, and south this week
BY DONNELL SUGGS
It’s Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Starting in Philadelphia, the largest city in one of the largest battleground states on the map, United States Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the presidential nod, made her selection of a running mate on Tuesday. Walz, a former teacher, high school football coach and member of the National Guard, was officially announced via various social media platforms on Tuesday morning.
During his first appearance as the vice president nominee, Walz, who walked out on the stage at the Liacouras Center alongside Harris said she, “believes in the promise of America,” and that if they win this election, “every single day in the White House I’ll have Vice President Harris’ back and we’ll have yours.”
Now Harris, 59, and Walz, 60, have to hit the road and talk to supporters. With the Democratic National Convention, which will take place in Chicago inside and outside of the United Center, scheduled to take place in less than two weeks, the pair will need to cover a lot of ground and fast. Walz was one of the Democratic politicians that stumped on the behalf of the Biden/Harris ticket during the Republican National Convention
in Milwaukee last month. Alongside Texas Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-16) and Biden-Harris Principal Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks, Walz spoke to the media about what took place on day two of the Convention. He also explained why the Biden/Harris administration was the best way to go for Americans of all political persuasions.
Former United States President Donald
J. Trump and his vice presidential nominee Ohio Senator J.D. Vance has held several joint rallies, most recently in Atlanta at the Georgia State University Convocation Center in Summerhill.
During that rally, Trump took verbal shots at Harris, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Trump had several individuals speak on his behalf before he took the stage on Saturday. Georgia Congressman Mike Collins, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), former Georgia Senator David Perdue were among the speakers.
Harris and Walz, both together and separately, will be visiting battleground states this month. The campaign rallies will take place in Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, according to the campaign. A planned visit back to Georgia and rally in Savannah on Friday, August 9 was canceled due to concerns over what the
weather would be like due to tropical storm Debby. There has not been word from the Harris/Shapiro camp whether or not the pair will visit Georgia again before Election Day in November. With Georgia and its 16 electoral votes being critical to both campaign’s run to the White House, there is a good chance Harris and Walz will be back to the Peach State.
The Trump/Vance campaign visited Montana this week. The campaign’s trip to North Carolina was canceled due to inclement weather.
Harris surrogates like Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, who dropped by The Atlanta Voice office on Tuesday afternoon, are supportive of the new ticket, calling Walz, “a very strong choice.”
“He’s an accomplished governor and a military veteran,” Ossoff said of Walz. “Georgians are going to find Governor Walz competent and will be able to step in that role. I look forward to campaigning with him.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a former high school teacher, football coach, and military veteran, spoke to the crowd in Philadelphia Tuesday night as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris looked on. Photo by Julia Beverly/The Atlanta Voice
Raven Johnson hosts back-to-school giveaway in Atlanta
BY NOAH WASHINGTON
The DTLR East Point location was packed from wall to wall, with flashing cameras, music blasting, and kids screaming excitedly.
On Saturday, August 3, DTLR staff transformed their store into a home-away-from-home for NCAA basketball champion and Atlanta native Raven Johnson. The event, a back-to-school supplies giveaway designed to support local students, offered not only backpacks but mindfulness journals to prepare students for the upcoming school year.
Antonio Gray, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at DTLR, highlighted the extensive planning involved. "The planning began months ago when we learned of Raven's desire to give back to her community," Gray stated. "With our strong infrastructure for hosting instore events and bringing in athletes, we handled the logistics seamlessly.’
Gray emphasized the event's primary goal: providing a memorable experience for the kids. "I hope they got a picture with an athlete they admire and a backpack for school. It's about giving back to the community," he said. Johnson’s return to her community seemed personal. "It's a blessing," Johnson said. "When I was young, people gave back to me for school. Seeing these kids now makes me smile."
The joy on the children's faces resonated deeply with Johnson. "It just makes my day," she shared. "I've been in their shoes, and I know they're happy to return to school. Why not help them get ready?” Johnson continued.
The event drew a significant crowd, with kids and their parents lining up to meet Johnson. Among the attendees was
George Middlebrook, originally from Detroit, Michigan, who now resides in the Atlanta area for his work in the film and entertainment industry. Middlebrook brought his two young daughters to see Johnson.
"We live in the area, so I saw that it was being publicized," Middlebrook said. "Plus, I'm a South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball fan. Being from Atlanta and giving back to the community is great for her. It's important that my daughters see successful Black women doing great things and giving back to the community. Raven is a great example for young Black women, and it's a great opportunity for them to see this.”
Johnson's hope for the children was simple, "I want them to leave with a smile, be happy, and be themselves. School is important and will take them far. Just keep going and have fun," she stated.
The event met Middlebrook's expectations. "They filled up their book bags, and we're happy. The items were high quality, and it was a great experience." Middlebrook's daughters were particularly thrilled with the clear Under Armour bookbags they received, which met the requirements for their school. The event was open to the public while supplies lasted.
"It's an honor to bring Raven back to her community to give back to kids who admire her and could possibly be like her one day," Gray said.
Johnson emphasized one message for the children who attended, "Be yourself. Don't let anyone change you.”
South Carolina guard Raven Johnson (above) with a young boy during her back-to-school giveaway in East Point. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
LEFT: George Middlebrook and his daughters after receiving their school supplies. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
“My humanity is bound up in
we can only be human together.”— Desmond Tutu
Project 2025: The Blueprint for America’s Democratic Demise
BY CONGRESSWOMAN FREDERICA S. WILSON (FL-24)
Trump is “America’s Hitler.”
Those aren’t my words. They’re the words of Donald Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance. That’s what he and many others used to say about Trump before they succumbed to his influence. Now, they’re proclaiming their loyalty by bowing down and kissing the ring of an insurrection inciter, a racist, a sex predator, a twice-impeached, four-time indicted, now convicted felon, and former disgrace of a President.
Recently, the Republicans held their national convention. Despite the delusional and deranged policies Trump has been shoving down our throats, he was met with thunderous applause.
Let me paint a picture of a second Trump term, according to MAGA Republicans and Trump’s closest cronies.
Journalist and historian Anne Applebaum aptly noted, “Often, for autocrats, the second time in power is worst.” That’s a chillingly accurate description of what we’d face with Trump, especially with the tyrannical policies in Project 2025.
If you haven’t heard, Project 2025 is a 920-page blueprint for a second Trump term, straight out of a dystopian novel. It’s packed with the horrifying policies MAGA Republicans dream of imposing.
It’s the MAGA Republicans’ plan to take control of this country and our lives.
It demolishes checks and balances, tramples personal liberties, and outlines a Trump power grab ripped from a dictator’s playbook.
Trump wants to fire up to 1 million people in the federal government and replace them with a bunch of extreme MAGA Republicans who would do Trump’s bidding instead of the American people and the Constitution.
And let’s talk about your wallet because you can forget about that with Project 2025. MAGA Republi-
cans want to increase taxes on the middle class, gut social security for young Americans, slash Medicare, let employers stop paying overtime, and more.
They also aim to obliterate the Department of Education and eliminate the Head Start program.
As a former Head Start educator and school principal, I find this vile and inexcusable.
Project 2025 also wants students in public high schools to take a military entrance exam in an effort to draft them into the military. How-
ever, it leaves private school kids untouched.
The cherry on top? They’re hellbent on banning abortion and restricting access to birth control and Plan B. As someone who knew life before Roe v. Wade and almost died from a stillbirth, we simply cannot go back.
Now, Trump knows this plan is insane and unpopular, and has recently tried to distance himself from Project 2025, claiming he knows nothing about it.
But Project 2025 is crawling with
former Trump officials and cabinet members.
All MAGA Republicans are trying to do now is lie about Project 2025 so they can win the election and begin to implement this draconian plan—just like authoritarians in other countries did when trying to grab onto power. But we cannot ignore their true vile intentions.
So, what’s next?
Trump used his first term to destroy the guardrails of democracy, stack the courts with loyalists, and make the truth seem like “fake news.”
So, while our democracy survived a first Trump term, it won’t survive a second one.
Don’t take my word for it. Trump said he will become “a dictator on day one.” This isn’t just a scare tactic by Democrats; it’s simply what Trump has already told us will happen if he wins. So, believe him when he says he’ll be a dictator. There is simply too much at stake to focus on anything other than the choice we have in this election: democracy or dictatorship.
I’m choosing democracy every day.
FOUNDED May 11, 1966 FOUNDER/EDITOR
Ed Clayton Immortalis Memoria
PUBLISHER/EDITOR
J. Lowell Ware
Immortalis Memoria
The Atlanta Voice honors the life of J. Lowell Ware.
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Janis Ware
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James A. Washington 2018-2024
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SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
Undefeated Love
BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON
The Atlanta Voice
There’s a belief or a saying, at least, that love conquers all. In the secular world the reference is to the power of emotional love to compel men and women to do extraordinary things. Love is said to move us to do the unthinkable with sometimes positive and in many instances negative results. One of the reasons for this apparent that is “Love is blind.” Again, in this secular world nothing is or can be as reckless and misdirected as blind love.Now take the same saying and apply it with biblical references and it takes on a whole new meaning. Love conquers all. Just for thesake of giving an example, God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. The greatest commandment is love ofyour neighbor as yourself. God is love. Out of love, we have been saved. From this perspective love takes on a set of characteristics that only result in positive endings.
O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands
I’m reminded that spiritual love differs from secular love in that one is conditional and the other is not. By that I mean love in this sense, from its biblical basis, is an unconditional state of being. Love, according to scripture, is a constant. It never ceases to be and it never ceases to give. I believe that is what is meant by unconditional. Love by any other definition is not love. It is a perversion of God’s great gift to us. Love like faith requires covenant. I am moved by Daniel’s prayer,“O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with all who love Him and obey His commands…”
Daniel 9:4. I must tell you that this sums up quite a bit for me about this subject. Unconditional
“YOUR VOICE”
love begets something less than unconditional love in return. So all of this begs the question how do you love someone? How do you attempt to love God? Unconditional does not mean undisciplined. It does not preclude commitment.
As a matter of fact scripture would indicate that you can’t have anything real happen in your life unless it’s based on the love about which I speak. Our entire existence is seen from the perspective of love of family, mother, father, wife, son, husband,fellow man, God. Jesus was crucified based on this love. I submit to you that our obligation to each other is to attempt tolove ourselves in such a manner as to recognize the God within us and
to then appreciate the God in everyone else. We are then in a covenant relationship with self, each other and therefore in line with the covenant that God has with man. The endresult then must be a positive outcome. Jesus’ crucifixion had a positive outcome. I submit again that his very directed and guided love will always guarantee an outcome consistent with the wishes of God. Therefore again I say in this context love conquers all. It is our reason for being. It is the reason for our salvation “…God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him.” 1 John 4:16.
May God bless and keep you always.
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.
Why do you think Donald Trump is afraid to debate Vice President Kamala Harris?
ANDREW F. Decatur
“Trump is afraid to debate Kamala because he knew what he was getting into when he was going to debate Biden, and Kamala is not like that. She's mentally intact still, and she has a lot of people backing her. There was this conversation around youth, and he was able to pounce on that with Biden. He can't do that with Kamala. He knows now that she’s not easy prey, so he's scared. He's scared, and he should be.”
KENNETH HAMMOND
Lithonia
“I believe that he is out of his league. She's a prosecutor. He's afraid to be prosecuted in a debate, and she will wear him out. Most definitely. because all he does is lie. And she's going to fact-check him at every opportunity. He can't handle being factchecked by an African-American woman. There you go.”
OSCAR CAMEJO
Union
“In my opinion, the reason why Donald Trump is reluctant or afraid to debate Kamala Harris is because he knows his talking points don't have substance outside of his normal base, and in debating Kamala Harris, he would be pushed to answer questions that he's probably not prepared to answer. Whether it's on immigration, whether it's on his criminal convictions, or just anything outside of his normal talking points, I believe he's very reluctant to be faced head-on because, of course, he goes into attack mode whenever he gets hit with tough questions, especially if his team has not prepared him for it. So I think Vice President Kamala Harris represents one of those people who would call him to the carpet on many things, and he just doesn't want to be embarrassed.”
ERNEST COOPER Atlanta
“My thoughts around Donald Trump's not wanting to debate with Vice President Kamala Harris are that he doesn't want that smoke, or rather, he doesn't want that fire. He is not used to addressing issues headon. He used to divert, go off-topic, or not address the key issues. If he has to address the issues, he will lose. That's it.”
Compiled by Vincent Christie from members of Black Men Run
Where are all the Black male journalists?
“We’re taking America Back”: Trump, Vance held first Atlanta rally
BY ISAIAH SINGLETON
Welcome to MAGA City as the Atlanta streets were consumed with overwhelming red, Trump faces, and MAGA hats.
Former President Donald J. Trump and Vice-Presidential Nominee, Senator JD Vance held a rally in Atlanta Saturday.
A sea of red MAGA hats, Trump paraphernalia, flags, signs and more filled the Georgia State University Convocation center. Outside of the center, lines stretched for miles as people awaited to get into the rally for Trump.
Signs included, “Trump/Vance”, “Never Surrender”, “Too Big Too Rig”, “Make America Great Again”, and more.
Throughout the rally, all you could hear was the crowd screaming “USA”, “Make America Great Again”, “We Want Trump”, and more. During intermissions, the crowd enjoyed country songs as well.
Trump’s campaign had several individuals speak on his behalf before the guest of honor appeared such as Congressman Mike Collins, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Senator David Perdue, and more.
Greene had the entire rally screaming for her and she said the Trump administration and republicans are going to “take America back” in the upcoming election.
“This has nothing to do with race, gender, or politics,” she said. “We have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, we’re so used to enjoying our normal lives doing normal things, but this time around, enough is enough.”
Greene even went as far to say Trump’s accusations and charges are all “haux’s”.
Also, Collins urged the rally to go out and vote. “You can’t come into these meetings and rallies and not vote, we have to make every vote count come November,” he said.
Most of the vocal points of each speaker was about Kamala Harris with Collins stating, “Georgia didn’t want Stacey [Abrams], and they don’t want Kamala.” Some went as far as to say Trump was the “greatest president of the history of presidents”.
Every time Kamala Harris was mentioned, the entire stadium was engulfed in “boo’s”. Throughout the night, a banner that said “Kamala is weak, failed, and dangerously liberal” was plastered all over the stadium.
Vance criticized Harris telling the crowd she thinks she’s better than them.
“She thinks she’s better than us, and better than you,” he said. “We need to tell Kamala to mind her own damn business. This is America and we believe in freedom.”
He also critiqued her “southern belle” accent during her rally Tuesday and said she isn’t loyal to America.
“Loyalty to this country is closing our borders, not opening them. Loyalty is taking a bul-
let for this country, and Donald Trump did just that,” Vance said. “When he was shot, he didn’t falter, instead, he raised his fist and said to fight. We’re going to rebuild America together.”
He also referred Joe Biden and Harris’ campaign and the last four years to the infamous Milli Vanilli scandal.
Once Trump appeared, the crowd went wild, chanting his name and “We Want Trump”, whistling, clapping, and more.
“Trump gave up the easy life to make Amer-
ica great again. Trump wants to fight and will make this country great and thriving again,” Vance said.
Trump came out immediately coming for Harris by calling her a “lunatic” and “Crazy Kamala”.
“Crazy Kamala was here last week, lots of empty seats, and only brought a crowd with entertainers. I don’t need entertainers because I’ll make America Great Again,” he said. “She’s wrecking our nation, Joe [Biden] was the worst
President in the history of our country, and Crazy Kamala has been the worst Vice President we have seen.”
Trump further drove it home by saying Harris is worse than Bernie Sanders and has a very low IQ. He also addressed the debate night back in June with Biden saying Biden was “choking like a dog and that was the end of him”.
He also criticized the school district for not allowing more people into the center.
Additionally, Trump addressed his assassination attempt by saying, “it was from God, and it was something incredible.”
“I think I was shot because people say I’m a threat to democracy, but actually, I’m saving democracy,” he said.
At this point, the crowd shouts “fight, fight, fight” and slams their feet on the bleachers chanting. This was very evident when Trump said he would never defund the police, but instead “will always overfund the police”.
Trump also said they have to go out and vote and stop the Democrats from cheating.
Lastly, Trump said that come November, his campaign would win, and the American dream would come back better, stronger, and bigger.
“94 days from now, we’re going to win Georgia. If we lose in Georgia, we lose it all, and it’ll go to hell. We’re going to evict this radical and incompetent administration come November. When we win, we’re going to see a Trump-driven spike in everything.”
Former United States President Donald J. Trump (right) and the Republican nominee for vice president J.D. Vance, held their first Atlanta joint rally on Saturday night. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
Trump supporters of all races (above) were in attendance at the Georgia State University Convocation Center. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
VP Harris urges Gen Z voters to use their voices in 2024 elections
BY ERINN GARDNER
DTU Intern
United States Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a virtual address to close out the third annual Voters of Tomorrow Summit at the Loudermilk Conference Center Saturday afternoon. Democratic voters and leaders of all demographics filled the ballroom awaiting words of wisdom from Harris pertaining to how their voices will matter in the coming election. Eve Levenson, the national engagement director for the Harris for President campaign, arranged for the message to take place, and she promptly introduced the Vice President before displaying the video on the big screens.
“VP Harris will continue to echo the message that young people are the moment. We have the mic right now to speak up about what’s important, the mic to get our folks out there to vote, and the mic to lead this country to what we know that it can be,” Democratic National Committee Youth Coalition Director Tyrik McMillain said.
With almost a year of organization, the central focus of this year’s summit was the “Year of Youth,” emphasizing the substantial impact that Gen Z voters will have in
When they win, we all win
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the upcoming 2024 elections. A variety of speakers discussed a diverse range of issues including abortion rights, Gen Z can -
didacy, voting suppression and campaign strategy. The summit aimed to provide numerous young participants with the necessary tools, connections and motivation to bring about long-lasting transformation as the next generation of powerful leaders.
“This summit gave us time as Gen-Z to strategize, talk about the issues that are important to us and give us an opportunity to connect at a peer to peer level, and have these conversations,” GA NAACP Youth & College president Jayden Williams said.
Throughout the short video, Harris stressed the weight that the Gen-Z vote will wield in the election, given that they represent the future. Harris informed them that their vote would not be taken for granted, and that she would make every effort to earn their vote. Her very presence kept the audience engaged and resonated with several.
“It is time for a new generation and the torch to be passed. I think she will be great at the job, she has the opportunity, she has the network, she has the funds and she has the capacity to serve as our president,” Williams said.
GRANT HOLLOWAY U.S. OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST
United States Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a virtual address to close out the third annual Voters of Tomorrow Summit at the Loudermilk Conference Center last week. Photo by Erinn Gardner/The Atlanta Voice
Community
Local organization gives debt relief grants
Atlanta honors James Baldwin’s legacy with community discussion
BY NOAH WASHINGTON
The joy and camaraderie that filled The Gathering Spot on August 2 echoed the sentiments that author and activist James Baldwin often preached in his writing.
On this day, many gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of this legendary and historical writer. “James Baldwin & Atlanta,” a community discussion produced by The Counter Narrative Project (CNP), featured Charles Stephens and Kimberly Latrice Jones speaking about Baldwin's enduring influence and the current socio-political landscape of Atlanta. The discussion, moderated by Stephens, explored Baldwin's impact and the evolving challenges faced by communities of color today.
Charles Stephens, founder and executive director of CNP, found a deep connection to Baldwin’s work even as a young boy. "My presence here today has everything to do with James Baldwin," Stephens shared. "He saw me when I was a little boy trying
to figure everything out. His words gave me the courage to become a leader,” Stephens continued.
Stephens recounted discovering Baldwin's work as a young boy and how it inspired him to establish CNP as a tribute to Baldwin’s legacy. Stephens cited CNP as becoming a national leader in racial justice and HIV advocacy. "I wanted to create an organization that would serve as a tribute to James Baldwin," Stephens explained. "Baldwin's relationship with Atlanta was not as visible as it should be, and that’s why this program was created," Stephens shared.
Kimberly Latrice Jones, a New York Times bestselling author and activist, discussed her admiration for Baldwin and his impact on her work. "Baldwin is one of my greatest influences," Jones stated. "His voice, along with Toni Morrison’s, represents the pinnacle of creating unapologetic Black narratives."
Jones shared her experience of contributing a blurb for the book “The Evidence
of Things Not Seen”, highlighting the intersection of her work with Baldwin’s legacy. "I was recording my audiobook next to Stacey Abrams, and the publishers realized this was the perfect opportunity for a collaboration," she recalled. "It was a moment of serendipity that connected me to Baldwin’s work in a profound way."
Both Stephens and Jones explored Baldwin’s perspective on Atlanta’s current socio-political climate. Stephens noted Baldwin’s critical view of Atlanta’s self-perception versus reality. "Baldwin would see through the illusion that Atlanta is different from the rest of Georgia," Stephens suggested. "Despite the city's reputation as progressive, the policies and practices often reflect a broader, more troubling reality."
Jones echoed this sentiment, pointing out that Baldwin would likely critique the commercialization and superficial progressiveness of the city. "Baldwin would recognize that while Atlanta markets itself as a haven for the queer community, the policies and systemic issues remain largely
unchanged," Jones asserted. "The same superficial inclusivity masks the underlying issues of white supremacy and class disparity."
The discussion also touched upon the impact of book bans, particularly on marginalized voices. Stephens highlighted the local nature of these bans and their broader implications. "Book bans are not just a federal issue; they’re happening at the local level, affecting our communities directly," Stephens noted. Currently, “The Fire Next Time” is Baldwin’s only listed banned book in the state of Georgia, specifically in Clay County School District.
Jones, a Smith Young talent client under their literature and speaker department, shared her insights on how book bans disproportionately target works by authors of color and queer writers, "The quickest way to mobilize against book bans is to target Black, brown, and Indigenous authors first," Jones explained. "These bans reflect a broader attempt to silence and marginalize these voices," Jones explained.
“James Baldwin & Atlanta,” a community discussion produced by The Counter Narrative Project, took place at The Gathering Spot earlier this month. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
Social Justice Senator Jon Ossoff leads prison reform bill into law
BY DONNELL SUGGS
There are 122 federal prisons under the watch of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and due to bipartisan prison reform legislation, led by United States Senator Jon Ossoff, they will all begin the journey of becoming safer.
Ossoff first introduced what is now the Federal Prison Oversight Act in 2022 following multiple Senate investigations, all of which had bipartisan support. On Thursday, United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed the act into law.
The Federal Prison Oversight Act calls for nationwide routine inspections of all 122 facilities by the Department of Justice Inspector General's office and the establishment of an ombudsman to routinely investigate the people who are living and working in the facilities.
"When I campaigned for the Senate, I made a promise to fight for civil and human rights for all Georgians," Ossoff said in a statement to The Atlanta Voice. "I've been honored to work so closely with Georgia's civil rights community to write and pass into law this prison reform legislation and will continue championing justice reform on behalf of Georgia."
A number of Civil Rights Era icons and current civil rights leaders are not only supporting the legislation, but giving Ossoff credit for getting the act passed and put into law.
"I commend and thank Senator Ossoff for his leadership in shepherding this historic bill to passage snd now law," said former Atlanta Mayor and Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young. "Senator Ossoff promised to fight for civil rights and human rights, and with this new bipartisan law, he is making progress to ensure equal protection under the law for all Georgians and all Americans."
Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs also applauded Ossoff's efforts. "Today, we witnessed a monumental stride toward justice and accountability within our federal prison system with the Federal Prison Oversight Act," Griggs said in a statement. "This legislation represents not only a victory for those advocating for human rights but also a crucial acknowledgment of the urgent need to address the conditions within our prisons."
Former Georgia NAACP President Reverend James Woodall, Executive Director of the ACLU of Georgia Andrea Young, and Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown, all thanked Ossoff for his work on prison reform and the passing of the act.
"This bipartisan legislation is a life-saving measure and will give people who are incarcerated in the federal system a rare opportunity to get help amidst such a deadly crisis," Woodall wrote. Brown added, "For far too long, federal prisons have been able to subject the people they incarcerate to abuse, danger, and catastrophe lapses in health and safety. This bill is a necessary step to improve the humanity and dignity of the conditions within federal prisons."
Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff (above) signing the Federal Prison Oversight Act before it was sent to the office of U.S. President Joseph R. Biden. Photo by Office of Senator Jon Ossoff
What you need to know about QR code scams
Xen Matcha brings a new twist to the tea game
BY ALEX CATES
Over the past 4 years matcha tea has taken cafes and coffee shops by storm, with many people looking for caffeine alternatives.
Xori and Xion Johnson, brothers from Gwinnett County, are looking to bring a new spin to matcha tea craze with their company “Xen Matcha”, their own line of matcha tea and pop-up cafes throughout the city of Atlanta.
Xen Matcha pop up cafe’s menu consists of multiple options including a matcha lavender lemonade with home grown and made lavender syrup and a matcha chai tea latte that is a combination of green and off-white.
The idea for Xen Matcha began when the two brothers attended Morehouse college and drank coffee to help them stay awake to study. Since they were young, the brothers had been interested in starting a coffee shop. The Johnsons would realize that they would have consistent crashes, jitters, and feel stressed after drinking only one or two cups of coffee. One day, Xion discovered matcha green tea, a delicious drink that gave him energy, but still kept him relaxed. He brought the drink to his Xori, who would also take a liking to it. The two would recognize not only the delicious flavor of matcha, but the health benefits that come with it, such as being high in fiber, filled with antioxidants and helping boost peoples metabolism. The brothers would change their focus from a coffee shop to focusing on introducing people to a healthier caffeine alternative.
Aside from drinks, matcha can be used in various ways such as in desserts or even in powder form as a garnish. Matcha tea provides amazing health benefits, along with a delicious and refreshing flavor. If you are interested in trying Xen Matcha you can visit one of their pop-up cafes at various events (follow @myxenmatcha on IG for more info). The brothers are set to officially release their product next month on their website xenmatcha.com.
Xen Matcha. Photo by Edward Cates/The Atlanta Voice
ABOVE: Xori and Xion Johnson, brothers from Gwinnett County, are looking to bring a new spin to matcha tea craze with their company “Xen Matcha”. Photo by Edward Cates/The Atlanta Voice BLACK OWNED BUSINESS PROFILE
The Johnson brothers were big coffee drinkers until they discovered matcha as an alternative. Photo by Edward Cates/The Atlanta Voice
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett rallies Democrats
Black Women’s Health Imperative fights for women’s health and fibroids awareness
BY CLAYTON GUTZMORE
Uterine Fibroids is a woman's health condition that is significant enough to be everyone's problem. According to Hologic, fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in the smooth muscle cells of the uterus. This medical issue does affect women's ability to have children.
A study from the National Library of Medicine reveals that 80 percent of Black women will develop it by the age of 50.
The Black Women's Health Imperative (BWHI) is an organization that stands by all women who have to face this challenge. Through education, advocacy, and fundraising, BWHI fights for women on their path to better health at all levels. BWHI wants to update everyone about the conversation regarding fibroids, what policies you should be aware of, and how you can support those on this complex health journey.
"We can't stop. We owe it to black women to make sure that they know an organization and a group of women are fighting for their rights, in fertility, in maternity, and for chronic disease wellness daily," said Linda Goler Blount, MPH President of the Black Women’s Health Imperative.
Fibroids Awareness Month occurs every July. During this time of year, organizations raise awareness of this medical issue to show that it exists and the lives of women impacted by it. Currently, there is no cure for fibroids. The only solutions available are surgeries, but they have their set of complications.
Prevalence of uterine fibroids across different age groups in black/African American and white women. Credit: International Journal of Women’s Health
According to Blount, most adult women have fibroids but do not show symptoms, which can lead to many women not knowing that they have it. Another necessity of fibroids awareness month is encouraging institutions and policymakers to invest in fibroids research. This step can help those suffering from severe cases.
Blount explains that women of color tend to have larger fibroids than most women. Fibroids are made of the same material as the uterus. They become tumors when the cell goes rogue and grows. Fibroids are painful. They can range from the size of a seed to a watermelon. The intensity of the pain can keep women from
going to school, to work, and from enjoying their lives. The BWHI wants everyone to know this so that proper support can go to places that are essential to help those suffering.
"I want your readers to know that not enough is being done. Something absolutely can be done, but because we don't prioritize these women and black women in particular, we are in this situation. We need to ensure that we have policy, legislation, and research that protects all women," said Blount.
BWHI has brought stories of women and science-based evidence regarding women's health to policymakers for years. They have fought for policies to help women nationwide
with their unique health challenges. One victory BWHI achieved was in 2023 when the organization battled the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to raise the age of women screening for breast cancer to 50. Their efforts did not allow that to happen, and this made way for BWHI's Breast and Cervical Cancer Research Project among black women. This initiative aims to answer the question of when Black women should get screened for breast cancer—currently, The U.S. The Preventive Task Force made their health recommendations based on studies done in Sweden and Canada. According to Blount, no Black women were a part of those studies.
One piece of legislation that BWHI fought to pass was the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act. This Bill would have established funding for research on FIbroids and created public education programming about the condition. Unfortunately, the Bill did not pass in the House. BHWI and its partners continue to push.
"It is viewed as something for black women and where we are in our society. Anything that seems to hint at racial equity is frankly de-prioritized by a vast segment of our policymakers. But we are undaunted. We will keep pushing and bringing evidence and stories to the House floor. Too many women are suffering unnecessarily and losing the ability to have children.
BWHI encourages people to call their legislators and civic officials to tell Congress to pass the Act. BWHI's pursuit of better health measures for women will not stop until stronger laws and acts are in place.
Healtheir living with diabetes is not a death sentence
BY JAZMINE BRAZIER
Veronica McCoy has been living with diabetes for over 20 years. She is one of millions in Atlanta managing this chronic condition. According to the Georgia Department of Health, one million people in Georgia, or 12.4% of the population, have been diagnosed with diabetes. Additionally, thousands more are unaware they are living with the disease.
Diabetes comes in several forms: Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. Adults over 45 have the highest prevalence of diabetes in Georgia. While Type 1 diabetes is generally not preventable, Type 2 diabetes often results from risk factors and lifestyle behaviors such as tobacco use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Medication and treatment are
available to help those living with diabetes manage their health daily, yet one treatment, Physiologic Insulin Resensitization (PIR) seems to be overlooked in the community.
McCoy has been visiting Dr. Chandra Armstrong’s clinic for the past five months. Managing diabetes requires significant lifestyle changes, including adjusting eating habits, increasing physical activity, and taking medication to regulate blood sugar levels. "I always have to watch what I eat and what triggers my blood sugar to rise," said McCoy. She shared how even the difference between eating a baked potato and mashed potatoes can impact her blood sugar levels.
Armstrong, a family practitioner for over 27 years, opened her practice in 2004. In January 2024, she introduced a program called Physiologic Insulin Resensitization (PIR). This diabetes treatment provides "customized patient
care where insulin is administered as a hormone rather than a drug." Through PIR, the body is reprogrammed to utilize sugar properly via IV therapy.
Patients participate in PIR treatment on an interval basis based on their customized programs. Jonny Clark, who has been in the PIR program for about five months, stated, "It is a blessing. I used to be on insulin three times a day, but I haven't taken it in two weeks. My numbers have dropped from 240 to around 115."
Ricardo Frazier, referred to Dr. Armstrong by his podiatrist, is prediabetic but experiences symptoms like neuropathy and burning sensations in his hands and feet. "My grandmother had diabetes, and it was terrible to see her go through it," he shared. Frazier has been in the program for less than a month and has already experienced increased energy, better
sleep, and less fatigue.
Malikah Allah, a five-month PIR participant, stated, "I have no pain in my legs now. When I leave here, I go to the store and walk around. It gives me energy."
Dr. Armstrong's office is in Decatur, a predominantly African American neighborhood. Most PIR programs are not located in communities of color. Tarnisha Williams, a registered nurse with the PIR program, expressed her support, saying, "Diabetes plagues our community. This program is beneficial to our people and our community."
Participants like Veronica McCoy have found hope and improved quality of life through Physiologic Insulin Resensitization (PIR). Their stories are a testament to the impact of personalized care and the importance of perseverance in managing chronic diseases.
Food
Flowing With Blessings aids the unhoused
After the closure of the flagship location nearly closed two months ago due to irreparable damage from Atlanta’s massive water main break in early June, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks founder and CEO Derrick Hayes announced the opening of the flagship’s new location on 300 Marietta Street. Photo by Laura Nwogu/ The Atlanta Voice
Big Dave's Cheesesteaks announces new location on Marietta Street
BY LAURA NWOGU
Fans of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks at 57th Forsyth Street don’t have to miss the sandwich spot for too long. After the closure of the flagship location nearly closed two months ago due to irreparable damage from Atlanta’s massive water main break in early June, founder and CEO Derrick Hayes announced the opening of the flagship's new location on 300 Marietta Street.
“We're going to let the whole city of Atlanta know that we’re coming to take over Marietta Street,” Hayes said as his employees rolled down the banner declaring that the spot, known for bringing a taste of West Philly to Atlanta, was coming soon.
Named after the Philadelphia native’s late father, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has been a popular spot in Atlanta since it opened in 2019. But for those who have been fans of the restaurant since its beginnings, they’ll remember the lines that snaked out of its original location— then called Dave’s Philly Water Ice— which operated out of a Shell gas
station in Dunwoody. Hayes said he would dream of expanding and growing his brand, a chance that soon came in the form of the Forsyth location, which also had people flocking from all over to try the cheesesteaks.
“Big Dave’s is just not about food. We are an empire that's built legacy and culture. My philanthropy work, just me being there for the community, it's like a family. So, I think people were able to watch my story as I grew and it wasn't like, ‘He’s got something going on. Let's support it.’ They watched me from day one, my perfections, my imperfections, my truths, my hardships, everything.”
When Hayes officially announced on Instagram on July 13 that he would not be reopening the former flagship location, noting that “we’ve been through a lot trying to get it reopened,” many flocked to the comments to express sadness but excitement for a new spot. He estimated that they probably lost “over a million” due to the closure but that he doesn’t count anything as a loss and believes that everything happens for a reason.
The same day he made that announce-
ment, Hayes revealed that he’d signed the lease on a new location. Two weeks later, with family, friends, colleagues and supporters, including his wife and owner of Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole Hayes, and actor Bill Duke, in attendance, he unveiled what marks his sixth restaurant.
“With or without anybody's help, we were going to be standing because I got God, so I'm happy about everything right now. I’m still in shock that we got this location so fast, but it feels good.
“This was meant for me. I was worried about my employees every day not being able to come back to work. I was worried about my managers not being able to operate, and about the people of Atlanta not being able to continue to have success with Big Dave Cheesesteaks.”
He and his team hope to open the new flagship, located at a former Waffle House site, within eight to ten weeks.
“I'm announcing a better location with more foot traffic and a better area that gives me more exposure, more brand notoriety,
and I'm just able to put a different type of feeling on Marietta Street and bring a landmark to the city all over again.”
The restaurant will serve the same menu with the addition of beer products and continue to aim to replicate the feeling and authenticity of a shop in Philly— with more flashy neon lights to draw people in.
August not only marks Black Business Month but also Hayes’ 10th year in business on Aug. 4. He teased that he has some big announcements coming soon, and hopes to host a block party to celebrate once the restaurant opens.
“I dedicated my brand to my father, and every time that I feel like I'm getting knocked down, I know he’s there helping me get back up. So I'm not doing this by myself. Same thing for Atlanta: when I get knocked back down, they're helping me get back up, and when they get knocked down, I'm here to help them get back up. We work together, and I think that's what allowed me to be successful in my brand and grow this in a whole different way.”
ONLINE Southern First Offers Dream Mortgage
‘Supacell’ takes London's Black community to new heights
BY NOAH WASHINGTON
Andrew Onwubolu MBE, 35, widely known as “Rapman,” is a British rapper, record producer, screenwriter, and film director who is currently enjoying a notable success. On June 27th, Netflix released all six episodes of Onwubolu’s latest series, “Supacell.”
Recently, The Atlanta Voice had the chance to sit down with Onwubolu while he was in Atlanta to discuss his new series, which is currently topping the Netflix charts.
The show tackles race issues as they relate to London. Onwubolu noted that while London is often seen as posh, its racism is comparable to that in America. "London has a racism problem, especially in areas with predominantly Black communities. You notice the racism when you step outside those areas," he said. He emphasized that his goal was not to focus solely on race but to authentically portray the Black experience in London. "I wanted to depict what’s happening in households, how people feel, in a genuine way without preaching," he explained.
According to its official premise, "Supacell" is about “A group of seemingly ordinary Black people from South London, united by a family history of sickle cell disease, who unexpectedly develop superpowers.”
The idea for "Supacell" came from Onwubolu's love for the superhero genre but with a desire to make it more realistic. "I grew up watching Batman, Spider-Man, and X-Men, but they never reflected reality for me," he said. "If people gained powers, they wouldn’t just put on a spandex costume and try to save the world. They’d first try to fix their own lives, relationships, and financial situations." This perspective inspired the show's creation, and when Netflix offered the opportunity to develop it, Onwubolu seized the chance.
Having been in development since 2020, the show features an ensemble cast. Onwubolu discussed his casting approach, highlighting his long standing connection with Tosin Cole (Doctor Who, House Party), who plays Michael Lasaki, a delivery driver with the ability to teleport and manipulate time. He also sought out Calvin Demba to play Rodney, a mixed-race character. "I used to see Calvin on TV in London, and he always left a positive impression. I wanted to showcase the struggles of mixed-race individuals in 'Supacell,' drawing from my own experiences," he shared. Onwubolu aimed to represent the unique challenges faced by mixed-race individuals, including how they are perceived by different communities. The series includes scenarios like a white mother with a mixed-race child from a previous relationship who later marries a white man
unfamiliar with the Black community. Onwubolu wanted to capture these real-life complexities, and the actor portraying Rodney praised the authenticity of the rep -
resentation. “I wrote the character of Rodney with him [Demba] in mind and sought him out specifically," Onwubolu said. Incorporating real-life experiences into the show was crucial for Onwubolu. "A lot of it is related to my life," he said, drawing parallels between his background and the characters. This authenticity extends to various social issues, including fatherhood and the challenges faced by mixed-race individuals. "I have many mixed-race friends who talk about the struggles of being seen as neither fully Black nor fully white. I wanted to explore that struggle on screen," he elaborated.
Reflecting on the challenges of developing "Supacell," Onwubolu noted it was a unique experience compared to his previous projects. "This one was a whole different beast," he said. "When I wrote my movie 'Blue Story,' I had no deadlines. But with 'Supacell,' there were constant deadlines from Netflix. I have about 50 drafts of the pilot episode alone."
The demanding process of writing, receiving notes, and revising was challenging but ultimately rewarding.
A significant aspect of "Supacell" is its focus on sickle cell anemia, particularly within the Black community. Onwubolu aimed to
raise awareness about the condition while offering a fresh perspective. "I wanted to flip the narrative and show how something that makes dark skin appear weak can actually be a source of strength," he said. The positive reception from the sickle cell community has been a gratifying outcome for Onwubolu, who was honored for his efforts to raise awareness through the show.
Expanding on this, Onwubolu emphasized a personal mission: "The biggest thing for me was sickle cell. I wanted to raise awareness and spark conversations about it because many people are unaware. I wanted to flip the narrative and show that something perceived as weakening dark skin can actually make it strong," he said. While he didn’t expect "Supacell" to become such a significant win for the sickle cell community, he is honored by its impact. "I was hoping someone would invest in a major sickle cell center. There’s one in Atlanta and another recently opened in the UK, but we need more. I know people who suffer from it, and I wanted to help because hardly anyone knows about it," Onwubolu continued.
All episodes of “Supacell '' are currently available on Netflix.
Andrew Onwubolu (above), 35, widely known as “Rapman,” is a British rapper, record producer, screenwriter, and film director. Photos submitted
Netflix released all six episodes of Onwubolu’s latest series, “Supacell” earlier this summer. Onwubolu sat down with The Atlanta Voice recently to talk about his work. Photo submitted
Sports
‘We Play Baseball Too’
BY KYNNEDI S. JACKSON DTU Intern
The decline in Black baseball players has been significant.
Decades ago, Black Americans were excluded from MLB, leading to the establishment of the Negro Leagues. Integration began after Jackie Robinson's breakthrough season with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, marking a pivotal moment for the entire country.
In the 1960s, shortly after Robinson's integration of Major League Baseball, Black American representation in baseball rose to 8.9%. Jimmy Rollins, former MLB player, discussed the integration of the Negro Leagues while in Birmingham, Alabama earlier this summer. “These are real players. They (MLB) knew how good they (Negro Leagues) were. Things were going to change. It was inevitable."
"This family (baseball culture) has changed a little bit since then," Jeffrey Leonard, who played for the Seattle Mariners, said. "My father fell in love with the game first and then he passed it on to me. When we looked on TV, we saw our kind playing. As I played, there were four or five African Americans on each team. Our young kids, they don’t have that.
“The shifted prices of bats and balls and travel teams. Our inner-city kids can’t deal with that. The system is failing us in that sense. Sports like basketball and football are easier to get into. To the little black boys of today, keep going, learn the game."
After the integration of baseball numbers steadily increased. By 1970 the number had increased to 14.6% and peaked at 18.5% in 1975. However, numbers began to decline from 1986, settling at 16% before dropping sharply to 12.8% by 2000. By 2016, only 6.7% were Black players, though it rose slightly to 7.2% in 2023 and stands at 6% in 2024. Major League Baseball does not reflect this in its demographics, with less than a quarter of players being Black. Chandler Simpson, outfielder for the minor league Montgomery
Biscuits shared his thoughts, "It's not a lot of us in the game. Aside from football and basketball, we play baseball too. We can take over this too, so keep going, keep working hard."
In essence, while baseball remains culturally significant, its dwindling Black American participation sheds light on a broader socioeconomic challenge and the need for greater inclusivity and accessibility within the sport. Christopher Ward, a longtime baseball fan reflecting on the in -
tegration of Negro League stats said, "Players need their recognition. It's a lot more to be integrated into MLB, I believe it all would help with the celebration of the Negro Leagues and even our players now."
"Keep fighting, it's always going to be a battle. If you don't work hard for it, you’re not going to obtain it," emphasizes Adam Jones, former Baltimore Orioles outfielder and All-Star.
ABOVE: Chandler Simpson, outfielder for the Montgomery Biscuits in the batter’s circle at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo by Kynnedi S. Jackson/The Atlanta Voice
LEFT: Uniform and a few historical pictures for the Birmingham Black Barons 1925-29. Photo by Kyneedia S. Jackson/The Atlanta Voice
Lifestyle
2024 FIAT 500e Coupe
BY DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON AKA ALE SHARPTON
Owners of the 2024 FIAT 500e Coupe are guaranteed to hear, “Aww, it’s so cute!” often when driving this all-electric car, so get used to it. Frankly, this FIAT’s huggable size, curvaceous two-door body, and wide eyes is seemingly built for that reaction, and its intended market will embrace the admiration. This is especially true when dressed in the color I reviewed— their signature Inspired By Beauty edition’s rose gold exterior—which would be considered pink at first impression, but its welcomed metallic luster and chrome accents justify the moniker.
If you’re looking for a car that’s ideal for inner-city commutes, could fit virtually in a space only something two wheels could utilize, and is fully electric, this should be strongly considered.
But don’t let the petite frame deceive what the 500e delivers under the hood. With a more-than-adequate 118 horsepower pep in its step from its 400-volt engine is responsive enough to pass slower drivers and lane changing especially when in Sport mode; Eco and Normal are the other two. The drive is smooth, and the one-pedal activation is a convenient feature to use during virtually any driving situation. Efficiency numbers are reasonable for particularly metropolis commutes, averaging 110 MPGe per charge and a range of 141-mile driving range. The wow factor comes from the amount of money saved in fuel costs, with this automaker boasting $6,250 over five years.
The interior suggests seating four, but two adults would appreciate the extra room.
And while the frame is small at a 143-inch length, FIAT goes big regarding the amenities. This includes embroidered leather-trimmed seating, a bi-color steering wheel, “drone view” parking visuals, an electrochromic rearview mirror, 10.25-inch touchscreen, six speakers, 4G LTE WiFi,
and wireless smartphone capability including CarPlay. Another plus is FIAT including a Level 2 home-charging station with its purchase, which eases the transition of new customers going fully electric.
Note that the 500e also comes in an Inspired By Music version boasting a piano key black and chrome, or “Marine Layer Mist” for the Inspired By Los Angeles trim. With three
options to choose from, FIAT will attract a lot more customers for sure.
Nice job on this, FIAT. Well done. Fuel Economy: In MPGe, 121 city/100 highway/110 combined
Price: The 2024 FIAT 500e Coupe is $34,095 including options, handling, processing and delivery as reviewed.
For more information, visit Fiatusa.com.
Physician
