BY DONNELL SUGGS CHICAGO—
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock spoke on Monday during night one of the Democratic National Convention. Early on day two of the convention, during the Georgia Delegation breakfast, his words were still on the minds of his fellow Democrats.
Warnock gave The Atlanta Voice a few minutes to speak about his momentous speech.
"I was deeply honored last night to have the opportunity to have the country hear from Georgia," said Warnock, who spoke to this reporter by phone. "What I endeavored
to do was stand in the moral tradition of Georgia's native son, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Asked what he felt like immediately after the speech, Warnock said it was the "honor of his life to represent the people of Georgia."
"That's a sacred commitment and covenant," he continued. "It's not unlike my commitment as a pastor."
Long-time Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson (2nd district) and Congressman Sanford Bishop (4th district) were on hand for the breakfast, and both used the words “proud” and “sermon” when they spoke about Warnock’s speech.
“It was right on point. He told us what we needed to hear, and he told America what
they needed to hear,” Bishop said of the speech. “He was able to translate what would normally be a sermon into a message.”
Johnson said, “Reverend Warnock is a gifted speaker, a motivational speaker, and a truth-teller. What is so unique about Warnock is that he speaks to all Americans regardless of their religion. I was so proud of him as one of Georgia’s senators.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and the event’s host, Georgia Democratic Party Chair Nikema Williams, were complimentary of Warnock’s turn on stage that
night.
“What a great speech he gave yesterday,” Whitmer said of Warnock. The Michigan Governor was one of several politicians who took the stage during the breakfast, which took place inside the Hyatt Regency downtown.
In his second term as governor, Pritzker echoed a popular sentiment that if people around the country didn’t know Warnock, they did now following his speech.
Senator Cory Booker, who was a surprise guest at the breakfast, took the stage and immediately complimented Warnock, stating that Warnock was a strong presence in the United States Senate and a great representative of Georgia.
BY ISAIAH SINGLETON
Atlanta Victim Assistance (AVA), a 40-year-old nonprofit that provides services to victims of crime throughout Atlanta, is holding a clothing/ food/toiletries donation drive in June for the people AVA serves who have found themselves with limited resources who have been forced to leave their homes, or who have lost access to their personal belongings following a crime.
This year, AVA celebrates 40 years of helping crime victims become victors with its transformative programs and services, including AVA’s Closet & Food Pantry.
The pantry is designated for the thousands of crime victims AVA serves each year as a safe place to help them regain essential belongings after experiencing the devastating impacts of crime.
Executive Director Shontel Brunson-Wright said their primary mission is to deliver services and resources to victims of crime.
“Often, when victims are leaving their homes due to a crime, they don’t have the necessities they need,” she said. “We notice this and how high prices are for everything today.”
Through its 40-year history, more than 150,000 crime victims and their families have received AVA’s help.
According to Brunson-Wright, AVA has unique and integrated partnerships with the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Municipal Court, Atlanta Public Schools, and more, which enable individuals and families to receive critical services as soon as possible after a crime.
Unlike other crime assistance organizations, when crimes are committed against people, AVA offers support to victims and witnesses regardless of the offender’s arrest status. For these victims, AVA is often the only organization connecting them with resources and helping them cope, grieve, and move forward with their lives.
Brunson-Wright said past victims have come to AVA saying they need extra help, whether with food insecurities or simply household needs. AVA’s closet also includes suits and prom dresses.
“We cater to all people. We have something for men, women, and children,” she said.
Brunson-Wright also said the drive and closet don’t only apply to June; it’s a 12-month yearly event. According to Brunson-Wright, it’s a newer initiative, and the closet opened in November 2023.
“We are just at the point where more and more survivors are using it, and we just need to keep it stocked,” she said. “When we first unveiled our closet, we didn’t make a big advertisement when we stocked it the first time with some of our partners.”
Additionally, she said the most phenomenal part about this time is celebrating 40 years of service and being an agency that’s been ingrained and entangled in Atlanta. Another part of their mission is AVA.
“We continue to do this good work and continue to give survivors new avenues for resources and just simply meeting people where they are,” she said.
However, Brunson-Wright said their mission is also to do it with dignity and respect, which is why the closet was created. As AVA is housed in the municipal court, they had office space on the first floor, which wasn’t “the best place to have an office due to a past flooding issue.”
Brunson-Wright asked the courts if the office was still deemed an AVA space. Once they confirmed it was, she shared the idea of having storage there instead, but not in the traditional way.
“I wanted it to have a boutique feel,” she said. “All because I thought a lot about the portion of our mission that talked about dignity. We wanted some of our survivors to be able to walk through the door and do everything I would do if I were going to Macy’s to shop.”
She said she wanted survivors to browse the racks, look at accessories, and have their things folded and placed in shopping bags.
Atlanta Victim Assistance (AVA), a 40-year-old nonprofit that provides services to victims of crime throughout Atlanta, is holding a clothing/ food/toiletries donation drive in June for the people AVA serves who have found themselves with limited resources who have been forced to leave their homes, or who have lost access to their personal belongings following a crime. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Victim Assistance
“You leave with a little bit more dignity because sometimes it’s hard to ask,” she said.
Working at AVA from 2011 to 2012 as Deputy Director, Brunson-Wright said she feels proud to celebrate 40 years of carrying out their mission. She was selected two years ago to be the leader of AVA.
“I did this with a lot of pride, but it became a labor of love for me many years ago.
Also, she said their advocates are typically first responders to the victims of a crime. So, although law enforcement may arrive at the scene, there are times when AVA accompanies the police.
“When you think about someone who has experienced trauma or crises, imagine how frightening and how easy it is to be or feel alone,” she said. “We're the ones that are going to make that first follow-up contact with the victims.”
For the future, Brunson-Wright said AVA’s Community Unit will be coming soon, serving the community more broadly but more from a prevention perspective. They also will have a mobile unit rolling the Atlanta streets this summer.
“Look out, Atlanta, there's so much more that we’re going to do because we want to serve people, and I think the pandemic was a great example of showing us how much we need each other,” she said.
Furthermore, Brunson-Wright said AVA will continue to be there for victims and give them exactly what they need.
“AVA has been around for 40 years, and we have many, many decades to go, and we’re going to keep doing it as long as there’s crime in our city,” she said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to do so.”
The pantry is in the Atlanta Municipal Court Building; however, the closet is not open to the public; rather, it's designated as a safe place to help those AVA serves.
For more details and information, visit www.atlantava.org/ closet.
“I swear to the Lord I still can’t see why democracy means everybody but me.” —Langston Hughes
BY CHARLENE CROWELL
As consumers struggle to cope with mounting debt, a new economic report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York includes an unprecedented glimmer of hope. Although debt for mortgages, credit cards, auto loans and more increased by billions of dollars in the second quarter of 2024, student loan debt decreased by $10 billion.
According to the New York Fed, borrowers ages 40-49 and ages 1829 benefitted the most from the reduction in student loan debt.
In a separate and recent independent finding, 57 percent of Black Americans hold more than $25,000 in student loan debt compared to 47 percent of Americans overall, according to The Motley Fool’s analysis of student debt by geography, age and race. Black women have an average of $41,466 in undergraduate student loan debt one year after graduation, more than any other group and $10,000 more than men.
This same analysis found that Washington, DC residents carried the highest average federal student loan debt balance, with $54,146 outstanding per borrower. Americans holding high levels of student debt lived in many of the nation’s most populous states – including California, Texas, and Florida.
The Fed's recent finding may be connected to actions taken by the Biden administration to rein in unsustainable debt held by people who sought higher education as a way to secure a better quality of life. This decline is even more noteworthy in light of a series of legal roadblocks to loan forgiveness. In response to these legal challenges, the Education Department on August 1 began emailing all borrowers of an approaching August 30 deadline to contact their loan servicer to decline future financial relief. Borrowers preferring to be considered for future relief proposed by pending departmental regulations should not respond.
If approved as drafted, the new rules would benefit over 30 mil-
iStock.com/digitalskillet
lion borrowers, including those who have already been approved for debt cancellation over the past three years.
“These latest steps will mark the next milestone in our efforts to help millions of borrowers who’ve been buried under a mountain of student loan interest, or who took on debt to pay for college programs that left them worse off financially, those who have been paying their loans for twenty or more years, and many others,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
The draft rules would benefit borrowers with either partial or full forgiveness in the following categories:
• Borrowers who owe more now than they did at the start of repayment. This category is expected to largely benefit nearly 23 million borrowers, the majority of whom are Pell Grant recipients.
• Borrowers who have been in repayment for decades. Borrowers of both undergraduate and graduate loans who began repayment on or before July 1, 2000 would quali-
fy for relief in this category.
• Borrowers who are otherwise eligible for loan forgiveness but have not yet applied. If a borrower hasn’t successfully enrolled in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan but would be eligible for immediate forgiveness, they would be eligible for relief. Borrowers who would be eligible for closed school discharge or other types of forgiveness opportunities but haven’t successfully applied would also be eligible for this relief.
• Borrowers who enrolled in low-financial value programs. If a borrower attended an institution that failed to provide sufficient financial value, or that failed one of the Department’s accountability standards for institutions, those borrowers would also be eligible for debt relief.
Most importantly, if the rules become approved as drafted, no related application or actions would be required from eligible borrowers -- so long as they did not opt out of the relief by the August 30 deadline.
“The regulations would deliver
on unfulfilled promises made by the federal government to student loan borrowers over decades and offer remedies for a dysfunctional system that has often created a financial burden, rather than economic mobility, for student borrowers pursuing a better future,” stated the Center for American Progress in an August 7 web article. “Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration also introduced income limits and caps on relief to ensure the borrowers who can afford to pay the full amount of their debts do so.”
“The Center for American Progress estimates the interest waiver provisions would deliver relief to roughly 6 million Black borrowers, or 23 percent of the estimated number of borrowers receiving relief, as well as 4 million Hispanic or Latino borrowers (16 percent) and 13.5 million white borrowers (53 percent).”
These pending regulations would further expand the $168.5 billion in financial relief that the Biden Administration has already provided to borrowers:
• $69.2 billion for 946,000 borrowers through fixes to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• $51 billion for more than 1 million borrowers through administrative adjustments to IDR payment counts. These adjustments have brought borrowers closer to forgiveness and addressed longstanding concerns with the misuse of forbearance by loan servicers.
• $28.7 billion for more than 1.6 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements.
• $14.1 billion for more than 548,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability.
• $5.5 billion for 414,000 borrowers through the SAVE Plan.
More information for borrowers about this debt relief is available at StudentAid.gov/debt-relief.
Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@ responsiblelending.org.
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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BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON
The Atlanta Voice
With the world in such a tumultuous state, I suppose one could say this is when your faith can be and is severely tested. For some, tragic events and nightmarish acts might make you question the existence of the God we profess to believe in. I sometimes have to remind myself that most of the hell I’ve been through is a direct result of the choices I’ve made. I believe that some of those choices were because God was never a part of my decision-making process. From that point of view, a Christian one, it appears that most of today’s tension in the world should be interpreted from looking at it in terms of radical religious behavior in the name of one God or another. News media tend to ignore this and report conflicts around oil, land, political power, and, yes, even money. But, to me, many of those who
Jesus taught peace, love, and understanding, regardless of how trite that might sound to you
die are killed by someone of another faith or no faith at all. That and sanctimonious justification. People can claim anything in the name of God. However, the God whom Christians serve points us in another direction and, therefore, dictates a different course of action.
Jesus taught peace, love, and understanding, regardless of how trite that might sound to you. As contrived as you think that is, the Man was killed living a very public life predicated on love for fellow human beings and intolerance of institutionalized persecution, particularly church-sanctioned discrimination. We all
“YOUR VOICE”
know the source of His strength in the midst of what He faced. My question to you is, what is your source of strength in the midst of what you face daily in this world? That is not a rhetorical question. I find myself in prayer, asking God to give me wisdom to learn from whatever I’m going through, good or bad. It doesn’t matter. Likewise, I’m also asking for wisdom to understand the insanity going on in the world in which we live. The result is always the same. I’m led to put it all in the Lord’s hands. His divine will supersedes my secular understanding, which is as it should be. I do think, however, that many times, men have
forced these issues and situations upon themselves and others for the same reasons that I still find myself going through an occasional about with hell. It’s because God is not embedded in the decision-making process. When you do put God in the process, however, peace (as in peace of mind) prevails because the outcome is known. I win based on my faith and acceptance of Jesus as Lord. The world could stand some rigorous training in this truth right about now. In the end, the outcome is already known. God wins, and those who believe in Him are the only true victors.
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.
If you attended a Town Hall meeting featuring VP Kamala Harris, what’s one question you would like to ask?
YOLANDA K. JOHNSON Adams Park, SW Atlanta
“If I could ask Kamala Harris a question, it would be, 'How do you reconcile the differences in some of your positions now versus when you ran in 2020?' I think that's something she needs to be prepared to answer. But I'm a fan, and I'm in support of Kamala Harris.”
DARREN WILKINS Cascade Atlanta
“My question for Kamala Harris would be your plan or opinion on clean energy? What I want to know about her opinion on clean energy is whether she values it. Is it important to her? Does she see it as an option for our future, or are we still going to be, you know, should we still be dependent on fossil fuels and gasoline?”
Atlanta
“The first question would probably be, what steps will you take to get Roe versus Wade back overturned? So, women’s rights will be protected to make abortions legal in most of the states. I think this is the most important question I would have.”
ALEXANDRA WIGGINS Grant Park
“If I were at a Kamala Harris town hall, I would want to ask her what makes her tick. What's her vision for the future? I want to know who she is as a person. I know enough about her as a leader, but I want to know what and who I'm signing up for.”
Atlanta
“The first question that I want to ask Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for President is, how does she intend to expand the benefits and resources for persons with mental illness? As we have seen, the economic downturn or the changes in personalities after Covid, it is increasingly important for us to tap into resources that will help benefit those in need.”
Compiled by Vincent Christie
BY NOAH WASHINGTON
“Jazz became my ministry," these words were practically sung from Jamal Ahmad’s mouth as he spoke about his enduring career curating the greatest jazz songs known to man. A lifelong parishioner, like most seeking Jamal Ahmad had a journey to worship at the church of swing.
This year, JAZZ WCLK 91.9 is celebrating 50 years of serving Atlanta and its metro area. Having served at WCLK for over half its lifespan, Ahmad is celebrating his 30th anniversary at the station. Beginning his tenure while attending Morehouse College, Ahmad has dedicated those 30 years to enriching and preserving the soulful sounds of jazz through WCLK, one of the few full-time jazz-dedicated radio stations in America. Ahmad’s journey in radio started in his junior year of college, driven by a deep love for music that began in his childhood.
As a 20-year-old junior at Morehouse College, Ahmad wanted to launch a hip-hop radio show from WCLK’s historic halls before being initiated as a jazz devotee.
Starting as an intern at WCLK in 1995, Ahmad quickly became fascinated by the station’s innovative programming. Mentored by Ken Batie, a drive-time DJ at WCLK, Ahmad immersed himself in the world of radio. He began volunteering during pledge drives and eventually took over a show, transforming it into "The S.O.U.L. of Jazz," an acronym for "Sounds of Universal Love."
Ahmad took it upon himself early in his career to listen to every jazz CD in the station's collection, which took him four years. "By the time I got to Zoot Sims, I realized how much I loved this music." Ahmad cited his show as among the first to introduce artists like Erykah Badu, Maxwell, Jill Scott, and D'Angelo to Atlanta listeners, showcasing his knack for blending genres and bringing new audiences to jazz.
Currently serving as the drive-time shock jock (his show runs from 2-6 pm on weekdays), Ahmad’s approach to radio is not just about playing music but creating an immersive experience. Inspired by legendary DJs who curated unique auditory worlds, Ahmad strives to present jazz that resonates deeply with listeners, blending various musical styles reflecting a global influence while staying rooted in the Black experience.
Ahmad’s connection to Clark Atlanta University (CAU) runs deep. His mother, Dr. Rubye Byrd, was a student (at what was then known as Clark College). Later a co-director of the Upward Bound program at CAU, working under CT Vivian, a lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ahmad’s early exposure to music began with his mother’s boutique record label,
Paradigm Records, and his involvement in various bands throughout his school years.
Reflecting on his early days at WCLK, Ahmad shared some wisdom. If he could return to his 20-year-old self, he would advise himself to take it easy and slow, to "sip the experience slowly." Remarking that 30 years have passed quickly, almost unnoticed, "Within the next 30 years now, I'm going to be old, God willing. I'll be an old man. As long as we have that passion in our hearts when we were little kids about music, that's the key. You just have to keep that passion inside of you alive. That's what I would tell myself—don't let that die," Ahmad said.
"I've had offers to be at commercial stations all across the country, and I've turned down so many offers to stay here because I love this place. One of the things I appreciate the most is my mother's influence. She worked at Clark Atlanta when I was born and took me by the radio station even as a toddler. There was a light in my eyes every time I came to WCLK. It’s deep to think that people saw me as a little boy and predicted I would work here one day—and now, 30 out of the 50 years WCLK has existed, I’ve been here."
“S.O.U.L OF JAZZ” airs Weekdays from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm; and Saturdays from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
BY DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON AKA ALE SHARPTON
Subaru has always been one of the most trustworthy and reliable brands in the automotive industry, and now they’re a burgeoning player in the all-electric vehicle (EV) sector as well. The Solterra is an attractive EV SUV that, in its second year, has made some subtle improvements to its already applauded introduction in 2023. Presented in three trims—Premium, Limited, and Touring—the reviewed latter version is the topof-the-line model that does not disappoint. Subaru does a great job providing curvature to the body, which is traditionally a more boxier frame, providing a futuristic look. Add on the 20-inch wheels, spoilers, roof rails, black hood with a two-tone color option, and panoramic ceiling, visual cool points multiply.
Addressing the interior, the cabin fits up
to five passengers in a spacious complete with cushy seating that comes ventilated with StarTex upholstery, plus immediate physical standouts like the newly designed
steering wheel, a digital rearview mirror for wider perspectives, and LED accent lighting to set the mood. The driver will appreciate the all-wheel drive maneuvering, its build for off-roading capability with the signature Dual-Function X-MODE, limited automated hands-free operation (ideal for especially high-traffic zones up to 25 mph), a “Hey Subaru!” virtual assistant, automatic parking assist, and a digital key,. Subaru also shows love in the bells and whistles department with a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen center, a Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, Bluetooth, a theateresque sound system courtesy of Harman Kardon, and five USB ports to help keep passengers plugged in. Of course, Subaru maintains their stellar reputation when it comes to safety, including Subaru EyeSight’s long list of driver assistance applications coming standard, numerous airbags, and automatic emergency braking when going in reverse to name a few.
Now, let’s go electric. Equipped with a 72.8kWh battery and two electric motors, output maxes out at 215 horsepower and 249 poundfeet of torque operated by single-speed automatic transmission. The Solterra stepped up its charging time in a big way using the right equipment, getting up to about 80 percent in 35 minutes (11 hours using a traditional 240-volt charger for 100 percent). Honestly, that upgrade will be ideal with its relatively short distance of driving range of 222 miles, but this is really the only setback for this impressive second line of the Solterra generation. It looks like Subaru’s vision is becoming a lot clearer for the upcoming years when it comes to living the outlet life.
Fuel Economy: In MPGe, 111 city/93 highway/102 combined
Price: The 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring is $51,996 ($54,558 including options, handling, processing and delivery as reviewed.) For more information, visit Subaru.com.
BY LAURA NWOGU AND DONNELL SUGGS
For four days, voters, protestors, agitators, politicians, pundits, national and local media from around the country and the world, and Chicago residents met in the center of the city for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). According to local reports, more than 50,000 people will visited the city that week.
Many of those visitors made their way to the United Center, the host site of the DNC, while many others were protesting everything from the war in Gaza, the indoctrination of current United States Vice President Kamala Harris to the top of the Democratic ticket, abortion, and former United States President Donald Trump and all things MAGA. The city’s pre-segregated “free speech zone” was at Park No. 578 on W. Maypole Avenue, a quarter-mile from the United Center. However, Union Park was the more popular site for protests, and a larger park was more suitable for gatherings like protests and concerts.
“Are you planning to vote in the upcoming election?” Nearly every person The Atlanta Voice asked had one answer: “No.”
Sheila Williams sat in a wheelchair sheltered under a tent as protesters marched down Washington Boulevard. Pinned on either side of her jacket were mini flyers declaring that “the whole damn system’s got to go,” and to “stop following the bourgeois electoral bullsh*t.”
“At my age, I should be at home in a rocking chair, but here I am with my walker out here to say, enough is enough,” Williams said. “All these people out here in the streets today that are protesting about racism, protesting about abortion rights, protesting about genocide, protesting about police brutality, protesting about so many things that are elements of this system. America was never great.”
“We’re coming into an unprecedented election. We're saying this year isn't going to be a normal election year,” said Leo Pargo, a leading member of the Revcom Corps for the Emancipation of Humanity Chicago. “Biden-Harris on one side supporting this genocide. The fascist Trump, on the other side, is going after women's rights and LGBTQ rights, demonizing migrants who are forced to come here from all over the world. We're saying this isn't a time to side between one oppression or another.
Over by the United Center, Art H. sold t-shirts and hats with pro-Harris/Walz themes. He said his t-shirts have the clearest photo of Harris on them out of any
people they will see on the streets. “People don’t understand. Trump understands that the visibility of his face is how you get your image out there,” Art explained.
When asked if he would vote in November, Art, a Seattle, Washington, resident in town for the convention, said he would. “It’s my duty.”
Darius Smith, who works security outside a library a block from the United Center, said he also planned to vote in this election.
“I’m going to vote out of obligation,” Smith said. “Ever since I was 18 years old, I have tried to vote for the candidate who benefits poor people the most.”
On Monday night, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA), and Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan spoke about the power of the collective vote. United States President Joseph R. Biden and former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton kicked things off. Former two-term United States President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are the featured speakers on Tuesday, while fellow former two-term Commander-in-Chief Bill Clinton on Wednesday. Clinton will share the marquee with United States Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
As usual, the city of Chicago has hosted several big events this summer. Earlier this month, the National Association of Black Journalists annual convention occurred during the same week as Lollapalooza. Former United States President Donald J. Trump was a featured guest on day one of the NABJ Convention and made national news for his comments on “Black jobs,” among other things. The Premier League Fan Fest will also be in town on Sept. 21-22.
More potential voters from around the country will make their way to Chicago before the election. Whether or not this presidential election garners more voters than the nearly 150 million voters who took part in 2016 remains to be seen. Many of those voters will be a part of the working class that both campaigns are targeting this election. The “9-5” workers that make up the majority of American voters. While reporting this story, The Atlanta Voice asked founder and CEO of Homebase John Waldmann why he believes nearly 35% of hourly workers are undecided with less than 90 days until Election Day, November 5.
“It’s possible some local workers feel it’s too early to know which candidate is going to address their unique concerns,” Wald-
BY DONNELL SUGGS CHICAGO -
Day three of the Democratic National Convention began with the daily briefings and meetings of different caucuses that are par for the course during this national quad-annual affair. One of those caucuses was the DNC Black Caucus, the theme for the morning was "Our Voices".
A number of speakers were scheduled to address the dozens of attendees during the hour-and-a-half meeting. The speakers ranged from singers to politicians, including DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, who had been seen on stage or in the crowd during the first two nights of the convention.
"Donald Trump's party is a party of fear, we are the party of hope," said DNC Chair Jamie Harrison that morning. "Only in America do you get a Black man and Black women to convene a convention and nominate a Black woman to be president."
Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter John Legend, who performed alongside rapper Common at a DNC party the night before, took the stage on Wednesday morning. He said he was there to be an advocate for voters.
"I'm here because as citizens it's our duty to vote," Legend said, who added that it was a responsibility of his to use his platform to advocate for change and build a fair and inclusive society.
Legend referenced former United States First Lady Michelle Obama's speech from Tuesday night, saying "Hope has made a comeback." Legend gave a 15-minute speech and was equally complimentary of the work the Black Caucus is doing with registering voters, informing voters, and supporting the
Continued from page 8
mann said via email. “The good thing is that there is still time to win over these voters. Our data uncovers a few areas where candidates can address those needs.
Waldmann said hourly workers may be more vulnerable to policy changes directly impacting their livelihoods, from inflation to taxes on tips. “More than other audiences, they may be waiting for debates and more substantive policy discussions before they decide on their preferred candidate,” said Waldmann.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are just over 80 million wage workers (ages 16 and older). Asked if that is a demographic/voting block both sides of the aisle need to target, Waldmann said there was no doubt about it.
“Hourly workers account for over 80 million American workers. Small businesses employ nearly half of the American workforce and represent almost 44% of Ameri-
Harris/Walz ticket.
"The Wire" and "Elsbeth" actor Wendell Pierce also dropped by to speak to the crowd. "I'm an actor, but today I am here as a voter, and more importantly a Black man," said Pierce.
Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II made an appearance during the meeting as well. The first Black Lt. Governor in the history of the state, a crucial battleground state this election season, Gilchirst reflected on the promise of America: The Ameri-
ca’s GDP,” Waldmann said. “Their votes are incredibly powerful and matter more than ever this election cycle. Considering nearly 35% of hourly workers are undecided, there’s a huge opportunity for both candidates to dig into their concerns and priorities to gain their trust – and votes.”
When speaking with voters, inflation came up most often when asked what concerned them the most this election season.
Waldmann believes inflation directly influences hourly workers’ day-to-day financial stability and overall quality of life.
“More importantly, this impact often feels immediate and personal. With the cost of living skyrocketing across many cities and inflation making it challenging to afford everyday goods and services like groceries, gas, and housing, hourly workers could feel the pinch more acutely when prices rise,” he said. “Hourly workers aren’t just young folks holding a summer job – they are also adults with families to care for and pay bills. More than anything, they want a candidate who makes them feel heard.”
can dream.
"America's promise belongs to us too," Gilchirst said. "A promise was made to Black folks like everybody else. What we have learned is that sometimes you have to take your promises."
The first Black Mayor of Cincinnati Mark Mallory (2005-2013), a panelist that morning, said we can't approach this election the same way we have in the past, even during the Obama era.
The images that surround this election
are similar to the ones that surrounded the Obama era, however. Copies of the latest Essence magazine, a 50-year-old Black-owned publication that was started in Chicago, were distributed to attendees that morning. The cover subject was Vice President Kamala Harris and the tagline read: Purpose, Power, and Freedom.
The Black Caucus began holding meetings on Sunday, a day before the DNC Convention began. The daily themes have reflected the goals of the Harris/Walz ticket.
Starting a business is a challenging task that requires a certain optimism, imagination, and perseverance. If you’re looking to start your own business, here are some important initial steps to consider:
• Know the business in and out. Whether you want to sell homemade sauces, open a place that serves coffee or offer Artificial Intelligence services, you should know your product or service, the market you have and the competitors. Briefly and simply describe what your business consists of, what need or market it serves and who your potential clients are.
• Create a Business Plan. A guide or roadmap focused on your business idea, the
market and how you plan to reach your objectives, will not only help you open and face the challenges that exist in a business but also maintain it. Additionally, it will allow you to focus on your idea, see the path ahead and communicate it to potential investors. Agile start-ups only need the description of the proposal, what is needed, finances and potential clients.
• Assess the need for financing and look for it. The business plan you created will help you. Many entrepreneurs initially use their personal credit card to fund a business, but there are actually business credit cards, like Chase’s Ink Business Cash Card, that can help meet your needs while earning rewards like cash back on business purchases. If you’re looking to obtain a business loan, you
can work with a bank or through the Small Business Administration. Alternatively, there may be public and foundation subsidies where you can do crowdfunding.
• Determine the legal structure and register your company. This affects your tax obligations and legal liability. Some options include sole proprietorship, or Unipersonal Company — one owner is responsible for the debts; partnership –if there are more than two people; corporation — to separate personal responsibility from that of the business; LLC — or Limited Liability (the most common). Seek legal assistance to determine what structure is best for you and your business.
• Register with the IRS. Consider whether you should have an employer identifier
number among other things to keep tax obligations separate.
For more information and tips on how to start and manage a business, visit chase. com/business.
For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.
BY KEITH BOYKIN
Donald Trump is losing it.
Today in New Jersey, Trump tricked reporters into covering a “press conference” that turned out to be a lengthy speech to his supporters at his golf course. Low-energy Trump read from a thick binder that included a string of outrageous lies, including the ridiculous claim that more than 100% of new jobs created in the U.S. are going to migrants.
More than 100%!
After telling 162 lies at his disastrous press conference last week at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s advisers decided to keep him carefully scripted this time, but eventually Trump got bored with his own speech and started going off script to appease his fans. It went on for nearly an hour before he finally took a few softball questions. Will he stop the personal insults against Harris? No. “I think I’m entitled to personal attacks,” Trump said.
There is no reboot with Trump. It didn’t happen after the assassination attempt. It didn’t happen after the convention. And it’s not going to happen now. How many times is the media going to fall for this? It’s like Lucy pulling the football from Charlie Brown again and again and again.
Trump hasn’t changed his tone, adjusted his campaign strategy, or figured out what to do to beat Kamala Harris. He’s tried attacking Harris on her race, her laugh, and even mispronouncing her name, but nothing seems to stick.
That’s because the Trump campaign spent a year planning to run against Joe Biden on crime, immigration, and inflation. But now violent crime is down, border crossings are lower than when Trump left office, inflation just hit a 3-year low, and Biden is no longer his opponent. Oops.
Trump loves to hear himself talk but somehow manages not to say anything substantive or truthful when he speaks to the press. All he’s got is personality and BS. But what do you do when your opponent has more personality than you do and calls you on your BS? That’s why Kamala Harris has got him shook.
The 78-year-old Trump thought he could coast to victory against a slightly older 81-year-old white male opponent only to find himself in the battle of his life against a much younger and more energetic Black woman. Suddenly, the tables have turned, and now 58% of voters say Trump is the one who is too old to be president.
By every metric — voter registration, national polls, swing state polls, fundraising, enthusiasm, media coverage, and even crowd size — Kamala Harris has the momentum and Trump is losing steam. Democrats are even beating Republicans in new voter registrations in North Carolina for the first time all year.
“She’s bringing out people who are not interested in voting for either Trump or Biden,”
Republican pollster Frank Luntz told CNBC. It’s barely been a month, but “I haven’t seen anything like this happen in 30 days in my lifetime,” he said. And that’s all before Democrats hold their convention in Chicago next week, where candidates usually get a bounce in their poll numbers.
It’s been a rough four weeks for Trump and his running mate. He’s spent the month lying about Kamala Harris’s crowd sizes, attacking her with personal insults, and now finds himself forced to pay in advance for his campaign rallies after leaving a trail of unpaid billsacross the country. Even his interview with Elon Musk was delayed by glitches and marred by Trump’s suspiciously slurred speech, but this time he didn’t berate the host for the technical issues the way he did with the National Association of Black Journalists. I wonder why?
Just today, new video emerged showing Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought explaining that Trump is claiming to distance himself from the group, but the group is “not worried about that” because “he’s been at our organization, he’s raised money for our
organization. He’s very supportive of what we do.”
And earlier this week, Trump admitted that he wants to abolish the Department of Education, the same proposal included in the Project 2025 plan that Trump claims to know nothing about.
Meanwhile, after losing the childless cat lady vote, JD Vance is back in hot water for newly revealed comments suggesting that he thinks that women have no purpose in life after menopause except to take care of grandchildren.
These guys are not ready for prime time.
While Kamala Harris is outlining her plans to stop corporate price gouging, build new housing, and cutting prices for seniors on prescription drugs, Republicans are complaining that Trump is losing it. “He lacks self-control. He lacks discipline,” Republican donor Eric Levine told the New York Times. He’s focused on a “very strange victimhood and grievance,” said Republican strategist Liam Donovan.
Trump’s self-inflicted implosion is good news for Democratic candidates from the
presidency on down, but don’t be lulled into complacency by the polls. The race is far from over, and who knows what dirty tricks Republicans have up their sleeves? The electoral college is still stacked against Democrats, and Kamala Harris will need a big voter turnout to win the presidency.
But be ready. If she pulls it off, Trump’s gonna lose it even more.
“Black Vote, Black Power,” a collaboration between Keith Boykin and Word In Black, examines the issues, the candidates, and what’s at stake for Black America in the 2024 presidential election.
BY LAURA NWOGU
Atlanta’s Black Restaurant Week is underway, and rapper, actor, and philanthropist Ludacris brought some southern hospitality to the campaign's eighth year by hosting a cookout featuring six Black-owned restaurants at Piedmont Park on Wednesday.
“I’m very thankful that we’re a part of this Black Restaurant Week because Black food, it tells a story. We all know that. It talks about our history. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the world, and the greatest thing is being able to taste the creativity of what we do as Black people and tell our story because things have been handed down from generation to generation,” Ludacris said to the crowd at Luda's Cookout.
“It's about Atlanta. It's about culture. It's about everybody here enjoying themselves.”
In partnership with beer brand Stella Artois, the pop-up dining event celebrated the two-week campaign with music, games and food booths highlighting dishes from Pepper’s Hotdogs, Life Bistro, What Cha Cooking Baby, BLK N Blu BBQ, APT 4B, and Ludacris' restaurant Ludacris’ Chicken and Beer. The event also featured desserts from Sugarhi Sweet Eats N Treats and Not as Famous Cookie Company.
Black Restaurant Week was founded in 2016 by Warren Luckett and managing partners Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson. The goal of the campaign is to bring awareness to Blackowned culinary businesses that often struggle with limited funds and marketing resources through partnerships and culinary events. It also aims to showcase the diversity of Black cuisine by celebrating the flavors of African American, African and Caribbean cuisine.
Guests were served platters of food that held plates of kale salad, elote hotdogs, crab cakes, beef ribs, quinoa stir fry, shrimp and grits, oxtail stew, creole mac and cheese and fried chicken with bourbon hot sauce, to name a few. As Luda's Cookout winded down and bellies were full of cans of Stella Artois and dishes from Atlanta's Black restaurants, they were treated to desserts such as red velvet banana pudding and butter pecan cookies.
Los Angeles native Tarina Hodges owns Pepper’s Hotdogs, a pop-up restaurant that serves gourmet hot dogs. Hodges shared that they have been a part of Black Restaurant Week for three years. Out of the 125 restaurants featured in the campaign this year, Pepper's Hotdogs was one of the six chosen to be included in Luda’s Cookout.
“I haven't gotten this [before]. It's a lot of work to get something like this. To have people who have your back and are
thinking of you continuously and put you on a platform is wonderful,” Hodges said.
Tasha Mack, CEO and owner of Sugarhi, said she’s been with Black Restaurant Week from the beginning. Through working with them, she’s seen her business flourish, as it now boasts the status of being an 11-time award-winning bakery. Mack also has the honor of being a four-time Nosh Culinary Showcase winner, as presented by Black Restaurant Week.
“If anybody knows what it can do for you and your business, it’s me, and I'm here until the end,” Mack said.
BY NOAH WASHINGTON
Dr. Michelle Cooke refused to be jaded by the medical system. Cooke's practice, Sol Direct Primary Care, has been operational for over a year, initially opening in May 2023 off Cascade Rd. The practice recently relocated to East Point in May 2024. Her new workspace, a self-described “spa”, “I just feel like it's so often that people come in and just feel just overwhelmed by the doctor. It's a frustrating experience, not something to look forward to. It feels very sterile. It just doesn't feel very welcoming,” Cooke said. The move for the practice grew out of a desire to expand and bring on additional staff members, which now includes an office manager, an intern, and a new medical assistant, “There's this concept of like a medical home. I want it to feel almost like you're at home, like you're relaxed, you can talk with your doctor, you just have that nice rapport. It doesn't feel like you're in this sterile facility that doesn't connect with you,” Cooke continued.
Originally from Boston, Cooke moved to Atlanta to attend Spelman College in 2003 and has lived in the city ever since. She completed her medical education at Morehouse School of Medicine and trained at Atlanta Medical Center, where she worked in its medical system until its closure in 2022.
Cooke emphasizes the importance of creating a comfortable and welcoming environment for her patients, explaining that she wanted the space to feel more like a home than a sterile medical facility. This approach aligns with the concept of a "medical home," where patients feel relaxed and at ease when discussing their health concerns. The practice also includes two exam rooms where Cooke spends most of her time with patients, ensuring a personalized and attentive care experience.
What makes Cooke's practice different from others in operation is that it runs on a subscription model, which is central to the concept of direct primary care. This model allows patients to pay a periodic membership fee, giving them direct access to Cooke without the need for third-party insurance companies. This approach enables Cooke to provide flexible, personalized care, to keep the office as empty as possible, and to prioritize patient needs. For example, Cooke can quickly respond to patient inquiries via text or phone, addressing issues without requiring an in-person visit.
The practice also offers cash-based lab services, which often result in lower costs than insurance-based prices. Cooke highlights the importance of price transparency in healthcare, allowing patients to make informed decisions about their care. She
shares a striking example where a patient, using a local pharmacy with negotiated cash-based prices, saved significantly on an ADHD prescription. "This gentleman was going to have to pay over $200 for his medication at his typical pharmacy. At East Point, they gave it to him for $25," Cooke explains; speaking to the issue of inflated and inconsistent pricing in healthcare, "One of the biggest problems we have in
healthcare is just lack of price transparency." By making prices clear upfront, direct primary care empowers patients to make choices that fit their budget, rather than being blindsided by unexpected charges later,” Cooke said.
Cooke's practice is not intended to replace insurance, especially for emergency or catastrophic events, but rather to complement it by providing accessible primary
care services. She recommends that patients still maintain insurance coverage for major medical needs. The practice caters currently from ages 2+ and up.
In addition to primary care, Cooke is launching a medical weight loss program called "Sol Fit Club," which will include innovative diagnostic tools such as a 3D body scanner and VO2 max testing equipment. The program is set to officially launch in September, with webinars on health and wellness topics available to the East Point community. The Sol Fit Club will be open to both primary care members and the broader community, offering a comprehensive approach to health and fitness.
Cooke's journey in healthcare has been shaped by significant changes in the healthcare system,” What I hear nowadays, especially for black patients, is ‘no one is listening to us, and that could cost me my life’, and they're right,” Cooke told The Atlanta Voice. Despite these challenges, Cooke remains dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care through her practice at Sol, “Think about our black mortality rate because people aren't listening to what people are experiencing. When people come here, they know that Cooke listens to them. She understands what my issues are, and she's got my back”.
BY ISAIAH SINGLETON
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) hosted an in-person public meeting to provide updates and gather community insights for the MARTA Rapid Campbellton/Greenbriar Transit Hub.
MARTA, in collaboration with the City of Atlanta, is investing in a high-capacity transit in the Campbellton Corridor to improve connectivity, accessibility, and mobility in Southwest Atlanta. According to their website, the corridor, which links the Greenbriar Mall area to the Oakland City MARTA station, is currently being served by one of MARTA’s busiest bus routes, 83 Campbellton Road.
MARTA Rapid is the Authority’s bus rapid transit mode, the first in the region, and is characterized by high-capacity buses running in dedicated right-of-way and mixed traffic lanes on existing roads.
This multimodal investment aims to greatly enhance the service area and transform how residents travel to jobs, services, and other points of interest while supporting the community’s growth and development for years to come.
Project elements include new transit supportive infrastructure along Campbellton Road, including sidewalks, bike lanes, and streetscape improvements have been identified to support the implementation of a “gold standard” center-running Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).
Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with the MARTA project team in an open house format to learn more about the project.
Following this interactive session, a detailed project presentation provided comprehensive updates on the economic and transit-oriented development (TOD) master plan, project design, and funding process.
Additionally, the Campbellton Corridor Transit Project is paid for through the More MARTA Atlanta half-penny sales tax, but additional federal funding is also being considered, including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Small Starts Discretionary Grant Program, a Capital Investment Grant.
Tracie Roberson, MARTA project manager, said she assures safety measures will be in place for pedestrians including signalized crosswalks and barriers to prevent cars from using dedicated lanes.
“This bus rapid transit will make sure we address safety concerns,” she said. “We hear that all the time as well. How is this going to be safe? How will we be able to access this bus rapid transit in a pedestrian-friendly way? And, like we said, economic growth.”
She also said there will be crosswalks at
the hub that are “signalized and completely safe.”
“It's happening everywhere and shouldn’t be a challenge, but again, a lot of this is new, so you have to be open to changing how you do things and pay attention.”
She said there will be sidewalks and bike lanes along each side of the pedestrian paths to provide additional mobility for pedestri-
ans.
Also, during the event, attendees such as Campbellton resident Barbara Scott said she doesn’t have much faith in the project because she has a history of being promised things in the neighborhood.
“I just want to make sure this is a legitimate project because things have been promised before and never came to light,” she said.
Construction for the project is projected to begin in 2028. Roberson said that due to an ongoing project in Summerhill, the traffic has been crazy, and it will end up happening at the Campbellton Corridor as well.
“It’s [in Summerhill] have impacted businesses and other people who live, work, and play in that area,” she said. “The same will happen right here in this corridor, and when construction begins, you'll have dedicated MARTA team members who will be out in the field talking to you, making sure that you are aware of what's going on when construction starts, how it's going to impact your dayto-day motions.”
Additionally, several attendees looked around and sounded skeptical of the overall project, with some saying, “It’s a nice plan, but a little unrealistic” and “We’ve been here before.”
However, Roberson assured the audience that the project would happen and to have faith in the process. As of right now, they are awaiting funding approval.
The project is currently in the planning phase and is projected for completion in late 2030, according to MARTA. To view the project map or for more information, visit connectcampbellton.com.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR GRANT APPLICATION
Sealed grant applications for 24GRANT136773B-RT - Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) FY24 & 25 Continuum for the Fulton County Housing & Community Development Department, will be accepted by the Fulton County Department of Purchasing & Contract Compliance electronically through BidNet Direct at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/ fultoncounty, on Friday, September 13, 2024. All grant applications submitted must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated date.
Bid Bond: N/A
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) Annually, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Continuum of Care grant. The purpose of the funding is to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and to provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, states, local governments, and Indian Tribes or tribally designated housing entities to quickly rehouse homeless individuals, families, youth, persons fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by
homelessness; to promote access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families, and to optimize self-sufficiency. 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: This is an annual grant-based solicitation from funds distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
A Pre-Grant Application Conference, will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., local time, via Zoom to provide bidders with information regarding the project and to address any questions.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom. us/j/96349146179?pwd=FDPkuiKHXICmUwldZsTNSCgg8FvLQN.1
If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Roderic Terrell, Assistant Purchasing Agent, at Email: roderic.terrell@fultoncountyga. gov or 404-612-7965.
Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all grant applications and to waive technicalities
Sealed proposals for 24RFP1325481B-PS - Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) ACT Administrative Services for the Fulton County Human Resources Department, will be accepted by the Fulton County Department of Purchasing & Contract Compliance, electronically through Bidnet Direct at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated date.
Proposers names will be publicly read at 11:05 a.m. on the stated due date via Zoom.
Proposal Bond: N/A
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) To provide a full range of FMLA Administration Services and support to Fulton County Government. The selected proposer will be responsible for complete administration throughout the life cycle of an FMLA claim, beginning with the initial request for FMLA leave through the Determination of Eligibility and the expiration of the claim or exhaustion of the employee’s FMLA entitlement. In order to obtain complete information about this solicitation, please go to the link below where this document and supporting documents can be downloaded, https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty
Fee: N/A
Term of Contract: The “Commencement Term” of this Agreement shall begin on the date of execution of the Agreement in the year 2025, January 1, the starting date, and shall end absolutely and without further obligation on the part of the County on the 31st day of December 2025 with two (3) renewal options.
A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held on Wednesday August 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., local time, via Zoom to provide bidders with information regarding the project and to address any questions.
Link: https://zoom. us/s/96278371302?pwd=HeBcnbGJrffgJol4QKb8kA4ebcoYKQ.1 Meeting ID: 962 7837 1302 Passcode: 453811
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If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Phyllis Stewart, Assistant Purchasing Agent at Email: phyllis.stewart@fultoncountyga.gov or phone 404-612-4215. Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities.
Together, these 10 HBCU students drive the summer internship of a lifetime with Black-owned newspapers
