The Atlanta Voice082523 E-Edition

On to the Next Chapter

Atlanta resident earns HBCU Scholar Award, heads to Howard

BY ISAIAH SINGLETON

The baby photo on the wall in the hallway tells just a small part of her story. Atlanta-native Alana Gulley, 18, is still working on the rest. Hundreds of miles away from home and everything she knows will be the next chapter. The latest adventure. Something new and exciting.

Gulley received the Distinguished HBCU Scholar Award from the Norfolk Southern's (NS) Thoroughbred Scholars program. More than 100 children of Norfolk Southern Corporation employees receive college scholarships through the scholars program, which launched in July 2022. Each year, the program provides up to $10,000 over a four-year period, along with three additional scholarships for distinguished students who will receive rewards of up to $40,000 over four years.

Gulley’s stepfather, Edward (Ed) Lee, works in Norfolk Southern’s Sourcing Department as Supervisor Purchasing out of the company headquarters in Atlanta.

The Atlanta Voice spoke with Gulley and her parents the day she left for school to embark on her new chapter as an HBCU student.

Embarking On a New Journey

Gulley chose to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she will study psychology as a Howard University Achievers Scholar and hopes to pursue a career in forensic psychology.

She graduated from Westlake High School, where she served as president of Science National Honor Society, and made principal honor roll all four years. Gulley has also been named a recipient of numerous awards including Freemont Scholar, Delta Sigma Theta Presidential Scholar, National Honors Society Scholar, and P.Phashions Scholar.

Gulley said she chose Howard University because originally she wanted to study law, but after conducting more research, she discovered forensic psychology interested her more.

“Even though I went looking for another field, after doing research, Howard still fit with the curriculum of forensic psychology and they have a really good psychology program, so it was perfect,” she said.

Additionally, Gulley said although she knows she wants to study forensic psychology, she hasn’t narrowed down whether to go into the field of investigation or more towards clinical.

Gulley said wanted to attend Howard University since she was in 7th grade, inspired by her math teacher, a Howard University graduate.

Also, she said she was “pretty excited” to go through the entire process of moving into a new room and getting to know the campus. When it came to leaving home though, she said she would more than likely have a “delayed reaction”.

“I haven’t really thought about what it means to live in another state for months on end, but I feel like once I get on campus, it’s going to hit and it’ll be kind of a delayed reaction,” she said.

She also said the experience with finding scholarships were a little difficult at first, but once she started applying, it was well worth the time and effort.

“Once you do find, apply, and receive scholarships, it’s worth all the time you spent searching for them,” she said. “I also feel like attending an HBCU is really important for people of color specifically because you’re able to learn more about your history that you’re not taught in public schools or schools that aren’t meant for us when it comes to the curriculum.”

Gulley, according to her mom Ehize Lee,

See HBCU on page 3

Gulley received the Distinguished HBCU Scholar Award from the Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Thoroughbred Scholars program. Lee’s (left) advice to his stepdaughter: “Enjoy it, find your place, and continue to grow. Don’t be in a rush because once you leave, you’re in the real world.” Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Ehize Lee’s (left) advice for her daughter: “I would just tell her to be intentional and be present for her experiences because four years seems long in the beginning but that time flies by so fast. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Continued from page 2

was accepted to 40+ colleges and universities receiving total merit scholarship offers of approximately $1.32 million which included Presidential scholarship offers from University of Southern California (USC), GA Tech, LSU, and acceptances from top HBCUs such as Spelman, Xavier University of Louisiana, North Carolina A&T, etc.

“Since we knew Alana’s goal was to attend Howard University and knowing she may not obtain all the funds needed AND we did not want her to begin school worried about financial obligations we set out a plan of how to work to close the financial gap through external scholarships,” Ehize said.

“We told her if this is what she wanted to do, not only is it going to be expensive but we need you to put the work in addition to school, and try to get the private scholarships,” Ed said. “She has pretty much gotten enough private scholarships with addition to her merit scholarships to cover all four years, so we’re talking about $55,000 a year. She put the work in and she showed us she wanted to do this.”

To clarify, Gulley did not receive a full ride to Howard, however, she is fully covered through executing the plan of writing a ton of essays, interviews, videos, obtaining academic and service letters, etc.

Howard University cost $56,000 per year (four years), according to Ehize.

“We made Sundays 2-4 p.m. as our external scholarship planning days. Together we would review the list of scholarships that were going to be tackled for the month and set target completion dates and get updates on progress,” Ehize said. “Gratefully, when Alana was accepted to HU she received a merit scholarship of $19,000 per year which meant $37,000 per year to close up. Happy to say Alana’s hard work has earned her external funding of $101,000 (inclusive of Norfolk Southern was $40k, sorority scholarships from Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Zeta Phi Beta, and several local organizations) . She auditioned for Howard’s Showtime Marching Band and received a band scholarship that will be awarded of between $10k-$14k per year (pending exact amount).”

Ehize also said she wants to share this information to other families to help as they embark on this journey.

“It is possible for students to attend the schools that they envision through diligent work and an executable plan without incurring student debt,” she said.

Alana, Family, and More

When it comes to extracurricular activities at Howard, Gulley said she’s a part of the marching band, has heard a lot about the Georgia Club, and was recommended to join the debate team.

”I’ve heard a lot about the Georgia Club, so I’d definitely join that and it was recommended to me to join the debate club not specifically for law but to find that particular community. I’m also in the marching band at Howard so that gives me a second family away from home,” she said.

Gulley said she is excited about discovering more about herself as a person away from home and family. She also said she wants to discover different aspects of HBCU culture that’s not talked about.

In her free time, Gulley said she enjoys different artistic activities such as crocheting, puzzles, listening to podcasts, or sometimes watching a show or movie. Her favorite show at the moment, she said, is South Park. Additionally, Gulley is the oldest of three siblings and wanted to pass along advice to them.

“I would tell them if there’s something that you want to achieve, it's important to work towards it, don’t let anyone deter you from that path,” she said. “You have to get out there and discover what you want to do, you can’t just sit at home all day and watch tv. You have to educate yourself and have that drive in you to be something important and to drive change.”

For advice to people who may not feel they can afford to attend an HBCU or don’t know if it’s worth it, Gulley said HBCUs come with good and bad, but the positives outweigh the negatives.

”You have a community where you aren’t the odd one out. You have people backing you and the education whereas if you’re going to a PWI, you may not have as much support,” she said.

Ehize said she feels “very excited” for her daughter.

“A lot of friends would ask me, ‘are you crying’, and that part hasn’t hit me yet and I’m sure it will because we’re really connected and I’m just so excited. I’m going to live vicariously through her experience because I wanted to attend an HBCU and wasn’t able to, so I’m just really excited for her,” she said.

Ed also said he feels proud of his stepdaughter because “she did a lot of this on her own and put in the work”.

“We set the parameters on ‘hey this is what you want to do’, ‘this is what you need to do’. She was very independent and carved out her own path, and I am so happy that she was able to achieve where she wanted to go,” Edward said. “We didn’t put a lot of pressure on her, we just said, ‘hey, do the best you can do, and if you can do the best you can do, be proud’ and she exceeded my expectations.”

Both Gulley’s parents didn’t attend an HBCU, but discussed why going to an HBCU for their daughter is important.

“We both didn’t go and we had aspirations to, but for whatever reason, we didn’t. However, we both think the HBCU experience is very valuable especially for our community on the historical values and what HBCUs bring,” Edward said. “A lot of our elite African American leaders have come from an HBCU. A lot of times, there’s a safe space for

us at HBCUs that you wouldn’t get at a PWI, I know from being at one, so to have that place to be nurtured and encouraged to do well is one of the reasons why we pushed for her to go to an HBCU. The culture , the history, the legacy, and the success rate are reasons why, to us, going to an HBCU is important.”

Additionally, Ed and Ehize told The Atlanta Voice advice they wanted to give to Alana.

“I would just tell her to be intentional and be present for her experiences because four years seems long in the beginning but that time flies by so fast. The relationships that you can develop over that time whether it’s friendships or even mentors, they’re so precious and invaluable. There’s no money that can buy that again,” Ehize said.

“The one thing I want to tell Alana is to enjoy the experience. Don’t limit yourself, sometimes you will want to say you don’t want to do certain things because there’s an expectation of what I’m supposed to do,” Edward said. “This is the time to explore who you want to be, get to know who you want to be. You may have one major now, but you may change. For example, I was a math major, I ended up being a business major so I didn't make any definite decisions.’

Edwards continued, “Enjoy it, find your place, and continue to grow. Don’t be in a rush because once you leave, you’re in the real world.”

Alana Gulley, 18, looks at her baby picture on a wall in her family home in Atlanta. Gulley will attend college at Howard University in the fall. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

Voices

Stop Saying ‘I Am Not My Ancestors’

BY LIZ COURQUET-LESAULNIER

The memes, the reenactments, the folding chair earrings!

In the aftermath of the Alabama Brawl, Black America has had a lighthearted few days. Folks have been playing the Crime Mob classic “Knuck If You Buck,” making fun of Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” finding out that the man who invented the folding chair — Nathaniel Alexander — is Black, and celebrating 16-year-old “Aquamayne,” the teen who swam to the rescue.

The minute you saw those brothas SKIPPING along the dock toward the altercation, you already knew those white guys were going to be getting to the “find out” part of life with a quickness.

We definitely know how to channel our trauma into comedy like no one else. By telling jokes about what happened in Montgomery, staging reenactments, laughing about how folding chairs are going to be sold out on Amazon, we process our pain — because we know what would have happened if those Black men had not come to that brotha’s rescue. He may not even be alive today.

But at the same time that I fell out laughing over the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., being digitally altered to feature Dr. King clutching a folding chair, I found myself giving a side-eye to another byproduct of the Montgomery Mollywop: The “I am not my ancestors” T-shirts.

I want to assume the best of the creators of these T-shirts. I want to believe that what they mean is that they’re celebrating that we are no longer enslaved people subjected to the brutality of plantations. Maybe they’re grateful we no longer exist under the yoke of Jim Crow with its “whites only” drinking fountains and lunch counters, and they’re glad it’s not a lynchable offense for us to defend ourselves. (At least, not officially, right?)

On the other hand? Not today,

Satan.

Given the enduring narratives about Black folks’ “laziness, as well as characteristics of submissiveness, backwardness, lewdness, treachery, and dishonesty,” as the Blacksonian puts it, to even jokingly give credence to the idea that we didn’t resist oppression and racial violence is both foolish and irresponsible.

Make no mistake, our ancestors did fight back, from Day One, and to even hint that they didn’t play into white supremacist-based beliefs and attitudes.

Seriously, have these T-shirt makers never heard of Nat Turner? Granted, even before Florida’s most recent “anti-woke” efforts, Black history hasn’t exactly been taught well in the nation’s public schools. But at the very least, most of us learned about the 1831 slave rebellion in Southampton, Virginia, that resulted in as many as 65 white people being killed.

That’s not folks sitting around twiddling their thumbs, waiting for benevolent abolitionists to decide that they deserved to be free.

Even before that, the first recorded revolt of enslaved Black people happened in 1521 in Santo Domingo — now the Dominican Republic. And in the American Colonies? One of the earliest recorded was the Gloucester County, Virginia, revolt in 1663.

One of the main reasons the United States refused to diplomatically recognize Haiti after the Haitian Revolution, which ended in 1804, was the widespread fear that our ancestors, the folks being worked to death on plantations, would follow suit.

As National Geographic wrote about the ongoing push for freedom: “Enslaved people didn’t just engage in passive resistance against slaveholders—they planned and participated in armed revolts. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, enslaved Africans and African Americans in British North America and the United States staged hundreds of revolts.”

Need a post-Emancipation “knuck if you buck” example?

I grew up in Chicagoland, and no public school I ever attended taught me about the 1919 Race Riot, which took place from June 27 – Aug. 3. The story goes that the riot began after a white mob murdered 17-year-old Eugene Williams, a teen who floated on a raft across an invisible line in Lake Michigan to the so-called white side of the beach.

Williams’ murder was a response by white people to Black resistance. Zinn Education Project breaks down what was happening in the vicinity prior to Williams’ murder:

“When a group of Black men and women defied custom and tried to swim at the white beach on 29th Street, they were driven off by a white mob throwing rocks. They returned with larger numbers. The white mob also grew.”

Williams was unaware of what was happening. A white man on the shore began throwing rocks at him as he floated in the water. One of the rocks hit Williams on the head, and the teen drowned.

ZEP points out that “a thousand Black Chicagoans assembled” at the beach demanding the arrest of the white man for murder. When the cops refused, “A Black man named James Crawford, opened fire on a group of police officers. Crawford was immediately shot and killed, but the crowd did not disperse and other Black individuals began to attack whites. By nightfall, rumors of ‘race war’ in white neighborhoods were running rampant, and the rioting began.”

No one wins when 23 Black folks and 15 white folks end up dead, when hundreds of people are injured, and thousands of homes are destroyed, as was the case in Chicago. But again, our ancestors were not standing around passively, letting mobs of white folks beat on them.

Black folks have a long history of fighting back in this country against racism, period.

We can only hope to be our ancestors, to have the courage they showed in moments of sheer racial terror and violence. We are the descendants of people who fought tooth and nail for freedom, whose blood soaked the soil of these United States.

Their bravery is why “Aquamayne” had the ability to jump in the water in Montgomery and swim to the aid of that dockworker. I certainly would hope it’s in our DNA to protect and defend each other from racial violence.

So don’t get it twisted. We are only free because of the resistance of our ancestors. That “I am not my ancestors” T-shirt? Y’all can keep that.

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“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”

— Muhammad Ali

In the aftermath of the “Montgomery Mollywop,” to even jokingly suggest our ancestors didn’t defend themselves is foolish and irresponsible. Credit: Chicago Tribune staff 1919, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

One Part Confidence Plus One Part Discipline Equals Power

BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON

I have come to believe that confidence and discipline are spiritual concepts. Better yet, confidence coupled with discipline must surely be Godly. This coupling should by no means be confused with arrogance and ego. Faith requires discipline and together with spiritual confidence, the Godly result is power. The example I’d like to use is what happened in the Upper Room on Pentecost.

When the Holy Spirit came upon the saints who were present, confidence and discipline is what resulted. These were already faithful people, but their lives would be forever changed as they received the power to spread the Word of God, a Word that changed the world. When you internalize this in a before and after scenario as I have, you begin to see their confidence coupled with a newfound Holy Spirit driven discipline, their faith carried to new heights.

Prior to this, the faithful huddled in secret, being faithful to the be -

lief that Jesus was truthful in His Word and He would send another. The “other” we know, turned out to be the Holy Spirit who gave them more of what they already had. Their faith was fortified with confidence and discipline which manifested itself in a unique ability to communicate and the world has not been the same since. If this is true, then it might prove valuable to you to understand where you might find this kind of discipline and confidence.

Where do you go to get your gifts fortified and your fears nullified? How do you manage to balance confidence, discipline, power and of course faith?

I just happen to believe that without spiritually based confidence

and discipline, it is practically impossible to stand up to the daily challenges of life and the temptations that sometimes control our out-of-control behavior. You see the good news of the gospel is that wherever the Holy Spirit chooses to take up residence, change must occur. Of those forty or so saints in the Upper Room, many were faced with the opportunity to make their own lives easier if they would deny God in favor of man. Like Peter said before the Sanhedrin after the day of Pentecost, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19. This is the same Peter who denied Christ three times; an act of

cowardice or simply the challenge put before a man not yet buoyed by the power of the Holy Spirit and overwhelmed by fear? Boy what a difference a day makes.

You remember Paul at Ephesus? “When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:6. Now these twelve men were already baptized but the Holy Spirit was not yet in them.

After that we are told they began to preach the gospel. Can you see the point? Look inwardly and make room for the Holy Spirit. Then seek his face. You are set apart. I believe the discipline coupled with the confidence of knowing you are a candidate for housing the Holy Spirit, gives you the power of the faithful as promised by God. I pray for this on any number of occasions. I think you might want to consider it also. That is the power that awaits you. May God bless and keep you always.

“I don’t have strong feelings about this one way or the other, and I understand both sides of it because, you know, people don’t want their children indoctrinated one way or another. But by the same token, people should be exposed to the world so they can make their own choices when they are able to do so. I think the problem is that children at that age and fifth grade are too young to really be able to make distinctions like that. So I understand that being a challenge, I don’t know that firing is the right answer. But I also don’t like the idea of indoctrination. Trying to sway their things too early.”

“I feel like we have to protect our children at all costs. Sexual orientation and gender identity weren’t taught to me growing up. And I still recognize myself as a queer individual. So I don’t think that our children need to be focused on those things per se, when there are other things out there that could better help them build their identity. And then we can focus on who they want to go to bed with later on in life, not at nine and ten years old.”

“Well, first, I think it’s a choice and there has to be a set of rules. I think that’s kind of a little too early for us to talk about gender identity... The accountability is what they’re teaching. You know, they have to follow the rules. I don’t think that those things should be taught at such a young age... So they should be taken out of the educational system...when you’re training our children with those things, you kind of sway them in believing the things that you want them to believe. That’s not why we send our children to school.”

“It’s my position that too often the little people at the end of the road, like the teachers that are serving and doing the hardest work with the least resources, are held accountable for hot button political issues that they’re not responsible for funding and they’re not responsible for the marketing of. Have very little to do with the controversy and are usually just following orders.”

Compiled by Vincent Christie

“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:6.

The Atlanta Voice

“YOUR VOICE”

In the wake of a Cobb Co. teacher being fired for reading a children’s book on gender identity to 5th graders, what are your thoughts and/or feelings on the issue and how should the educators be held accountable?

Prizm Peace Atlanta

Dion Lyons Atlanta

Maitreyeh Bell Atlanta

LaNeeks Luckett Atlanta

Black in eCom conference debuts in East Point

BY JANELLE WARD

The first ever Black in eCom conference took place in East Point last week, uniting Black entrepreneurs and major players in the e-commerce industry for a three-day comprehensive learning and networking experience intended to help business owners jumpstart or grow their web-based ventures. Featuring programming spearheaded by industry leaders and sponsored by some of the biggest names in global e-commerce, the conference aimed to assist Black business owners in all stages of the entrepreneurship journey, giving them a chance to market their products, access capital and collaborate with other contacts that make up the e-business community.

Tiffany Johnson, founder of the event, said that Black in eCom is the first e-commerce conference dedicated specifically to building Black-owned businesses and features the most diverse lineup of panelists she’s seen throughout her career.

“I think the significance (behind giving Black e-commerce professionals a platform) is, one, representation, and letting the audience know that you’re capable of building a successful e-commerce business, and here’s how you do it,” Johnson said. “And here’s someone who looks like you that has done it successfully.”

Also a global business development manager at Amazon Web Services and CEO and founder of feminine wellness brand Moozii, Johnson works with small-scale minority entrepreneurs on a regular basis to help grow their brands, and carries her passion for

strengthening minority- and Black-owned businesses into her projects with Black in eCommerce.

Johnson said she was inspired to organize the Black in eCom conference through interactions from her work with Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, an initiative she created that launched in 2021 to assist Blackowned businesses selling merchandise through the platform. After connecting with entrepreneurs in e-commerce who benefited from the program over the years, Johnson said she wanted to make a space for Black business owners to connect and resolve the questions and concerns relating to their brands and the e-commerce world at large.

The inaugural Black in eCom conference

features a full schedule consisting of panels, networking sessions, keynote presentations and fireside chats, each dedicated to educating attendees about different aspects of running a successful e-commerce business.

The conference also gives Black e-commerce brands opportunities to impact the industry in ways not previously witnessed. Johnson said that the global e-commerce market is anticipated to reach $6.3 trillion this year, and inclusive resources like the Black in eCom conference are crucial in helping Black-owned web-based ventures compete with businesses managed by other demographics with stronger backing.

Johnson doesn’t just measure this impact financially. She wants to help craft a reality

where Black businesses infiltrate every possible market, rather than dominating a limited selection of markets mostly related to beauty and wellness.

“I want, at the end of this conference, and in the future, for Black-owned businesses to be in all of the spaces,” Johnson said. “So, when you think of anything that you want to purchase, you should be able to find a Blackowned business within that category.”

And to Johnson, Black entrepreneurship in Atlanta is unlike that in any other city. She said she was impressed by the city’s large share of entrepreneur-backed enterprises when she first visited and that Black-owned businesses in Atlanta have a distinct feel that immediately distinguishes them as such.

“I’m a firm believer in the city of Atlanta,” Johnson said. “I see firsthand that it’s a thriving hub of innovation and diversity, making it the perfect backdrop to host an event that celebrates and supports Black excellence in e-commerce.”

Johnson aims to attract 5,500 founders, aspiring founders and solution providers to fill East Point’s Legacy Center over the span of the conference’s three days of scheduling. While much of the conference’s programming is catered to entrepreneurs with existing ventures, anyone interested in learning how to navigate the ins and outs of the e-commerce industry is encouraged to attend.

“For me, Atlanta is the place to build,” Johnson said. “And when I think of legacy, there’s so many great things that came out of Atlanta, and I want Black in eCom to be one of them.”

Jake’s Ice Cream delivers the flavors for all seasons

BY DONNELL SUGGS

Very few things are as cool as a scoop of ice cream on a hot summer day in Atlanta. Jake’s Ice Cream, with locations on the Atlanta Beltline and in Hapeville, offers its customers some of the most interesting flavors around. From Chocolate Slap Your Mama to Coffee & Donuts to Brown Shugah Vanilla, a vanilla ice cream made with brown sugar, there is something for ice cream fans to enjoy.

“We don’t do plain chocolate and vanilla,” said co-owner Shea Daniels.

Jake’s Ice Cream recently expanded to a second location in Hapeville, hosting its grand opening on Juneteenth weekend. Daniels, a Florida native who has lived in Atlanta for nearly 30 years, believes Hapeville has been a solid investment.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better reception

from the city,” Daniels told The Atlanta Voice recently. She added that local business owners have been some of their best customers so far. “It has been a great experience.”

The Hapeville location, which opened in June, is in what was once a candy shop, says Daniels. Despite the sweet serendipity, Daniels and her partner, the company’s namesake, thought Hapeville would be a perfect location for their latest venture because, “it was in an ice cream dessert,” she explained.

“We had been trying for years to get into that space,” said Daniels, who bought into the business in 2013 after years as an event planner. “I wasn’t quite ready to stop working and nobody gets angry when they are eating ice cream.”

Daniels’ event planning experience has come in handy as Jake’s Ice Cream hosts events, including children’s birthday parties where the

birthday boy or girl gets to plan the ice cream menu. Sometimes they can invent their own flavor of ice cream. Daniels says all of the ice

cream at Jake’s is homemade. Jake taught her how to make ice cream when she came aboard and these days she likes to create original flavors such as sweet potato pie ice cream when there’s time. “One day I had some sweet potatoes leftover and decided to try it,” she said.

Daniels said being a Black ice cream parlor owner isn’t always easy, but what she wants most is for “the opportunity to show people what we’re made of. Sometimes if people know you are a Black-owned business they don’t want to give you a chance.”

With plenty of hot days in August and September coming up, Jake’s Ice Cream and the many sorbets, piescreams, gluten-free, speciality and novelty flavors they have should be worth a try.

Jake’s Ice Cream is located at 660 Irwin Street, NE on the Atlanta Beltline and at 755 Virginia Avenue in the heart of Hapeville.

Jake’s Ice Cream co-owner Shay Daniels serves customers with a smile, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

The inaugural Black in eCom conference debuts in East Point on Thursday, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and other prominent players in the e-commerce industry for three days of panels, pitches and networking. Photo by Janelle Ward/The Atlanta Voice

Why You Should Include Body Positivity in Your Fitness Routine

BY CLAYTON GUTZMORE

Body Positivity is a message that recently became more popular in the conversation of health. People associate fit bodies with six-pack abs, toned legs, and huge biceps. Those are desirable qualities, but only some people have those. What is more damaging is social media broadcasting that those qualities are the standard for measuring one's health. We must adjust the metrics and measure our health based on our exercise and nutrition efforts. Tasha Edwards is an ACE-certified health and wellness coach. She teaches body positivity and self-love. Her experience reveals how incorporating body positivity into your routine will make exercising a lifestyle instead of a chore.

"It's the only way that health and wellness will begin to be a lifestyle and not a chore. If we don't do it out of self-love or when we feel puggy and not enough, we talk ourselves out of the benefit of feeling good and being radiant in our everyday lives," said Tasha Edwards, MS, NCPT, National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.

Edwards defines Body Positivity as embracing all shapes and sizes of people. She further explains that this subject uplifts people and challenges the status quo of what is shapely and fit. Edwards has been a trainer

in Body Positivity for almost 20 years. Her clientele is 40 and up. She trains engineers, CEOs, and other individuals who are high in their careers but do not prioritize health. She believes body positivity can align with your physical and mental health.

ACE is the American Council of Exercise. They are a nonprofit organization where most people go to become certified personal trainers and group instructors. Ace has been a platform that has allowed Edwards to elevate how she teaches body positivity and self-love. Not only has she learned more

from the organization, she has become more visible to people who want to adopt this into their routine. Edwards gained much support from ACE, which has made a difference in her trajectory.

"ACE tapped into my desire to do something other than count to eight. Not to say that that's a bad thing, but I think they recognized there was something deeper behind what I was doing. The organization allowed me to be out front for people who look like me, to see someone like me saying the things they had in their head that they couldn't convey or get anybody to understand," said Edwards.

"ACE also supported me when I challenged their community to think differently when it came to bodies and biases. This led to conversations about how to be empathic and more inclusive in workout classes," said Edwards.

Edwards encourages people to permit themselves to accept their bodies. The first step in that process is surrounding yourself with people who support you in your being and not just your doing. The trainer explains that people should focus more on strength and celebrate what their body can do rather than weight loss and what it can't do. Another step Edward recommends is ignoring the messages on social media.

"Social media has us all jacked up because

we're chasing things that don't exist. I tell people you must realize that you are looking at somebody's highlight reel. The bodies you see are often hiding eating disorders or body dysmorphia. We start taking all these thoughts before our feet even hit the floor. Because we automatically compare ourselves to other people. We're not even comparing ourselves to their truth," said Edwards.

Expressing what's on your mind is another step in body positivity. Edwards teaches with empathy. She makes breakthroughs with her clients by providing a space to be heard. She listens when clients share their issues that may be holding them back from exercising. From there, she nurtures the conversation and allows clients to come to their conclusions about feeling better about their bodies. This will enable them to exercise as no one judges them.

Body Positivity is a tool Edwards wants more people to use regardless of their fitness level. She believes the more we focus on strength than looks, the higher chance we all can tap into our best selves through fitness.

"When people started seeing real changes in their everyday life, like being able to run up a flight of stairs or being able to pick up their grandchildren. Those moments trump how much they weigh When my clients look at lifestyle and what they want to be able to do. They stop looking at the scale," said Edwards.

Body Positivity is a message that recently became more popular in the conversation of health. Photo courtesy of Tasha Edwards.

Community EVECE is much more than just a 5K.

BY DONNELL SUGGS

No matter the race, religion, color, creed, where one is born, lives or ultimately dies, we all will suffer loss. How people deal with that loss of life and love is what separates us all. A local and nationally-recognized physician and his wife want to make sure there are resources for anyone who needs help dealing with grief and loss.

“This is going to help people,” said Dr. Christopher Edwards about the inaugural EVECE Walk for Life, a 5K walk/run that will take place in Piedmont Park Saturday, Aug. 26. Edwards and his wife, Edrea, who he credits with coming up with the idea for a 5K in celebration of life, are hoping the profits from the event will help people all over the country. Nearly 49,000 Americans died from gun-related injuries in 2021, according to data from the Pew Research Center. The EVECE 5k run/walk wants to help people with access to grief counseling, mental health awareness and support.

“Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, an independent, whatever, one thing we can all agree on is that people with known mental health disorders shouldn’t have access to a gun,” said Edwards.

Running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The EVECE walk/run event will bring hundreds of people to the park in honor of life. The purpose of the walk, according to EVECE Walk of Life website is to “give empowerment to express our own emotional survival and support in a mental and physical way, while giving a platform and power to our mission.”

Edwards told The Atlanta Voice that there isn’t a single day that someone isn’t in need of help, so why not use his resources to help. “This is about light and what we need to be doing about moving forward,” he said.

The walk/run is being hosted by EVECE Foundation, which was established in 2020. EVECE is a combination of the initials of Erin Victoria Edwards and Christopher Edwards II. The brother and sister duo are the children of Edwards, and the mission of the foundation is to support education in the field of journalism, communications, sports broadcasting and entertainment through scholarships, grants and internships.

Major brands and businesses like Starbucks, Wells Fargo Advisors and ONYX MS are supporting the event, while entertainment will be provided by acclaimed saxo-

“Whether you’re Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, an independent, whatever, one thing we can all agree on is that people with known mental health disorders shouldn’t have access to a gun,” said Edwards. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

phonist Eric Antoine Giles, Brooke Alford, violinist Brooke Alford, Jerry Cooper, Dominique Sierra and Mya Aldridge.

Local newscaster Karyn Greer will be the event emcee and Ronnel Blackmon, the emcee for this year’s Peachtree Road Race, will be the race/walk emcee.

Registration is open until race day. There was a packet pickup party in Buckhead at Road Runner Sports Saturday, Aug. 19. That isn’t the only time runners/walkers will be able to pick up their bibs, t-shirt, and event swag bag. There will be race day availability as well, according to Edwards.

On dealing with grief and loss in his life Edwards said, “You will never truly get through it. It is not possible, but what you can do is stand.”

The EVECE Foundation is currently in the process of looking for organizations that help people and could use financial resources that the foundation has at its disposal.

Edwards mentioned that children are often affected in a major way after gun violence or mental health-related violence (or a combination of both) crosses their paths.

There are future plans to allow walk/run entrants to participate virtually in order to help even more people. “We are going to make a difference,” Edwards said.

James Franklin “Jim” Maddox, Sr., dead at 88

COURTESY OF MADDOX FAMILY

Jim Maddox, the longest-serving member of the Atlanta City Council, was first elected in 1977 to represent Atlanta City Council District 11. He was re-elected consecutively for a total of eight 4-year terms, serving the people of Atlanta with honor and distinction for 32 years. The Council District 11 neighborhoods were Audubon Forest, Ben Hill, Greenbriar, Southwest Atlanta, Campbellton Road, Pomona Park, Heritage Valley, King’s Forest, Niskey Lake, Cascade Heights, Adams Park, Kimberly Road, Fort Valley, and Laurens Valley.

As a city council representative, Maddox believed that government should be an honest, efficient deliverer of services and that City Hall should help citizens help themselves. With this belief, he said, “The City of Atlanta, should be a national model for the compassionate, effective, and efficient delivery of municipal services.”

Maddox’s long and distinguished tenure on the Atlanta City Council spanned the terms of four mayors: his Morehouse College classmate of 1956, the late Maynard Jackson, Jr., Andrew Young, Jr., William “Bill” Campbell and Shirley Franklin. With his vast knowledge of the workings of city government, Jim gained the title, “Dean of Council,” as mayors and colleagues sought his advice and guidance on an array of issues over the years.

On the occasion of his retirement from politics in 2009, Maddox held the record as the longest-serving elected official in Atlan-

ta city government in modern times and that distinction remains to this day. A proclamation for his dedicated service to the City of Atlanta read in part, “Whereas, for his pro -

fessional service to the residents of Council District 11 and our entire city, the citizens of Atlanta and its legislative body will forever be indebted.”

James was called home to be with our Lord on August 15, 2023, following an extended illness. He was in his home surrounded by family..

Back to March on Washington

BY DONNELL SUGGS

Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley vividly remembers riding in the back of a bus from his home in Denver, Colorado, where he finished high school to Nashville, Tennessee where he was going to attend college at Tennessee State University. That was over 60 years ago. Four years later as a college senior Durley would be back on the bus again, but this time it was as a leader of college students headed to Washington, D.C. for the inaugural and later historic March on Washington for Jobs and Justice.

“I was a foot soldier in the march,” remembered Durley, 81, a former college basketball player at Tennessee State.

The 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, a moment in American Civil Rights history, is August 28, but the march will take place Saturday, Aug. 26. Many of the civil rights leaders and pastors that spoke that day have long since passed away, including Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Durley,

though just a student during that historic gathering of thousands on the mall that day, will have an opportunity to speak this time. He hopes the crowd that he is speaking to is equally as awe inspiring as the one that gathered in 1963. “It’s essential for all of us to be there Saturday,” he said. “It’s critical that every person come to D.C.”

Durley, an author, college administrator at both Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse School of Medicine and pastor at Providence Missionary Baptist Church, has carried that day in 1963 with him for decades, even returning to the National Mall for the 50th anniversary of the march a decade ago. He believes the mission and goals for the first march have not changed 60 years later. “It’s kind of sad that 60 years later we have to go back to do what we thought we had already done,” said Durley.

He believes the current fights over critical race theory, for example, cam be considered examples of history repeating itself. There are just as many reasons to march on the nation’s capital today than there was 60 years ago. “You can’t start something that never stopped,” Durley said.

There are a few things Durley has to get done before he leaves for Washington. He has to pick up a custom made t-shirt from a local vendor for the special occasion. “It’s going to say ‘If I can, you can,’” Durley said. He explained that if he and the many others that dealt with the atrocities of the Civil Rights Era, then people fighting for justice today can keep the struggle going.

“There’s a new level of awareness for young people today,” he said. And that’s good he says because, “We never stopped marching.”

The march is planned for 8 a.m. near the Lincoln Memorial. The Atlanta Voice will be there to cover the historic event.

Durley with his book, “I Am Amazed: Reflections on an Awe-inspiring Life”. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Courtesy of family

Education

Worldreader partners with Atlanta nonprofits, schools

BY JANELLE WARD

Global literacy nonprofit Worldreader is partnering with various youth social groups and educational programs around Atlanta to motivate students to read more books as a new academic year begins.

Following its collaboration with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity last year, the organization partnered with an array of programs and events over the summer to help increase young readers’ access to books and prepare them to excel in the classroom.

One of Worldreader’s largest events of the season was Atlanta Literacy Day, a yearly gathering organized by Young Authors Publishing and the Home Depot Backyard. The event brings together local kids and literacy activists to experience reading through interactive stations and activities while exposing them to books written by Black, indigenous and other child authors of color. Worldreader participated for the second consecutive year by offering attending children access to their digital reading application, Booksmart, a mobile library for kids aged 3-12 featuring thousands of books available in multiple languages.

Kristen Walter, Worldreader’s director of U.S. programs, said this year’s Literacy Day was one of the organization’s most successful public events, generating a turnout of about 100 adults and children.

“It was really wonderful to be able to speak with children and their caregivers or their program leaders about how to continue reading through the summer, and then as they’re really kicking off toward the fall, really thinking about how to support their caregivers so that they have the opportunity to read both in school and outside of school,” Walter said. “It’s one of our favorite things we do all year.”

The nonprofit has many local projects slated for this fall as well, including work with the Georgia Head Start Association and HeartBound Ministries to help the adults in children's lives provide the resources needed to instill a love of reading in their kids.

Worldreader has also begun working with LaAmistad and the Agape Youth and Family Center, organizations that work year-round with students from underserved communities to improve individual performance both inside and outside the classroom.

Vera Woods, academic coordinator for LaAmistad, which also received a monetary grant from Worldreader this year, said she anticipates the Booksmart app to be well-received among the nonprofit’s students, many

of whom learn English as a second language. She also said that reading comprehension is a foundational skill that sets kids on paths to success later in life.

“We want to make sure that we’re not only growing readers here at LaAmistad, but we’re growing Georgia readers,” Woods said. “Because our kids know if you can read it, you can write it. If you can write it, you can read it.”

Wes Wooten, director of programs at the Agape Youth and Family Center, said Worldreader’s resources fit into the organization’s existing programming easily, and help generate real-world learning opportunities for their students to get involved in.

The AYFC strives for its students to attain reading proficiency by the third grade.

“We have to be able to give children the opportunity to show that they’re learning what we’re teaching,” Wooten said. “And that’s much more special to capture in real time

than over a worksheet.”

But children are only part of the solution. Walter said Worldreader is shifting its focus on parents and guardians with its approach to improving youth literacy, as they are also responsible for creating an atmosphere at home where reading is encouraged and treated like a valuable pastime. The nonprofit’s work with Georgia Head Start specifically involves helping young caregivers who lack the educational resources needed to support their families. Their collaboration with HeartBound Ministries assists kids with caregivers who are incarcerated.

LaAmistad also hosts programs for adults promoting healthy family environments in addition to their programs for K-12-aged students.

Through its efforts, Worldreader aims to motivate kids and their families to read at least 25 books over the course of a year. Walter said that collaborating with care -

takers and after-school programs to increase reading opportunities outside of school hours should effectively place students in a position to achieve this goal.

Walter also said that Worldreader is extending its outreach into schools, already breaking into the scene with Centennial Academy and Ethos Classical, tuition-free charter schools serving the Atlanta Public Schools district. Despite this expansion, Worldreader is still searching for new nonprofits to partner with that complement their vision and are working to improve reading habits in children, either directly or indirectly.

“The collaborative nature between nonprofits has been a really great thing, bringing together people who are looking at the same issue—improving literacy rates for children and supporting caregivers to be able to come alongside and do that,” Walter said.

Youth literacy nonprofit Worldreader is teaming up with schools and educational nonprofits around Atlanta to motivate kids to complete more books and learn to enjoy reading as a pastime. Photo courtesy of Worldreader

“Mason’s BIG Little Feelings” gives kids the building blocks for effective mental health

BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN

Jasmine Fambro is a new author of a children’s book, “Mason’s BIG Little Feelings.” It’s a book dedicated to her son, Mason, that encourages children to find their voices, be unafraid to speak up for themselves, instill the importance of emotional literacy and dreams of a world where every child feels seen, heard, and validated. The Lithonia native possesses a Bachelor’s Degree from Bethune-Cookman University and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Health Counseling from Mercer University.

“I started to understand myself and a new nature,” Fambro explained. “Everything that I did was a push for my son and everything that I wanted and inspire it for myself, I knew that I had to push forward to do it, because I have also someone watching me.”

During our conversation, Fambro says the importance of therapy has increased over the years because the millennials that are now parents have normalized the practice. Moving forward, she says because that is what makes it okay for the younger ones, because they it was naturally introduced to

them.

“It wasn’t something that if you go to therapy, you’re crazy,” explained Fambro. “But, when people are like, ‘Oh my God, this person’s angry’ or they’re exhibiting these these type of behaviors and anger is a soft surface emotion, there’s things that are underlying

that you kind of needing to unpack and so on the back of the book to the dialogue with the parents as well, because it’s not just about the kids, I feel like parents can learn from this book as well.”

“Mason’s BIG Little Feelings” is a modern adaptation of the classic A-B-C book. It’s de-

signed for ages zero to five. Fambro believes this book will cater to the children that are learning the alphabet. Additionally, she says the book will also grow with the younger readers as their reading and comprehension improves.

Plus, this book is a foundational building block for Black boys and Black girls to give themselves the opportunity to grow and explore and learn about themselves without the extra added pressure that presently exists in American society. To that end,

“I was a minority, in a private school,” Fambro said. “And I felt like I couldn’t show up as myself. And understanding how you’re having to wear two hats. Even as young as a child. I feel like I wish that I had that when I was younger, where I felt comfortable showing up as my authentic self.

“I am a BIPOC author, this is a BIPOC book and representation matters,” Fambro said. “It’s important to see yourself in the main character. When I was younger, I don’t remember many books where I saw myself in the literature. So I think that this is making space.”

Author Jasmine Fambro poses for photographs inside the Atlanta Voice’s offices on July 17, 2023. Photo By Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Politics

ONLINE What the Ongoing Hollywood Strikes Mean for Black Creatives.

Fani Willis seeks March 2024 trial date in Atlanta

BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN

Fulton County District Attorney

Fani Willis has asked for the trial regarding the 2020 fake electors’ scheme to commence on March 4, 2024, with the last pretrial conference to be held on February 20, 2024. Moreover, Willis is seeking an arrangement the week of September 5th.

March 4th is one day before the Super Tuesday primaries.

According to the motion filed on Wednesday, all claims of immunity must be filed within ten days of the arraignment. In addition, hearings for motions filed by October 31 shall commence on December 11, 2023 and continue until completion. That also includes the motion filed by former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to move the trial from state court to federal court in the hopes of attracting a more conservative and thus favorable jury pool.

Tuesday evening, it was announced by the Fulton County Sheriff’s office that former President Donald J. Trump, Meadows and the remaining seventeen co-defendants are expected to surrender at the Fulton County jail. It is uncertain when the alleged co-conspirators are scheduled to surrender on or before Friday, August 25, 2023 at 12:00 PM. Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat previously

suggested he wants to treat the defendants charged in the case the same as any other defendant would be treated.

“Unless someone tells me differently we will be following normal practices. It doesn’t matter your status, we will have mug shots ready for you,” Labat told CNN earlier this month.

The 98-page sprawling scope into the fake electors’ scheme unveiled a wide range of conspirators from the lowest ranked foot soldiers, a cadre of attorneys, and the mastermind of the scheme, former President Trump. The indictment covers these four pillars:

1. The first plot was to pressure govern-

ment officials to advance the objective of securing Georgia’s electoral votes for Trump, even though he lost. The example would be the infamous phone call.

2. The second plot was the organization of the Georgia Republican Party electors that falsely proclaimed that Trump was the winner. That meeting took place on December 14, 2020.

3. The third plot was the unlawful accessing of voting machines in Coffee County, a rural county southeast of Atlanta and located 52 miles from the Okefenokee Swamp and Wildlife Refuge.

4. The fourth and final plot is what has become a trademark allegation against Trump and his circle: obstruction and cover-up. Willis later alleged that members of the conspiracy filed false documents, made false statements to government investigators and committed perjury during the Fulton County judicial proceedings.

A president’s power to pardon federal offenses does not extend to state crimes.

Pardons in Georgia are not an un-reviewable power vested solely in the chief executive. They are awarded by the State Board of Pardons and Paroles — and are not even available until five years after completion of all sentences.

Gov. Kemp says he’d testify against Trump

BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN

Friday afternoon at a conference hosted by Erick Erickson in Buckhead, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp admitted he would be willing to testify in the Fulton County RICO case against Donald J. Trump. However, during the conversation, he did not break any news.

“You know I can’t really comment on the indictment,” said Kemp. “I was subpoenaed for the special grand jury. So, you know, I’m sure I will be a witness and whatever goes forward, so I really can’t say much about the indictment.”

Governor Kemp reiterated the 2020 Presidential Election was not stolen. Tuesday, Kemp responded to Trump’s message saying “anyone with evidence of fraud has failed to come forward – under oath – and prove anything in a court of law. Our elections in Georgia are secure, accessible, and fair and will continue to be as long as I am governor.”

Kemp recalled the November 25, 2020 law-

suit brought by Mark Meadows, one of the nineteen co-defendants in the sprawling indictment, which he was pressured to believe unfounded conspiracy theories while thumbing the electoral scale in favor of Trump.

“He was mad at me. I was not mad at him. I told him exactly what I could and couldn’t do when it came to the election, and I followed the law and the Constitution. And as I’ve said before, that’s a lot bigger than Donald Trump. It’s a lot bigger than me. It’s a lot bigger than the Republican Party,” Kemp told CNN.

Since then, Governor Kemp has had a frosty relationship with the former President. Trump has called him a “fool” and a “clown” for not agreeing to overturn the results while Kemp defended the integrity of the vote.

It’s likely Governor Kemp will be one of the star witnesses for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.

Like Governor Kemp before him, House Speaker Jon Burns said in a statement to the Republican caucus the future of [America] is “at stake in 2024 and that must be our focus.”

“If we expect to maintain and grow our majority – if we expect to keep Georgia the nation’s #1 state for business – if we expect to keep our state the envy of the nation, we must work together to put forward a positive vision that prepares for the bright future our children and grandchildren deserve,” said Burns.

To that end, there is zero chance that State Senator Colton Moore’s wishes of calling a special session to stop the criminal case against Trump would materialize.

Moore represents areas of Catoosa, Dade, Walker and Chattooga Counties in the Georgia Senate. He wants his fellow lawmakers to call an emergency session “to review the actions” of Fulton County Prosecutor Fani Willis. However, there is zero appetite for that to take place.

According to Georgia State Law, the General Assembly can call itself into session if it has the signatures of three-fifths of the membership of each chamber or the governor can call a convene a special session, as described in Article V of the Georgia State Constitution. The Republicans by themselves do not have the votes to force the Governor’s hand.

Besides, the Fulton County Commission establishes the budget for the District Attorney’s office, not the Georgia legislature. Moore’s tantrum has fallen on deaf ears.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, center left, announces charges related to Donald Trump and his allies on Monday, August 14, 2023 inside the Fulton County Government Center in Atlanta. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp delivers a speech after filing the paperwork to run for re-election inside the State Capitol on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Photo By Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Master Narratives on display at the Spelman Museum

BY NOAH WASHINGTON

Thursday, Aug. 17 was opening night for the latest exhibition at the Spelman Museum of Fine Art, "Master Narrative" by artist Harmonia Rosales. The collection presents a reimagination of traditional icon paintings, infusing them with the rich imagery of Yoruba/Ifa culture and religion. I am lucky to know that I can trace my ancestry back to Yorubaland and am a Ifa practitioner. Ifa is a faith system with roots in Yorubaland.

Having been introduced to the Yoruba Orisha religion and culture, through my grandfather John Eaton and my grandmother Reka Eaton, there is a comfort in praying through the same faith system as my ancestors.

The origins of this creative endeavor lie in Rosales' desire to share her cultural heritage with her daughter. Recounting how she began painting the collection to introduce her five-year-old daughter to gods that resemble her, much like the familiar figures of Greek mythology. From this motive, her journey expanded, surprising even herself.

"I've surprisingly found myself. So as I taught her, I taught myself," Rosales said.

Her upbringing in Lukumi, a colonized iteration of the Yoruba religion that originated in Cuba, forms a significant part of her narrative.

“I grew up with Lukumi. It's more of the

Lifestyle

colonized version of the Yoruba religion. Even though I grew up with it, I took it for granted. I didn't really dive deep into the stories I heard. There were no images to really reference,” Rosales explained.

Upon landing in Cuba, the original depictions of the Orisa (the Yoruba term for “Gods”) aligned more with the culture mix that the country was.

“There's a lot of colorism in Cuba, and a lot of the gods are depicted as light skinned and mixed, and Oshun, the most beautiful God, is mixed with long, flowy hair. So I wanted to really depict Orisha (Gods) from where they originally originated from, which is Nigeria and that location that they were from in Yoruba land,” Rosales said.

Rosales’s journey was not without challenges. She encountered discouragement from within the art world, where conformity to trends often overshadowed personal significance.

"They said, 'Oh, this wouldn't sell,' you know, you got to ride the wave," Rosales said.

Her art carries a deeply personal touch, with each piece reflecting a unique aspect of her life's journey. When asked about her favorite piece, Rosales finds it difficult to choose, as each one represents a different chapter of her story.

"All encompasses different experiences, retellings that speak to my life and how I found myself," Rosales explains.

Rosales' artistic journey aligns with the larger narrative of African spiritual practices reclaiming their space. The opening of her exhibit at The Spelman Museum of Fine Art carries profound symbolism to me. It signifies not just artistic achievement but can signify a shift in the way African spiritual practices are perceived and how they are received.

I found comfort praying through the same faith system as my ancestors, before they were forced onto ships bound for what would later be called America.

That is what Rosales’ work makes a compelling case for a broader narrative—one that encompasses diverse perspectives and stories. Why do we shy away from the traditions

that our ancestors held? Is it because we were told to? Is it because we were ingrained with its demonization? We constantly are seeing the evil aspects of our traditions in the Hollywood landscape. But what if we were to take back our identity and make beautiful art around it, much like Rosales did?

“I'm a storyteller so all I focus on is telling stories and demonstrating it,” Rosales said. “I feel like I'm an observer more than looking at it through a certain perspective, because I try to find where it can be mainstreamed. Why should this religion that was orally preserved for so long, should be mainstream, because it's time to be in the conversation. I think that it can empower and it can question- what came first?”

Classic American cartoon character gets a ‘Black girl magic’ makeover

BY MARTEL SHARPE

Atlanta entrepreneur Shay Levister, an author and certified master seductress, recently announced her partnership with Fleischer Studios as a part of their Betty of The People Initiative. The program aims to create designs that promote community, equity, unity, and inclusion.

Through the partnership, Levister was able to create Black Betty Boop by Shay ‘Your Love Diva,’ an online shop with merchandise that features Betty Boop as a Black woman.

Presented as a capsule collection, the shop consists of t-shirts, shoes, coffee mugs, luggage, car seat covers, and other miscellaneous items with the image of Black Betty Boop.

“While Black Betty Boop by Shay Your Love Diva maintains the spirit of the original icon, it was vital for us to create a character that stood in her own right,” Levister said. “So, Black Betty Boop by Shay Your Love Diva is not merely a reimagining of the original Betty Boop but a distinct entity, a beacon of African American beauty and pride.

Her full lips, slanted eyes, and characteristic African American hairstyles – all styled with the iconic Betty Boop flair – are more than aesthetic decisions; they are powerful symbols.”

Fleischer Studios is the original animation studio that created the Betty Boop character. Created by Max Fleischer, one of the co-founders of the company, Betty Boop first appeared on television in 1930. The studio is also responsible for producing the television animations for Popeye The Sailor and Superman.

“Shay’s love for Betty Boop and passion to make Betty more accessible to her community is truly inspiring,” said Mark Fleischer, chairman/CEO of Fleischer Studios. “ She is really a wonderful partner in Fleischer Studios’ initiative ‘Betty of the People’ under which Fleischer Studios is reaching out to identity communities to become our partners in making Betty’s universal values resonate as diverse and inclusive as possible.”

Fleischer Studios reached out to Levister to become a part of their Betty of the People initiative and to partner to create Black

Betty Boop. The partners worked together to create a version of Betty Boop with the diverse beauty of the African Diaspora. After research, they came to the conclusion that blending all the shades across the spectrum of Black skin tones would lead to a unique complexion that captured the essence of Black beauty.

The collection was able to attract over 20,000 visitors after going live on June 1.

“Betty Boop is a beacon of women’s empowerment, a character that embodies the grace, tenacity, and resilience of women everywhere. Her character underscores the dynamic spirit of modern womanhood — confident, assertive, and unapologetically herself,” Levister said.

Customers only have a limited time to purchase the current collection before another is released. Fleischer Studios and Lavister plan to unveil two new designs in September.

For more information about Black Betty Boop or to purchase items from the collection, visit https://blackbettyboopshop. com/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Black Betty Boop by Shay ‘Your Love Diva’

“Master Narrative” by Harmonia Rosales is now at the Spelman Museum of Art. Photos by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

Sealed bids for 23ITB458876A-KM - Small Water Meter Installation for the Fulton County Public Works 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 20, 2023. All bids submitted must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated date. Bids will be publicly opened and read at 11:05 a.m. on the stated due date via zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/ j/99133067134?pwd=c096RndUdGRISGlGUGtiK2YrODR3dz09 Meeting ID: 991 3306 7134

FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSAL

Sealed proposals for 23RFP139160B-ECFulton County Multi-Functional Devices and Services for the Fulton County Information Technology 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 15, 2023, 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

Passcode: 870938

One tap mobile 14702509358,99133067134 #,*870938# US (Atlanta) +14703812552,99 133067134#,*870938# US (Atlanta)

Bid Bond: N/A

Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) Provide small water meter installation for the Department of Public Works. The detailed scope of work and technical specifications is outlined in the Scope of Work of this bid document. 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: One (1) year with two (2) renewal options.

A Pre-Bid Conference, will be held on

Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) is seeking proposals for from qualified proposers for leasing services for Digital Multi-functional Devices (hereafter “MFD”) and Support Services to facilitate County business needs and requirements. 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 contract will commence as on January 1, 2024 and shall continue until December 31, 2024 with 4 one-year renewal options. A Pre-Proposal Conference will be held

Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 10:00 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/98973176325?pwd=TkZYQ3dTZm9aZG0xYXZUcFYyNlU0Zz09 Meeting ID: 989 7317 6325

Passcode: 505261 One tap mobile +14703812552,98973176325#,*505261# US (Atlanta) +14702509358,98973176325#,*505261# US (Atlanta)

If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Keisha Massey, Assistant Purchasing Agent, at Email: keisha. massey@fultoncountyga.gov or 404-6121010. Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities.

on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., local time, via Zoom to provide bidders with information regarding the project and to address any questions. Web Conference Link: https://zoom. us/webinar/register/WN_OhtXpTYkStWqDY_3M5A4gw Meeting ID: 997 4498 0962

SIP: 99744980962@zoomcrc.com

If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Elsa D. Castro, Chief Assistant Purchasing Agent at Email: elsa.castro@ fultoncountyga.gov or phone 404-6124216. Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities.

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION, CARE AND PROTECTION, TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, DOCKET NUMBER 23CP0025BO, Trial Court of Massachusetts, Juvenile Court Department, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Suffolk County Juvenile Court, 24 New Chardon St., Boston, MA 02114. (617) 788-8525. To: Any unknown/unnamed father: A petition has been presented to this court by DCF – Hyde Park, seeking, as to the following children: Tavion I Tate, Kavion E Tate, that said children be found in need of care and protection and committed to the Department of Children and Families. The court may dispense the rights of the person(s) named herein to receive notice of or to consent to any legal proceeding affecting the adoption, custody, or guardianship or any other disposition of the children named herein, if it finds that the children are in need of care and protection and that the best interests of the children would be served by said disposition. You are hereby ORDERED to appear in this court, at the court address set forth above, on the following date and time: 09/27/2023 at 09:00 AM Pre Trial Conference (CR/CV) You may bring an attorney with you. If you have a right to an attorney and if the court determines that you are indigent, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. If you fail to appear, the court may proceed on that date and any date thereafter to a trial on the merits and adjudication of this matter. For further information call the Office of the Clerk-Magistrate at (617) 788-8525. WITNESS: Hon. Helen A. Brown Bryant, FIRST JUSTICE, DATE ISSUED: 08/16/2023, Donna M. Ciampoli, Clerk-Magistrate

Sr. Anlyst Intrmodel Procrmnt (Atlanta, GA): Dsign & anlyze tendr bids & rate offrs of lgistcs cmpnies. Spprt all procrmnt actvties for trnsprtation servics. 10% travel

Concrete Conveying Systems Demolition Electrical Framing & Drywall Interiors - Flooring & Paint Landscaping Masonry & Brick Mechanical

Openings - Doors & Frames / Storefront & Glass Plumbing Rough & Finish Carpentry Sitework and Hardscape Structural/Misc. Steel Thermal & Moisture Protection

POINTS OF CONTACT

Evolve Contractors Channing Baker cbaker@evolve-contractors.com

678.500.4089

FS 360 LLC. Michael Westbrooks mwestbrooks@fs360.com 404.644.5384

Eshe Ukweli Howard University

Fellow

Solomon Hayes Morehouse College

Fellow

Brielle Smith Howard University

Robertney Harlan Howard University

Jacob Bellevue Howard University

Sweeney Morehouse College

Tullos

Graham

Jordan Jennings Florida A&M University

Janiya Pearson Hampton UniversityChevrolet Marketing Fellow