"Ballet is a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, telling stories through movement that everyone can understand.” - Aesha Ash, American Ballerina, founder of the Swan Dream Project
Those words perfectly encapsulate what watching ballerina
Jewel Ellis was like as she glided gracefully through the air on the west side beltline one sunny weekday morning. Ellis embodies the spirit of nature and the poise of a ballerina, a flower blossoming in the midst of an urban landscape.
Ellis, 22, performs regularly as a “flowerina,” which is described on her Instagram bio as a mixture of ballet and entertainment for lux weddings and events. She is dedicated to making weddings, in particular, part ballet recital, part mesmerizing spectacle in lieu of a traditional flower girl. Ellis’ journey as a ballerina began at the age of two. Her training began at Lilburn School of Ballet, where she first recognized that dance was not just a fleeting interest, but a lifelong commitment she was willing to make.
Her aspirations led her to immerse herself in the world of professional dance. Summers were filled with intensive programs, including with the renowned Joffrey Ballet School in New York City and with the Miami Ballet School. Her dedication and talent led her to become a senior company member at LIlburn School of Ballet, her home studio, securing leading roles in multiple productions. However, even as her career soared, a complicated relationship with dance emerged.
The classical ballet world, she realized, was predominantly white-dominated, a legacy spanning centuries. It was this realization that brought forth an unexpect-
ed battle with body image. Taking part in minimal exercise and a diet composed of greasy burgers and french fries. I’ll have one good meal a deal, I’m not really having breakfast. Later on I’ll eat Wendy’s, Moes, Chipotle,” Ellis said.
The pressure to conform to traditional norms and expectations began to weigh heavily. The comments about her muscular legs and the scrutiny of her weight for role assignments took a toll on her spirit. “People think I am going to
be a lot
smaller than I actually am.
When I was younger, I was ballet weight, now that I am older, I am a regular weight,” said Ellis. “There is a difference between ballet weight and regular weight.”
After grappling with this inter-
nal conflict and seeking guidance from her mother, Rosalind Ellis, she made a pivotal decision. At 17, she made the decision to depart from home, a move that propelled her toward alternative paths within her craft. This decision marked the beginning of a transformative period that would see her venture into teaching ballet, modeling and something totally new.
The flowerina concept emerged from an unexpected Instagram message. Curiosity sparked when she received the message inquiring about her presence at weddings. Initially uncertain, she hesitated before taking the leap, completing her first wedding in the summer of 2019 at The Biltmore Ballroom in Atlanta. Little did she know that this step would ignite a burgeoning venture. her business journey soared beyond expectations. and now with over 350 flowerina performances in just four years. Ellis's journey has evolved beyond the confines of the stage. The benefits of the flowerina performances suit Ellis just fine. “As a Flowerina it’s rigorous, but also I’m not with a dance schedule,” she explained. “I don’t dance with a company, I don’t have class each day.”
Ellis is a business woman in the image of her mother, a real-estate agent in Atlanta. She currently mentors two dancers and is holding public auditions in hopes of finding five new dancers to add to her staff due to the demanding workload and the physical toll that being a flowerina has on her body.
She took a moment to reveal her left big toe which had turned completely black due to the strain put upon it. A ballerina may spend a large majority of their career en pointe, which is balancing on the toes. The classic pose is one that many have seen, but few under-
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stand what it takes to accomplish year after year, performance after performance.
“I didn’t think I’d be dancing at the age of 22. Normally at 17 you are recruited into a dance company, so sometimes I feel behind the ball,” Ellis said, who refers to herself as an “old dancer.”
A graduate of Kennesaw State University, the former Public Health Education major also minored in Dance and is currently the teacher of two ballet programs in Atlanta.
Ellis has carved a space for herself as an educator, delivering pre-ballet lessons at Studios Brookhaven and a class at Wieuca Road Baptist Church titled, “Ballerina R Jewels Dance Program”, a 50-minute session that covers technique, creative movement, flexibility and emotional expression. Simultaneously, her ballet-focused Instagram account became a plat-
form for her self-expression, something which she takes very seriously.
Ellis is proud of her image; long nails and tattoos included. “It’s ok to do Ballet and have long nails,” she said. Ellis admits that her multiple tattoos each hold deep meaning to her. “My mom thinks I am going to get a sleeve and look like I have been to prison,” Ellis laughs.
As much as self-expression is important to Ellis she aims to provide a certain look while online. Wanting to present a modest image that is in her control while online and in social media. “I do have to be careful. It’s really important that you can self express and understand the balance,” Ellis said.
Balance is something Ellis knows full well. With one of her legs on the ground and the other on a railing, she looked straight into a photographer’s camera. At that moment everything in her world was perfectly balanced.
For more information on Ellis visit her website at https://jewelballerina.com
Harris has recently increased outreach to Black communities to bolster support for Democrats — but is the thrill gone?
BY ROGER HOUSEIn recent weeks, Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged from obscurity to attempt a political comeback. Facing low poll numbers, she has barnstormed political events around the country to carry the message of the Democratic Party — and attempt to recapture the luster that made her a historic candidate in 2020.
Notably, she has visited Black events to tout the Biden administration and condemn Republican efforts to suppress voting rights. It’s fair to say that Harris has used such gatherings to stir up anxiety when they might have been better used to promote constructive ideas for the development of the Black community.
On July 29, at the 114th annual NAACP convention in Boston, Harris highlighted aspects of the Biden agenda — such as maternal mortality and prescription medications for seniors — before calling on attendees to mobilize voter turnout.
She noted, “Because of what you did in 2020, Joe Biden got elected president of the United States, and I got elected the first Black woman to be vice president of the United States.” (She avoided mention of her South Asian upbringing, which might complicate the distinction.)
On Aug. 1, in a speech to a women’s convention of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Orlando, Florida, Harris spoke out against the state’s controversial standards for teaching Black history in public schools.
She used the occasion to stir voter anxiety, saying, “In states across our nation, extremists attack the freedom to vote. They pass laws to ban drop boxes, to limit early voting, to make it illegal to offer food and water to people who are standing in line for hours to simply cast their ballot.” However, she was silent on her role in the failed effort to protect voting rights.
In 2022, President Biden turned to her to troubleshoot Congress for passage of the Freedom to Vote: John Lewis Act, which extended protections of the 1965 Civil Rights Act undercut by the U.S. Supreme Court. Harris was unable to gain the support of two reluctant colleagues in the Democratic-controlled Senate, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and Arizona’s Krysten Sinema (now
an independent), or to win over any Republican moderates.
Whether she could have done more is open to debate. But even now, as she bemoans the need to protect voting rights, she offers no practical ideas for how the community can proceed under the current climate. The options she publicizes rely on corralling the Black community to vote for the Democratic agenda. As such, there are real questions as to whether she is the best person to rally the Black community for the challenges ahead.
Harris’s campaign for renewed political relevance admits to a disconnect between core voting blocs in the Black community and Democratic Party. Most distressing, she has missed opportunities to call for a much-needed Black political unity summit.
The community desperately needs to craft an agenda for survival in the 21st century. It requires respected leaders who are willing to devise a constructive — and relatively independent — policy agenda before the 2024 election. The challenges ahead require more than the old “March on Washington” rituals of the past, however helpful these events have been.
Instead, we must encourage political and organizational leaders to explore new ideas of development. What are the benefits of encouraging migration that builds political influence in targeted states? What are practical ways to make gains in the labor market and self-employment, or to leverage our numbers in small businesses and community cooperatives?
Unfortunately, what Harris offers are the targeted talking points of the Democratic Party. After speaking about voting rights at predominantly Black events, for instance, she shifted to touting investments in broadband expansion when addressing predominantly white audiences in Wis-
consin a few days later. Then she talked up policies on gun violence prevention to a predominantly Black audience in Chicago the next day. The policies she marketed to Black audiences seemed designed to benefit the party without committing significant resources to the development of the people — and especially to young men. For years now, the party has distanced itself from the economic and cultural investments that Stacy Abrams once called the “Black Men’s Agenda.” Instead, it has offered the drumbeat of important but ultimately low-investment criminal justice reform.
As such, the political value of Harris in Black history may be reaching an endpoint. And looking ahead, Democratic leaders — and the national Black political class — may want to begin the process of considering replacements for Biden’s second term. A new vice president — and the selection process — could inject excitement into a team that has gone stale.
The Democratic Bench of Veep Alternatives
So, who would be the potential alternative candidates on the Democratic bench? Here are four party stalwarts with backgrounds — either institutional or political — to serve as a stabilizing or inspiring vice-presidential presence.
Michelle Obama: As the only Black American first lady, Michelle Obama fostered one of the most welcoming and inclusive White House cultures in history. She initiated the “Let’s Move” program to combat childhood obesity, “Joining Forces” to rally support for military families, and “Reach Higher,” an initiative to encourage young people to pursue vocational and college education.
Keisha Lance Bottoms: Keisha Lance Bottoms worked in the three branches of Atlanta government, including as a prosecutor, judge, city councilor, and mayor. As the city’s 60th mayor, between 2018 and 2022, she worked to make Atlanta a more affordable, resilient, and equitable city. Her political organization helped to make Georgia a critical swing state in the Deep South. In 2022, Biden appointed her as his senior adviser to the Office of Public Engagement and later to the President’s Export Council, which advises on matters of international trade.
Read this full article online at www.wordinblack.com
Roger House is associate professor of American Studies at Emerson College and the author of “Blue Smoke: The Recorded Journey of Big Bill Broonzy” and “South End Shout: Boston’s Forgotten Music Scene in the Jazz Age.”
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WEEK
“What I’ve learned from myself is that I don’t have to be anybody else. Myself is good enough.”— Lupita Nyong’o
In previous columns I have talked a little bit about my “faith walk” and it dawned on me that I have often questioned just what that really meant.
Maybe some of you can explain it better than I can and I am not trying to be funny.
I’m being real and just want to gain and give more perspective on what many have tried to tell me, I’m going through. Some have claimed to see a transformation in me as I have come to Christ.
Others have said, “As you go through this walk.”
Obviously, I’ve used the term myself when trying to explain my different view of the world as seen through a new pair of spiritualized eyes.
The whole experience has been and continues to be extremely dynamic.
I’m just curious about the ‘walk’ reference. I suppose when you think about it, many in the bible had truth revealed to them on a walk or, on a journey.
God has seen fit to communicate to many a saint while they were going from one place to another, or, even through the spiritual travel of a dream.
It’s a simple enough analogy. What is more meaningful than a walk or a trip with someone you respect, admire, love or can learn something from?
One of my most memorable things to do was to go for a walk with my children when they were toddlers. There was something about them discovering and exploring the world around them with absolutely no fear, because they knew I was there.
Today, I can go anywhere with my wife. It really is the journey and not the destination for me. Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever gone somewhere walking and talking with someone you were totally in sync with?
That might be why people refer to discovering God as “walking in faith.” Some people refer to it as being led.
Factually stated, the effort to get closer to God requires movement. I
think the walking analogy is merely a human endeavor trying to give context and perspective to going in a spiritual direction.
The best example is of course Enoch. “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:24)
What a blessed way to go!
The bible talks of walking humbly, walking in the light, walking with the wise, walking in counsel, walking together and yes, walking on water.
The point seems to be that the Christian life is a journey; one in which we want to share with God, one in which we talk and if we’re truly blessed, He will listen.
The search for salvation is a spiritual one which can only be described as taking the first step towards truth; once taken life changes.
You change. I know I did. So, I guess
Malcolm X’s declaration that the most disrespected and unprotected person in America is the Black woman continues to be a prophecy.
We need only look at the example of Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis, who is leading the criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s — and 18 other people’s — alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. Or recall the treatment of Shaye Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, the two brave election workers in Georgia who Trump falsely accused of committing voter fraud.
Their courage reflects the long tradition of Black women leading the charge for civil rights, particularly the right to vote— and doing so in the face of intense harassment and violence.
Who can forget how Fannie Lou Hamer was brutally beaten in 1963 after being thrown in a Mississippi jail for trying to register Black voters? She never fully recovered from the beatings and suffered permanent kidney damage — but after being released, she went back to register folks again.
Then there’s the example of Autherine Lucy,
who endured mobs of white students threatening her life and throwing rotten eggs, produce, and rocks at her as she desegregated the University of Alabama in 1956. After three days, the school suspended her, claiming it was for her own safety. She was subsequently expelled.
Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus — which led to Martin Luther King gaining national prominence. Diane Nash organizing sit-ins and Freedom Rides. Anna Arnold Hedgeman planning the March on Washington. Eleanor Holmes Norton tirelessly advocating for D.C. statehood, and Stacey Abrams and other Black women registering hundreds of thousands of new voters in Georgia and beyond.
And now we have Willis who has assembled a team to determine if rather than abiding “by Georgia’s legal process for election challenges, the defendants engaged in a criminal racketeering enterprise to overturn Georgia’s election results,” Willis said on Monday.
The vitriol aimed at Willis for doing her job reflects the broken soul of a nation steeped to its core in anti-Blackness.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), Chanel Rion, the chief white house correspondent for
the right-leaning One America News Network wrote that Willis is the “Cheap Backroom Plea Bargain Harlot of Fulton County.”
There are Trump’s not-so-subtle remarks on Truth Social in early August. “They never went after those that Rigged the Election,” Trump wrote. “They only went after those that fought to find the RIGGERS!” (We all know what that rhymes with…)
Then there is the Trump campaign’s lie that Willis is having an affair with a gang member.
And in its Aug. 15 “The Truth About Fani Willis” email, the campaign made sure to point out that Willis’ father was a Black Panther.
The result? Supporters of the former President have flooded Willis’ office with threats of violence against Willis and her family.
However, Willis continues to show up and lead this historic investigation. Her clear message: No one is above the law.
As for Freeman and Moss, they gave courageous testimony before the January 6th committee, exposing the danger of Trump’s “big lie” about the election being stolen.
In their testimony, the mother and daughter sat, voices steady, backs straight, and described being afraid to leave their homes, even to go to the grocery store because of the intensity of the death threats and harassment. They recounted the terror of having armed protesters showing up at their homes,
this faith walk thing is merely a public or in some cases a private acknowledgment that one is letting God order your steps in His world. If you do this, God will lead you right to Him.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
So when you get up in the morning, think about this and let God order your steps. Make a deliberate effort to listen and hear where God is telling you to go, or not to go. They say faith comes by hearing.
What better way to hear than by taking a stroll with the Lord tomorrow.
Make a concerted attempt and see where God leads you. He has been known to show up in the oddest places and you will see Him in the strangest faces. Give it a try and know this.
If you are seeking Him, He is very easy to find and will always show up with the intention of showing out. All it takes is that first baby step.
May God bless and keep you always.
attempting to shove their way in.
“There is nowhere I feel safe. Nowhere,” Freeman said. “Do you know how it feels to have the president of the United States target you? The president of the United States is supposed to represent every American. Not to target one.”
But the two women refused to be intimidated into silence. And Willis, who had Trump’s mugshot snapped for the first time, despite this being his fourth indictment, has made it clear that the spirit of the ancestors flows through her veins.
These courageous Black women have put their personal safety, the safety of their families, and their reputations on the line to protect rights — not just for Black folks, but for all Americans. They have loved this nation, even when it refuses to love them in return.
The history books may not reflect that Black women have long been at the helm of democracy’s ship — and that we are still steering this nation to safety. But that does not prevent us from telling the truth and lifting up our sisters during this crucial moment. Let their dedication to justice be the story that gets told. Let that be what endures.
“As you go through this walk.”The Atlanta Voice
Fani
Georgia election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman are “steering this nation to safety.”
The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) Tuesday (Aug. 29) announced that it has received a $1 million grant from PayPal Holdings Inc., to establish the PayPal Retail Academy which will provide entrepreneurs with specialized instructions, coaching and resources in growing their businesses.
The announcement was made during a fireside chat between RICE CEO/President Jay Bailey and PayPal President/CEO Dan Shulman at RICE’s Atlanta headquarters.
The PayPal Retail Academy will be unique for any nonprofit entrepreneur center in the U.S. and further separate it from any workspace designed for startup entrepreneurs. Its services to particularly helping startup black companies is unmatched.
The contribution is part of an ongoing partnership between the center and the financial platform giant based in San Jose, CA., Bailey pointed out. He said this was PayPal’s second grant and they are one of its earliest corporate partners.
“Beyond education, this partnership symbolizes growth for our entrepreneurial community,” Bailey said. “We recognize the paramount importance of harnessing retail avenues and embracing digital transformation. The PayPal Retail Academy will serve as a conduit for this knowledge, empowering
RICE Stakeholders to navigate the complexities of retail with resilience and innovation. Every facet of the Academy is meticulously designed to elevate entrepreneurs to new heights."
This grant is also an extension of PayPal’s involvement in the Southern Communities
Initiative (SCI). SCI, which was launched in April 2021 by PayPal, Vista Equity Partners and Boston Consulting Group, aims to address the racial wealth gap with a focus on six southern communities where nearly half of all Black Americans live, including Atlanta.
Participants in the PayPal Retail Academy will not only be eligible to receive grants ranging from $2500 to $10,000 but will receive mentoring and coaching from PayPal employees.
“Empowering entrepreneurs and helping strengthen small businesses are key to PayPal’s mission to make our financial system more accessible and inclusive," Shulman said. “Through invaluable partnerships with organizations like RICE, we can create greater economic opportunity and build thriving communities.”
The Academy is set to launch in January 2024. It will be open to all RICE member companies, known as Stakeholders, and businesses in the Atlanta-metro area with a focus on underrepresented communities.
"Growing and scaling any business comes with a unique set of challenges. The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs continues to go above and beyond to seek out relationships that will improve the odds for success for Stakeholders,” said Dr. Bianca Kiovanni, RICE Stakeholder and owner of Simplicity Beverage Company. “As a business that uses PayPal and a proud RICE Stakeholder, I’m thrilled that this partnership will provide entrepreneurs like me with critical resources to further increase the credibility and soundness of our businesses.”
For more information go to: RICE, www. russellcenter.org.; PayPal:www.paypal.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place two days before the actual anniversary which was August 28, 1963.
This year's march was always going to be a bit different anyway with all of the social media, print, digital and television media on hand, and diversity of speakers set to be a part of the annual affair. In 1963 there was only one female speaker, this year the female speakers outnumbered their male counterparts.
From Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) to Planned Parenthood President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson to singer/actress Melba Moore, who used her time in front of thousands gathered on the National Mall to sing a melody of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" and Swing Low Sweet Chariot," the female voice of the march was heard loud and clear.
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) President Shavon Arline-Bradley talked about being able to speak for the Black women that did not get the opportunity to do so at the first march. "60 years later we now have women in-
volved," said Arline-Bradley, who added that the issues Black people were fighting for 60 years ago are still up for debate.
People from all over the county journeyed to D.C. to take part in the march.
Lajuane Pleasant, 62, came from Phoenix, Arizona to “see and feel the vibe,” she said. Dressed in a black National Action Network t-shirt, white shorts and sunglasses, Pleasant added, “I want to feel the energy and experience the love.”
Wanda Farmer, in town for the march from nearby Baltimore, Maryland, waved a pair of signs that read, "Hatred Must Die, Kill It Now" and "Last Drop. Stop. Stop." The later sign was about gun violence. Farmer said she didn't think she had enough hands to hold the amount of signs she really wanted to bring with her to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. She also added that she came to the March on Washington to "obliterate hatred.
Attorney J. Wyndal Gordon, the vice president of the National Bar Association (right) brought his eight-year-old son Jansen to the march. Having woke up at 4 a.m. for the 40plus mile drive south on Interstate 95, Jansen was still sleepy
around 8 a.m. when the invited speakers started making their way to the podium. asked why he brought Jansen to the march Gordon said, "we're here because it's represents what took place in 1963 and to re-energize our base because not much has changed since then."
Another father brought his daughter and granddaughter with him to commemorate the event. William “Bill” High, 87, came from Las Vegas and met his adult daughter, Nora Wright, and granddaughter, Chantel Wright, in Washington earlier that day. High, then only in his second year as a member of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), was part of a security detail stationed on the steps of the LIncoln Memorial. “I was a young man back then,” said High with a laugh. “There were a lot more people here than there are today. This march should motivate us.” The author of a book on his career with the FDNY, “My Real Black Fire,” High remembers the immediate aftermath following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's speech. “It was a beam to where we needed to go,” he said.
Annie-Pearl-Avery was a member of SNCC when she attended the first March on Washington in 1963.
Continued from page 8
This year's theme is "Not a commemoration, a continuation" and many of the people (there were nearly 40 speakers beginning at 8 a.m. and ending past 3 p.m.) that spoke made sure to mention the bravery and sacrifices of the people that came before them 60 years ago, but also the fact that many of the hard won freedoms that were earned after the first March on Washington are under fire today.
"It's time that we galvanize ourselves to fight some of the isms that we are dealing with today," said Gordon.
Nearly 40 speakers took the stage Saturday and under a hot sun, thousands of people listened to religious leaders from various faiths, CEOs from various organizations, including the Global Black Economic Forum, National Nurses United, the country's largest organization of registered nurses, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, Sisters Song and EveryTown for Gun Safety. Former Ambassador to the United Nations and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young and Rev. Jamal Bryant, the pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, were there to represent Atlanta along with Congresswoman Williams. The former had been at that very spot in 1963. A much younger man then, but equally as powerful and influential of a presence. “It’s been a long, but wonderful struggle and I’m here to tell you I don’t feel in any way tired,” said Young, 91. Notable and questionable celebrity speakers of the day also included entertainer Nick Cannon and actor/comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
Public speaker and noted academic Michael Eric Dyson also made an appearance, bringing the crowd to its feet when he brought a white folding chair on stage. "Bring your chair, bring your insight, bring your hope, bring God with you," Dyson said at the end of his three-minute speech on fighting for rights.
The event was hosted by the National Action Network and Drum Major Institute. Both Rev. Al Sharpton and members of Dr. Martin Luther King's family addressed the crowd hours after the event started.
The march started shortly after Sharpton finished speak-
ing and people wearing t-shirts that read "Trust Black Woman", "We March for Peace", "Black Lives Matter" and waving flags that said Roe, Roe, Roe Your Vote" and "Voter Supremacy Makes Democracy Fake" marched through the National Mall down Independence Avenue to West Potomac Park. There were men, women, and children marching. They were Black, white, Latinx, Asian, LGBTQIA+, all marching to continue the mission that started at the same place 60 years ago.
Annie Pearl Avery, a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1963, has found members of the first March on Washington. She was there with a group of student members and while looking over the crowd Saturday, she said, “This brings back memories.”
Having been arrested during the Civil Rights era, she recalled how it felt to see the train stop in Danville, Virginia to pick up more people on the way to Washington in 1963. “It was amazing when the train stopped in Danville because it reminded me of that time we spent 90 days in jail there,” she said, a smile slowly creasing across her face.
Having listened to dozens of speakers from a seat in the shade, she added, “We don’t have our problems solved yet, but methods and strategies change from time to time.”
This time she didn’t smile however.
The March on Washington continues.
CALI, Colombia - The Russell Innovative Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) embarked on the first ever trade mission that connected Afro-American entrepreneurs from Atlanta with Afro-Colombian businesses and leaders.
RICE took 20 Black metro Atlanta entrepreneurs to Cali, Colombia to participate in a monumental mission for one week on Aug. 13 through Aug. 20.
In collaboration with the Atlanta Black Chambers, City of Atlanta and ProColombia, the mission was created to enhance economic development, relationships, and global opportunities for international investment into Colombia.
"Embracing the spirit of Atlanta's resilient Black businesses, we venture beyond borders to Colombia, driven by a shared vision of access, opportunity, and advancing business acumen, " said Jay Bailey, president & CEO of RICE. “Just as our roots grow deep in the rich Southern soil, so shall our collaborations flourish on international grounds. Through this journey, we transcend barriers, turning cultural diversity into a wellspring of innovation, forging connections that enrich both sides of the equator.”
Also, ProColombia, according to the organization’s President Carmen Caballero, works thoroughly to show the beauty of Colombia and their territories internationally.
“We were pleased to welcome this trade mission in Cali and the Pacific region to show the participants our diversified exports and our unmatched investment opportunities,” Caballero said. “Colombia is the third most populous country in Latin America and has a dynamic internal market, making it the region's fourth-largest economy. Undoubtedly, this trip has been a milestone in our relations with the United States”.
Additionally, The Atlanta Voice was invited on the trade mission to get an in-person look at how RICE wants to expand, Afro-Colombian culture, and more.
Santiago de Cali is the capital city of Colombia’s Valle del Cauca region. Its population totals around 2.4 million citizens, making Cali the third-largest city in the nation. It is the only region in the country with a network of seven intermediate cities with populations between 150,000 - 400,000 inhabitants.
Thanks to its strategic position within Co-
On Aug. 16,
lombia, Valle del Cauca is the best location to serve the Colombian ‘Golden Triangle’ market (area between Medellín, Bogotá and Cali), which represents 67% of the GDP and 61% of the population.
Valle del Cauca is one of the most industrialized regions in the country, including over 180 foreign companies from diverse sectors are established in the region. They contribute nearly 37% of the region's exports and 12% of its domestic GDP. There are also more than 430 local companies, and hundreds of other small–to medium-size enterprises. It sustains the nation’s most diversified export basket, exporting 12.2% of the country’s non-mining goods.
“Cali was selected as a hub for this initiative due to its vibrant Afro culture, rich biodiversity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Its unique blend of heritage and innovation aligns harmoniously with Atlanta's values, making it an ideal partner for this historic venture,” said Colom-
bia’s Ambassador to the United States, The Honorable Ambassador Luis Gilberto Murillo.
The significance of the Colombia trade mission is to develop and foster relationships that position Atlanta as a global hub for commerce, innovation, culture and diplomacy.
According to Murillo, the trade mission to Cali and Colombia’s Pacific region originated from recognizing remarkable parallels between two geographically distant, yet culturally akin regions: The Pacific region and Atlanta.
“This is indeed a monumental effort by public and private business organizations both in Colombia and in the United States,” said Murillo. “The shared values of innovation, diversity, and resilience served as the catalyst for this endeavor. This mission is crucial to harness the strengths of both regions, foster collaboration beyond trade, and emphasize our collective commitment to growth and development.”
Expanding Cali’s Afro culture, communities, and businesses to the U.S. and reciprocally, Murillo said, holds “profound significance”.
“It enriches both sides culturally, economically, and socially. This exchange promotes cross-cultural understanding, empowers our communities, and facilitates economic progress through diverse perspectives and innovative collaborations,” he said.
Additionally, Murillo said the event is described as “monumental” because this event is historic due to its unprecedented nature.
“It brings together Cali and Colombia's vast pacific region with Atlanta. These regions are seemingly distant but deeply connected by shared values and aspirations. This trade mission signifies the power of unity, demonstrating how mutual goals can transcend geographical boundaries and shape a meaningful future partnership.”
Continued from page 10
This mission sets a precedent for future partnerships, emphasizing the power of shared values and common goals.
Murillo also said Cali’s aspirations for the trade mission are “multi-faceted”.
“The city aims to foster economic growth by exploring new opportunities with Atlanta, leveraging technology and innovation. Moreover, it seeks to celebrate its rich cultural heritage internationally, promoting inclusivity and cross-cultural exchange,” he said.
Jennifer Barbosa of International Supply Partners, LLC said making black businesses from different markets and parts of the world aware of each other, opening discussion, and how to not only do business with each other, but also support one another in the expansion within the pan-African diaspora is essential to the growth and generational impact of Black and Brown people.
“This was nothing short of history in the making,” Barbosa said.
Melba Clayton of Ez4u2 Shop, LLC, said the mission was imperative for the survival of the Afro community and generations to come.
“We must build a strong foundation that supports sustainability and growth for all of our people around the globe. Interconnection and collaboration are crucial to make this happen,” said Clayton.
Additionally, Shellie Stark of InHer Peace Beauty, a vegan and cruelty-free cosmetic line, also said the work they have done and continue to do moving forward is “laying the foundation for the next generation”.
“I see it being so pivotal because not only are we laying the foundation for the next generation, we're also being able to tap into the Afro-diaspora roots. It's almost like a coming back home kind of situation,” Stark said. “We're all coming together on one accord and for one purpose, and that's to advance the Afro community. So, I see this not for just me, I see it for my children, I see it for my children's children that they will now be able to have a connection to something greater than just being in the U.S.”
In addition to Barbosa, Clayton and Stark, 17 other local business owners attended the trade mission to Cali. Their names are listed below:
Channing Baker – Evolve Contractors, LLC, Lindsay Barnette – Kultured Misfits, Ricardo Berrís – MI Group, Yaminah Childress – YANY Beauty, Melvin Coleman –CEO Atlanta Black Chambers, Jon Exume – Technologists of Color, James Few – Chosen Few Media, Kris Hale – Dope Pieces, LLC, Natalie Jerome – Neighborhood Jewel Properties, L’Angela Lee – HoneySuckle Moon, LLC, Lauren Levins – Levins Realty/ L. Gabrielle Enterprises, Charla R. Mitchell – Charla Ruschelle, Akita Patterson – Experiential Marketing Development Network, Natasha Simmons – Yacht Club Access, Dawn Sizemore – PracEd Solutions, Kyra
Solomon – Solomon and Solomon Construction, Jadaun Sweet – Take Heed Media, LLC The Visual Lyricst
Furthermore, Murillo said he hopes to see the 20 Atlanta entrepreneurs launch businesses in Colombia “without delay” after the trade mission trip.
“Our nation stands as an exceptional business and investment destination, offering an array of opportunities. Our business landscapes are complementary, and alongside this, we share a profound sense of resilience and vibrant culture,” Murillo said. “The possibilities for collaboration are vast, and together, we can achieve remarkable outcomes. This firsthand experience has the potential to ignite innovative thinking and forge pathways for collaboration that extend beyond geographical boundaries.”
Murillo gave The Atlanta Voice a message for Atlanta, the people of Cali, and the country of Colombia.
“To Atlanta, Cali conveys a message of unity, collaboration, and shared progress,” Muriilo said. “Our partnership holds immense potential to drive innovation, uplift communities, and create a brighter future together. The exchange is not only about mutual growth but also about the enhancement of our cultural and economic ties.”
Additionally, Murillo said to the people of Cali and Colombia, they extend a message of pride and optimism.
“We celebrate our heritage and shared values, recognizing this collaboration's vast business potential,” he said. “This endeavor opens doors to a new era of opportunities for Colombian businesses to expand their horizons and establish meaningful connections with the vibrant business community in Atlanta. As we embark on this journey, we anticipate the positive impact it will have on both regions, fostering economic development and cross-cultural enrichment.”
The trade mission was only the beginning for Atlanta and Colombia, and there is a long road ahead to expand, however connecting with one’s roots and people who look like them only motivates and drives the mission.
Mill Creek Residential announced Monday that construction has started on the company’s latest midrise multifamily project in Atlanta, Modera Westside Trail.
Aptly named for its close proximity to the Westside BeltLine Connector and the conjoining Westside Trail, the new development located at 576 Northside Drive is anticipated to bring an additional 373 apartment units to the area, nestled between the city’s core tourism hotspots and the neighborhoods comprising West Atlanta.
“The location on Northside Drive is the natural progression of West Midtown moving south with the benefit of an easy escape to Midtown, Downtown and Georgia Tech,” said Patrick Chesser, Mill Creek Residential’s Atlanta-based senior managing director of development, in a statement. “As great as the Atlanta BeltLine is at stitching together neighborhoods on the east side, the Westside Trail is a game-changer linking landmark mixed-use developments to the Georgia Tech campus and all the Downtown venues.”
The complex will feature studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Individual apartment homes will be equipped with smart technology, including thermostats and locks accessible via a mobile app, allowing for keyless entry.
Shared amenities for tenants consist of, but aren’t limited to, a rooftop deck, a swimming pool with a surrounding courtyard, a fitness center with a yoga studio, a club -
house and an interior co-working space.
The complex will also offer garage parking, EV charging stations and bike rental and storage options, accommodating residents with both short and lengthy commutes.
Modera Westside Trail is one of 11 Modera-brand properties spanning metro Atlanta, five of which have since been sold to new management. Mill Creek Residential has previously established apartment commu-
nities in Buckhead, Midtown, Decatur and other locations in and around the city limits. The first round of resident move-ins at Modera Westside Trail is slated to begin in the fall of 2025.
Morris Brown College issued a statement on social media Sunday announcing its campus will reinstate a two-week-long mask mandate for all students and employees, effective this week.
The mandate was restored “due to reports of positive cases among students” following their return to the Atlanta University Center to start the first week of classes the week of August 14.
“We prioritize your safety and seek your cooperation in preventing another pandem-
ic,” says the statement, dated August 20. “Thank you for being proactive in safeguarding our community.”
For 14 days, Morris Brown will require students and faculty to wear masks while on campus grounds. To prevent chances for transmission, the college will enforce physical distancing and call off large student gatherings and activities until the end of the twoweek period.
Morris Brown partners with St. Joseph Mercy Care and encourages students to visit their Decatur Street clinic if experiencing
COVID-related symptoms or other relevant concerns.
The college also expects students to follow CDC guidelines if they test positive for the virus, isolating for a minimum of five days and contacting instructors for virtual alternatives to attendance and classwork.
The other institutions comprising the Atlanta University Center – Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and the Morehouse School of Medicine – have yet to release personal statements regarding a mask mandate or other preemptive
measures.
However, the Atlanta University Center Consortium released a statement yesterday “strongly recommend(ing)” students, faculty and visitors mask and host any large events outdoors for the next two weeks to help counteract the surge.
The consortium also said it’s increasing student access to masks and self-administered tests on campuses. The AUCC Student Health and Wellness Center will also be open Mondays through Saturdays throughout the semester to see patients virtually and in person.
BY MENRA MAPFUMO
On Thursday, Aug. 10, a 62-yearold man named Johnny Hollman died in custody after being shot with a taser by an Atlanta Police Department (APD) officer. Since that time Hollman’s family have been seeking justice.
On Thursday, Aug. 24, several people rallied alongside members of Hollman's family at Atlanta Police Department Headquarters. The group marched to Atlanta City Hall then held a press conference on the steps.
Hollman was the chairman of the deacon board at a local Atlanta church. He was also a father, grandfather, uncle and a brother, says his family.
Prior to Hollman’s death, he had called APD after being involved in a car accident. During the officer’s investigation, they determined Hollman caused the accident. The officer tried to take Hollman into custody, but according to Atlanta PD, Hollman became “agitated and uncooperative,” which led to the use of the stun gun.
Holloman would become unresponsive while in custody. Hollman’s family later arrived at the scene and found paramedics attempting to resuscitate him in the street. He was taken to Grady Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Hollman’s daughter, Anitra, told reporters that she was on the phone with her father during the altercation. She also said during the altercation, “My daddy asked two times
for help. ‘I can’t breathe'.”
She continued, “I am very upset, and I keep saying it. From the moment I stepped on the scene I have been outraged. I will not rest until my daddy gets justice.”
Kamau Franklin, an organizer and writer for Black Power Media, vocalized what brought
him to the protest. “[Hollman] never should have been killed or tased," Franklin said. "The fact that injustice was done, the city has ignored it, the police department has ignored it, is what brings me out here and what brings out the larger community to stand with the family and stand with the community to de-
mand justice for Johnny Hollman.”
Since the protest took place there has not been a solution between Hollman’s family and APD. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has ordered a full investigation into Hollman’s death. It has not been stated if there will be another protest in the future.
Former President Donald J. Trump surrendered to authorities at the Fulton County Jail upon his arrival at 7:35 PM on Thursday evening. When he was remanded into custody, Trump was booked, fingerprinted and took his mug shot. He had a scowl and furled his eyebrows. He posted his $200,000 bond and within twenty minutes, Trump returned to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and flew to Bedminster.
Trump is charged with thirteen felonies, including one count of racketeering, related to his alleged effort to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential Election in Georgia.
Trump has been painted as “the boss” of a criminal enterprise. RICO statutes typically require 2-3 “predicate acts” be committed by each of the charged defendants. That is no different for the Georgia version of the law.
Trump will return to Atlanta on the week of September 5 for a formal arraignment. At that moment, Trump will formally enter his plea.
“It’s a sad day,” Trump said before departing Atlanta. “We did nothing wrong at all. And we have every right, every single right, to challenge an election that we think is dishonest. And we think it’s very dishonest.”
Trump quickly began fundraising with his headshot, claiming legal persecution.
Throughout the day, supporters of the former president made their voices heard on Marietta Boulevard and Rice Street.
Before leaving Bedmister, Trump fired Drew Findling and chose Steve Sadow to lead his Atlanta legal team. Sadow previously represented T.I., Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, Usher, Nicki Minaj and many celebrities that were embroiled in legal troubles. Recently, Sadow negotiated a plea deal with College Park, Ga. rapper Gunna, real name Sergio Kitchens, that allowed him to suspend jail time while pleading guilty to violating Georgia’s RICO Statute.
Earlier in the day, Harrison Floyd, the former executive director of the Black Voices for Trump organization, surrendered to
authorities at the Fulton County Jail. He arrived at 901 Rice Street without a bond agreement and he is still being held at the jail. It could be days before Floyd could be released from custody. Floyd is also dealing with federal simple assault charges after he allegedly shoved an FBI agent while being served a subpoena related to the January 6th investigation.
To this point, Scott Hall, John Eastman, Jenna Ellis, Kenneth Cheesbro, Cathay Latham, Sidney Powell, David Shafer, Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, and Ray Smith have surrendered and were released on bond.
Bob Cheeley, Stephen Lee, Misty Hamp -
ton, Trevian Kutti, Mike Roman, Jeffrey Clark and Shawn Still are still waiting to surrender at the Fulton County Jail. Those individuals have to surrender before 12 noon tomorrow.
Cheesbro attempted to call Fani Willis’s bluff and failed
Before Trump’s arrival, Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee, who was randomly assigned the case, agreed to co-conspirator Cheesbro’s request to expedite the start of his trial to October 23rd. Wednesday, Cheesbro filed a motion challenging Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s original request to begin the trial on March 4, 2024.
But the DA was ready and asserted she’s ready to go.
“Due to the defendant’s timely demand for speedy trial … scheduling will occur on an expedited timeline,” McAfee wrote. “At this time, these deadlines do not apply to any co-defendant.”
However, under Georgia law, the speedy trial demand filed by Cheesbro does apply to all co-conspirators. It was not a motion to sever. However, Willis’s filing suggests she is ready to go as soon as possible. It also does not mean jury selection does not have to be completed by October 23rd because this trial will be held in a deeply polarized battleground state.
Sealed bids for 23ITB138782C-JNJ - Glass & Plexiglas Repair and Replacement for the Fulton County Real Estate & Asset Management 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 Tuesday, October 3, 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 11:15 a.m. on the stated due date via zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/92323139065
Bid Bond: N/A
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia “County” is seeking bids from qualified bidders to remove and replace existing damaged glass for items such as, but not limited to, window glass, plate glass, tabletop glass, storefront glass, passageway door glass, shower door glass, mirrors, glass supplies and materials.
The detailed scope of work and technical specifications is outlined in the Scope of Work, Section 4 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: 1 Year with 2 Renewal Options.
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., local time, via Zoom to provide bidders with information regarding the project and to address any questions.
Link: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98990295427
If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Jakeiah Johnson, Assistant Purchasing Agent, at Email: jakeiah. johnson@fultoncountyga.gov.
Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids 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
Sealed bids for 23ITB08232023A-JWTEmergency Sewage Clean Up Services 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 Monday, October 2, 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/97920162025
Meeting ID: 979 2016 2025
One tap mobile +14703812552,,97920162025# US (Atlanta) +14702509358,,97920162025# US (Atlanta)
Bid Bond: N/A
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County) is soliciting bids to provide emergency cleaning services to cleanup sewage spills at residential or commercial properties on an as needed basis anywhere within Fulton County. These services require response availability 24 hours a day/ seven days per week, 365 days a year including Holidays.
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 one (1) renewal options.
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held on Tuesday,
September 19, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., local time, via Zoom to provide bidders with information regarding the project and to address any questions.
Web Conference Link: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96176353526
Meeting ID: 961 7635 3526
One tap mobile +14702509358,,96176353526# US (Atlanta) +14703812552,,96176353526# US (Atlanta)
If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Janelle Tanner, Assistant Purchasing Agent, at Email: janelle.tanner@ fultoncountyga.gov or 404-612-7969.
Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities
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
678.500.4089
FS 360 LLC. Michael Westbrooks mwestbrooks@fs360.com 404.644.5384
