BY DONNELL SUGGS
Close to midnight on Election Day the worst fears for some and the best-case scenario for others simultaneously materialized: Georgia picked former United States President Donald Trump over United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump lost Georgia to current United States President Joe Biden by a slim margin during the 2020 presidential election. His revenge tour to the White House and Oval Office had to pass through the Peach State in order for it to come to fruition. At 1 a.m. Georgia was called in favor of Trump. Red was the new purple.
Harris dominated the metro Atlanta market during this election, but it was not enough to take the state. Harris won Cobb County by more than 14%, Clayton County by 69%, DeKalb County by 64%, and Fulton
County by 240,000 votes.
What was once a room full of Harris supporters and Harris-Walz campaign staffers turned into a half-empty ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Atlanta. With more than 90% of the Georgia votes counted at 11 p.m., the crowd began to thin. Harris had plenty of support in metro Atlanta (above) throughout the campaign with thousands of people attending her many rallies, but not enough to win the state. With 94% of the state's votes counted she was behind Trump by just over 127,000 votes, according to the Associated Press.
The two large flat screens that were showing CNN's coverage of the election results were turned off long before the totals were in, however. The food service workers, local law enforcement officers, foreign media, and campaign staffers were also filing out of the room by that point.
Two tables of Service Employee International Union (SEIU) workers, all wearing purple “SEIU for Harris-Walz” t-shirts, bobbed their heads to the music being played in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency at the beginning of the night. That same table was empty and was moved by hotel staff near midnight.
Early in the evening Florida, Indiana, and Kentucky, all Republican states for as long as they have existed, were all called for Trump. The overall electoral vote count at that point of the evening gave the former President a sizable early lead, 23-3, but the energy in the ballroom never waned.
A little after 8 p.m. the most recent numbers from battleground state North Carolina, along with Ohio and Virginia showed Harris holding respectable advantages. It was way too early to tell which way this election was headed.
“Together we have organized in every corner in every county,” said Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams. “We refused to count out any county, no matter how red or how blue.” Ga. AFL-CIO President Yvonne Brooks, Congressman Hank Johnson, and newly-elected DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson were among the guests who spoke on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign and the state’s down-ballot candidates.
At 8:30 p.m. Harris was leading Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties, some of the most diverse counties in the state of Georgia. By 10 p.m. the races for Georgia’s largest counties looked like they were solidly in favor of Harris. But they weren't in the end.
A night earlier in Midtown, music being played by popular radio personality Frank
Continued from page 2
Ski blared from speakers and dim lighting set the mood for the evening’s Get Out The Vote rally. Supporters of all ages gathered inside the Park Tavern to hear from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, local celebrities, and listen to a trio of songs from Mexican-American band Jesse and Joy. One of those supporters, Dwight Holt, Jr., wore a black "Madame Pres." t-shirt and an Atlanta Braves cap. Holt, Jr. said he was looking forward to Election Day and its aftermath.
"I expect America to truly be made great again tomorrow," said Holt, Jr., who told The Atlanta Voice he was one of the millions of Georgians who cast ballots during the early voting period. "My expectations are to leave here with a win."
Larry Threadgill sat in the back of the room and took it all in. The large crowd of dancing supporters, campaign signs, all of it. A community organizer and early voter, Threadgill said he has high expectations for the Harris-Walz administration if they are victorious.
"My expectations are more jobs, economic and educational advances, and for racism to be addressed," Threadgill said.
Alexis Bryant was less confident than Holt, Jr. and Threadgill. She has memories of the 2016 election still taking up space in her mind. “I’m hoping for the best,” Bryant said. Rev. Barbara Jones is also hoping for the best. "As Black people, we are trying our best to be hopeful," she said. Jones has plans to spend Election Night with friends and fellow Harris-Walz supporters. "I just hope she wins and America is prepared for what is to come."
"I'm leaving my flags up and my signs up," said Leon Williams about the outcome of the election. "I'm hoping it will be a smooth transition."
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“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”— Desmond Tutu
In his recent book, “Hijacking Bitcoin,” Roger Ver – one of the founding fathers of cryptocurrency – shares how he and others sought to spread this technology to unlock financial freedom for people around the world but have had to grapple with scammers and self-interested individuals who flooded into the space. Photo Credit: iStock.com
BY DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR
We salute Vice President Kamala Harris for her leadership and innovative Economic Opportunity Agenda for America’s future economic development progress. In particular, for underserved communities of color this is good news. Especially for Black Americans striving to gain economic sustainability, all opportunities to achieve financial freedom and equity should be given priority attention and engagement.
The Harris Agenda emphasizes the need to provide people, “With the tools to achieve financial freedom, lower costs to better provide for themselves and their families and protect their rights.” I believe that increasing financial literacy on all the new and evolving financial assets including cryptocurrencies is also strategically important.
Too often, marginalized communities are consigned to the sidelines to witness the economic innovation and progress of others. Yet today, I believe that Black America should take a deeper and a more informed look at the emerging marketplace for cryptocurrency. I am not an expert on crypto, but I know that in the communities that I have worked for civil rights over the past 60 years deserve to have greater access to information and knowledge that is factual and honest about the specific benefits that may come from attaining crypto digital assets.
I coined the term “Crypto Black” as timely call to action to Black Americans — and actually to all Americans — to take seriously the need to do personal and collective research, study and appropriate responses to the opportunities to gain greater financial literacy about the tools and potential benefits of acquiring cryptocurrency.
There are multiple collaborative roles that the government, the private sector, and civil society must all do together to advance the opportunity agenda in the crypto space.
First, we need to foster better financial literacy education about digital assets inside the Black Community. Too many Black Americans have fallen prey to major scammers inside this space – and too few have been able to access the windfall of opportunities from innovation in cryptocurrency. How do we close this gap? Education. We need community workshops on cryptocurrency literacy, just like we have had in the past on financial literacy. Black Americans can –and should – be leaders in adopting this revolutionary technology, but we need to understand how it works, and how to access its benefits.
In his recent book, “Hijacking Bitcoin,” Roger Ver – one of the founding fathers of cryptocurrency – shares how he and others sought to spread this technology to unlock financial freedom for people around the world but have had to grapple with scammers and self-interested individuals who flooded into the space. Ver bears
many scars from this decade-plus fight. He and others who are advancing cryptocurrencies for the right reasons should find ways and means to work with Black business leaders in the United States Black Chamber (USBC), the National Urban League and with many others.
Second, we need to ensure that the growing number Black crypto CEOs and entrepreneurs have a seat at the most important industry tables. While there are a few in the Black community that have been early adopters of cryptocurrency, we have not seen enough Black founders and CEOs at the head of the most important digital asset companies. There are many areas where a future President Harris could help promote Black leaders in this field. One idea for the next Administration is to host regular conversations on crypto and ensure that Black crypto entrepreneurs have a leadership role.
Third, digital assets if properly researched and attained can help to unlock innovative wealth advancement for millions of Black Americans. I am hopeful personally that our next President of the United States, Kamala Harris, will seize this moment with a bold vision and a series of forward-looking public policies. “Crypto Black” will be good for Black America. Benjamin F, Chavis Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and a long-term civil rights leader who can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.
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BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON
The Atlanta Voice
After a while, your conversations and, to some degree, your thoughts about religion and spirituality begin to run together. On this walk, I understand that speed is not an essential quality, but rather, a slower pace proves much more enlightening. Therefore, it is more likely that being still is preferential to being quick. My point is that words like prayer, peace, intimacy, personal, and balance all take on different, although complementary, meanings when it comes to God. Haven’t you heard many preachers say, suggest, or question whether or not you have a personal relationship with God or Jesus? Most people who profess to be Christian or claim to be saved say yes, of course. I know I have. But when I thought about it, I wondered, do I? This is when being still becomes so important (to me). If you think about it, how do you become personal to, or with, another human being, let alone God? Personal relationships result from a whole set of experiences, events, and challenges shared between people. Once established, like it or not, personal is a perma-
nent state of being between you and that other person.
I happen to believe the same is true with God. You can’t be intimate with another being until you’ve become personal. That’s just a fact. Look at how many relationships start with what you think or fool yourself into believing is intimacy, only to find out later that when you want to relate personally, you find yourself trying to relate to a total stranger. If that happens in this world, it is understandable that it can easily happen in a world created and controlled by the Lord. To become personal, you must share all the little secrets, indiscretions, flaws, faults, and sins. Like a close personal friend or lover, you must confide in the Lord and, through Jesus, know He’s listening. When I slow down and deliberately still my consciousness, that’s when it makes sense to pray. Prayer is a personal conversation,
the kind that you have with someone who knows and cares about you or whom you truly care about. Prayer is a central mechanism that relates to those involved with crises and love, those issues of the body, mind, and, yes, even the soul. Let’s see. Intimacy can only be achieved by establishing a close personal relationship. A close personal relationship can only be established by a conscious, consistent attempt to be transparent to someone else; no games, no hidden agendas. Prayer is the conversation, the vehicle to establish the framework in which personal relationships can provide spiritual intimacy. This seems to be the key to peace and balance, which I mentioned earlier. I’m not by any means saying this is easy. I’m simply saying God has a wonderful way of reminding us to be still. Stop playing. Listen, or better yet, expose yourself to His hugs and kisses. Cry on His shoulder. Ask
for his help. Recognize that His counsel, much like that of a best friend, may not be what you want to hear but what you need to hear because it’s grounded in unconditional love for you, and His counsel is based on the truth. Maybe you can deal with this on the fly, but I can’t. If I equate my relationship to the Almighty on the principles of the best relationships I’ve had here on earth, then I’ve got work to do. There are still conversations (prayers) to be had and things to reveal. My vessel is not yet empty, but I’m working on it in an effort to replace my mess with God’s blessings. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and I’m told by my hopefully good friend Jesus that being still is a good place to start. So my advice to you is also to stop, look and listen.
May God bless you too.
This column is from James Washington’s Spiritually Speaking: Reflections for and from a New Christian. You can purchase this enlightening book on Amazon and start your journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
BY LAURA ONYENEHO
Living paycheck to paycheck is a financial situation where an individual or family’s income barely covers essential living expenses such as housing, utilities, groceries, and transportation. If one paycheck were to be missed, it would lead to significant financial strain and difficulty in meeting basic needs. This precarious financial situation leaves little room for saving or investing, making individuals vulnerable to unexpected emergencies or income loss.
According to a survey conducted by Payroll. org, a staggering 78% of Americans find themselves living paycheck to paycheck, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This means more than three-quarters of the population struggles to save or invest after covering their monthly expenses.
Chawn Payton, a Northwestern Mutual financial advisor, says that living paycheck to paycheck often means “spending the money before it even hits the bank account” and being unable to “level up financially.” This can make it difficult to save for the future or enjoy life in the present.
The root causes can be attributed to increased spending, which is outpacing income
One key strategy is creating a comprehensive budget that accurately reflects income and expenses. Payton suggests starting with a spending plan rather than a budget, as the term “budget” can often feel restrictive. “Go back through two or three months of your bank statements— normal months, not months where you had major travel or expenses—and print them out,” he advises. From there, categorize your spending into “needs” and “wants” to identify areas for reduction.
growth. High inflation and rising interest rates are contributing factors. According to the Federal Reserve’s report, 40% of adults experienced a rise in their family’s monthly spending compared to the previous year. In Houston, individuals need to earn $75,088 annually (or $36.10 hourly) to live comfortably and avoid living paycheck to paycheck.
Payton adds that much of the difficulty arises from deeper issues, such as one’s relationship with money. “If you come from a household where you saw your parents live paycheck to paycheck, you may emulate those behaviors,” Payton says. “To address the challenges of living paycheck to paycheck, individuals must adopt proactive measures to improve their financial well-being.”
By analyzing these spending habits, you can make small but significant adjustments. “You may have 12 subscriptions you forgot about, or you’re spending unnecessarily on luxuries like monthly cosmetic boxes or extra streaming services,” Payton explains. “Reducing discretionary spending can create breathing room in your finances.”
Building an emergency fund is crucial for financial resilience. Setting aside a portion of each paycheck into a dedicated savings account can provide a financial safety net during unexpected hardship, such as medical emergencies or job loss.
Payton suggests automating savings to help people stay consistent: “When saving is automatic, you don’t think about it, and the money grows without extra effort.”
Another effective strategy is seeking additional income through side gigs or part-time work. Payton acknowledges that “not all avenues for extra income are for everybody,” but encourages individuals to explore the growing options available, whether that’s a side hustle or career advancement. “The internet has exposed many different ways to bring in extra income, and you just have to figure out which one is right for you,” he adds. To help people manage discretionary spending, Payton recommends a more hands-on approach using the cash envelope method. “You allocate literal cash for discretionary expenses, and when the envelope is empty, that’s it,” he says. “Using cash rather than credit or debit cards forces you to think twice before making unnecessary purchases.”
Imagine heading to Best Buy to buy a $1,500 TV on Black Friday. “If you swipe your card, it’s easy to ignore the impact, but if you’re laying down $1,500 in $20 bills, you feel that sting,” Payton says.
Financial guidance from experts can be invaluable. Many organizations offer free or lowcost financial literacy programs, and connecting with a financial advisor like Payton can provide personalized strategies to help you break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. As Payton advises, it starts with “acknowledging your financial habits and being mentally ready to make a change.”
BY KEITH BOYKIN
Question 1: What happened?
Donald Trump won the presidential race. Republicans won control of the U.S. Senate. And we don’t know the outcome in the House yet.
Question 2: How did it happen?
The early exit polls show Trump’s three strongest groups were white men (59%), Hispanic men (54%), and white women (52%). In Georgia, it was even worse. One exit poll said that 69% of white women voted for Trump. Even after he took away their reproductive rights and was found liable for sexual assault, the majority of white women voters still chose patriarchy over their own liberation.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris’s three strongest groups were Black women, Black men, and Latino women. The final numbers will change when more data comes in, but the problem is that Harris’s base (Black women, Black men, and Latino men) are only 18% of the electorate. But Trump’s base (white men, white women, and Hispanic men) made up 77% of the electorate.
As for the Senate, Democrats held a narrow majority and faced a brutal map trying to win in red states like West Virginia, Texas, Ohio, and Montana. That’s part of the reason Harris tried to stay away from controversies that might hurt the Senate candidates.
Question 3: Why did it happen?
This is a tricky question to answer before all the data is collected, so let me just say this.
Some people are blaming inflation and the economy for Trump’s success. I don’t buy that because Black voters are more negatively affected by inflation and the economy than white voters, and we voted overwhelmingly for Kamala Harris.
In fact, I don’t think it was about issues at all. If you look at policy alone, nearly all of Harris’s proposals got majority support, but only half of Trump’s did in a recent Washington Post survey. Missouri voters approved a measure to increase the minimum wage, which Harris supports, but still voted for Trump to be president. And the majority of Florida voters cast ballots to protect abortion and legalize marijuana, even though they didn’t reach the 60% threshold for a constitutional amendment.
Those are Democratic positions. Let’s be real. Trump doesn’t represent policy. He represents cultural resentment against a changing America. That’s what people voted for.
Question 4: What could Harris have done differently?
There’s going to be a lot of debate about campaign strategy, but it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions. Republican David Urban complained that Harris should have run a more centrist campaign. I disagree. I think she bent over backward to accommodate centrists and Republicans. On the other hand, critics on the left argue that she should
have run a more progressive campaign to motivate the base, and that’s complicated, too, because doing so would definitely have cost Democrats the Senate in those tough red states.
But the truth is, I don’t know if any of that matters.
As a Black woman, Harris had little more than 100 days to introduce herself to the public and mount a presidential campaign against a powerful white man who is a former president bankrolled by the richest man in the world, Elon Musk. In spite of those obstacles, she raised a billion dollars, drew huge crowds, and generated excitement in a race that was lifeless before she entered.
Trump did everything wrong in his campaign, and it didn’t matter to the majority of white voters. He got indicted four times, got convicted of 34 felonies, lost the debate to Kamala Harris decisively according to all the polls, couldn’t articulate any more than “concepts of a plan” for health care after 10 years of running for president, flip-flopped repeatedly on abortion, refused to answer a basic question about the minimum wage, simulated a lewd sex act on stage, refused to apologize for a speaker at his rally attacking Puerto Ricans and Latinos, joked about shooting the press, picked a running mate who called him “America’s Hitler,” and was outed by his own former chief of staff for saying “Hitler did some good things.”
Nothing mattered because it was never about issues. White America has been lecturing Black people about crime, morality, and patriotism for years, and then they vote for a convicted criminal, sex offender, and insur-
rectionist to be president.
No Black person or woman with Trump’s track record and two impeachments could ever be nominated, much less elected president. That’s why it’s not about policy. It’s about race and gender and the changing America. Donald Trump is the avatar of white supremacy. And the fact that a small but significant percentage of Black and Brown people were willing to excuse or embrace his racism, sexism, and xenophobia doesn’t disprove that. It just reflects how some of us have assimilated into the same white supremacist beliefs.
Question 5: What does this mean for the future?
First, he will be able to appoint a new attorney general who will fire Special Counsel Jack Smith and dismiss the criminal charges against Trump for the January 6 insurrection and stealing government documents.
Second, with a Republican Senate, Trump will be able to appoint several new Supreme Court justices, who will be young enough to give Republicans control of the Supreme Court for the next 20-25 years. That means if you wanted reparations, reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, DEI, environmental protections, or any progressive policy, that won’t happen in your lifetime, no matter who succeeds Trump in office because the courts will strike it down.
Third, Trump will be able to appoint vaccine denier RFK Jr. to head up women’s health and vaccines. He’ll cut taxes for billionaires, which is why rich people like Musk support him. And he may be able to begin his prom-
ised mass deportation of immigrants through executive authority, and impose tariffs on foreign goods that will cause inflation to spike. He also promised to abolish the Department of Education, bring back stop-and-frisk policing, and give law enforcement immunity from prosecution, so be ready for that too.
Question 6: What do we do next?
Hakeem Jeffries will now become the leader of the opposition in Congress. And there is some good news in the results. Josh Stein defeated “Black Nazi” Mark Robinson in North Carolina. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks won Senate seats in Delaware and Maryland. Those two Black women in the U.S. Senate will give us new soldiers in the fight. But what happens next is up to us. A lot of people are hurting right now, and many more will be hurt more in the years to come if Trump implements his policies. I recommend selfcare. Do what you need to take care of yourself, and remember you are part of a broader community. We have to be there for each other in these trying times.
As I said in my final video before the election, this is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. And no matter what happens in the days to come, I am clear and certain that we are on the right side of history. Don’t give up. Live to fight another day.
BY LAURA NWOGU
Atlanta’s fashion enthusiasts packed Pullman Yards on Wednesday, Oct. 30, to celebrate French luxury house Hermès opening a new boutique in Phipps Plaza at 3500 Peachtree Road NE. Relocating from its white stucco building at the Shops of Buckhead, the new shop triples the space and signals an expansion for the brand in Atlanta.
The night included hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and performances by a DJ, live band, and rapper/singer Tierra Whack.
Kellie Garrison said she’s shopped with her Hermès for 14 years and loves how its clothes and handbags make her feel. With the new boutique, she hopes more of the Hermes collection will be on display and in stock.
“I travel a lot, so I see a lot of things in other stores I don't see in the Atlanta store. I'm excited about a bigger store, and I'm hoping it'll bring more items and more of those funky pieces versus the more classic pieces that they currently have.”
The boutique will reopen at its new location on Saturday, Nov. 2.
‘Luther Vandross: Never Too Much’ is a gift to his fans
BY NOAH WASHINGTON
With the historic 2024 Presidential election just days away on November 5, The Synchronicity Theatre presents Shirley Chisholm: Unbossed & Unbowed, a one-woman play starring and directed by Ingrid Griffith that delves into the life of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for the U.S. presidency in 1972.
The show exploring the details of Chisholm's life that are unknown to the general public focuses on not just her but Chisholm’s Father, Charles Christopher St. Hill, who served under the Marcus Garvey movement and how that affected her upbringing and subsequently her adult life as a politician. Wanting to tell Chisholm’s life as a real human, Griffith reflected on her first encounter with Chisholm’s story after not knowing very much about her, “I didn’t know her story fully, not even half of it, not even a quarter. After seeing a documentary about her, maybe 10 years ago, I said, ‘I wonder what else I don’t know about her?’ I was curious to know her circumstances, where she was from, and her family background. She made it so far in the election— over 50 years ago! It was astonishing.”
That curiosity led Griffith down a rabbit hole of discovery, eventually leading her to tell Chisholm’s story in her own voice, from her own perspective. “I started digging, and the more I found, the more I was in awe,” she said. “Her story is amazing, and my generation, generations before me, and generations after me don’t know about Shirley Chisholm. As an actor, I thought this is a good vehicle for me to bring her story to life.”
One of Griffith’s biggest challenges—and most remarkable achievements—was taking on 15 characters throughout the play. “I play all the announcers, her mom, everybody,” she said. “I knew if I tried to pitch
Much of Griffith’s motivation stems from her Caribbean background and familiarity with Chisholm’s cultural heritage. “Her dad was from Guyana, and I’m from Guyana,” she explained. “Her mom was from Barbados- I know that type of woman. I’ve seen that type in the church in Guyana—the older, very reserved woman, dignified and strict. I wanted to play her; I wanted to dress like her. She had fabulous outfits, and I just loved the boldness of it all,” Griffith said. Executive producer Stefanyemiya Ingram noted the significance of Griffith’s portrayal, describing her as “incredible” in the role. Ingram recounted her first experience with the play at a small, intimate showing. “After I saw it, I knew it needed to be on stage, in lights,” she said. However, the process of bringing Unbossed & Unbowed to a wider audience was not without its challenges. Ingram admitted, “I'm creative, and all the logistics were not my ministry, but I jumped over a lot of hurdles to make this happen, and I’m so proud," Ingram said.
this as a traditional play, no one would take it. They’d say, ‘Who are you?’ And I get it—budget constraints, production limitations—but I believed in this story.”
“Storm the ballot boxes like they stormed the capital,” a line by Griffith in-character as Chisholm serves as the call-to-action at
the show's end and a perfect lead-in into the upcoming Election Day. Griffith sees the timing of the show as more than coincidental. “People must go out to vote because it’s going to make a difference, especially this election,” she emphasized. “If we don’t do it—women, people of color—then who will?” Griffith connected Chisholm’s legacy to current-day voter mobilization, drawing parallels between Chisholm’s groundbreaking work and Kamala Harris’s historic candidacy. “Before there was Kamala, there was Shirley,” she said. “They’re saying the same things. More than ever, we need to get to the voting booths on Tuesday. It’s not a love story; it’s about democracy and its promises.”
The show opened on Thursday, Oct. 31, with performances running until November 4, before Election Day. Before election day, the Synchronicity Theatre will host a special prayer gathering on November 4th. “This isn’t just about one election,” Griffith said. “After this election, it’s up to us as a community to stay engaged, to keep building leadership, to keep telling our stories. They’re banning books; stories like this one are buried. If we knew these stories sooner, they’d empower us—empower our culture, show us our potential. That’s what I want this play to do.”
As Griffith said, “If we don’t know our stories, we don’t know ourselves.”
BY CLAYTON GUTZMORE
Aging is a gift that comes with benefits and challenges. One challenge for adults 50 and over is shingles. This virus needs to be discussed more than other illnesses. Still, it can become pressing enough if preventative strategies are not implemented. Dr. Leah Smith and Laarni San Juan are shingles advocates from GSK, an international pharmaceutical company. These two want to increase awareness and help everyone understand this undercover threat.
“We should take it seriously because it can disrupt your life. It is not a simple rash that goes away. It can be excruciating and can impact you in many ways. It can impact your ability to participate in daily activities, work, and hobbies. It can affect time with your family. That’s why you need to take shingles seriously,” said Dr. Leah Smith, a pharmacist and medical educator with GSK.
Shingles are a condition caused by the reactivation of the virus behind chicken pox. According to Dr. Smith, after you have chickenpox as a child, the virus remains silent in your body until years later. It reactivates after the body’s immune system declines due to old age. Adults over 50 are at a higher risk of developing shingles. About 99 percent of adults 50 and older in the US have the shingles virus inside their body already, although not everyone at risk will develop shingles. Shingles appear as a painful rash on the body or face. The rash will blister and scab over, which can take weeks to clear. The extent of the virus is nerve pain that can last for years.
“The majority of shingles cases are happening in adults 50 and over. They already have the shingles virus inside of their body. Still, not everybody who’s at risk will go on to develop it. It is the same virus as chicken pox, so there is no way to know who will or won’t develop it. Laarni was going on vacation when she found out she had shingles
and ended up going to the hospital,” said Dr. Smith.
San Juan got shingles in May 2021. The virus appeared mid-travel on her vacation to Hawaii. San Juan is an active and healthy 54-year-old mother. Because of her healthy routine, the thought of shingles never crossed her mind. Unfortunately, shingles appeared, and she had to spend seven days in the hospital, which took up all of her vacation time.
San Juan got shingles in May 2021. The virus appeared mid-travel on her vacation to Hawaii. San Juan is an active and healthy 54-year-old mother. Because of her healthy routine, the thought of shingles never crossed her mind. Unfortunately, shingles appeared, and she had to spend seven days in the hospital, which took up all of her vacation time.
“The mental and the psychological impact of it all has left a mark on me much deeper than I thought. I still think about when it happened and how much I look at
life. I believe everyone has a story, and my story through this experience is just a drop I could share with everyone and anyone,” said Laarni San Juan, GSK Shingles advocate.
There is no cure for shingles. The only recommendation for people 50 and older is to speak with your doctor about your risk for shingles and about vaccination. Discussing risk factors like stress and the aging immune system are topics you can bring to them regarding shingles.
Dr. Smith and San Juan want to prepare everyone getting close to 50 about shingles. No one controls who gets it or how it appears, but the more it is discussed, the more support people can receive from others.
“Ever since I found the courage to share my story, I have had family and friends share their shingles experiences. It has opened up a conversation that doesn’t happen often. Sharing my story has spread the message and created awareness for this unexpected situation,” said San Juan.
BY KING WILLIAMS
Undecided and on-the-fence voters were treated to a robust meal and conversation courtesy of the Black Music Coalition of Atlanta in conjunction with Rolling Sea Action Fund, a super PAC created by the Congressional Black Caucus and advocacy group I Will Vote.
The event took place at Breakfast at Barney’s and was hosted by Atlanta-based entrepreneur and cultural commentator Kenny Burns, alongside noted IP & Entertainment Attorney Shay M. Lawson, who moderated a panel featuring four veteran politicos: Brencia Berry, the Democratic National Committee's political director, Niccara Campbell, the Rolling Sea Action Fund executive director, Alencia Johnson, Sr. Advisor, Harris for President, and Phillana Williams, Director of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Film, Entertainment & Nightlife.
The event also featured US Congressman Hank Johnson, online social media personality RaeShonda Lockhart, rappers Young Dro and Omeretta the Great, and political influencers Ellaway Amiker and Zackary Kirk.
“We are days away from the election, and we've heard a lot of conversations, a lot of panels, but we haven't heard a lot of action points. It was important to get this particular group of people together that have power, that have platforms, to get those undecided voters who are registered but are maybe unenthused or still undecided out to the polls to make decisions that are important for their communities,” says Lawson
Tuesday’s event was aimed at black voters directly, where they live, work, and play, following a top-down effort by the Harris campaign in recent weeks. The event comes as the final week
Undecided and on-the-fence voters were treated to a robust meal and conversation courtesy of the Black Music Coalition of Atlanta in conjunction with Rolling Sea Action Fund, a super PAC created by the Congressional Black Caucus and advocacy group I Will Vote. Photo by King Williams/ The Atlanta Voice
of early voting is underway in Georgia, where, as of Monday, more than 3 million people have voted, setting a new state record. However, despite the success, many counties with some of the highest percentages of black voters have been slightly lagging.
Black voters are traditionally one of the largest voting blocs for the Democratic Party, but over the last few elections, the base has seen some erosion. And for the Harris campaign, this has been seen as an opportunity for re-engagement for the party’s most loyal base.
“Our work has been to make sure that we're talking to every single Black voter and making the case that we want them to come vote for Democrats,” says Brencia Barry of the Democratic National Committee.
Black voters are traditionally one of the largest voting blocs for the Democratic Party, but over the last few elections, the base has seen some erosion. This has been accompanied by a rise in membership in the Republican Party
and third-party and non-affiliated political references.
Only recently has this core base been invested in, resulting in direct investment from the Democratic Party and the Congressional Black Caucus via ongoing national engagement strategies. In 2022, the CBC created the Rolling Sea Action Fund, a political action committee focused on addressing black issues and providing solutions. For Niccara Campbell, that means having direct, in-person conversations with disaffected and undecided voters at events like the ones held at Breakfast at Barneys’.
“So far in this election, I've been seeing a lot of folks disheartened, sad, confused, frustrated, and all rightfully so. I mean, prices are high. We did suffer through a pandemic, and we're now in a place where we are running against someone who is an insurrectionist and they're able to run for office, you're like, so what is the point?” says Campbell.
In an extremely tight election, the role of black voters once again plays a pivotal one. In Georgia, Black voter turnout is still lagging compared to 2020 and is lower than white voters statewide, causing the Harris campaign to touch down in Atlanta again.
Harris has held a massive 20,000+ rally in Clarkston, filmed an episode of Georgia-native Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay in Atlanta, and met directly with local political leaders. The campaign is working daily to drum up black support in Atlanta by partnering with micro-engagement events like BMAC’s panel, partnering with social media influencers and directly engaging with black-owned media.
“It started for us in 2022 when the party made historic investments into black-owned media during a midterm election. It's incredibly important that we invest in black-owned media
because black-owned media is black business,” says Barry.
For influencers like RaeShanda Lias, who was also in attendance, researching the candidates and combating rampant misinformation has led her to grow her already large following. Lias, who has over 2.3 million followers on TikTok and 750,000 on Instagram, has become a new window of political analysis, speaking to those outside the traditional media ecosystem.
“This is the biggest collection of our lifetime; women's rights, freedom of speech, and the right to vote are all on the line. I know people say that every four years,” says Lias.
Influencers like Lias have become agents in combating voter fatigue, excusing the political process, and tackling misinformation. “We don't go back to the blocks and hoods, which many of us came from. Many people have not seen change in years and don't really understand how the system works. You need to break it down for them and let them know, hey, the President is not responsible for a pothole on their streets.”
With less than a week before election day, events like this will remain part of the Harris campaign and for affiliated organizations, such as the Rolling Sea Action Fund, meeting black voters whenever and wherever they are.
For politicos in Georgia, the hope is these events will move the needle in the coming days. Harris will have another rally on Saturday, while Rolling Sea will continue its stops throughout metro Atlanta. The increase in micro engagement events like Tuesday’s brunch at Barney’s shows some signs of success as parts of metro Atlanta are seeing an uptick in turnout after more political events in their communities over the last week. But whether it's enough is still to be determined.
BY DONNELL SUGGS
Georgia has seen a record number of Black voters cast ballots during the early voting period. Just over one million Black Georgians voted before Election Day, according to data from the Secretary of State’s Office.
“We are seeing breakthrough numbers in participation and that voter participation increase has been building over the years,” said Women Engaged CEO and co-founder Malika Redmond.
Asked what particular concerns have led to record-breaking numbers, Redmond listed healthcare and the affordability of housing as two top issues for voters. “These are things that are critical,” she said. “People are feeling that.”
On the amounts of votes cast by Black voters before Election Day, founder and CEO of
Paramount Consulting Group Tharon Johnson said, “Historically, Black voters have overwhelmingly voted for the Democratic nominee for President. I believe that will be the case again in 2024.”
Tharon added that the Black vote is important to the winning Democratic coalition in Georgia.
“The current statewide early vote and absentee numbers are strikingly similar to 2020 and are tending in the right direction for VP Kamala Harris to win Georgia again,” Johnson said.
During a press conference on the South Steps of the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 30, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Georgia Secretary of State’s Office Chief Operating Officer Gabriel Sterling addressed the media about the upcoming election and Georgia’s place among
the six or seven battlegrounds states that are up for grabs this election. During that press conference, The Atlanta Voice asked Sterling if he knew the 872,510 votes was a record.
Sterling said he didn’t have the numbers in front of him, but it was safe to assume that it has been a record-setting performance by Black voters. That number jumped past the one million mark on Friday, Nov. 1, the final day of the early voting period.
Raffensperger, both he and Sterling are Republicans, said this is going to be a “tight election,” but “it’s going to be a close election in all battleground states,” so Georgia voters should expect a long night of poll watching and election result coverage on Super Tuesday.
“Georgia voters are smashing through every voting record,” Raffensperger said.”
The early voting period ended with nearly four million Georgians having cast ballots. The 55% statewide turnout is a record, so is the record number of votes that have been cast (3,981,280), a crucial battleground state for United States Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz; and former United States President Donald Trump and his running mate Ohio Senator J.D. Vance.
In comparison to the first 16 days of early voting in 2016 (1.3 million voters) and 2020 (2.1 million voters), this year’s efforts dwarf any other records that were previously set.
As expected, the majority of the votes come from metro Atlanta, where the majority of the state’s voters reside, but there have also been record-breaking turnouts in smaller and midsized counties up and down the state.
BY LAURA NWOGU
Blue is one of Spelman College’s school colors, but it was also a clear indication of where the Atlanta HBCU stood on election night. On Tuesday night, Spelman hosted an election night watch party at the Manley College Student Center. Jeezy’s “My President” played on overhead speakers as students, alumni and faculty wearing Spelman sweatshirts and T-shirts that said “Spelman voted, hands raised, voices heard” trickled into the space.
For many college-aged students across the U.S., this was their first time casting their ballots in a presidential election. When interim president Rosalind "Roz" Brewer asked how many were first-time voters, almost half of the audience raised their hands.
Excited. Nervous. Hopeful. It was some of the feelings students expressed they were feeling as the polls began to close.
Makhi Frimpong, a junior at Spelman College, said she felt anxious about voting absentee for her first election, but when she got the confirmation that her ballot was accepted, she felt elated. For her, voting for Vice President Kamala Harris was a no-brainer.
“As an HBCU student and a woman, there was no other choice. I want to vote for someone who looks like me and will represent me in roles that I'm not in, so that's who I'm rooting for tonight. I hope that we'll have a favorable result, but I think it's just been awe-inspiring to have an HBCU woman on
the ballot anyway.”
As the night went on, students kept their energies high as V-103’s Greg Street spun tunes that brought out plenty of dancing while TVs in the background played news projections of the polls. When states such as Massachusetts, Maryland and D.C. were called early in the night for Harris, the room erupted into applause.
But reality began to seep into the room as the race for the White House saw Trump’s
BY NOAH WASHINGTON
Election night at Morehouse College brought excitement as students, faculty, and community members gathered in communion at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel for the 2024 Election Day Watch Party. Drawing together students from the entire Atlanta University Center (AUC)—including Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Morris Brown College—for an evening dedicated to civic engagement, insightful discussions, and the celebration of voting’s impact as they watched the presidential election results unfold.
The evening began with a panel discussion featuring student leaders from the AUC. Each panelist shared unique perspectives on the significance of voting, ways to engage politically, misinformation about Harris the Black community, and key policy differences that shaped this election. Dr. Keon N. Barry, the first Gen Z professor at Morehouse, served as the evening’s moderator. Reflecting on the magnitude of the gathering, Barry noted, “It was not easy. Over 300 people attended- this was a collective effort.” He acknowledged the support from sponsors like UNCF and The Cause International, as well as collaboration across the AUC, explaining that this shared
commitment showcased “the power of voting, the power of conviction.” With the turnout tripling their expectation of 100 participants, Barry who expressed his belief in the impact of the evening, adding, “I think this election really has instilled hope in our students that they have the agency to change the world.”
Rollin "RJ" Jackson Jr., President of Morehouse’s Student Government Association and a graduating senior majoring in political science with a minor in international studies, played a significant role in organizing the event. Reflecting on his involvement, Jackson shared, “This is my first presidential election and now actually having a true play in everything that’s been going on for college students in Georgia with this election, I think that it’s kind of crazy to even sit back and watch and be like, you know, I was a part of history,” said Jackson.
Also in attendance was Morehouse’s Tenth President, Dr. Robert M. Franklin, who shared a memorable story of unity and reflection from the 2008 presidential election, when students first celebrated the election of President Barack Obama. Recounting the spontaneous Crown Forum gathering that followed, Franklin noted how students took the stage one by one, sharing deeply personal reflections on what the historic election meant to them. He recalled,
said. “The other thing is, I'm just very honored to be able to spend this with my Spelman sisters, and I can't tell you how good that makes me feel. I'm proud of you young women because I see something in all of you all as I've been walking around campus the last two weeks… let’s stay steadfast.”
Bernice King, daughter of civil rights icon Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., also took to the podium around 10 p.m. to keep students from feeling discouraged. She recounted stories of her father and his fight during the Civil Rights Movement and reminded students that although the struggle is a never-ending process, they must keep moving forward.
“Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation, and your generation has been stepping up to the plate. You don't need to discount that. You need to applaud that you just participated in your lifetime in one of, if not the most historic presidential election. So please don't give up hope, but know that regardless of what happens, we still have work to do.
electoral vote count shoot up past Harris’. However, Brewer cautioned students that results could take longer than the night to be concluded. In 2020, the presidential election wasn’t called until the Saturday morning after election night.
“This is history in the making, and it's really a shift. Regardless of what happens at the close of this entire process, we’ll be a different country. We’ll be better for this process; I feel very strong about that,” Brewer
“We continue to move forward knowing that the blood of our ancestors is in us. So if they can do it, we can do it too. That's why they were singing ‘We Shall Overcome.’ It wasn’t just a song. It was because they had seen what Harry Tubman had done. They saw what Mary McLeod Bethune had done. They saw what Sojourner Truth had done. They saw what Phillis Wheatley had done. They saw what Dorothy Height had done, and so we, too, will overcome. God bless you.”
“Some of them talked about the extraordinary privilege to be alive when America’s first African American president was elected,” and how students connected with family members who “never expected this” in their lifetimes.
One moment that stood out to Franklin was when a young man in 2008 declared, “If this young Black man can win the presidency of the United States, there’s no excuse for us—no excuse for small dreams.” This statement ignited what would later become Morehouse’s “No Excuses” campaign, where students took to the community, offering tutoring and other support to local youth. Reflecting on that transformative experience, Franklin encouraged students saying, “I believe we’re going to
have another great victory, and I hope you’ll get another ‘No Excuses.’”
CNN was the channel of choice for the evening’s viewing, with cheers and applause of Vice President Harris’ wins and utter silence for Trump’s wins.
As the night drew to a close, Morehouse Student Government Association Chaplain Alonzo Brinson led the gathering in a prayer outside the chapel, grounding the energy of the evening in faith, unity, and resilience. “We thank you for building character in us, invoking both hope and strength, reminding everyone that, regardless of the election’s outcome, victory is still ours today in the AUC because we are still the change makers.”
BY ALEX CATES
Japanese Animation better known as “Anime” has a large fanbase that has created a culture of community, conventions, and creativity. Trap Sushi has been a cultural crossroads for fans of hip-hop and anime, described as “a cultural exchange disguised as a party”. Guests get the chance to be fully immersed in the experience with attractions like fresh sushi, a bar that serves a multitude of saké, live performances, and a cash prize costume competition. With the increasing popularity of Anime, Trap Sushi serves as the perfect opportunity to celebrate black and Japanese culture.
The Atlanta Voice had an opportunity to sit down and talk to the founder, music artist Tolden “Troop” Williams.
The idea for Trap Sushi would come to Troop one day when he would visit an Anime convention with his wife around 2019. He would notice how there was a large community of fellow anime fans, from casual fans who might watch anime from time to time, to diehard fans who made costumes of their favorite characters. Troop would see anime fans just like him, people who are passionate about their favorite shows who like connecting with people with similar interests. “I’m looking at the elements of what made the convention, and turned it into a party” Troop says when asked about the inspiration.
While based in Atlanta, Trap Sushi has thrown events across the world. Trap Sushi had the opportunity to be the official afterparty for Momocon, Texas-based anime conversation Dreamcon, as well as putting on an event in Tokyo earlier this year. Troop’s overall goal for Trap Sushi is to become a multifaceted lifestyle brand, one thing that’s always been important to the Trap Sushi brand has been the merchandise. From custom hats with your favorite anime character to high-quality t-shirts with homages to classic Anime series like Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball-Z, and Naruto.
The amazing part about Trap Sushi is that you don’t have to be a fan of Anime to enjoy the experience. The main goal of every Trap Sushi event is for patrons to have an amazing and memorable experience whether you’re an Anime fan or not. Troop’s passionate combination of Japanese and black culture has brought a fresh spin on Atlanta events. When asked about the importance of the city of Atlanta to his business, Troop would say, “The city of Atlanta showed me a lot more black people running their businesses. I’m from Mississippi, and most of the businesses weren’t Black-owned. When I got to Morehouse
Troop’s plans for Trap
are
Trap Sushi in the future. He eventually hopes to regularly hold Trap Sushi events across the world so more people can experience this cultural crossroad. If you want to learn more about Trap Sushi, you can visit trapsushi.com or follow their social media account @trapsushiofficial.
BY DENNIS MALCOLM BYRON AKA ALE SHARPTON
After reviewing the debut of Nissan’s first all-electric crossover exactly a year ago in Street Lines here, the 2024 version of the Nissan Ariya continues to shine.
Still available in numerous trims, we count nine here—Engage, Engage e-4ORCE, Engage+ e-4ORCE, Venture+, Evolve+, Evolve+ e-4ORCE, Empower+, Premiere, and Platinum+ e-4ORCE—the Empower+ was a great representation of the entire line. Operated solely by front-wheel drive, the Empower version is exclusively powered by the 87kWh battery pack, generating 238 horsepower and approximately a 289-mile driving range. Other perks include ProPILOT Assist 2.0 (hands-free highway driving mode), Park (hands-free parking assist), and the popular EV option—the regenerative braking system with e-Step Mode is efficient to help conserve energy—all coming standard.
What thankfully remains unaltered is the sleek, modern styling inside and out, where Nissan embraces the “Timeless Japanese Futurism,” which follows a minimalist mindset
but still stands out from competitors in the market. Our version sported 19-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting, and two-tone grey paint topped with a glossy black roof for a stealthy appearance.
Inside, Ariya’s power sliding center console and power center storage with tray table offers flexible storage options. Front and rear heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic moonroof step up the upscale experience. For added convenience, the ARIYA also includes a wireless device charger, intelligent key, push-button ignition, and intelligent rearview mirror, while NissanConnect grants wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android
Auto compatibility. One other standout is the completely flat floor, which gives more space for passengers plus makes the loading of groceries, luggage, and other cargo a lot easier.
There is a major focus on advanced technology, comfort, and safety as well. Addressing the latter, ARIYA’s Safety Shield 360 suite, which includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Automatic Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, is appreciated. Another thumbs up goes to the Digital Intelligent Around View Monitor, which provides a 360-degree
view, making parking and maneuvering in tight spaces virtually effortless.
Note that although there are no glaring differences between the 2023 and 2024 versions of the Ariya, Nissan did make more charging stations available by making a significant arrangement with Tesla to make the North American Charging Standard adapter work for their EV models. That’s a significant move, as car owners can now plug into the Tesla Superchargers for faster battery rejuvenation. With a starting price of $47,690, the ARIYA continues to turn heads with its curvaceous body while offering impressive features for drivers looking for a versatile, high-tech electric crossover. We are intrigued by what the other trims provide. Still, the overall evaluation will remain intact: The 2024 Nissan ARIYA Empower+ FWD is a well-rounded, fully electric crossover that brings excellent range, innovative technology, and comfort, making it a continued strong contender in the EV market.
Fuel Economy: 105 City/91 highway/98 combined
Price: The 2024 Nissan Ariya Empower + is $47,690 MSRP.
For more information, visit Nissan.com.
BY DONNELL SUGGS
The Atlanta Falcons will travel to New Orleans to play the Saints on Sunday, Nov. 10. A victory in New Orleans would give Atlanta a 5-0 record in the NFC South and an undisputed division crown. A victory over the Saints would also mean a sweep of both New Orleans and Tampa this season. On Sunday, in Atlanta against the Cowboys, the Falcons defeated the visiting Cowboys 27-21.
Ahead 14-10 at halftime, Atlanta took advantage of a short field following a Cowboys turnover-on-downs and scored their third touchdown of the game to go ahead 21-10. On the play, Ray-Ray McCloud found some room in the Dallas end zone and Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins found MCCloud on his third touchdown pass of the game to that point. Cousins came into the game with 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions and just over 2,100 passing yards on the season.
The third quarter ended with Atlanta’s defense almost holding the Cowboys scoreless before kicker Brandon Aubrey made a 57yard field goal to bring his team within eight points at 21-13. That made two quarters, the first and the third, that the defense didn’t allow a touchdown. In a close game that made all the difference.
The fourth quarter began with a long drive capped by a Tyler Allgeier touchdown run and filled with runs and catches by Bijan Robinson. Atlanta went head 27-13 early in the quarter by going to their best offensive threat over and over again. Robinson, the
Falcons leading rusher, led the team with seven receptions. It ended with the Cowboys picking up eight points on a touchdown and two-point conversion, but to no avail. With 1:24 remaining in the game, Atlanta ran out the clock on the Cowboys. Robinson didn’t score, but found a way to
lead the team in receptions and rushing on Sunday. On Robinson’s play, Cousins, who used his time with Dalvon Cook in Minnesota as an example, said, “He’s a big deal. I see a running back as a running back, and I also see them as a receiver.”
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris echoed Cousins' sentiments saying about Robinson, "He just does everything.”
Back on the defensive side of the ball, Atlanta came into the game with just six sacks this season. Before the first quarter was over there would be two more sacks added to the tally as the Falcons defense held the Cowboys to just three first quarter points. Dallas wouldn’t score its first offensive touchdown until the five minute mark of the second quarter when Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott found running back Rico Dowdle in the end zone after nearly being sacked for the third time. Dowdle caught the ball on his back and brough Dallas within four points of Atlanta at 14-10.
The Falcons offense put together successful drives on its second possession, a touchdown pass from Cousins to receiver Drake London, and on its fourth possession of the first half, another touchdown pass for Cousins, this time to receiver Darnell Mooney. The touchdown was Mooney’s fifth of the season and Cousins’ 16th.
BY DONNELL SUGGS
Atlanta United had one opportunity to extend the 2024 season. One opportunity in front of the home fans to keep the dream alive. A 2-1 loss in Miami last week made Saturday’s match even more important than a playoff match already was.
With a minute remaining of the five minutes of stoppage time given at the end of the match, Xande Silva, a late-match substitution in this match, saved the day with his strike to the bottom right of the Inter Miami net. His goal gave Atlanta a 2-1 lead and new life.
Atlanta defender Derrick Williams headed in the tying goal early in the second half, his first as a member of the squad, in the 58th minute of the most important match of the season. Pedrio Almador’s pass found Williams and the majority of the crowd of 68,455, the fifth-highest attendance for a Major League Soccer playoff match, went wild. Whenever big clubs come to town there are always thousands of opponent jerseys in the stands, and Inter Miami has more than most whenever they play in Atlanta.
Inter Miami took a 1-0 lead in the 40th
minute courtesy of a David Martinez goal that shouldn’t have even seen the light of day. An error by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan led to an opportunity for Martinez, a defender, to get a clear look at the goal from a few feet away.
Prior to Miami’s goal, there were several opportunities for Atlanta to take a much-needed early lead. Atlanta United dominated possession for several minutes resulting in three corner kicks, but no goals.
During the first half, Inter Miami held an advantage in possession (54.5%-45.5%) but Atlanta took one more shot-on-goal (5-4).
During the second half, Guzan saved a Luiz Suarez short kick from becoming the game-deciding goal. Messi scored what looked to be a second goal for Inter Miami, but he was offsides.
After the match, Atlanta United interim manager Rob Valentino said the victory was a team effort and his team “makes things interesting.”
Asked about Williams’ efforts tonight, Valentino said the defender was a pleasure to coach and is a great teammate. “He’s a quiet leader, he leads by example, he’s not the one you see shouting and screaming,” Valentino said.
BY CLAYTON GUTZMORE
Many issues across this nation are on the ballot this election year. Criminal justice reform is A subject buried under the other matters both presidential candidates discuss. A new poll from FWD.us unveils overwhelming bipartisan support for criminal justice reform. 81% of likely voters back policy changes across the justice system, with 85% of Democrats, 82% of Independents, and 76% of Republicans in favor. This means that criminal justice reform can decide the election. Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are not discussing this enough. Zoe Towns is the executive director of FWD.us. She breaks down the poll information and shares why Americans in crucial swing states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Arizona are motivated by this issue.
"Criminal Justice Reform is hurting too many people. It's interrupting our economic potential. It's interrupting our potential to thrive at home with our families. It is exacerbating racial disparities in a country that
is completely overwhelmed by so many indicators. It is rare to find an issue that has this level of bipartisan support," said Towns.
FWD.us released their poll data in October. Criminal justice reform is an increasingly prevalent issue with the American public because more people want to see reduced jail populations. Americans want to see more formerly incarcerated people be rehabilitated into society.
It is a winning issue that both candidates can capitalize on to win the White House.
Supporters of both Vice-President Harris and former president Trump and those leaning toward each candidate would be more likely to cast that vote if they took a strong position supporting reform. FWD.us data also reveals that two-thirds of Black voters (67%) and a majority of Latino voters (55%) say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate if they supported criminal justice reform. Both groups believe that mass incarceration causes many of the problems that lead to unsafe communities, such as homelessness, poverty, and drug or mental health challenges.
"Black voters will play a huge part in de-
termining the outcome in this presidential election, in Georgia and across the country, and ending mass incarceration matters to them," said LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter Fund.
"We cannot continue the cycle of mass incarceration that has separated so many Latino families and overshadowed real public safety solutions. Latino voters want more opportunities and the tools to build a better future for our families and communities," said Melissa Morales, Founder & President of Somos Votantes.
FWD.us is a bipartisan political organization that seeks to grow and galvanize political support to break through gridlock and achieve meaningful reforms. They believe America's families, communities, and economy thrive when more individuals reach their full potential. Another intention FWD. us seeks is to clear the misconceptions around criminal justice reform to voters. Details like this are a partisan issue, and people wanting criminal justice reform must choose between safety and justice. All of that is incorrect. Towns say voter support for the re -
form is higher than ever before.
"A lot of the harms of mass incarceration have driven unsafe communities. It has made families and the fabric of the community come undone in ways that have undermined our public safety. It is a false choice to pit these issues against each other and force voters to choose. We need to give them the third option: these evidence-tested, effective justice reforms," Towns said.
Minority voters are making their voices heard regarding their desire for criminal justice reform. Towns explains how criminal justice reform led to massive change in the U.S. In the last 15 years, the prison population has been reduced by a fifth, and Black men are now more likely to graduate from college in their lifetime than go to prison. The executive director describes how voters in this election know how significant this matter is.
"I think that what voters have in their pocket is both the experience of the harms of incarceration and the hope of benefit of reform. They should use that when asking for their candidates to commit to them and commit for more," said Towns.
FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSAL
Sealed proposals for 24RFP1338895C-MH - Property and Casualty Broker Services for the Fulton County Finance 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, November 22, 2024 All proposals submitted must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated date.
Proposers names will be publicly read at 11:05 a.m. on the stated due date via Zoom. Proposal Bond: N/A
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) The purpose of this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) is to select a vendor to act as the Broker-of-Record representative of Fulton County Government for the development and placement of coverages as part of the County’s comprehensive property and casualty insurance and bond/surety program. 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) one year renewable years. A Pre-Proposal Conference, will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., local time, to provide proposers with information regarding the project and to address any questions. Join Meeting https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yBoNhofRTqStACHtnZkRXw Webinar ID: 922 7679 6840
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT INFORMATION: The selected vendor(s) must have the capacity to provide such services in a facility located within Fulton County.
If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Mark Hawks, Chief Assistant Purchasing Agent, at Email: mark.hawks@fultoncountyga.gov
Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities.
FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSAL
Sealed proposals for 24RFP1337743C-MH - Life and Disability Broker Services for the Fulton County Finance 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, November 22, 2024. All proposals submitted must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated date. Proposers names will be publicly read at 11:05 a.m. on the stated due date via Zoom.
Proposal Bond: N/A
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) The purpose of this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) is to select vendors to provide Life and Disability Broker Services.
In order to obtain complete information about this solicitation, please click the link below where this document and supporting documents can be downloaded, https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty Fee: N/A
Term of Contract: ONE (1) YEAR with two (2) one year renewable years. A Pre-Proposal Conference, will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., local time, to provide proposers with information regarding the project and to address any questions. Join Meeting https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7cZuLw9eSY-aeEH8evkhsQ Webinar ID: 928 6905 1319
MANDATORY REQUIREMENT INFORMATION: The selected vendor(s) must have the capacity to provide such services in a facility located within Fulton County.
If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Mark Hawks, Chief Assistant Purchasing Agent, at Email: mark.hawks@fultoncountyga.gov Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities. Docusign Envelope ID: 7EFAD857-1569-4A13-8654-8390130F1B2E
