November 24 - 30, 2023 • Vol. 58 Issue 29 • FREE
IN THIS ISSUE
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To shop or not to shop? Black Friday is expected to draw impressive crowds both physically and virtually this year, but shoppers around the country appear less interested in the early holiday deals compared to years prior. Photo: iStock/Lanastock
Page 2 • November 24 - 30, 2023 • theatlantavoice.com
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Black Friday sales across America this holiday season are expected to attract fewer crowds while still bringing in more revenue than last year, according to numbers and survey data from YouGov and Adobe Analytics. Photo by Janelle Ward/The Atlanta Voice
American shoppers split on Black Friday engagement this year BY JANELLE WARD
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lack Friday is expected to draw impressive crowds both physically and virtually this year, but shoppers around the country appear less interested in the early holiday deals compared to years prior. According to a recent report from YouGov, roughly half of the more than 1,000 surveyed respondents have no plans to participate in Black Friday shopping this year, most citing overcrowded stores, unavailable merchandise and the inability to make purchases due to the surplus of shoppers as reasons to skip the sales altogether. Of those saying they will return to stores this Black Friday, 28% asserted they will
spend fewer dollars than they spent in previous years, compared to just 12% saying they’ll spend more. Just over half of respondents said they plan to spend around the same amount. About 35% of new and returning shoppers say they will cap their spending at $50 this year, while other respondents are open to spending more. 22% of returning shoppers stated they’ll set aside $50-100 for Black Friday, and another 28% are willing to spend even more than that. However, smaller shares of non-returning shoppers responded to the likelihood of spending increasingly large amounts of money on Black Friday deals, hinting that cost may also be a factor contributing to
many shoppers’ lack of participation this year. Younger Americans also seem more inclined to shop Friday’s deals than older Americans. Nearly half of respondents from the baby boomer generation stated that they’re skipping the sales this year, while almost half of millennial-aged respondents cited plans to shop on the day after Thanksgiving, either in person or online. Regardless, total dollars spent chasing Black Friday sales this year are still predicted to surpass those from last year. According to Adobe Analytics, shoppers spent a combined $9.12 billion in pursuit of online Black Friday-related sales alone in 2022, an approximation up 2.3% from the
year before. This total doesn’t account for dollars spent on Thanksgiving Day. A separate report from Adobe Analytics estimates that online sales will reach $9.6 billion this year, representing an increase of nearly 6% over the past 12 months. This, when combined with spending predictions for Cyber Monday and Thanksgiving Day, constitutes an estimated consumer spending total of $37.2 billion this year, a value 5.4% higher than that from Cyber Week 2022. Adobe Analytics predicts Americans will spend over $220 billion while shopping online throughout the holiday season, specifically during the stretch of time spanning from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
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Love Beyond Walls, Fulton County DA’s Office work together to give back A DOCUMENTARY BY THE ATLANTA VOICE
A DOCUMENTARY BY THE ATLANTA VOICE
BY DONNELL SUGGS COLLEGE PARK, Ga - On Saturday morning, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office in collaboration with Love Beyond Walls, a local nonprofit that distributes food and goods to people in need and the unhoused, collected hundreds of dry and canned goods in order to bag and distribute to people in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. More than 400 of those bags and tables full of socks, shoes, hygiene kits, pet food, flashlights and blankets were stationed against the fence in a parking lot on East Main Street just after 9 am. People came to the holiday giveaway in cars, vans and by foot to receive the food and goods. Love Beyond Walls holds a giveaway and distribution every week at their office just a block away, but cofounders Cecilia and Dr. Terence Lester, PhD knew this event was going to need more help than usual. "Events like this are very important because they allow people to not only come out and volunteer,
Peachtree & Pine The Atlanta Shelterless Project
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Love Beyond Walls co-founder Terence Lester (center) addresses a crowd of volunteers before a Thanksgiving meal/supplies giveaway inhttps://theatlantavoice. College com/peachtree-and-pine/ Park, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
but it's a way for people to maybe start a tradition," Cecilia said. "We create opportunities like this for that to happen." Terence, a newly minted PhD, was recently in California delivering a lecture at a university, said of giving back and volunteering, "Service isn't a feeling, it's a lifestyle." "This gives people who go about their normal lives a chance to pause and consider giving back to their community," Terence added. "It's about building a community."
Volunteers included employees of Story Church Atlanta, Southwest Airlines, and the before mentioned D.A.'s Office. A large number of socks were donated by Westminster Academy. Individuals donated sneakers as well. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis arrived to see dozens of volunteers, some of whom were employees of her office, assisting locals on walks back to their cars with bags of food that included frozen turkeys or with their shopping
Peachtree & Pine
We are making a digital transforma
a multi media news company carts and buggies. lot smoothly. into Alpharetta resident the help of our donors and sponso "We really have to give a full Stephan Smith said he has volunshoutout LoveSHELTERLESS Beyond Wall. THEto ATLANTA PROJECTteered his time for close to nine Jim Washington https://theatlantavoice.com/peachtree-and-pine/ This is their event," Willis, dressed years. PRESIDENT in a red Fulton County District At"It is important to me to volunwww.TheAtlantaVoice.com/Donate torney's Office polo and jeans, said. teer because growing up, I was Willis added that her office colalways taught that when you're MEET OUR STAFF lected 402 bags full of goods, but blessed you give back to the comA DOCUMENTARY BY the credit has to go to the Lesters munity whenever you can," Smith THE ATLANTA VOICE and Love Beyond Walls because said. At The Atlanta Voice we are telling the stories of the community. OurPastor Sam they host food giveaways like this Story Church Atlanta Peachtree voices matter. Our community matters. every week.& Pine Collier led aFacts number of his congrematter. Producing journalism that impacts our readers is what weefforts do "I stand in awe of the founders gation in volunteering Satbest and have done for THE ATLANTA the past 55 years, and in and we SHELTERLESS are just here to help in any urday. he too believes is better to order to keep doingit that at this level we need all Janis Wa financial assistance way wePROJECT can," Willis said. "This give than tothe receive, he said. Chia is Suggs PUBLISHER we can get. SALES/ADMIN just a little way we can help and "Jesus instructed us to care for w give back. We want to operate as a the least of these and we want to community." give to those that are in need the The Fulton County District Atmost," Collier said. torney's Office has an annual coat Zion Lester, daughter of Cecilia drive and school supply giveaway and Terence, has been volunteering at events like this since she that is regularly attended by hunwas very young. She knew what dreds of county residents. to expect, but also was moved by A Love Beyond Walls volunteer the amount of people willing to who doesn't live in College Park, give their time for others Saturday but is familiar with the city due morning. to his work with the organization, "It feels really inspiring. It feels was on the corner making sure trafgood to see other people do things fic flowed in and out of the Woodfrom their hearts," Zion, 15, said. ward Academy school bus parking
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Hosea Helps distributes hundreds of meal boxes, supplies BY ISIAH SINGLETON Cars were lined up and down the street near nonprofit organization Hosea Helps, Saturday, Nov. 18, where the organization held its annual Thanksgiving drive-thru to hundreds of metro Atlanta families. Food insecurity is at an all-time high and nearly 1 in 8 Georgians is living with food insecurity, including 1 in 6 children. In the 29-county service area, 1 in 9 people are affected, including 1 in 7 children, according to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. A complete Thanksgiving meal, sponsored by Kroger and Publix, included meal boxes with turkeys, green beans, and other items. Handfuls of volunteers also were in attendance helping the Atlanta community get their Thanksgiving meal boxes and other items. Elizabeth Omilami, CEO of Hosea Helps, said the work they do is crucial and demonstrates what one
Handfuls of volunteers also were in attendance helping the Atlanta community get their Thanksgiving meal boxes and other items. Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice
individual can do. “I think there's a lot of hopelessness in our community today and the problems we have, we just sit with them because there's nothing we can do,” she said. Hosea Helps is important because it demonstrates
what one person can do and showcases what a group of people who get together can make an impact on our community. We don't have to wait for some savior or some leader. We're the leader we're waiting for. So that demonstration and the
rhetoric that it creates, the sense of community is very important.” Omilami said she felt bittersweet when she saw all the cars lined up waiting to receive their Thanksgiving boxes and supplies. “I'm excited and overjoyed Hosea Williams, who started this organization in 1971, worked as the chief of field organizer for Martin Luther King. I think answering the call of our ancestors is very important and we’re able to do that, but it shouldn't be like this in America,” she said. Atlanta resident, Katrice Langston along with her three children said she is grateful for Hosea Helps and she comes every year to get Thanksgiving meals and supplies. “Hosea Helps is truly a blessing to me and my family. Folks don’t really understand that what they do helps families like mine a lot because I can’t afford groceries like I used to, I’m a single parent with three kids who need to be fed es-
pecially during the holidays,” she said. “I encourage people to check this out, donate, and come receive their blessings.” Omilami also said churches need to give back more and help in the community. Additionally, Omilami gave advice for future generations. “When you get to the age of 71, you find out that what you thought was important in life isn’t and it'll break your heart if you don't have something to fall back on. The Spirit is not going to ask you how well you did in school, how many businesses you got,” she said. “He is going to ask you, did you feed the hungry? Did you clothe the naked? Did you give water to the thirsty? What did you do to make humanity more humane during the time that you spent on Earth? To donate, for more information, or to volunteer for future events, visit https://4hosea.org/.
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Voices
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We are all one - and if we don’t know it, we’ll learn it the hard way.” — Bayard Rustin
New CFPB report: Nation’s credit card debt passes $1 trillion
VOICE FOUNDED May 11, 1966
FOUNDER/EDITOR Ed Clayton
F
BY CHARLENE CROWELL
or the first time since the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) began collecting credit card data, the nation’s related debt reached an alltime high of $1 trillion in 2022. New research released in late October examines how and why this debt grew, but also how emerging trends in card usage affect the day-to-day lives of consumers. While companies charged consumers more than $105 billion in interest and more than $25 billion in fees, average credit card balances per cardholder returned to about $5,300, about the same as before the pandemic. At the same time, more cardholders are being charged late fees, falling behind on payments, and facing higher costs on growing debt. Today nearly one in 10 consumers is caught in what CFPB terms ‘persistent debt’, charged more in interest and fees than they pay toward the principal owed, a pattern that makes each passing month’s charges increasingly harder to avoid. Average credit card minimum payments on revolving credit accounts now reach over $100 per month and are also a contributing factor to rising late fees and overall debt. "With credit card debt crossing the trillion- dollar mark, we will be working to prevent bait-and-switch tactics when it comes to rewards and to increase refinancing activity so consumers can get lower rates,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. Increased indebtedness also translated into record industry profits, now higher than those reached in pre-pandemic years. Two key factors, according to the report, significantly contributed to industry profitability: an average APR margin of 15.4 percentage points above the prime rate in 2022, and only 10 credit card companies dominating the marketplace. Although the nation has nearly 4,000 credit card issuers, four-
T H E AT L A N TA
Immortalis Memoria
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J. Lowell Ware Immortalis Memoria The Atlanta Voice honors the life of J. Lowell Ware.
Record debt reaps record profits with hikes in interest rates, minimum and late fees. Photo Credit: iStock
fifths – 80 percent – of the card activity was with one of the firms in the top10. The highest credit card APRs are, as with other consumer financial products, among consumers who carry high credit card balances, missed payment(s), or delinquent accounts, and have subprime credit ratings, scores of less than 670 in a range of 300- 850. Consumers who have filed bankruptcies can also expect that action to affect their credit scores for seven years thereafter. A 2019 report by Experian, one of the nation’s three credit card bureaus, found that more than a third of consumers – 34.8 percent – were classified as subprime. Millennials comprised the largest number of subprime borrowers. According to Experian, “Prime consumers tend to have more mortgages and credit card accounts, while subprime consumers have more student loans and personal loans…Subprime consumers have twice as many personal loan accounts as prime consumers on average. That said, their average balance is less than half of prime consumers’ average balance.”
CFPB’s new credit card report found that many cardholders with subprime scores paid 30 to 40 cents in interest and fees per dollar borrowed each year. Further, consumers using reward cards that earn bonus points for frequent usage, earned just 27 percent of rewards at major credit card companies, but paid 94 percent of total interest and fees for carrying debt from month to month. Last year, and for the first time since 2015, CFPB found a spike in over-limit transactions. According to the report, “Recent changes in incidence are also driven by accounts with subprime scores. Over-limit transactions tend to be more common among lower-score cardholders since these cardholders typically have lower credit limits and higher credit utilization than higher-score cardholders, making it more likely that even a modest purchase might exceed their credit limit.” Along with high profits, CFPB’s new report documents a growing consumer shift toward digital communications, websites and mobile apps now used by nearly 80 percent of cardholders to manage card
usage and make payments. Among consumers ages 25 and younger, 95 percent used mobile apps for card transactions. Consistent with consumer practices, credit card companies and debt collectors are now relying more on text messaging and email to contact borrowers about pastdue balances, in addition to phone calls or postal mail. In separate and independent findings, the New York Federal Reserve’s Liberty Street blog also noted changing credit card practices earlier this year. “[T]here were 18.3 million borrowers behind on a credit card at the end of 2022 compared to 15.8 million at the end of 2019. Instead, the evidence suggests that higher prices and higher interest rates are the more likely culprits driving delinquencies… [O]n a person-level, this financial distress is real, and the delinquent marks will impact their access to credit for years to come.” Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.
PUBLISHER Janis Ware jlware@theatlantavoice.com PRESIDENT/ GENERAL MANAGER James A. Washington jaws@theatlantavoice.com EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO PUBLISHER Chia Suggs csuggs@theatlantavoice.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Donnell Suggs editor@theatlantavoice.com GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER Janelle Ward jward@theatlantavoice.com GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER Isaiah Singleton isingleton@theatlantavoice.com EDITOR AT LARGE Stan Washington swashington@theatlantavoice.com MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL Itoro Umontuen iumontuen@theatlantavoice.com
ADVERTISING, SALES & CIRCULATION ADVERTISING ADMINISTRATOR Chia Suggs advertising@theatlantavoice.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Terry Milliner SALES R.D.W. Jackson rdwadman@gmail.com SUBMISSIONS editor@theatlantavoice.com DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Martel Sharpe msharpe@theatlantavoice.com
CONTACT INFORMATION 633 Pryor Street, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30312 Office: 404-524-6426 info@theatlantavoice.com
theatlantavoice.com • November 24 - 30, 2023 • Page 5
Voices
I BY JANIS WARE The Atlanta Voice
am excited to share my journey at The Atlanta Voice, a media outlet that my late father, J. Lowell Ware, and Ed Clayton co-founded in 1966. I began working here in 1977, after graduating from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, and became the publisher in 1991 following my father's untimely death. For the past 46 years, I have been a part of The Atlanta Voice team, inspired by our mission to provide fearless local reporting and insightful cultural commentary that holds leaders accountable and uplifts our community. Our reporting is diverse and unique, but our goal is to connect you with the place we call home and give you the tools to make it a better place. At The Atlanta Voice, the community is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to serving our neighbors and believe that high-quality journalism should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. That's why we don't charge a subscription fee or have a paywall. We are thrilled to participate in NewsMatch, a collaborative fundraising movement supporting independent journalism. From November 1 until December 31, any contribution you make, up to $1,000, will be doubled. With
SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING
BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON
The Atlanta Voice
We are grateful for you your support, we aim to earn $160,000 throughout our NewsMatch campaign, allowing us to continue delivering indepth, insightful journalism. If you believe in our mission and want to support us, please visit https:// theatlantavoice.com/support-our-publication/ during the 2023 Giving Tuesday Campaign. Even a small contribution can make a big difference. Our motto is "A People Without a Voice Cannot be Heard," and our purpose is to be the voice for the people of Atlanta. For over 58 years, we have been a trusted, authentic, fact-based, and community-driven media outlet for the black community. We continue to amplify the voices of those often left unprotected and those who need it most. We are a team of passionate individuals who keep you and your neighbors in mind daily. We don't do this work to make a million dollars - nobody in local journalism does. We do it because we love where we live and think about how to improve it every day. Thank you for considering supporting The Atlanta Voice. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community. Sincerely, Janis Ware Publisher
MAKING HERSTORY Did you know that The Atlanta Voice is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization? We strive to provide quality journalism to our community every day. Today, I am asking for your support.
SCAN NOW TO DONATE WWW.THEATLANTAVOICE.COM/SUPPORT-OUR-PUBLICATION
Life Death & Life Again, Bank It
In the lives of all Christians, there is an inextricable link between faith and death. Death, in this regard, holds a particularly special place. Understandably, one must die to this world and be reborn spiritually to the next. As Christians we accept the reality that Jesus actually overcame death. He died physically on the cross and rose again in order for us to access eternal life as a true gift of the Father. You see, this whole life death life thing can be confusing and, at times, certainly overwhelming, which is where faith comes in. Real faith requires an understanding that should affect your and my behavior. Life and death are part of a process, elements essential to spiritual eternity. For those without faith, the concept can seem a bit implausible. For those of us who claim faith in the reality of Jesus Christ, our facts are sometimes based not on what we see, touch and understand. To the believer, life exists on many different levels. Death by itself is neither the end nor
Life and death are part of a process, elements essential to spiritual eternity the beginning of anything. Life and death are the continuation of an existence that has always been here. Our living is shall we say a temporary form of eternal life. Faith, which comes upon each and every one of us at different times and in different ways, demands an intellectual, as well as a spiritual enlightenment, a leap of faith. If you believe in electricity, you believe when you turn a light switch on in the room you’re in, it will become illuminated. You act accordingly. If you don’t believe in electricity, light switches and light bulbs have a very different meaning for you. If you believe in Jesus Christ, your view of death is totally different from someone who doesn’t. That belief doesn’t make the transition from the physical realm any easier because death is still an unknown adventure. I bring this up because I am now at an
age where I’m as likely to hear about the death of someone younger than me as I am someone older. I must say, this has given me pause to ponder my own mortality in the face of my faith, which should be embracing my own mortality. We’re supposed to walk by faith and not by sight; to do so, demands that we accept a perspective which acknowledges a yet to be experienced consciousness that is the foundation of the life and death and life of Jesus Christ. The specter of my death cannot deter me from meeting each day, each person, each situation and circumstance anew and refreshed with the opportunity to experience my life again and again. I must continue my journey anew each and every day. I must accept my faith anew each and every day. What we go through everyday, including the pain and suffer-
ing as well as the joy and happiness is essential to the eternal cycle of life. Through faith, Christians believe all things are possible because God is certainly capable of accomplishing anything. That includes overcoming death. That includes our own immortality with Him. Hence, death is God’s business as is life. Faith allows us to put it all in His hands. Therefore, my own death like those of my loved ones is but one step closer to God. In many cultures, worldly death is looked upon as a cause for celebration. This is, or certainly should be, the same with Christians. “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you the devil will put some of you in prison to test you and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He, who has an ear, lets him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt at all by the second death.” (Revelation 2:10-11) May God bless and keep you always.
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Religion
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New Jerusalem Baptist Church celebrates 75th Anniversary BY DONNELL SUGGS
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everend Howard R. Beckham made his way to the microphone that was stationed in the center of the pulpit. The senior pastor at New Jerusalem Baptist Church in southwest Atlanta, he had done so many times before during his 29 years as the leader of the small congregation, but this particular Sunday service was different. It was a special day. New Jerusalem turned 75 years old Sunday, Nov. 19 and Beckham took a moment to acknowledge the many people and moments that had come before and after him that made this silver anniversary possible. On Sunday, with the pews full of church members, their families and friends, a 75th church anniversary and dedication service took place. New Jerusalem began with a small group of believers, said Beckham, who added, “This shows the faithfulness of God for sustaining this congregation through hindsight, turmoil and difficulties,” Beckham said. “It also means we must be doing something right.” The people who gathered for the 75th anniversary sat in a new church home. A massive structure, New Jerusalem is now located at the corner of Dill and Athens avenues. The site of the former God’s Word & Christ Ministries, it is now home to a church that was started on Edgewood Avenue in the early 1950’s before the original congregation moved to its longtime home on a hill at 383 Paines Avenue in 1956. During that time there were two fires, members born, raised and died, and changes of leadership of the church. The entire time New Jerusalem Baptist Church survived and thrived. The property on Paines Avenue, which is Downtown, quickly became valuable in the midst of Atlanta’s ongoing gentrification period. After many attempts to build on that site at Paines Avenue or to purchase a church in another location, Beckham decided to present the idea of selling the property in order to buy another larger prop-
New Jerusalem Baptist Church senior pastor Rev. Howard R. Beckham addresses the congregation from the pulpit of the church’s new home on its 75th anniversary, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
erty elsewhere. A church board agreed to inquire about the value of the property in early 2022. The property, which was just under an acre, according to Fulton County property records, was sold in October 2002. The congregation and church leadership would secure the building and adjoining property on Paines Avenue in April 2023. “In July we began having service here and now it has become the new church home for New Jerusalem Baptist Church,” said Beckham, who added that there are plans to repave the adjacent parking lot. There has already been a new staircase built there. Some of the people in attendance, like choir member Lessie Jones, Reverend Samuel Bowles,
and Kattie Winfrey, have been with the church for decades. In the case of Jones and Bowles, each has been attending service at the church's three addresses for 60 and 63 years, respectfully. Jones, who had more than two dozen family members in attendance Sunday, was raised at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, her late mother Jerlean Jones, one of the original members whose names are forever linked within the new church by way of gold labels on the side of the pews. There is also a collection of stained glass windows that have recently been installed with the names of elder members of the church that have since passed. Beckham said the memories of those founding mothers and fa-
thers of the church were key to getting to this point. A moment of memorial took place where a candle was lit in their honor. “As I look back on the years, God, I can testify to the great things you have done for me,” Jones said during the reflection period of the program. “I kneel before you today and thank you for providing me with a church home.” Bowles and Winfrey also spoke of their time with the church and how it has become both a home and family for them. Winfrey, an elderly woman, joked that she wasn’t as old as Jones, but also acknowledged that she had been at the church “since the beginning.” “Yes we did have Covid, yes we did have everything, but I want y'all to put in your mind that we
need the Lord,” Bowles, who sang the Baptist classic, “I Won’t Complain,’ said. Guest soloist, Minister Mae Smith, was asked to sing a solo during the celebration. With all of the blessings surrounding New Jerusalem and its new church home, Smith, who was a guest speaker along with Reverend Melvin Allen Tukes, decided to sing, “He Made A Way.” When she was done the congregation clapped in unison. Indeed, God did make a way for New Jerusalem Baptist Church, said Beckham who greeted guests and church members following the service. He told The Atlanta Voice that the church will continue to make a way for others. “We are a church that reaches out past our walls,” he said.
theatlantavoice.com • November 24 - 30, 2023 • Page 7
Education
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50 years ago Maynard Jackson was elected Atlanta’s first Black mayor. Purchase this limited edition commemorative shirt today! www.theatlantavoice.com
Hand Heart and Soul Project opens innovative Learning Spaces center STAFF REPORT
A
tlanta’s Head Heart, and Soul Project recently celebrated the grand opening of its new “Learning Spaces” center, in partnership with United Way of Greater Atlanta. An innovative facility staffed with committed teachers, the center educates children (ages 0-5) but also empowers parents to healthy eating habits, engage in workshops, storytelling sessions, playtime, exercise, and even practice yoga. Located in Clayton County, this center is one of seventeen centers that United Way implemented, strategically located across Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, and Fulton counties. It is also the fifth center that has opened in Clayton County.
“We teach them how to get ready for school. We understand that the parents and family are the first caretakers for children and we want to make sure everyone is ready for kindergarten,” said Ben Mitchell, education outreach coordinator for Hand Heart and Soul. Mitchell recognized the critical importance of early development and how it can shape behavioral patterns and lay the foundation for lifelong success. Mitchell continued, “To prepare for them we have a lot of activities and things like science and motor skills and physical activities like yoga. Because we are a nonprofit organization and we are committed to a healthy way of eating we have farm-to-table fresh fruits and introduce them to healthy snacks and better lifestyles when it comes to healthy eating habits
The Hand, Heart and Soul Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing Clayton County by enhancing access to quality education, nutrition, and community resources. Hand Heart and Soul strongly advocates for the farm-to-table approach to foster healthy eating habits within the community. Each ‘Learning Spaces’ center offers two hours of daily availability. Upon joining the program, parents, caretakers, or caregivers gain access to two hours per day from Monday to Friday, during which they must be present alongside their child. Drop-offs are not permitted, as the organization believes in the significance of meaningful engagement between the child and their daily caregiver. “We are a vital resource for communities. Learning Spaces provide an opportunity for
kids to have access to high-quality learning experiences even if they are enrolled in a regular school. We provide fun-filled activities because fun is the foundation of everything we do,” said Cerrice Dawson, senior director of Early Learning at United Way of Greater Atlanta. “This is the fifth center we have launched in Clayton County. We are building brains here. Ages 0-5 are the most vital years. The first five years of brain development is where the magic happens in a child’s life.” To further engage interested parents, the project hosts a special orientation every Friday. To explore more about their initiatives and to find out the dates of the next monthly fresh vegetable distribution, please visit their website at https://handheartsoulproject.org.
Money
Holding Your Bank Accountable: How to File a Complaint on a Bank's CRA Public File BY CHRISTOPHER G. COX Banks play a vital role in our financial lives, managing our deposits, loans, and investments. These institutions are regulated to ensure they serve the needs of all communities, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) is a federal law enacted to ensure that banks meet the credit needs of their entire community. If you believe a bank is not living up to its CRA responsibilities, it's essential to know how to file a complaint on the bank's CRA public file. Understanding the Community Reinvestment Act The Community Reinvestment Act, passed in 1977, is a significant piece of legislation designed to promote economic development and community revitalization. It requires banks to meet the credit needs of their entire service area, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods. The CRA encourages banks to provide loans, mortgages, and other financial services to underserved populations, contributing to the growth and stability of these communities. One crucial aspect of the CRA is transparency. Banks are required to maintain a CRA public file, which contains information about their CRA activities. The public file is accessible both online and in physical branches, allowing the public
to review the bank's performance and file complaints if necessary. How to Access a Bank's CRA Public File To access a bank's CRA public file, you have several options: 1. Visit the Bank's Website: Many banks post their CRA public file on their websites. You can navigate to the bank's "Community Reinvestment Act" or "CRA" page, where you can find information about their CRA activities, including reports and documents. 2. Visit a Local Branch: You can also request access to the bank's CRA public file in person at a local branch. Most banks are required to have a physical copy available for public review. 3. Contact the Bank Directly: If you can't find the CRA public file online or in person, you can contact the bank directly. Ask a bank representative for assistance in accessing the file, and they should guide you on where to find it. Reviewing the CRA Public File Once you've gained access to the CRA public file, it's essential to thoroughly review its contents. Look for information such as: 1. CRA Disclosure Statement: This document provides a summary of the bank's CRA activities, including lending, in-
vestment, and services in different geographic areas. 2. Maps and Lists: The file should contain maps and lists showing the bank's assessment areas, branches, and locations where the bank conducts CRA-related activities. 3. Performance Evaluation: The bank's most recent CRA performance evaluation, conducted by federal regulators, will be included. This assessment rates the bank's performance in meeting the needs of its community. 4. Public Comments: You can find comments from the public about the bank's CRA activities. These comments can shed light on the community's perspective regarding the bank's performance. Filing a Complaint If, after reviewing the CRA public file, you believe that the bank is not adequately meeting the credit needs of its community, you have the right to file a complaint. The process for filing a complaint typically involves the following steps: 1. Contact the Bank: Before filing a formal complaint, it is often advisable to discuss your concerns with the bank's management. You can use the contact information provided in the CRA public file or reach out to the bank's customer service department. 2. Submit a Written Complaint: If the is-
sue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you can proceed to submit a written complaint. Your complaint should be well-documented and specific, outlining the aspects in which you believe the bank is falling short of its CRA obligations. 3. Contact Regulatory Agencies: To strengthen your complaint, consider contacting the regulatory agencies that oversee the CRA. The two primary agencies responsible for CRA enforcement are the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Reserve. 4. Follow Up: Be prepared to follow up on your complaint, as it may take time for regulatory agencies to investigate and respond. The Community Reinvestment Act serves as a critical tool for ensuring that banks meet the credit needs of all communities, including underserved and low-income areas. Filing a complaint on a bank's CRA public file is an essential step in holding banks accountable and making sure they fulfill their obligations under the law. By understanding the CRA, accessing the bank's public file, filing a complaint and, when necessary, you can play an active role in promoting financial inclusion and community development. Christopher G. Cox is the principal, publisher, and managing editor of realesavvy.com
Page 8 • November 24 - 30, 2023 • theatlantavoice.com
Health
ONLINE
Biden-Harris campaign is buoyed by positive results in 2023 Elections
Nursing homes face critical issue of understaffing BY CLAYTON GUTZMORE
N
ursing homes are the environment that takes care of the elderly and brings peace of mind to the caregivers. This precious space is facing one critical issue of being understaffed. According to The American Healthcare Association, 84 percent of nursing homes have been reported to be understaffed. Dr. Jasmine Travers is a gerontological nurse practitioner and an assistant professor of nursing at New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She has been exploring this subject and explains why this is a matter that should have everyone's attention.
“Just think about the nursing home setting. When we have these numbers we say: This is the number to provide the safest amount of care—when we don’t have that number that means we might not have a sufficient number of nursing assistants, for example, to answer call bells. If we don’t have that number that we need to answer call bells and respond to residents' needs, that means residents are going to sit in need of help for longer periods.” said Dr. Travers. Nursing home staffing affects the quality of care for the residents. Lack of care in nursing homes can lead to severe consequences for the elderly community. The staff of nursing homes are the people who get the elderly out of bed, clean them, and attend to personal needs they can't do themselves. When these tasks are not done Some nursing home residents suffer. Some fall because they try to get out of bed themselves, and some get urinary tract infections because nobody assisted them using the bathroom and they were sitting in their spoilage. “ if a person doesn’t have someone to get them out of bed, sometimes they might try to get up and out of bed themselves. When they do that they could be at risk for falling or if they stay in bed and they’re soiled, they’re at increased risk for UTIs or increased risk for pressure ulcers. So these are the types of things that we see as a consequence of decreased staffing, which is an important issue that we need to address.” said Dr. Travers Dr. Travers shares that there are 15,000 nursing homes across the country and approximately 1.2 million individuals living in them. To provide an adequate amount of care, the total nursing hours should be about 4.1 hours per resident per day. This includes the registered nurse, the licensed
Nursing homes are the environment that takes care of the elderly and brings peace of mind to the caregivers. This precious space is facing one critical issue of being understaffed. Photo Credit: istock.com/Drazen Zigic
practical nurse, and the certified nursing assistants according to a study from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Unfortunately, only 25 percent of total nursing homes are reaching this benchmark. The Covid 19 pandemic played a role in the staff shortage. Dr.Travers elaborates that the pandemic affected occupancy in all nursing homes. Fewer residents in nursing homes meant a decrease in revenue for facilities. The decreased revenue means facilities can not afford the staff on hand and that limits the care that can be provided to the nursing home residents. A group that was hit the hardest with this problem is nursing homes located in underserved communities. Dr. Travers goes into detail about how the socioeconomic level of a nursing home affects the desirability for residents to live in and professionals to work in.
“If there’s lack of transportation in a more severely deprived setting, then a person most likely isn’t going to work in a nursing home in that setting or live in that If housing is poor, if education is poor it may not be a desirable place to work. If a nursing home is located in these types of areas, we just might see fewer resources that are provided to those nursing homes to be able to create better working environments and provide better opportunities for better care for residents—which further just decreases someone’s desirability to want to work in that nursing homes” said Dr. Travers Two solutions Dr. Travers does see for the staff shortage issue are supporting the current staff of professionals working in nursing homes and making the career field more desirable for people to
join. Incentives are one way to support those professionals. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced reimbursements and loan forgiveness for professionals who work in nursing homes in underserved areas. Dr. Travers encourages higher pay to keep current nursing home professionals and bring in new individuals. She also believes organizations should put effort into retention. “We’re focused on meeting minimum staffing levels, but we’re not as focused on decreasing turnover. Turnover is associated with the work environment at these nursing homes. We need to change the work environment so people will stay. When people stay longer, they know their residents more. That consistency translates to better quality of care for the nursing home residents,” said Dr. Travers.
theatlantavoice.com • November 24 - 30, 2023 • Page 9
Sports
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Weatherise ATL campaign offers relief to minority households facing high energy burden in Georgia
Lee Haney Games returns for ninth year
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BY MARTEL SHARPE
he annual Lee Haney Games took place on Saturday, November 11, at the Georgia International Convention Center. A fitness competition created by former Mr. Olympia Lee Haney, 63, this event allows athletes and fitness enthusiasts to show off their hard work and qualify to compete in a national competition. One of the more prominent fitness competitions, especially in Georgia, The Lee Haney Games celebrates its ninth event this year. “We’ve continued to grow over the years with audience participation and the caliber of athletes,” said Haney, a resident of metro Atlanta. “Several of our athletes who have entered the games have gone pro. It speaks well to our contest and who is competing.” Haney is known as one of the top bodybuilding competitors in the world, winning Mr. Olympia eight times. He currently holds the record for the most Mr. Olympia wins, along with Ronnie Coleman, both beating out Arnold Schwarzenegger’s record of winning seven times. One of the successful athletes who competed in The Lee Haney Games is Keone Pearson from Middle Georgia, who just won the 212 Division for Mr. Olympia. Another known competitor is Lenda Murray, who won eight Ms. Olympia titles. The competition allows men and women to compete in several categories including Men’s Physique, Men’s Classic Physique, Men’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Bikini, Women’s Wellness, Women’s Physique, and Women’s Fitness. “The Men’s Physique is more of the beach body style of physique with the shorts that come below the knees. They have to have nice abs and nice shape, but they’re not as big. Then you have the Men’s Classic Physique which is guys who are a little bigger. They have the shorts that come above the thigh. They have a medium-sized physique which is more muscular than the Physique category,” Haney said. “From there, we have Men’s Bodybuilding, which is for guys who are bigger and more muscular. They wear the posing briefs and they’re the largest of all of the categories.” Haney describes that he comes from what was called the “classic physique era”, where there weren’t many categories, so he and Arnold Schwarzenegger would have been considered Men’s Classic Physique during that time.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lee Haney Games via Instagram
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lee Haney
The Lee Haney Games started back in 2015 as an evolution of fitness events that Haney started doing around 2007. The initial events targeted families and youth with activities such as obstacle races. The official creation of the Lee Haney Games brought in the physique competitions. Due to COVID-19, signature activities such as strong man, powerlifting, and arm wrestling, were let go. However, Haney says that they will be coming back in 2024 along with other activities. Additionally, The Lee Haney Games serves as a fundraiser for the Haney’s Harvest House a 501(c)(3) organization that provides a mentoring program for boys eight to seventeen years old in the Metro Atlanta area. “Haney’s Harvest House is a nonprofit organization where we established a mentoring program for young boys. Our program is called Raising a Modern Day Knight and we teach the characteristics of authentic manhood like serving, obedience, perseverance,” Haney said. “We have a group of awesome people who make this happen. We started back
in 1995 and we’ve continued to group since that time. We have an organization that exists at the Rock Church of Atlanta in Forest Park, GA, and another at The Connection Church in Jonesboro, GA Also, under these programs, we have a group of young men who came through the program and are now running it.” Through these programs young boys are provided life lessons, participate in community service, and given fitness and health information, as well as access to a fitness facility. Haney continued, “One of our guys is one of the commanders over the NATO division in Poland and another one has been in the Air Force for seven years, so we can be proud of our young boys.” The Lee Haney Games will also be livestreamed for those who cannot attend. The event is made possible with the help of local sponsors which include Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, Jantanna, Bey & Associates, Allan Vigil Ford, Southtowne Chevrolet Buick GME, and more. Registration for all competitors ended on Thursday, November 9, however attendees can purchase tickets for The Lee Haney Games by visiting https://www.leehaneygames.com/.
Page 10 • November 24 - 30, 2023 • theatlantavoice.com
Business
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‘A dream come true’: Raevon Redding is right at home at Disney
Starbucks employees STRIKE back BY DONNELL SUGGS
“M
y neck, my back, fair wages, and a contract.” 11-year Starbucks employee Amanda Rivera was shouting over the passing traffic that was going north and south down Tara Blvd. Thursday afternoon. She and a dozen others, a mix of Starbucks employees and union supporters, marched in a small circle in front of the store as part of the "Red Cup Rebellion," a series of national strikes for fair wages and contracts. "We are here because we voted in June 2022 to unionize and the company refused to negotiate with us," Rivera said. "We just want a contract." The strikes took place on one of the most popular and busiest days in the Starbucks calendar: Red Cup Day. On this day Starbucks offers customers a red plastic cup with their fall drink orders. Rivera confirmed that Red Cup Days were a big deal within the company and to the many customers at her home store at Ansley Mall. Thousands of employees (they refer to themselves as "partners") at hundreds of locations across the country participated in the coordinated strikes. From Seattle to Boston to metro Atlanta, Starbucks customers at select locations that are fully unionized like the ones at Ansley Mall and in Jonesboro were having to go without their favorite drinks. The closure of selected stores for the oneday strike could cost the company millions. In 2022, Starbucks reported $6 billion in overall U.S. revenue, according to data from the business revenue website businessmodelanalyst.com. Derryl Rohlff has worked at the Ansley Mall store for five years and after starting at $9.15 she now makes $16.50 per hour. The problem is after five years she now makes just $1 more than new hires make at $15.50. She told The Atlanta Voice that she was on the picket line because she didn't think that was fair. "I love my job, but after being here this long I want more of a reason to stay," she said. Standing next to Rohlff, Tiana Bays, a college student that has worked at the Ansley Mall location for a little over a year, said she feels her coworker's pain, if not personally, than spiritually. "For me it's about supporting my coworkers," she said. "The hours are inconsistent and I just want better for everybody." A 26-year veteran of Starbucks' lattes and iced coffees, Logan Mathews walked the
Workers United organizer Debra Williams outside of the only Starbucks in Clayton County, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Starbucks employees held a nationwide strike for fair wages and contracts. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice Starbucks employees and union supporters march in front of the Starbucks location on Tara Blvd. in Jonesboro, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Photo by Donnell Suggs/ The Atlanta Voice
picket line in Jonesboro only weeks after being fired after joining the union. He was later rehired after all of the employees at the
store walked out in solidarity, but the years of service to the company first in his native California, then Florida and then to Georgia,
left him puzzled that he could be fired at all. "We are here to spread the word that ever since we unionized it feels like they threw us into a sink-or-swim island," Mathews said. The chants from the small group, "This is what the union looks like," continued as Debra Williams, an organizer with Workers United, held a son above her head and waved it towards cars moving in and out of the parking lot. Williams has been on the front lines of many strikes and feels this one is as legitimate a cause as any others she has worked on. "I'm here because I was once in these worker's shoes. We are all in this together," Williams said. "I have to support my fellow workers because if we don't stand for us who will?" Asked if there were plans for additional strikes, Mathews said this was a major effort by the staff that participated. Anything else will take place on a "store-to-store basis", he said. It will be weeks before there's data on how much revenue Starbucks lost during the "Red Cup Rebellion", but Rivera believes it won't compare to what the employees of not only Starbucks but other food service workers will use if they didn't stand up and speak their minds in this way. "All work has value," she said. "This is so much bigger than people understand. This is a referendum on how major companies treat their employees."
theatlantavoice.com • November 24 - 30, 2023 • Page 11
Business
Georgia ranks first for business growth in consulting firm analysis BY JANELLE WARD
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eorgia was named the best state for business growth in a study measuring the greatest yearly changes in the number of businesses launched across the country. Based on data compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, business consulting firm Venture Smarter placed Georgia at the top of its ranking of U.S. states seeing the highest increases in business establishments year-overyear in 2022, assigning the state a business growth rate of 13.5%. According to the firm’s findings, Georgia was home to 350,189 businesses by the end of 2021. This statistic increased to 397,515 in December 2022, giving the state a positive net change of approximately 47,000 establishments over the
Business consulting firm Venture Smarter ranked Georgia as the best state for business growth in the country, assigning it a growth rate of 13.5%. Photo by Janelle Ward/The Atlanta Voice
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© 2023 Georgia Power Company
12-month time span. Researchers at Venture Smarter cited Georgia’s "reasonable" corporate income tax rate — sitting at 5.75% — and the benefits accompanying its Job Tax Credit program as possible stimuli behind the state’s prosperous business activity. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded that Georgia’s total number of establishments decreased to 376,432 by the end of Q1 2023 in March. Data accounting for subsequent quarters has yet to be documented online. Virginia placed second on Venture Smarter’s list, earning a business growth rate three percentage points shy of Georgia’s at 10.5%. Neighboring states South Carolina and North Carolina also made the top 10, boasting sixth- and seventh-place rankings and business growth rates of 9.6% and 9.2%, respectively.
Page 12 • November 24 - 30, 2023 • theatlantavoice.com
Arts
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Senators Warnock and Kennedy release bipartisan report on insulin deserts in the US
The photography showcase features lifelong works of art by lifelong Outcast member Monwell Valdez Madison (left). Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
For the first time ever, The Outcast Motorcycle Club opened its clubhouse to the general public for a “Pnut Gallery 13.” Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
Explore the History and Narratives of America's First All-Black Motorcycle Club BY NOAH WASHINGTON
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or the first time, The Outcast Motorcycle Club opened its clubhouse to the general public for a "Pnut Gallery 13," a photography showcase featuring lifelong member Monwell Valdez Madison. Madison, also known as “Pnut,” has been a member of the Outcast Motorcycle Club for 19-plus years. The first all-black motorcycle club in America, the Outkast Motorcycle Club was founded in 1967 in Detroit, Michigan, the club has since expanded to 67 chapters nationally, with the second chapter having been established in Atlanta. Madison's journey into the Outcast Motorcycle Club began with his passion for riding Harley-Davidson, a tradition passed down from his father, who was also a biker. Riding as early as the 1990s, Madison found a natural fit within the Outcast Motorcycle Club after relocating from California,
drawn to the club's all-black aesthetic. "Back then, there weren't many Black individuals riding Harley-Davidson. They cautioned against going to the Outcasts, saying, 'Make sure you don't go over there.' I thought, 'Well, if you guys are afraid of them, let me go over there.' So, one day, they dropped me off,” Madison recalled. Madison’s collection of photographs captures the club from various moments and perspectives. Stepping into the clubhouse, visitors are immediately greeted by a photograph at the entrance—a depiction of two dice rolled on Atlanta Rainbow Crosswalks at the intersection of Atlanta’s Piedmont Avenue. This piece holds special significance as it was taken on November 11 during the COVID pandemic, exactly 3 years to the day of the showcase. For Madison 11/11 carries personal weight as it aligns with his birthday on November 19, 1973, and Madison has an affinity for double-digit numbers, finding
resonance in their symmetry. Beyond the entrance, a lineup of Madison's nameless pieces lines up between a row of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The collection delves into the history of the Outcast Motorcycle Club, offering viewers a glimpse into the narratives embedded in each photograph. One of the pieces in the exhibit pays tribute to "Hillbilly," an original club member who passed away in 2018. Another piece in the exhibit revolves around the relationship between the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, an all-white motorcycle club, and the Outcast club. Dating back to 1977, the two clubs forged an enduring partnership, agreeing to support each other in instances of racial tension or issues with other motorcycle groups. Madison’s favorite piece on display was one he took while traveling to Cuba to potentially start a Cuban chapter of the club. Displaying city life, this shot was achieved with Madison dangling from a bal-
Madison’s arts uses photography, light and space to highlight the dice in this piece. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
cony. “I was up on a really high-rise building, hanging off the balcony and taking that shot,” Madison said. While walking through his pieces, Madison explained the relation of the club to the musical group OutKast. Their name pays homage to the club, and the pair were asked to use a "K" instead of "C" to avoid any confusion with the club. Reinforcing this narrative, Madison cites the music video for the duo's song B.O.B (Bombs over Baghdad),” which was filmed at the former Outcast clubhouse on Garibaldi Street and Ralph David Abernathy. The exhibit was curated by EMEF Griffin, an Atlanta-based artist who encouraged Madison to take up photography and showcase his work. "I enjoyed his photography. I enjoyed the rawness of it. I love the appearance of it," Griff said. Griff acknowledges Madison's unique position within one of Atlanta's oldest motorcycle clubs, granting him access to an exclusive
space. Their friendship, initiated through a shared passion for biking as members of the organization Dope Pedalers, evolved into collaborative discussions about photography in 2018, eventually leading to Griff's decision to curate Madison's pieces for a gallery exhibition. Griff believes that showcasing Madison's lifestyle through photography offers viewers a powerful glimpse into the world of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club. “He's bought one of the oldest motorcycle clubs in Atlanta, and he was able to get into rooms they haven’t had the privilege to be in—certain rooms that most photographers can’t get into,” Griffin told The Atlanta Voice. Madison cites this as the first time that the club has ever opened up for the public to walk through. “Without knowing every individual, this is the first time that people can just come,” Madison told The Atlanta Voice.
theatlantavoice.com • November 24 - 30, 2023 • Page 13
Technology
ONLINE
Veteran’s Day Spotlight: Jeff Reylemon
Mercedes-Benz introduces first EV charging hub in North America
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BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN
ercedes-Benz USA announced the rollout of their proprietary Electric Vehicle charging stations throughout North America at their headquarters in Sandy Springs. In a joint venture with MN8 Energy, MBUSA has promised a $1 billion spend for their network to deliver 2,500 chargers within at least 400 charging hubs across North America by the end of the decade. During the roundtable discussion, MBUSA announced charging hubs will open at Buc-ee’s travel centers in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia by the end of 2023, with further expansion in 2024. Charging hubs at Simon Mall locations (including Lenox Square, Mall of Georgia, and Phipps Plaza) are planned to launch in the first half of 2024. This is a bet that Mercedes is making to make charging EVs a seamless part of daily life for consumers and commuters. Today’s announcement also pays off a promise Mercedes made when they rolled out their EQS 580 in 2021 to build their proprietary network of charging stations. To that end, the Mercedes-Benz charging network will have 400 kilowatts per station and the flagship hub is solar powered. When asked, Mercedes-Benz leadership admitted not all charging hubs will be solar powered. Therefore, they will utilize batteries as well as make deals with state governments to ensure the best electricity consumption and delivery methods for consumers as well as their hubs in rural locations. Consumers with certain EVs can recharge their batteries from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes. “With the official launch of the Mercedes-Benz Charging Network in North America, we aim to set a new standard for a quality charging experience for the entire industry,” said Andrew Cornelia, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz HPC North America LLC. “Our driver-first network will deliver some of the fastest charging speeds and will be openly accessible to all EV drivers from day one.” Additionally, the charging net-
The Mercedes-Benz EQS (black) and the Mercedes-Benz EQE (blue) are positioned at their charging hubs during a ceremony at Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is positioned at its charging hub during a ceremony at Mercedes-Benz USA Headquarters on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice
works will be open to all EV manufacturers and drivers. During the presentation, they promised drivers safe and reputable access. So whether that’s with an app, the Mercedes-Benz app, or a credit card, or with RFID (tap to pay technology), there’ll be multiple ways to do so. One of the promises they’ve made is there are exclusive benefits for Mercedes drivers. For example, the current Mercedes EVs on the road today will have six months of free access to the Mercedes-Benz high power charging network. Going forward an option will be to have two years of free charging as part of the vehicle purchase. Only Rivian and Tesla have constructed their proprietary charging networks. With today’s announcement, Mercedes-Benz says they seek to meet the consumers’ demands of tomorrow. MBUSA says they are committed to driving the industry forward and being where people are so they can help drive EV adoption in states with high EV penetration but also help build ahead of the curve.
Page 14 • November 24 - 30, 2023 • theatlantavoice.com
Travel
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Hawks hosted Black and Brown entrepreneurs with chance to win $10k
Disney debuts ‘Jollywood Nights’ BY DONNELL SUGGS
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RLANDO, FL.- The saying goes, 'It never rains in southern California', but it does snow in central Florida. On Saturday night the snow fell over Hollywood Boulevard during the premiere of Jollywood Nights, the global entertainment company's ode to the coming Christmas holiday, that takes place at Disney Hollywood Studios park. On the 100th anniversary of Disney World as a destination for fans from all around the world, Jollywood Nights allows the Christmas holiday to take a lead position in November. It's bigger than decorations being put up around the parks, there are plenty of attractions that will be exclusive to J0llywood Nights. Popular characters from Pixar's movie franchise, "The Incredibles", are going to be made available during Holidays A La Mode at Pixar Plaza. There visitors can take pictures with Edna Mode and Frozone. At Mickey and Friends Holiday Greetings, which takes place at Animation Courtyard, there are holiday photo opportunities with classic characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy and Pluto. There were a number of shows taking place at two of the theaters at Disney Hollywood Studios; Theater of the Stars and Hyperion Theater. "What's This?: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas SingAlong" and "Disney Holidays in Hollywood" were scheduled throughout the night with a "Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!" capping the night just after midnight. Christmas, still more than 45 days away, was in the air Saturday, Nov. 11. During a gathering of guests during a Jollywood Nights party a man in all black made his way around a room playing the saxophone. He transitioned from "This Christmas'' to "All I Want for Christmas''. Disney cast members like Ms. Mary, "Mary with a y," she said to this reporter when asked her name, were dressed for a party, complete with gowns and boas. Back on Hollywood Blvd. couples were lining up in the middle of the street to take photos under mistletoe. And the snow fell. The man behind the music of Disney’s ‘Wish’ Disney’s latest animated feature film, “Wish“, will make its way to theaters nationwide Wednesday, Nov. 22. The film brings
Members of the media were invited to a sneak peek of ‘Wish’ Monday afternoon at Disney’s Epcot Center. The animated film hits theaters Wednesday, Nov. 22. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Disney’s latest nod to Christmas season, ‘Jollywood Nights’ debuted Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
the protagonist, Asha, together with Star, an actual star, in an attempt to save her community of Rosas. While moviegoers will be enjoying the animation, they will also be enveloped in the music of the film. The man behind that music, Dave Metzger, is a composer, arranger and orchestrator that has worked on 11 Disney films during his career. During a one-on-one interview with Disney Files Magazine editor and lead writer Ryan March, Metzger shared how he felt when he got the news he was going to compose “Wish” and what some of his
inspirations for the sounds of the film were. Metzger’s work can be found in many Disney classics, such as “Frozen”, “Tarzan & Jane”, “Moana” and “How to Train a Dragon 2”, but getting the nod to compose and arrange the music of “Wish” moved him to tears. “It’s honestly something that I never expected to happen,” Metzger, who described himself as an emotional person, said. The only song that was written for the film when Metzger came aboard was “This Wish”, and his job was to create the music that sur-
rounded that song and others that would be written and recorded for ‘Wish’.” “One of my major jobs was to make that flow as seamless as possible,” Metzger said. He shared that some of the inspirations for the music, some of which the assembled media had an opportunity to hear in snippets Monday, came from around the world. Instruments normally found in Spanish and Mediterranean music played a large part in the composing, said Metzger. “I also used string instruments and Spanish Flamenco guitars,” he added. During the interview, three pieces of music were played for the media. Metzger proceeded to describe each scene that accompanied the musical pieces. There’s even a song that is composed and written for chickens during a scene in the film. “The hardest part was teaching them how to sing,” Metzger joked. Asked by March what was the most enjoyable part of the arrangement and composition process, Metzger answered “The recording process.” “The recording sessions are my favorite part,” Metzger, who worked with a 95-piece orchestra, said. Towards the end of the interview, Metzger shared how his mother took him to see “The Jungle Book” when he was a child. He in turn took his kids to see “Tarzan” when they were kids. The bridge that Disney films have had for 100 years is one of Metzger’s inspirations. “Disney films have a touchpoint in so many people’s lives,” he said. “I hope it makes the world a happier and better place.”
theatlantavoice.com • November 24 - 30, 2023 • Page 15
Entertainment Cirque du Soleil brings ‘ECHO’ to Atlantic Station
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BY JANELLE WARD
he cast of Cirque du Soleil has returned to Atlanta this month to present ‘ECHO’, a two-hourlong audio-visual spectacle featuring innovative technology, catchy live music and examples of the company’s iconic displays of acrobatic performance. First opening to Atlantans this past Sunday, Nov. 5, the international touring troupe will perform for 11 weeks under the Big Top in Atlantic Station, introducing Cirque du Soleil's newest story conveying a message of hope, harmony and curiosity to audiences five nights a week. Thursday’s crowd laughed, cheered and clapped for the show’s eclectic cast of characters at the 7:30 p.m. showing, consisting largely of families young and old, big and small. ‘ECHO’ explores the symbiotic relationship between people and animals through music, impressive set designs and creative choreography. The ensemble—a majority of which portrays different types of animals in the show—were energetic and smiling all throughout the performance, relying on their extensive physical training and acting skills to bring their characters to life. Clad in colorful costumes and intricate makeup, ‘ECHO’s company of actors put on a light-hearted yet thrilling performance that was captivating from beginning to end. On a circular stage, performers toyed with concepts of physics and musicality that make the show interesting from all angles of visibility, even appearing more interactive than Cirque du Soleil’s previous production in Atlanta, ‘Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities’. The cast often engaged with audience members around the venue during Thursday’s show, especially after successfully landing difficult stunts. Comedic breaks in the production encouraged participation from the crowd, while buying crew members time to change sets in between larger acts. The audience was happy to return the ensemble’s energy with applause throughout the night, which clearly motivated the artists to perform even stronger as the show carried on. ‘ECHO’ also features strong representation of Black and Brown talent in the live entertainment sphere. The troupe’s members of color particularly stood out onstage, the brightly hued makeup and costumes accentuating their
Cirque du Soleil returns to Atlantic Station this fall and winter to present ‘ECHO’, with performances scheduled for five days a week until Jan. 21. Photo by Janelle Ward/The Atlanta Voice
darker skin tones underneath the white stage lights. Choreographic elements of the show also highlight these performers’ diverse scope of physical talent, which ranges from agility to flexibility to extraordinary strength. One of the most popular acts of the evening, an acrobatic duo that performed a series of complicated flips in an impressive display of partner work, brought much of the crowd to its feet not even 30 minutes into the show. The big top appeared to host a nearly full crowd for 'ECHO's first Thursday night production, a promising sign as the troupe begins to wrap up its first full week of performances. The cast will put on its final show on Jan. 21 of next year.
Photo by Janelle Ward/The Atlanta Voice
Page 16 • November 24 - 30, 2023 • theatlantavoice.com
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