The Atlanta Voice E-Edition 051724

Election Central

The Assault on Reproductive Rights: A Call to Action for Supporters of Self-Determination

Fulton County will choose a sheriff next week

BY DONNELL SUGGS

Election Day is Tuesday, May 21 and among the many local political offices and seats up for grabs in the office of the sheriff, the county’s top law enforcement officer.

KURT BEASLEY

Fulton County resident Kirt Beasley officially announced her candidacy for Fulton County Sheriff. With over 23 years of law enforcement experience, Beas ley said she is best for the position because she’s “homegrown”.

Beasley began her career with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department where she served the entirety of her career rising through the ranks under several previous administrations, including under current Fulton County Sheriff Patrick LaBat as a contractor due to her experience.

“I was hired in 1994 by then Fulton County Sheriff Jacquelyn Harrison Barrett and I worked my entire career, basically at the jail. I started as a deputy and was pro moted to the rank of sergeant, promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, then to the rank of captain, then the rank of major, and all the way up to the assistant chief jailer,” she said. “So, through all those years there, I learned the sheriff's office and I know the job.

12-year-old grandson, and my five-year-old granddaughter.”

Ken believes his wife is the best choice for the job.

to look for people with the same work ethics, values, and morals. I must come in there and put the county first and put the inmates first, the staff first. I'm going to have people working around me to make me better.”

She also said if elected, her priority will be to address the jail conditions like being overcrowded, understaffed, and ultimately unsafe. She also plans to prioritize funds for necessary facility improvements, while providing tax-paying citizens transparency and accountability in budget allocation.

Additionally, she said she will not be a

JAMES “JT” BROWN

Fulton County Sheriff candidate James

sheriff who will not listen to what others have to say to her to make things better.

“In order to make any agency better or do anything better, you must surround yourself with people who are all working towards that one common goal. In this case, this common goal is to make the sheriff's office better and to make Fulton County better as a whole,” she said.

The interview and subsequent story on Fulton County Sheriff’s candidate Kurt Beasley was conducted and written by Isaiah Singleton.

With an extensive law background, Beasley said she is choosing to run now simply because she cares, she said.

“I care about the employees that work at the sheriff's office, I care about the people who are detained at the sheriff's office, I care about the taxpayers of Fulton County, and I care about the people who have loved ones incarcerated at the jail,” she said.

Additionally, Beasley said she can hear the silent cries of the inmates who want many things changed, including an adequate number of staff at the jail to protect them.

“I can hear screams of the taxpayers because we don't have enough staff, or there's not enough staff at that jail, and you have inmates who are assaulted.

The Importance of Family

Family is very important, said Beasley, who is a wife, a mother of two daughters, and a grandmother of two. She has been married to her husband, Ken, for 19 years.

“He's the best and he's great. Our 19 years have been fine, we're enjoying and have enjoyed those years, and we plan to enjoy life together,” she said.

Beasley said her two daughters are scientists in their own field of study.

“One, works in a study of cancer research, and the other does, organ transplantation,” she said. “Then, I have my heartbeats, a

“I feel great my wife is running for Sheriff in Fulton County. I think she’s best for the agency, the citizens, and taxpayers, point blank,” he said. “You couldn’t get a better candidate who knows that.”

Beasley’s response to the many issues at the county jail is rooted in action and care.

“You must have a share in an agency in place, ready to ensure the safety of the people detained at that jail. So, I believe this action speaks louder than words. You must put yourself into action,” she said. “The sheriff must know that the sheriff’s office is not to be used for his or her personal agenda. It's all about the citizens of Fulton County.”

Beasley gave an example of this.

“The jail is the largest liability to the citizens of Fulton County, so if you see that's your biggest problem, then you need to adjust staff and reallocate staff.”

Also, Beasley said she knows there are other duties of the sheriff’s office.

“I know we're responsible for the courts securing the courts. I know we're responsible for serving civil papers, executing warrants, and all the things that come with the sheriff's office, but you must deal with your most pressing problem first to make a difference,” she said.

If elected, Beasley said she’s going to bring her knowledge and experience to the table.

“With that knowledge and experience, I'm going to bring some other knowledge and experience with me,” Beasley said. “I'm going

“JT” Brown has a plan. In fact, the now-retired veteran law enforcement officer has a three-step plan to return the Ful ton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) to what he believed were its former lofty heights of respectability and efficiency. These days, you can Google the combination of “Fulton County Sheriff’s Office” and “Atlanta 2023” and a plethora of stories and posts on probes into the Fulton County Jail, detention officer arrests, and bad reviews on working at the jail.

On a Friday morning inside the offices of The Atlanta Voice Brown took his badge out of the breast pocket of his navy blue suit. He retired in December 2022 so these days his FCSO badge reads “retired”, but he still keeps it close. After 37 years with the department, the level of pride he once had in the badge has changed.

“My badge is tarnished,” said Brown, tapping the badge with his right index finger. “What’s going on in the jail, the atrocities, we are talking about a controlled environment. How are people dying in a controlled environment when you have an almost quarter-billion-dollar budget?”

The plan is simple, says Brown. It consists of the “Three D’s”, he explained. “Deaths, dollars, and diversion.” Regarding the multiple deaths that have taken place within the Fulton County Jail the past few years during current FCSO Sheriff Patrick Labat’s first term as sheriff, Brown said, “We are going to correct that problem.”

Last year Brown and other retired department members who were still on reserve helped with a shakedown at the jail. Having been gone for a year, he was surprised at how things looked inside the jail where he once worked. “We found 138 shanks on detainees that day,” he recalled. “I know the county can do better because I saw better.”

On the fiscal issues that have taken place, Brown said, “The fiscal management is shot

over there, so we are going to correct that and make sure the budget is running efficiently and effectively.”

The final “D” in the plan calls for programs that will focus on the youngest offenders. Brown spent time in the FCSO warrant division and witnessed first-hand how an arrest can derail a young man’s life. “This is what I heard from the kids when we went to their house because their parents couldn’t handle them, ‘Officer I dropped out of school because I couldn’t read’,” said Brown, who believes the road to petty crimes and ultimately a trip to Rice Street oftentimes starts with not being in school.

“I told myself that if I ever got in charge I would create a reading program for the youth, and would work with community partners so we can bring the jail rate down.”

Brown has seen it all and then some during his career, which is entirely with the FCSO. As a member of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) he not only worked on the warrant division but also the extradition

See SHERIFF on page 3

Election Central

SHERIFF

Continued from page 2

unit, and was elected to the Fulton County Grievance Board. During his career, he also received training from the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI)

“I am a law enforcement CEO,” said Brown, a Detroit native who graduated from Morehouse College in 1985 before joining the FCSO in 1986, starting his nearly four-decade-long career. That career and the educational experiences that took place during that time are what Brown’s supporters are saying which makes him the candidate to choose.

“We have to start putting people in office who carry character. That’s the challenge,” said Brown’s wife of 19 years Monisha Brown. “My challenge to voters is to ask around the

JOYCE FARMER

Joyce Farmer, a candidate for Fulton County Sheriff, has two distinct memories embedded in her brain regarding why she is running for elected office for the first time in her life. In an interview inside The Atlanta Voice building earlier this week, she recalled both moments with vivid color.

Moment one: Farmer was in her East Point Police Department uniform when a mother and daughter approached her. Zoe, an eight-yearold girl, walked over to Farmer and asked her why she was running for sheriff. The girl recognized her from a campaign poster and asked her mother if they could meet the lady in uniform. Farmer, a mother of three adult children and grandmother of two, wanted to make sure she took a moment to answer the girl. “I told her the reason why I want to be sheriff is to protect little girls like her,” Farmer remembered.

county about the reputations of all four candidates.”

One of those voters will be the couple’s 18-year-old son London. He will be voting for the first time by the time the May 12 primary election takes place. “I see myself as an average voter and not JT Brown’s son,” he said. “The way he has to convince everyone else to vote for him, he has to do the same for me.”

London remembered an exchange between the two when he asked his father what he was planning to do if elected and what he was planning to change.

“He wants to change the image of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office,” London recalled. “From what he told me I told him he had my vote. I don’t see myself voting for JT Brown, my father, I see myself as an average voter voting for the best candidate who I believe is going to do what he needs to do to fix the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.”

I’m going to stay grounded,” said Farmer.

enforcement, which includes 29 years with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO). “Everybody is not in the [law enforcement] field for all the right reasons.”

FCSO SHERIFF PATRICK LABAT

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat’s current term ends on New Year’s Eve, 2024. Long before the peach drops (not actual ly, since there isn’t an actual Peach Drop any longer) on a new year, there will be an even more important decision day to observe: elec tion day. The general election for a number of high-ranking positions within Fulton County, the state’s largest and most populated county, will take place on Tuesday, May 21. That includes sheriff, a position Labat ran for and won in 2020.

This time around will be different from the 2020 election when Labat received all of the 427,266 votes. This time there are four other experienced law en forcement officers running against him.

Walking into The Atlanta Voice office on Tuesday, Mar. 12, Labat gives off the impres sion that he’s not worried about having to campaign for office again. Wearing his uniform and flanked by members of his staff and security team, he took a seat at a conference table and answered questions about why he believes he is not only doing a good job but should be re-elected as sheriff.

When asked if she believes she can win the election Farmer said she did. “God already said I got it,” said Farmer. “I just need to trust him. Man doesn’t promote me, God does.”

“We came into office after defeating a three-term incumbent with a spirit of change,” said Labat. “We came in at the height of COVID, 3,700 individuals, 600 of them were sleeping on the floor. So our first goal was to treat people humanely.”

been the creation of an inmate advocacy unit that assists inmates with their paperwork and identifying inmates that might get lost in the system and be spending more time in the jail than necessary, on a legal basis. During Labat’s time, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office also created a free app that allows inmate welfare checks for families and friends to keep up with inmates.

Moment two: The death of Lashawn Thompson within the walls of the Fulton County Jail on Sept. 13, 2022. The 35-yearold was found dead inside his cell in the psychiatric wing of the jail covered in bed bugs. The thought of Thompson’s death still bothers Farmer. “Mental health is not a crime, it’s a sickness, just like someone with high blood pressure,” Farmer explained. “Part of my platform will be to educate the community because a lot of people deal with mental health issues in their family.”

Not having any political experience might help Farmer. She is coming into the primary election without having had dreams of becoming the sheriff of Atlanta’s largest county. “I prayed about it and asked God if he wanted me to do this please let me know,” she recalled.

She started campaigning in June 2023 and hasn’t looked back since. “I’m so grateful and

There’s a lot of fights in Farmer. She was a deputy for 15 years before she was finally promoted to the rank of sergeant by former three-term Fulton County Sheriff Jacquelyn Harrison Barrett, the first Black female sheriff in the United States, in 2003. Farmer was moved out of the jail and into the role of a trainer at the Public Safety Center, where she helped train incoming sheriff’s deputies.

Farmer says she has a plan to raise morale within the department. “The supervisors shouldn’t be so hard on the staff in the field doing the work,” she said.

The reason for creating those personal connections with the staff is simple, says Farmer. “It’s all about being real. I might not be that polished politician, but I want to be real and look out for each other.”

Born and raised in Macon, Farmer brings decades of experience to the polls. “As a deputy, we are there to protect the inmates from each other and themselves,” explained Farmer, a 34-year veteran of law

The inmates are no longer sleeping on the floors of the jail due to overcrowding, according to Labat. Having spent ten years of his 35-year law enforcement career as chief of the Atlanta Department of Corrections, Labat understands that in order to effect even more change, including the culture at the jail, there are going to be some rough moments.

“Change is necessary, and people don’t like change,” he said. “In that environment, we focused on how we treat each other, and our goal was to focus on how we provide service for individuals.”

An example Labat gave where change was implemented upon his arrival was the changing of the department’s mission statement from a long paragraph to just one word: service.

“If we cannot provide service for you, we are not doing our jobs,” he says. “So ultimately, we are people first and service first.”

Asked what he offers voters who will be heading to the polls in just a couple of months to decide the next leader of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Labat said, “I offer a continued vision people elected me for in the first place. Let’s fight together, and let’s continue to work together.”

During Labat’s time as sheriff there has

“We have been very successful over the last three and a half years,” says Labat, who added he and his staff are in the “Embryonic stages of creating something that people can be proud of when they come to work.”

The Fulton County Sheriff has three main responsibilities: protect the courts, run the jail, which has 3,700 inmates, and be the chief law enforcement officer for Fulton County. Labat says potential voters may not have a complete grasp of all of the responsibilities of the job and the “challenges” that he faced when he took office in January 2021. He wants to be as transparent as possible about the job he and his staff are doing heading into his fourth year on the job.

There is also the issue of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office being understaffed, something that many law enforcement agencies across the country have experienced. Labat believes there’s a realistic answer to the ageold question of how to find good help these days. “We have to be the employer of choice, and that starts with having a Board of Commissioners who understands that we focus on people first,” Labat said.

Asked what he would say to the Fulton County voters if given the opportunity, Labat said he would ask for more time because what he is doing is working. “What I would ask the voters is, let’s fight together, let’s continue to finish. We’re just getting started.”

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

—Michael Jordan

Nation’s Growing Racial and Gender Wealth Gaps Need Policy Reform

BY CHARLENE CROWELL

As the November general election nears, many economic analysts have publicly pondered why so many likely voters are not impressed with reports that point to more hiring, or economic growth. But if these experts spoke with hard-working Americans, they’d understand why so many are disgruntled.

A wealth of new research spells out stark wealth and income disparities that reflect a far different economic dynamic: people who work full-time, but find it difficult to get ahead financially. Race and ethnicity remain nagging factors. But emerging gender and occupational trends play a large role as well.

A late March update of the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank's ongoing research on wealth inequalities offers several eye-opening data points:

• Overall, women had only 68 cents in wealth for every dollar held by their male peers;

• When data was filtered by race/ethnicity, never-married Black women and never-married Hispanic women had 8 cents and 14 cents, respectively, of the wealth of white males;

• Never-married Black women, never-married Hispanic women and never-married mothers of any race or ethnicity were the most financially stressed. They had very low levels of wealth to fall back on in an emergency, or to invest in financial stability and mobility; and

• Each of the never-married groups is in the bottom third of the wealth distribution for U.S. households.

But low racial and gender wealth is inextricably tied to income.

An Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) report highlighted the inequities in fulltime workers’ pay.

“Equal pay for equal work has been the law of the land for more than a half-century, yet women still cannot get fair treatment when it comes to employment and earnings,” noted Jamila K. Taylor, IWPR President and CEO. “And it’s worse for women of color, who face rampant racial discrimination in the workforce in addition to ongoing pay inequities.”

The report, The 2023 Weekly Wage Gap by Race, Ethnicity and Occupation, explores how these three factors are intertwined. In 2023 overall, according to IWPR, the wage gap for full-time workers by gender improved, but when race and ethnicity were factored into the analysis, a substantial wage gap grew.

The median income of white men in 2023 increased more than all other groups, but IWPR found substantial wage gaps for Latinas and Black women. Weekly median wages for Black women dropped to 65.8 percent in 2023, down

Credit iStock.com/Hyejin Kang

from the previous year’s 67.4 percent. Similarly, Latina wages fell from 2022’s 61.4 percent to 59.2 percent in 2023.

The highest paying occupations – management, business, and finance positions – brought white men a median weekly income of $1,905, according to IWPR. But these same occupations paid Black men $1,488, and Black women earned even less at $1,287 per week.

By comparison, service occupations – paying less than other occupations such as sales, construction, and transportation – paid median full-time weekly wages of $917 to white men, and $749 to Black men. Black women and Latinas earned even less in these occupations, with Black women taking home median weekly wages of $654, and Latinas earning $646.

Even compared to workers of the same race or ethnicity women continued to earn less as full-time workers. For every dollar a Black man earned Black women earned 91.6 cents. Latinas earned even less, earning 87.4 cents for every dollar earned by a Latino man.

“Tackling profound gender and racial wage gaps requires a variety of policies,” states the IWPR report. “These include addressing discrimination in all aspects of employment and tackling occupational segregation and its consequences, both by improving women’s access to

and retention in well-paid jobs predominantly held by men and by improving earnings and job quality in undervalued jobs predominantly held by women.”

A report from the Urban Institute, How Policymakers Can Close the Wealth Gap for Black Women asserts that any serious proposals to eliminate lingering and widespread barriers to wealth building must address the monthly costs that deny the ability to save money: lower women’s wages, child care costs, student loan payments, and unaffordable health care.

“Policies that help Black women afford rent, child care, education, and food would allow them to pursue higher-paying employment opportunities and increase their ability to afford basic expenses, save, and invest in assets,” states the Urban Institute report.

To remedy these historic inequities, the Urban Institute calls for policymakers to:

• Make college more affordable;

• Ensure pay equity and support for women entrepreneurs;

• Expand access to caregiving services and affordable health care; and

• Make mortgages more accessible.

Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

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SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

No Purpose, No Direction, No Way

BY JAMES A. WASHINGTON The Atlanta Voice

They say the only sure way to get Satan’s attention is to begin to turn one’s life to Christ. I’ve heard many ministers refer to a person’s lifestyle as but an entryway for the devil to gain access to your world. Supposedly, as long as you engage in the things and happenings of this world, Lucifer has no need to spend any energy dealing with the struggle for your eternal soul. You see life’s trials and temptations alone are enough to sentence any one of us to an afterlife void of the Lord, which if you didn’t know it, is the quintessential definition of hell itself.

As we use up our time here in the physical world, sometimes we lose sight of the obvious. A life without purpose, a life without direction, a life without faith is a life wandering aimlessly on a highway headed straight to hell. The devil does not need to work to gain access to this life. He can merely wait at the toll booth entrance to hell and collect unsuspecting souls on the

As we use up our time here in the physical world, sometimes we lose sight of the obvious

way by. You know when you’ve partied so hard that even the next day doesn’t clear the stupor of the night before? In this regard, I’m suggesting that maybe some of us could at least make the devil sweat just a little bit while he manipulates your life’s circumstances.

On the other hand a life dedicated to purpose, steeped in integrity and anchored in faith instantly becomes a target for Satan’shand. I’m trying to put him to work every day by appealing to the Lord to allow me to do His will everyday as opposed to myown. The reality is that Satan is coming for anyone who tries to hear and respond to God’s Word. “Some people are like seeds along the path where the Word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the Word that was sown in them.” Mark 4:15.The

My freshman year

BY KAYLA SHERIFFE

Metro Atlanta resident, rising sophomore and forthcoming The Atlanta Voice intern Kayla Sheriffe shared her thoughts on her first year in college.

JONESBORO, GA.- Two weeks ago, I concluded my first year of college. I would love to say it fits the aesthetic everyone describes college to be: days filled with endless joyous experiences that come with newfound freedom. However, my freshman year did not. Nobody mentions the not so glorious parts of this new chapter of your life. Learning to navigate conflict, putting yourself out there, and remaining focused. It’s harder than most imagine, especially when doing it on your own. The transition from teenager to young adult is worrisome. Although for me, succumbing to those emotions wasn’t an option, and my achievements were worth the wait.

I made a promise to myself at the start of my freshman year to become the girl I was too timid to be in high school. At that time, I limited myself. The thought of venturing outside my comfort zone left me apprehensive, however, I can gratefully say I have discovered a new strength, confidence, and ambitiousness within myself. During my freshman year I became an ambassador for my university, a part of the chancellor's list, a resident assistant, vice president of African American Student Association, a twotime published poet, and I was accepted into

my school’s rigorous honors program. With every achievement I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. These accomplishments aren’t just time-fillers or additions to a resume, they measure my growth as a person.

Universities are one big melting pot. There's a multitude of cultures, perceptions, and upbringing, with that comes different understandings of morals and ethics. Being away at college has taught me a great deal of patience. I had to learn the benefits of tunnel vision. Anything that attempted to drive me off the road of success remains in rearview. Lessons can be learnt outside of the classroom, and it's up to me to decide which of those lessons I pass and fail.

Moving away from home was also a big step for me. I consider myself to be family-oriented. Just being in the presence of my loved ones brings me comfort. Attending school in a different state taught me the importance of independence, but dependence as well. I made it a habit to keep in contact daily, telling every little detail of my day. Truthfully, it was something I looked forward to. Almost as if I was in our living room talking face-toface. College isn’t just a sole experience. My decision impacted my family in more ways than one. Although, it motivated me. Being careful and attentive about my education so I can share my success with my loved ones warms my heart. There is no single journey when it comes to family.

question is if you know this, then what you doing, if anything, to arm yourself against the inevitable onslaught awaiting anyone trying to be true to God’s Word.``And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”

2 Corinthians 11:14.

The point of all this is to let you know that as a believer, you have a neon sign that shines brightly in all the kingdoms of this world and the next. It alerts everyone around you to the true mission of your soul’s existence, which is to honor God. For the record Satan cannot stand the thought that your love of God could supersede his ability to wreck your world.You see I’m told he also loved God dearly at one time. He came, however, to love himself more. If he has his way, you and I and everyone will come to love ourselves more

than welove Almighty God. And if that ever happens, I hope you have your toll booth token ready, because you will have just bought your ticket straight to hell.``For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of thecross of Christ.Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is their shame. But our citizenship is inheaven…” Philippians 3: 1820. I only hope, I sincerely hope that you recognize the next trial or temptation headed your way is but a speck on the windshield of your life,a mere splattered piece of nothing standing in your way to the Promised Land. Any other consideration would be a mistake and an insult to God.

May God bless and keep you always.

This column is from “Spiritually Speaking: Reflections for and from a New Christian” by James Washington. You can purchase this enlightening book on Amazon and start your journey towards spiritual enlightenment.

Would I say my freshman year was exhilarating and lively, no. I didn’t have an animated college experience. I would instead describe it as impressive, disciplined, and spirited. It was realistic. I had a fair share

of trials and tribulations that helped prepare me and grant me a new outlook on life. College didn't fit the initial fantasy I had in mind, but nonetheless I’m grateful for all it offered me.

Metro Atlanta resident, rising sophomore and forthcoming The Atlanta Voice intern Kayla Sheriffe (far right) shared her thoughts on her first year in college. Photo submitted/The Atlanta Voice

Community

Remembering Our Purpose –A Tribute to James Alfred Washington

Cheer for the champs: Kilpatrick Elementary wins county title

BY DONNELL SUGGS

JONESBORO, Ga. - Walk into Kilpatrick Elementary School and you will immediately notice a trophy case full of pom poms, photos, and a pair of trophies. On a large piece of white paper the words “Grand Champs” are written in blue and red marker. The Kilpatrick Cougars and their faithful recently celebrated the school’s first ever cheerleading championship in March.

The cheerleading program, led by coaches Amanada Harding and Doreen Wilson-Smith, has been in existence for just two years. Last season the Cougars finished second in the race for the grand championship. Now they are champions.

The county championship is broken up into three divisions: choreography, dance, and original performance. The three scores that Kilptarick amassed, one of which was the highest for original performance, led to their being crowned grand champions. Both coaches took time to talk to The Atlanta Voice on Tuesday morning during the last week of the school year. Both Harding and Wilson-Smith believe the championship is an example of the talent - both athletic and academic- within Kilpatrick Elementary School.

“It feels amazing. For me it means a lot for us to be champions and to be able to give back to this community and school is a great feeling,” Wilson-Smith said. An alumnus of Kilpatrick Elementary School, Wilson-Smith wore a fatigue KES shirt and still looks like she can perform the routines she now teaches her cheerleaders. A kindergarten teacher at Kilpatrick, Wilson-Smith has cheered her entire life, including through middle school, grade school, at Mt. Zion High School, where she was cheer captain, and while in college in Alabama at Tuskegee University. Cheerleading has always been a part of her life, she says.

“I have a passion for cheerleading,” she said. “It has always had my heart.”

Harding, a second grade teacher at Kilpatrick, has cheerleading in her blood as well. A cheerleader

something to look forward to everyday,” Harding explained. “I wake up every morning knowing I’m going to see my babies. I have a calling.”

all through the lower grades and high school, Harding was a part of her college cheer squad at Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. Having the opportunity to coach kids that for the most part have not had the training that she had while growing up, and still managing to win a county title is something Harding says she will never forget.

“It felt good because a lot of these kids never competed before,” Harding said. “That day felt like all of our hard work paid off. The long nights, the long practices. We succeeded, we achieved our goal.”

Wilson-Smith remembers being like some of the Kilpatrick cheerleaders, shy and quiet, before cheerleading changed her life.

“Cheerleading made me come out of my shell,” she recalled. “It teaches you discipline, gives you motivation and encouragement, especially in school. We tell them all of the time that they are leaders.”

Harding, a natural extrovert with a natural smile and booming personality, believes joining the

cheerleading team has helped the kids in many ways.

“They are learning how to keep their bodies healthy, they learn

discipline, and they are also behaving in school,” Harding said.

Coaching the team has also helped her as well. “It gives me

Some of the cheerleaders, which includes a student in a wheelchair and a male student, will be back next year to defend their title. One of those cheerleaders that will be moving on is fifth-grader Jade Thomas.

“First, I thought we were going to lose, but when they called Kilpatrick for first place everybody was crying,” Thomas, 11, said.

Fourth-grader Juhmilia Holloway, 10, said she felt good about her team’s accomplishment during the competition. “When we finally got done with our performance I believed in my team. So when they said we made first place I was so proud.”

Asked why the girls joined the cheerleading squad two years ago, Thomas said, “I’m athletic and I like to do sports.” Holloway, who said she has been competing in cheerleading competitions since she was three, said, “When I’m cheering I get to express myself. It’s very natural to me.”

The next time Holloway and her teammates step on the basketball court or flag football field or for a school parade, they will do so as Clayton County Grand Champions.

“They helped put our school on the map,” said Harding. ‘We are one big family.”

The Kilptatrick Elememtary School Cougars (above) were named the Clayton County “Grand Champion” this season. The Cougars defeated 34 other teams for the school’s first title. Photo provided by coaches Harding and Smith/The Atlanta Voice

Kilpatrick Elementary School coaches Doreen Wilson-Smith (right) and Amanda Harding (above with the Grand Championship trophy) have been with the program from the start. “We have the most diverse group in the county,” Wilson-Smith said of the Cougars. Photo submitted by Harding and Wilson-Smith/The Atlanta Voice

The trophy case inside Kilpatrick Elementary School’s main entrance, Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

Comcast RISE program supports small businesses with grants and resources

BY STAFF REPORT

Comcast RISE is committed to supporting the growth of all small businesses, while advancing the objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as community investment. The program is built to help businesses and their com-

Health

munities thrive with a focus on economic growth. This year, Comcast RISE will award 500 recipients in five cities with a grant package that includes business consultation services, education resources, monetary grants, creative production, media, and technology makeovers.

Comcast RISE was created in 2020 to help

small businesses hard hit by Covid-19recover and thrive. To date, 13,500 small businesses were awarded with over $125 million in monetary, marketing, and technology grants. We’re pleased to bring Comcast RISE back in 2024. As small businesses transition from pandemic recovery to a focus on expansion and growth, Comcast will continue their ef-

forts and help an even broader range of small businesses, while continuing to focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment.

Comcast RISE is one of several programs that Comcast has overseen as part of Project UPthat are aimed at closing the digital divide and achieving digital equity.

American Cancer Society launches Voices of Black Women

BY STACY M. BROWN

The American Cancer Society is embarking on an unprecedented initiative spanning 20 states, including the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, to investigate the troubling disparities in cancer survival rates among Black women.

Despite overall declines in cancer deaths, Black women continue to face disproportionately high mortality rates, a phenomenon the organization aims to address through its newly unveiled VOICES of Black Women study.

“While cancer deaths have declined, Black women maintain a high death rate,” said Dr. Lauren McCullough, co-principal investigator and visiting scientific director at the American Cancer Society, during a recent briefing.

“With few exceptions, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer, aggressive tumor types, and have higher cancer-specific mortality rates than other women,” McCullough added.

This disparity is especially pronounced in breast cancer, where Black women face a 40% higher mortality rate than white women despite having a lower rate of diagnosis by 4%.

Moreover, Black women are 60% more likely than white women to succumb to cervical cancer and nearly twice as likely to die from endometrial cancer.

The VOICES of Black Women study aims to enroll over 100,000 Black women aged 25 to 55, making it the country’s most significant endeavor of its kind. Participants

must be cancer-free upon enrollment and will be tracked for 30 years to examine the impact of medical history, lifestyle factors, and experiences of racism on cancer risk and mortality.

“To be eligible for the study, participants must live in one of the 20 states or Washington, D.C., which together account for more than 90% of the U.S. population of Black women ages 25 to 55,” McCullough clarified.

The initiative seeks to confront historical injustices in medical research, which have often excluded or exploited Black participants. McCullough referenced past instances of medical exploitation, including the Tuskegee experiment and the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks’ cells.

The study allows individuals to opt out of providing medical records, and their identities will remain confidential in published research. Officials said this would safeguard participants’ privacy and ensure ethical oversight,

A brief registration on the study’s website precedes a thorough survey covering medical history, lifestyle choices, and encounters with racism and discrimination.

Enrollment is open in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

“This isn’t just a study; it’s a collective commitment to understanding and improving the health of Black women across the nation,” affirmed cancer society officials. “And that change starts with you.”

Photo Credit: iStock.com/AaronAmat

ONLINE Autism will not define Lauryn Clark

From the West Bank to the West End: AUC students gather to speak out

BY DONNELL SUGGS

What was labeled as a student “speak out” and not a protest, took place on the campus of Morehouse College in front of the Walter E. Massey Leadership Center Wednesday morning.

Dozens of students from various universities and colleges within the largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) installation in the country took a stand against what has been taking place in the Middle East.

A number of Atlanta University Center (AUC) students took turns speaking out against the war in Palestine. There was also a member of Spelman College’s faculty that also spoke out against the violence in Gaza.

“We tell Biden to fuck off and don’t come to the AUC,” said one professor that did not give her name.

“We need a ceasefire now. No more lives

need to be lost,” said Natalie, a Spelman College student who shared that her father was killed by police in January. “The AUC and the West End does not support genocide.”

Chants of “Listen to the students. The students are never wrong,” “Stop Cop City,” “Hands off Rafa” and “Free Palestine” filled the air in between students taking turns speaking out against everything, including United States President Jospeh R. Biden coming to Morehouse College to give the commencement speech at graduation later this month.

“We just don’t want our tax dollars used for war,” said student media liaison Malik P., a Morehouse rising senior. “Period.”

Along with Morehouse College President David A. Thomas and Spelman College President Helene D. Gayle, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was also targets of chants during the speak out.

“No peace on Spelman land. No peace on Morehouse land. No peace on gentrified land.”

A “speak out” against, among other things, the war in Gaza and the impending visit by U.S. President Joseph R. Biden to Morehouse College were on the agenda Wednesday morning on the campus of Morehouse College. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

A Spelman College professor joined the “speak out” Wednesday morning. A trio of Morehouse faculty (not shown) also spoke out against the war in Gaza and President Biden’s upcoming visit to Morehouse on May 19. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

State

Early voting is now underway for May 21 primary election

in Georgia

Governor Kemp signs controversial voting bills into law

BY ITORO N. UMONTUEN

Tuesday, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp signed three voting-related bills into law. These measures create new rules for voter challenges.

Republicans claim the bills will secure future elections. Plus, the victory is sweet especially for some that believe the 2020 Presidential election was ‘stolen’.

Kemp signed Senate Bill 189 into law Tuesday afternoon. The legislation creates new rules for challenging voter qualifications. It also bans the use of QR codes to count ballots after 2026. SB 189 also requires the counting of all advance and absentee ballots within an hour of the polls closing. Additionally, any political party or political body could qualify for the presidential ballot if it already has gained access to the ballot in at least 20 states or territories.

Controversially, unhoused people without a permanent address must re-register to vote. They will not be able to vote at a homeless shelter. Persons that are “homeless and without a permanent address” — must visit the county’s registrar’s office. Previously, registered voters without permanent addresses have registered at shelters or government offices, including courthouses.

“Since we’ve been in the majority, we’ve worked on election bills every year, there’s

been a tweak to our elections,” said House Speaker Jon Burns after the bill passed. “We have been looking at different alternatives that will allow our elections to be run very efficiently and effectively. But with security. And we did take some steps with that in the budget today to make sure that the Secretary of State and his team are able to do the job that gives Georgians confidence in our elections.”

Activists say they’ll see the Governor in court

Previously, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia announced if Governor Kemp signs the measure, they will file a lawsuit. According to the bill, it allows anyone in the State of Georgia to challenge a voter’s validity or legality up to 45 days before an election. Conversely, the National Voter Registration Act prohibits states and counties from making changes to voting rolls within 90 days of a federal election.

“SB 189 is a step back for voters’ rights and voting access in the state of Georgia,” said Andrea Young, executive director of the ACLU of Georgia, in a statement. “Most importantly, this bill will require already overburdened election workers to spend time processing unnecessary voter challenges. As always, elected state officials should work to make voting easier and not more difficult for

Georgia citizens. We are committed to protecting Georgia voters and will see the governor in court.”

Kemp also signed House Bill 974 on Tues-

day. This legislation allows for all ballots to be available for the public to access via the Georgia Secretary of State’s website. Also, the measure ensures that no personal identifying information of voters in the digital scans of ballots would be available to the public.

Lastly, Kemp signed House Bill 1207 into law. The measure requires all election workers to be U.S. citizens. It also reduces the number of election machines to one machine per every 250 voters.

Activists believe if Republicans can convince Black people to stay home or kick them off the rolls, the plan is a success. They say it is the force behind SB 189 as well as Senate Bill 202. Additionally, they believe the GOP does not want 11,780 votes be the margin that decides an election for the Democrats.

“Access to the ballot is at the heart of our democracy. This election ‘Frankenbill’ violates the National Voter Registration Act. We are committed to protecting Georgia voters. If the governor signs this bill, we will see him in court,” said Young.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp delivers the 2024 State of the State Address from the House Chamber inside the Georgia State Capitol.

Photo By Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Nostalgia Kitchen + Cocktails fuses various cultures, brings Decatur community together

Stir House Atlanta: The Southeast’s first vegan and gluten-free stir fry restaurant

BY LAURA NWOGU

Stir House Atlanta, the newest Downtown restaurant, celebrated its grand opening on Friday. Located on 61 Broad Street NW, it's the first vegan and gluten-free stir fry restaurant in the Southeast.

The landscape of vegan food in Atlanta has evolved in the past few years, the popularity of the lifestyle increasing as more and more vegan eateries open in the city. And the concept of Stir House is new and fresh: a Black-owned business serving up healthy Asian cuisine in the heart of Atlanta.

However, the novelty of the new Broad Street eatery was born out of personal experiences.

Antonio Brown, a former Atlanta city councilman and co-owner of Stir House Atlanta, shared that he’d suffered a near-death experience that pushed him to make lifestyle changes when it came to diet. However, once Brown realized that there weren’t many vegan and gluten-free options available to aid him in his new health journey, he began to conceptualize the vision of Stir House Atlanta.

Four years later, a crowd packed into the restaurant to see the space and try dishes the owners hope to give back to the community through conscious, healthy eating.

“In our Black community, we struggle with access to healthy food, and this is really important, even in this area. This is downtown Atlanta. You have a huge unsheltered population here,” Brown said. “You have a lot of businesses that are struggling right now. There's a huge call for economic development in this area, and it's important that we're bringing Black businesses along this journey.”

That journey is helped along by co-owners Ebony Austin, philanthropist and owner of Nouveau Bar & Grill, attorney and pharmaceutical executive Phillandas Thompson and human resources executive Tosin Adesanya. Austin, whose popular Nouveau eateries have become College Park and Jonesboro staples, said joining the team was a “no-brainer.” Though not vegan herself, she had a front-row seat to the benefits of the lifestyle through her mother and wanted to give the community healthier choices.

“When the idea came of Stir House, we wanted to create something that was really good, but that was very different — that was still healthy. So for us, we wanted to tie all three in: community, healthy eating, and then we also wanted to give people stuff that

doesn’t have any GMOs, no bull. We've created something that's unmatched that you can't really find in most places.”

The team at Stir House is bringing a fast-casual dining experience that features fresh menu items with no gluten, no gum and no bull. One of those items is the A-Town, an ode to the city that features jasmine rice, impossible grounds, garlic, onions, red beans,

cabbage, charred corn, sweet peppers and red pepper aioli topped with a fried drumstick. The food is served in colorful stir fry boxes, with the other dishes such as the Cuban, NOLA, and The Khan boxes giving nods to different cultures. The restaurant will also feature a vegan and gluten-free dessert and juice bar.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who served

with Brown on the Atlanta city council, attended the grand opening to give remarks and participate in the ribbon cutting.

“Antonio Brown is a visionary. We all know that. And the team of folks that you're working with, you're making a partnership come to life on Broad Street in downtown Atlanta as we are bringing back light to our downtown,” Dickens said. “You’re going to feed the city in a very special way because one thing about Antonio Brown, not only is he going to provide food for our bellies, he's going to provide food for our souls.”

From left to right: Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall, U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Brown, restaurateur Ebony Austin, Phillandas Thompson cut the ribbon on Stir House Vegan on Friday, May 3, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice

Stir House Atlanta co-owners Phillandas Thompson, restaurateur Ebony Austin, and former Atlanta City Councilman Antonio Brown. Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice

Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice

Arts

Arts and artists continue to connect Atlanta and Lagos

BY RADHIYA ALSTON

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Mayor Maynard Jackson creating The Sister City Rising, The Ashview Community Garden located on the westside of the Atlanta Beltline hosted two art exhibition unveilings. When Jackson, with the help of Andrew Young, put together the idea of The Sister City Rising it was to build a relationship between Atlanta and Lagos Nigeria. All these years later their work to make that happen is still shining through. The two art exhibitions were curated by Lauren Tate Baeza and created by Nigerian based artists Taiye Idahor and Kainebi Osahenye.

Tate Baeza is the curator of African Art at the High Museum of Art, she handpicked Idahor and Osahenye to participate on this project.

Tate Baeza said, “I knew I picked the right artists,” when it came to who she would be having to come to Atlanta from Lagos. In the 10-week residency that the artists were in Atlanta, Baeza explained that they were both very ambitious with their ideas. With there being such a short amount of time for the artists to make their ideas come to life Tate Baeza was inspired watching them work. She also said that she is “excited to see the growth in the art sector between Lagos and Atlanta” in the future.

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In honor of the 50th anniversary of

on the westside of the

"Ivbieva" by Idahor was the first sculpture to be put on display. As a graduate from Yaba College of Technology in Nigeria, Idahor proudly explained what went into creating her piece. Idahor said “I was very inspired by the idea of the sister city.” She educated the crowd by letting them know that the name of her piece "Ivbieva" translates to “Twin” in English. Being a twin herself it was important that Idahor was able to honor that relationship through her art.

Idahor said “I consider this a monument to women,” she also explained how it is a performative piece. With time and the change of seasons the materials of the sculpture will change.

Osahenye presented his piece titled "Aesthetics of The Yellow Bloom". He explained that when he was putting the idea of his piece together, he was inspired by the pollen that

he saw while in Atlanta. Osahenye said “when we think of pollen we think of the bad, not remembering the good that it brings.” He shared that yes, the pollen covers our cars and flares up allergies, but it also is an asset to our environment. When it came to picking the material that he wanted to work with, Osahenye knew aluminum would be the easiest choice to represent the pollen. He also took the time to show his gratitude for his studio assistant Taylor Jiles, who spent 3 weeks helping him bring his vision to life.

If you are interested in following the journey of the artists or Tate Baeza you can follow them on Instagram: Idahor @ greenpaintbowl, Tate Baeza @elletatebaeza, and Osahenye @ kainebiosahenye. You can find both exhibits at The Ashview Community Garden 1199 Fenwood St SW, Atlanta GA 30314.

Mayor Maynar Jackson creating The Sister City Rising, The Ashview Community Garden located

Beltline hosted two art exhibition unveilings. Photo by Radhiya Alston/The Atlanta Voice

Taiye Idahor with sculpture, “Ivbieva”. Photo by Radhiya Alston/The Atlanta Voice

ONLINE Waste Not, Want Not: Preferred Waste Solutions

Money Learning to Navigate and Manage Medical Debt

BY MYLIKA SCATLIFFE

Medical debt is a looming crisis for millions of families.

While Congress has passed the No Surprises Act to protect Americans from certain unexpected medical bills, including unexpected bills for emergency services from out of network providers, there are steps consumers can take to manage and perhaps reduce or eliminate medical debt.

Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, nearly 20 percent of U.S households have some form of past due medical invoice.

“It’s often the $300 medical bill that drives people into bankruptcy, not necessarily bills from a catastrophic accident or health event, “ said Mark Fuller, strategic business consultant and managing member of Manager of Wealth LLC.

Late fees, penalties and collections can cause a modest medical bill to become unmanageable quite quickly if the recipient is unprepared to make an immediate payment. Medical bills can have a snowball effect on the personal finances when the choice has to be made between paying rent or buying food or medication and paying a past due bill.

Mounting medical debt can be daunting, causing additional stress for an individual already dealing with a medical crisis or that of a family member for whom they are financially responsible. Knowing the rules that pertain to credit reporting and navigating medical debt is an excellent way to minimize negative effects on creditworthiness.

Berneta Haynes is a staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), where she focuses on medical debt and leads the medical debt team. She recently authored NCLC’s “The Racial Health and Wealth Gap: Impact of Medical Debt on Black Families.” She previously served as director at Georgia Watch, a state-based consumer advocacy organization in Atlanta, where she was instrumental in the passage of crucial medical billing legislation and authored the Georgia Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt.

Haynes told the AFRO how she once worked with a woman who received over $30,000 in medical bills after she suffered a stroke. After paying approximately $2000 toward the debt she went to the financial assistance checklist in the guide and was able to get the remaining $29,000 of the debt canceled.

“As soon as you receive a medical bill, request an itemized bill from the provider and review it with careful attention to detail. Billing errors frequently contribute to the total that is included in the bottom line of what you are being invoiced,” said Haynes.

The explanation of benefits, or EOB , provided to you by your insurance company is

also a valuable piece of information.

“Always hold onto your EOB from your insurance company and compare it to your bill. Make sure you actually received all the services for which you’ve been charged,” continued Haynes.

There are steps you can take to ensure you are being fairly charged for medical services, and/or your bill is not correct.

Experts say that consumers should request an itemized bill.

“The benefit of an itemized bill is being able to note and challenge discrepancies,” said Rahwa Yehdego, policy research associate at Georgia Watch.

There are also steps you can take if you notice inaccuracies on paperwork related to a debt. Yehdego says an appeal should be made to adress inaccuracies.

“Patients frequently receive upcharges for medical services, and you can begin with an internal appeal with the provider,” Yehdego said. If an internal appeal is not successful, an external appeal with a local insurance commissioner should be filed.

If reviewing the bill and making an appeal does not work individuals can check to see if they qualify for financial assistance, particularly if your bill is from a hospital. It is a federal requirement that all nonprofit hospitals have a financial assistance policy that is easily accessible and widely publicized to the public.

“It’s important to know that these options exist. If people are unaware financial assistance exists, they often feel like they don’t have much agency in that situation to advocate for themselves,” said Yehdego. “This is

especially true when you’re in the midst of a crisis and just focused on getting through the medical emergency and thinking ‘let me worry about that bill when it comes in the mail in a few months.”

Haynes also wants patients to be reminded that there is the option to negotiate your medical bill.

“The provider may be willing to accept a lower amount to settle the bill,” said Haynes.

If you decide on a payment plan with a provider, it is imperative to get the terms of the agreed plan in writing and to be sure to set it up with payments you can afford.

If you are sued over an outstanding medical debt, you can make an argument that the bill is not reasonable and try to fight it.

“If you raise the argument in a lawsuit that the amount billed is not reasonable, the hospital or health care provider may opt to settle with you for less rather than try and prove the charges are reasonable,” said Haynes. “It’s important to try and fight a medical bill if you’re sued because the type of judgements these bill collectors can receive can wreak havoc in the patient’s life. We’re talking about things like liens on homes, wage garnishment, property seizure, etc.”

Fuller wants patients to understand the consumer law and make sure it works toward their advantage. He agrees asking for an itemized bill is a crucial first step and most medical bills are negotiable.

“The United States is the only industrialized nation with no universal health care…that provides services up front and tells patients later how much they will be charged,” said Fuller.

Even when a medical debt is sent to collections, Fuller says there are steps you can take to resolve the financial problems at hand.

“You never borrowed any money from them or got any services from them, so they have no legal right to collect anything from you,” said Fuller. She advises consumers to remember the following tips and options, if contacted by a collection agency regarding outstanding medical debt:

• Do not strike a deal with a collection agency.

• If a collection agency attempts to collect a debt, the response should be to request–in writing– the original contract between the consumer and collection agency with an original signature. If they are unable to provide that information, request they stop contacting you and not report to any agency that they are owed money by you.

• Collection agencies are playing the law of percentages knowing that a small percentage of people will not pay because they are savvy about consumer law and that some people will not pay because they simply are unable.

• The final percentage of people will fall into the trap where they enter into agreement with the collection agency, at which point the consumer has now entered into contract with that collection agency and now owes them a debt.

“We can be victimized by what we don’t know,” Fuller concluded. “We have to become savvy and not be a victim of acquiescence to an unfair system.”

This post first appeared in the AFRO American Newspapers.

Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. There are steps consumers can take to manage medical debt. Photo Credit: Unsplash/Alexander Grey

5 tech advancements sports venues have added since your last event

‘This is great for our franchise’: Hawks win draft lottery

BY DONNELL SUGGS

The Atlanta Hawks won the NBA's top overall draft pick Sunday afternoon. The Hawks had less than a one percent chance to win and have come home with all the momentum heading into the NBA Draft on June 26-27 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Atlanta General Manager Landry Fields took questions from local media following the accomplishment, the first in the history of the franchise, and said, "This is great for our franchise. This is just another tool for us."

Last year's overall number one selection, Spurs forward and Rookie of the Year selection Victor Wembanyama, was what could be described as a franchise-altering pick. This year's draft doesn't immediately lend itself to having a player of Wembanyama's caliber, but there are a number of interesting prospects and, as always, trade options when you have the top pick.

Asked how he and the Hawks braintrust are going to temper expectations from fans and the media, this is uncharted territory for the franchise after all, Fields said, "That's a good question. I think we will continue to keep leaning into our process."

Fields said the Hawks will keep all options open and that he is looking forward to watching all of the prospects at the NBA Draft Combine this coming week in Chicago. The combine will take place at Wintrust Arena and subsequent interviews between players and team executives will take place at

the Marriott Marquis . "I'm looking forward to actually speaking with the guys" and "connecting with the guys," said Landry during the

Atlanta United in Nashville Sat. before heading home to host LAFC

BY DONNELL SUGGS

On Saturday, May 11, Atlanta United hosted D.C. United, who were in ninth place and ahead of them in the Eastern Conference standings by two points (14-12) with Atlanta having a game in hand. Now Atlanta is five behind D.C. in the standings following a 3-2 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Coming into the match after not having won any of its last five league matches (three draws and two loses), United needed to take advantage of playing at home in the worst way. Particularly with the next home match being against current Eastern Conference first place holder Inter Miami on Wed., May 29 (7:30 p.m.).

Following the match, Atlanta manager Gonzalo Pineda called the result a “down moment”, but added that the current winless streak is “fixable.”

Things started off well with Atlanta earning a penalty kick in the 16th minute and Thiago Alamada sending that kick into the back of the D.C. net to go ahead 1-0. D.C. would immediately even the match in the 19th minute with a goal by forward Christian Benteke on a header. He would score again, on a header again, to give D.C. a 2-1 lead in the 44th minute.

Seven minutes of stoppage time was not enough for Atlanta to even the score before halftime, but the first minute of the second

games this week after having played three games at home (one including a 3-0 victory over Charlotte Independence on Tues., May 7 in Kennesaw) the previous week. Atlanta will be in Cincinnati on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. start) and in Nashville on Saturday (1:45 p.m). Cincinnati FC defeated Atlanta United 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20. Benteke would score again, yes on another header, in front of the goal on a corner kick to put D.C. ahead again 3-2 in the 56th minute. That would be enough to give Atlanta its sixth loss of the season.

Goals accomplished: D.C. United’s Christian Benteke came into the match having scored eight goals in nine matches. He would leave Atlanta with goals 9,10 and 11 in hand after leaving the match on a substitution in the 87th minute. The 6-foot-3 Congolese forward was named MLS Player of the Matchday in late February and will most likely win that award again.

On Benteke’s hat trick, Pineda said, “Today against Benteke was a tough task for our back line.”

Goal-less streak continues: Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis has been stuck on five goals for over a month. The last time Giakoumakis scored a goal was on Mar. 31 against Chicago. Atlanta won that match 3-0 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On a number of occasions tonight Giakoumakis got solid looks at D.C.’s net to no avail.

Zoom call with the media Sunday afternoon. Last year's first round selection was guard Kobe Bufkin with the 15th overall pick.

half would be. A shot by Saba Lobjanidze was deflected into the goal by a D.C. United de-

fender Matti Peltola to draw the match at two. Atlanta United will play a pair of road

The Atlanta Hawks now hold the number one overall selection in the upcoming NBA Draft for the second time in franchise history and first time in the modern era. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Atlanta United will be back fron consecutive road games in Cincinnati and Nashville to host LAFC on May 25. United is currently on a three-game home field losing streak. Photo by Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice

Formula 1’s popularity among Black racegoers is growing

Clark Atlanta University Guild 2024 Annual Jazz Under The Stars

PHOTOS BY STAN WASHINGTON/THE ATLANTA VOICE

2008 Nissan Rogue Beige Vin#JN8AS58T68W301850 / 2010 Nissan Altima Black Vin#1N4AL2AP2AN485948

You are hereby notified, in accordance with OCGA 40-1119 (a) (2), that the above-referenced vehicles are subject to a lien and a petition may be filed in court to foreclose a lien for all amounts owed. If the lien is foreclosed, a court shall order the sale of the vehicle to satisfy the debt. The vehicle is currently located at 1314 Brookwood Avenue, Jackson, Georgia 30233. Anyone with an ownership interest in this vehicle should contact the following business immediately: Business name: Southern Style Towing Address: 1314 Brookwood Avenue Jackson, GA 30233 Telephone#: 470-344-1634 96628-3/8,3/15,2023

TECHNICAL

Cisco Systems, Inc. is accepting resumes for multiple positions in Atlanta/ Alpharetta/Lawrenceville, GA: Software Consulting Engineer (Ref#: ATL403B): Understand customer requirements in order to design, build, test and integrate company solutions.

Telecommuting permitted. Please email resumes including position’s reference number in subject line to Cisco Systems, Inc. at amsjobs@cisco.com. No phone calls please. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. EOE. www.cisco.com

LEGAL NOTICE

RFP for Sweet Auburn Grande located at 229 Auburn Ave, Atlanta, GA. BIDS DUE: June 6, 2024, at 2:00 pm

PRE-BID MEETING will be held on site on May 22, 2024, at 11:00 am.

PLANS: Hard Copies of plans available upon request and at subcontractor’s expense from A1 BluePrint (www.a1blue.com), Phone: 404-524-8881 OR for a link contact Linda at Lstache@gormanusa.com.

Contact Info: Linda Stache, Gorman & Company, Phone: 608-835-5177

CERTIFICATIONS: SBE/MBE/WBE/EBE/DBE/VBE, BABAAIron and Steel Only and SECTION 3

Please note: This is a prevailing wage rate project.