Photo by Vincent Hobbs
Hundreds flock downtown to catch CeeLo Green & GOODIE MOB perform at the rescheduled Juneteenth Celebration
Iremember riding through downtown last June with my wife and kids and seeing all of the beautiful Black people flooding the streets. It was June 19, 2022, and as Willie Hutch put it, the Brothers had it all worked out.
The Band of Brothers have collaborated to organize an event that is the best of Augusta – its annual Juneteenth presentation. I could mention how they’ve brought classic rap groups to the city such as Goodie Mob with more flair than our third-party entertainment complex, or how they’ve stepped up as mentors in Richmond County
schools, being the true heroes that others have professed to be.
I would rather just talk about the brothas from the sense of cultural pride. From a soulful perspective, this is the city that James Brown made. Being Black and being proud means something here. There are so many entities, both domestic and foreign to Augusta, who challenge and strip away at that cultural identity.
The Band of Brothers represent something bigger than themselves. They are caretakers of a legacy of Black ingenuity and entrepreneurship. We should celebrate them and
that legacy any chance we get.
I also want to take a moment to recognize the man whom I affectionately call the “Mayor of Augusta” –Napoleon Samuels, whom the media has continually recognized for his gesturing and welcoming demeanor.
You’ll find him most mornings adjacent to the cathedral at the Sacred Heart Cultural Center, waving and smiling. As much as we celebrate him, we should also be aware of the environment in which he gives the city his positive spirit.
He and others deserve better than the poverty that surrounds the beautiful cathedral. It’s time for city offi-
cials to make like Brother Samuels and put their best face forward in eradicating homelessness and poverty from that corridor.
The brothas are working it out. It’s time for the folks with far more resources to also follow suit.
Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writer for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other outlets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail. com.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of Mary Kingcannon’s passing, affectionately known as Sister Mary Kingcannon, an esteemed voice in Gospel radio within the CSRA community. Mary, who dedicated over four decades to the broadcasting industry, peacefully departed this world over the weekend. Her daughter, Destiny, expressed her deep sorrow through a heartfelt social media post.
Mary Kingcannon was an exceptional woman whose impact on the community was immeasurable. Her daughter described her as an extraordinary and loving mother, both naturally and spiritually. She was a devoted wife, a leader, and a tireless advocate for her community. Mary was highly regarded as an Elect Lady of Trumpet in Zion Fellowship Augusta Chapter Mother Church, embodying the values of philanthropy and fighting for what is right.
Throughout her illustrious career in Gospel radio spanning nearly four decades, Mary Kingcannon earned the well-deserved title of “The Radio Angel.” Her unwavering support played a pivotal role in propelling the careers
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.
The Nike EYBL Peach Jam is making its grand return to North Augusta in just one week!
In just a few short days, the Riverview Park Activities Center will be transformed into a thrilling battleground for high school basketball players eager to show off their skills in front of a roaring crowd and NCAA coaches. This year, the Nike Peach Jam is coming back
even earlier than expected. Mark your calendars for Monday, July 3 through Sunday, July 9 The winner of 16-team Elite Youth Champions League will earn their ticket to this ultimate basketball extravaganza. How awesome is that? 2022 was the first year of full capacity at Riverview since the COVID pandemic hit. The Peach Jam is back and better than ever! Let’s make this a year to remember!
of numerous gospel music artists. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she exuded grace, elegance, and timeless beauty, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her. Funeral arrangements for Mary Kingcannon are currently being finalized, as her loved ones and the community mourn the loss of this extraordinary woman at the age of 63.
On behalf of Pastor David Kingcannon and the entire Kingcannon Family, we humbly request your presence in celebrating the remarkable life of Mary Kingcannon. Her legacy will forever live on through the lives she touched. Mary paved the way for many, selflessly serving others, and her acts of kindness and love resonated deeply with all who knew her.
Join us in honoring the memory of this exceptional woman who left an indelible impact on our hearts. Let us come together to celebrate her life and the profound influence she had on our community. May her spirit inspire us to continue spreading love and compassion, carrying forward her enduring legacy.
Augusta, Georgia’s Independence Day Celebration will be held on July 4, 2023, from 5pm to 10pm at the Augusta Common. The free event will include live entertainment, a fun zone for kids, food trucks, vendors, and more. Beginning at 9:15 pm, the festivities will conclude with a fireworks display.
Last week, Paine College officials announced a historic partnership with education company EAB, United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Bank of America, Augusta National Golf Club, and the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) that will support the 141-year-old HBCU’s vision of becoming one of America’s top-performing private four-year institutions. The partners are collaborating on a groundbreaking 10-year transformation plan designed to preserve, transform, and elevate the institution.
“This is a pivotal moment for Paine College,” commented Board Chairman Michael Thurmond, ‘75. “The Board of Trustees stand united in our support of this carefully crafted partnership that will elevate the trajectory of the College while preserving the values upon which this institution was founded.”
EAB will act as project leaders and work with Paine College to leverage many of the same best practices the company has used to boost student and institutional success at more than 2,500 partner institutions. EAB first began its work with Paine last year through the Way Forward Initiative, made possible by collaboration with Bank of America and Augusta National Golf Club.
“This transformation plan will do more than give Paine a facelift,” said Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones, President of Paine College. “We look forward to working with our partners to help grow our enrollment, improve educational outcomes for our students, and make curricular improvements at the institution.”
UNCF recently selected Paine College to participate in Cohort 3 of UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Transformation Network. The Institute is designed to help HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions increase student enrollment, improve financial viability and boost both student and institutional outcomes.
“Paine College’s Transformation Plan builds on UNCF’s vision and is a customized way to enhance our mission of over 79 years to help HBCUs become stronger, more effective and more self-sustaining,” said UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L Lomax. “This is just the beginning.”
“Bank of America is pleased to provide support to strengthen and sustain an institution that has impacted our local community and beyond,” said Ora Parish, President, Bank of America Greater Augusta / Aiken. “This transformation plan will have lasting and benefi -
“This transformation plan will do more than give Paine a facelift,” said Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones, President of Paine College. “We look forward to working with our partners to help grow our enrollment, improve educational outcomes for our students, and make curricular improvements at the institution.”
– Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones President of Paine College
cial impacts on Paine College and surrounding communities.”
Supporting the transformation plan, Bank of America and Augusta National Golf Club will continue ongoing efforts to promote Paine College’s long-term advancement and success. In addition to facilitating Paine’s inclusion in the Way Forward Initiative, the two organizations partnered to underwrite an Executive Leader on Loan supporting the Office of Institutional Advancement last year.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bank of America also donated personal protective equipment to the College, as well as resources to establish an interactive online platform to enable both in-person and remote learning. In 2020, Augusta National established the Lee Elder Scholarships at Paine College for a student on the men’s and
Ora Parish, Bank of America
women’s golf teams and funded the creation of its first women’s golf program.
Shell Knox Berry, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for the CSRA said, “Our organization and the local community are so excited for this partnership so that we can collaborate to differentiate the value that Paine offers students and reach new heights in student outcomes.”
As part of the transformation plan, Paine College will hire an executive-level Transformation Leader to guide the initiative, improve administrative oversight and increase capital investment.
Paine College welcomes additional partners interested in providing financial or other support for the transformation plan as its development continues.
The Richmond County School System (RCSS) received three awards from the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools (VILS) initiative for efforts to support equitable and effective uses of technology in classrooms. Two RCSS employees were recognized for their achievements and the school system received the “Model for Sustainability” award.
“We are proud of our schools and project leaders who have been instrumental in providing our students with laptops, at-home Internet connectivity, and training for our teachers and students,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, associate superintendent of academic services at the Richmond County School System. “We believe this work can transform learning and inspire our students.”
RCSS was one of three school systems that received the “Model for Sustainability” award out of 94 districts in the initiative. RCSS was recognized for its collaborative team structure at the district level and the ongoing impact of the Technology Integration Matrix (TIM), a framework used to enhance learning through the targeted use of technology.
In addition to the school system, two employees were recognized. Langford Middle School VILS coach Tangayika Bouttry was named “Stellar Coach” for her leadership within the initiative and innovative approaches to engaging with students, including a digital learning café that introduces technology in a relaxed setting and a student technology team. Additionally, RCSS technology support specialist Crystal James was named “Stellar District IT Leader” for her strong implementation support, her ability to resolve problems quickly, and her efforts to build a cohesive instructional technology infrastructure across schools.
The Richmond County School System joined the Verizon Innovative Learning initiative in February 2021 with five participating schools, A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School, Hepzibah Middle School, Tutt Middle School, Langford Middle School, and Spirit Creek Middle School. The initiative provides schools and staff with free technology and access, extensive training and support, and opportunities to network with other information technology professionals to develop engaging and sustainable teaching and learning plans for students. RCSS joins more than 560 schools from across the country as a member of the initiative.
KEYNOTE: FRIDAY, JULY 7 at 6:00 p.m.
WORKSHOPS: SATURDAY, JULY 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Mark your calendars for this important two-day event to be held at the Springfield Baptist Church in beautiful downtown Augusta, Georgia.
On Friday, Dr. Déanda Johnson will give a keynote to open the two-day event followed by Saturday workshops with:
•Dr. Steven Berry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
•Robin Waites, Director of Historic Columbia Foundation, Columbia, SC
•Christopher Barr, Reconstruction Era National Historic Park, Beaufort, SC
•Dr. Valinda Littlefield, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
The event is free, but please RSVP HERE to save your seat! Scroll down on the ticket page and to us know if you’d like to enjoy a free lunch on Saturday. The lunch is available to the first 75 registrants, so don’t be late!
CHER BEST’s successful media career spans over 20 years! Her career in media currently includes co-hosting the popular local afternoon show in Augusta – The Fattz & Cher Afternoon Ride-Out on 96.3 Kiss FM and as host of a local entertainment segment on TheMorning Mix (WRDW- News 12). Cher is the Marketing Manager & Cluster Promotion Director for iHeartMedia (Augusta) where she supervises the marketing and branding for six radio stations and supervises event marketing for the cluster.
The product of a military family whose siblings chose military careers, Cher knew early on that she wanted to impact the lives of people in a different way.
She is a graduate of Augusta University with a BA in Sociology and Criminal Justice and minor in Political Science. Cher calls her fans “Life Changers” because she believes that every person can change a life.
Cher has a personal social media following of over 45,000 and a listening audience of 250,000 which spans across terrestrial and digital platforms. Her fans look to her for the latest in entertainment, fashion, lifestyle advice and service information.
She serves on the Board of Directors for Augusta Richmond County Libraries, the Wilson Branch Family YMCA and formerly the Westobou Arts Council. She is the Founder and President of “Cher’s Sisters Only Club” – a women’s civic organization thatfocuses on meeting the needs of women and mentoring girls. Cher is member of the National Association of Black Female Executives and is a recipient of the Kappa Alpha Psi Citizen of the Year Award, The Girls Scouts Women of Excellence Award, and the Servant Leadership Award from the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus.
Cher Best Multi-media talent-Speaker-writer-community advocate
Weekdays 3-7PM on 96.3 Kiss FM in Augusta Ga. & WRDW News 12 Morning Mix Fri. 9am
Nationally online: iheratradio.com
UPW: As Director of Marketing & Promotions at iHeartMedia Augusta, which stations do you oversee and what are your responsibilities in that capacity?
CHER BEST: I oversee the marketing and promotions for all of the iHeartMedia-Augusta stations WPRW-Power 107, which is our hip-hop station and home to The Breakfast Club mornings), WBBO-104.3, our adult contemporary format. It’s the community heritage station and the official Christmas music station, WKSP-96.3 Kiss FM, our urban AC station. That’s the station that houses the Steve Harvey Morning Show and Fattz and I host the Fattz and Cher Afternoon Ride Out weekdays 3-7pm, (WLUB-105.7 The Bull, it’s our country format, WLUB HD2 -Eagle 106.3, our classic rock station, and the newest addition to our iHeartMedia-Augusta family, WBINThe Black Information Network. My job includes overseeing the imaging for our properties, overseeing and or creating event marketing opportunities, community outreach, internal and external promotions and acting as programing/sales liaison.
UPW: As a marketing and promotions specialist, you are at the epicenter of the digital transformation of all broadcast platforms. How challenging has it been to survive in this environment and why do you think iHeartMedia has been able to adapt so successfully?
CHER: The digital world has created two important elements, access and speed. It has made it easier and quicker for people to have access to information.
The biggest challenge I think is that it has put the ability to spread information that is not verified and often not true in the hands of people who are not concerned with the facts but rather the number of clicks, likes and shares that they can get.
The good news is that it has also made it easier for people to connect and to share important information that can do good things, save lives, finds lost children, inform people of inclement weather, celebrate important life milestones. It’s also allowed people to tap into their own creativity and share it with thousands all at the touch of a button.
iHeartMedia, has always been at the cutting edge of technology. This company has the unique ability to see the next big thing before everyone else even know it is the next big thing. That’s how they have been able to
weather the storm. They already had the boats built and ready to sail before anyone else even knew the storm was coming.
UPW: The Fattz and Cher Morning Show was an institution in the Augusta community, but it is also available in other markets. What was that experience been like?
CHER: Yes, we did mornings for a long time. I thought it would be hard to transition to afternoons. It’s one of the few things that I disagreed with Fattz about. He was sure that shifting us to afternoons and Steve Harvey to Mornings on Kiss would also help all of the formats. He was spot on.
We have had some of our biggest ratings in every format under his leadership as SVP of Programming. Being in other markets has been incredible but to be honestly, the biggest honor was many years ago when Fattz and I got to host our show on the legendary 104-WBBQ (It is a 100,000-watt powerhouse) during the winter storm. We practically spent the night some evenings, but we knew we were doing something important and comforting for our community.
UPW: We seem to have put the Covid crisis behind us, but it tested us for a very long time. Would describe some of the challenges you faced personally and in the workplace during the pandemic?
CHER: Covid personally was incredibly difficult for me. I’m a public person with a very private personality. I am not a person that likes to ask for help. I loss a pet that was my heart during covid and found the silence of being in the home that I loved tough. It was one of the few times that I was unsure of myself. I run an organization of women and I was concerned about their mental health so I tried to create ways for us to stay connected so that we could cheer each other on. I called it Augusta Girlfriends Check In. It ended up being super beneficial for me too.
I spent a lot of time outside or going for walks but covid was extremely isolating.
The other thing about covid is it was extremely revealing. To be clear, the country was undergoing some other unrest during that time. I would look on social media and see people saying things that was in direct contrast to the people I thought they were. Like I said it was revealing. I disengaged from a few.
On a work level, iHeartMedia-August, in particular our market President, Ivy Elam took every measure to ensure our safety and wellbeing. She made sure that both Fattz and I had portable units to be able to do our show live from our respective homes. He was at his house, and I was at mine, but we could do the show together. She would check on me often.
I would also facetime with a few friends and my brothers and my sister about every other week so that made it easier.
Like I said, I’m a public/private person or as my friend Kellie says….and introverted extrovert. I enjoy celebrating people, hosting dinner parties, love music, concerts, events and spending time with friends but I too enjoy watching a Netflix marathon rather than going to a party or reading a book instead of going to an event.
UPW: One of the hallmarks of your personal “brand” has been community service. Among your most successful and important projects has been Cher’s Sisters Only Club. How many years has it been ongoing and what is on the immediate horizon?
CHER: Yes, I truly care about people. I want to see people do good and be treated fairly. I appreciate having a platform to help promote organizations that want to help our community grow and be better. Sister Only Club is my greatest inspiration. They so get the assignment. It’s a women’s organization made up of some of the most dynamic, vibrant, and amazing women in the community (on both sides of the river).
I started Cher’s Sisters Only Club in 1999. We’ve been around for 24 years.
We’ve given away countless scholarships, gave prom gowns to girls that could not afford them, hosted leadership academy’s, gave away food and supplies to seniors, toys to kids for the holidays and safety events and trainings for women. I’m extremely proud of the organizations and the women in it.
We were one of the first organization to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of women in our community with our SHERO Awards program. We will host the 16th annual SHERO Awards September 9th at Newberry Hall in Aiken. The theme this year is “She Believed She Could, So She Did”. This year we will have two guest speakers Poncere Daniels of the Poncere Show and Aiken City Council District One Gail Diggs. Also, this year in addition to naming a woman o the Year, we’ll identify a Woman of the Decade and an incredibly talented artist performing. We are currently accepting nominations for the various categories. Applications available on
our website sistersonlyclub.wixsite. com or through any Sisters Only Club Member.
UPW: You have been blessed with the ability to develop awesome communication skills including print, radio, tv, and podcasts . . . Along with your capacity to multitask, the obvious question is, what’s next? When the time and conditions are ripe, what are some ventures that you could see yourself tackling in the coming decade?
CHER: I think my superpower is connecting people to create change or improve a problem and or creating ideas to solve problems. I’ll continue to do that, but just in a private industry that involves some travel.
UPW: Their methods of creating multiple revenue streams for entertainers have increased, but so have the challenges. What differences have you noticed about how entertainers interact with radio stations today as opposed to 20 years ago? Do you feel that the older more established entertainers more likely to feel threatened by the advent of the digital transformation of the industry?
CHER: A lot of artists are using the digital platform to promote
their new music. Fortunately for iHeartMedia, our platforms include huge digital landscapes, social media, streaming, podcast, OTT, and traditional radio. Just like the old Toyota commercial goes….You ask for it, you got it at iHeartMedia. I don’t think the older established artist are threatened at all, in fact they are thriving right now. Artist with a strong catalog of music, are killing the tour circuit and they are simply hiring influencers and or tech savvy digital talent to help them with marketing.
UPW: What are some of the things that we should be looking for from iHeartMedia in the coming months?
CHER: Look for iHeart to continue to lead the communications platform and come up with new and innovative ways to keep people connected and entertained.
Locally, there is so much entertainment in every format coming to the market. I couldn’t possibly list it all. There are several ways to keep up with what’s happening in the CSRA though, check out the stations’ event page for your respective format
For our audience that would be 96kissfm.com. You can also check me out every Friday on WRDW News 12’s Morning Mix at 9am with Entertainment In the Mix.
The Salvation Army of Augusta is rolling out two impactful events and a community drive aimed at supporting individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
This Friday, June 30, 2023, The Salvation Army of Augusta will host its monthly Connection to Community event at the Salvation Army Center of Hope from 2 to 4pm. This distribution and resource fair is specifically designed to provide crucial support to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This month we are partnering with a number of community organizations, including Project Refresh, The Richmond County Marshal’s Office, and the Department of Public Health. The event aims to connect attendees with essential goods, vital services, and the support they need to improve their lives.
Next Friday, July 7th, from 12:30 to 3:00pm, The Salvation Army of Augusta will host a Community Health and Wellness Fair at the Center of Hope. In collaboration with community partners such as Augusta University School of Dentistry, Christ Community Carea, the Veteran Affairs Office, and more, this event aims to provide free resources to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Attendees will have access to a range of services including medical screenings, dental check-ups, mental health support, and other vital resources, all with the goal of promoting overall well-being and fostering a healthier community.
The Salvation Army of Augusta is dedicated to ensuring that both events proceed rain or shine.
In addition to these events, The Salvation Army of Augusta is launching a school supplies drive throughout the month of July. The aim is to collect essential school supplies that will assist the families served at the Center of Hope in preparing their children for the upcoming school year. Donations of school supplies, such as backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, and other essential items, can be
made at the Center of Hope, the Kroc Center, or any of The Salvation Army’s Family Stores throughout the CSRA.
For more information about the Connection to Community event, the Community Health and Wellness Fair, or the school supplies drive, please contact Janelys Villalta at janelys.villalta@uss.salvationarmy.org or (706)-421-3047.
This STUFFED BANANA PEPPERS recipe is provided by the South Augusta Farmers Market, held monthly at the corner of Windsor Spring and Tobacco roads. All underlined items are grown by farmers in the Augusta area and will be available at the July 8 event. Enjoy a healthy cooking demo by Chef Cassandra, bring the kids out for Wallace’s Farms Petting Zoo, and join us as we create community around food.
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 to 8 banana peppers
- 1 cup cooked and crumbled Italian sausage
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Marinara sauce (for serving)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice off the tops of the banana peppers and remove the seeds and membranes, creating a hollow cavity.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked Italian sausage, cooked rice, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
3. Stuff each banana pepper with the sausage and rice mixture, packing it tightly.
4. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until the
peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
5. Serve the stuffed banana peppers hot with marinara sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.
Music is an essential element of society, and it has significant cultural and economic impacts. Therefore, several cities are striving to become music cities to attract musicians, music-related businesses, and tourists.
Augusta, Georgia, and Columbia, South Carolina, are two cities that have been vying to gain recognition as music cities. Let’s have a conversation and compare and contrast Augusta and Columbia’s efforts to become top music cities in the region based on their music industry infrastructure, festivals and concerts, music education, and support for local musicians.
If we look closely at Augusta’s music industry infrastructure we do have several recording studios, live music venues, and music-related businesses such as instrument shops and music stores. The city has produced several well-known musicians and some local businesses have supported Augusta’s music industry and local musicians and their performances for a significant amount of time. But is that enough?
In contrast, Columbia’s music industry infrastructure seems not as robust compared to Augusta. The city has limited recording studios and live music venues. However, it has support from the University of South Carolina music program and the Columbia Music Festival Association.
Is that a point of contention for
Augusta and how do we correct that?
The city also hosts several events such as Border Bash, which celebrates the country’s music from North Augusta to Augusta. The event features local and regional musicians, and proceeds go to charity. But like most events it’s a yearly event and this coming football season there will be no Border Bash because of scheduling. So there is another lost opportunity for local musicians/artists to have a platform to perform.
Similarly, Columbia also has a vibrant music festival scene, which culminates in the Soda City Music & Arts Festival. The festival hosts local musicians and featured artists such as Saint Motel and Washed Out. Additionally, the city hosts the Jam Room Music Festival, which promotes local bands and genres.
Augusta has a decent music education program with a focus on jazz and blues at the Augusta University jazz studies program. This program has produced several music educators and musicians, further strengthening Augusta’s music industry. Additionally, the city’s James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils (J.A.M.P.) mentors and trains young musicians.
Columbia is also invested in music education, with the University of
South Carolina music program and the nine public magnet schools that emphasize the arts, including music. Further, the Columbia Arts Academy and Lexington School of Music provide private music lessons.
So who has the healthier education component to not only train musicians but attract musicians?
From what I understand music eduction here has been absent in several of our local elementary and middle schools. Musicians and artists alike need time to develop and build interest in the arts. Seems like that is less and less of a priority when it comes to keeping our talent here at home.
Both Augusta and Columbia have a supportive community of musicians and music lovers, which creates a demand for local music. Augusta has local organizations such as the Augusta Music Foundation, which supports local musicians with grants, and Augusta Arts Council, which provides opportunities for musicians to perform in community events.
Similarly, Columbia has local organizations such as the ColaJazz Foundation, which promotes jazz music, and Songwriters in the Round, which provides a platform for local songwriters to perform.
If there are forums that exist here
in Augusta, where are they being promoted or publicized?
To look at all sides of Augusta and Columbia reveals that both cities have advantages and disadvantages in becoming music cities. Augusta has a more robust music industry infrastructure and history of producing famous musicians. Meanwhile, Columbia emphasizes music education and has burgeoning festival scenes.
Both cities have supportive music communities that demand local music. I’m sure for the city of Augusta there is a lot more room for improvement.
I’ve been to Columbia several times and found that there are quite a few new places and venues that give local artists a platform. The atmosphere has an entirely different feel for those that are in the arts and it shows in Columbia, but here it seems more hidden and protected.
I will say that, while the two cities may have their unique strengths, they share a passion for music that propels both forward in their aspirations as music cities. I will continue this mission to put together the pieces to make Augusta a Music City that is not only diverse but inclusive.
If you have any comments, ideas or feedback feel free to contact me here preneur.ai/OmniMedia. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Peace!
When: JULY 20th from 6pm to 8pm
Where: THE MILLER THEATRE - 708 Broad St, Augusta, GA 30901
Sample Augusta aims to engage Augusta’s music community through leadership, education, and programming.
The focus of the panel will be to assess Music academia in the region. How do we successfully prepare youth and students for careers in Media and Entertainment within the Augusta River Region?
There will be an Industry Mixer before the panel where Sample Augusta will relay new data and information to the public to elaborate on developments of Sample Augusta’s Weekly Music Guide.
SampleAugusta.com/Roundtable
The panel will be moderated by Sample Augusta’s Walter Santiago & Rachel Goodman and feature the following speakers:
Dr. Robert Foster is the Professor of Music at Augusta University and a distinguished national Jazz ensemblist. Locally Dr. Foster curates and plays at the Maxwell Performing Arts Center while also being featured in acts like The Brownstown Gritty, Goin’ South, The Soultown Horns, and a plethora of other acts.
Ryan Abel is on the Board for The Augusta Players and is a renowned staple for the southeastern music industry, known best for their touring group Goin’ South and his career with Ed Turner. Abel has produced an ovational benefit concert series with The Miller Theater, supporting youth in the arts. And more Special Guests TBA.
This event is open to the public and will be live-streamed in partnership with GetUp Productions
The two cities may have their unique strengths, they share a passion for music that propels both forward in their aspirations as music cities.
The purpose of the African American Business Project is to promote African American economic empowerment and independence in the United States for present and future African American generations.
Please, come and go with me on a short journey and allow me to share a few facts with you related to climate change. One might ask what does climate change have to do with obtaining economic empowerment and independence for African Americans? Answer: everything fundamental from the corner store to the supermarket, and from your home to becoming homeless.
Climate change is always in the shadow of many issues, for example the 2019 Covid pandemic, also known as the Coronavirus Pandemic, which infected 103,436,829 American citizens and killed 1,127,152 American citizens, along with the war in Ukraine.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the United Nations body for assessing the science relate to climate change, its impact and future risk, and its options for reducing the rate at which climate change is
taking place. It is estimated that as many as 3.7 million United States residents in 2,150 costal areas could be battered by damaging floods caused by global warming and induced storm surges.
To make a long story short by the year 2050, according to the IPCC a large proportion of the United States will be under water, and some of the states that will be affected the worst is Florida, Louisiana, New York and New Jersey.
The United States have been drilling for oil since 1859 and burned a lot of oil and other fossil fuels especially during the Industrial Revolution. A
fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-containing material such as coal, oil, and natural gas, formed naturally in the Earth’s crust from the remains of dead plants and animals that is extracted and burned as a fuel which is the cause of global warming.
Because so many scientists and engineers in the United States consider the effects form climate change a host manufactured by unreliable representation connected to the United Nations, as American citizens we need to know the truth. We need to know the truth about climate change because 25 years from today many of
RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Bond Issue Program
A week ago, former Augusta commissioner Sammie Sias was sentenced to three years in Federal prison after being found guilty last year of destroying records related to a federal investigation and lying about it to law enforcement.
In addition to the 36-month prison sentence, Sias was also ordered to pay $5,000 and serve three years of supervised release, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Sias was recently denied a new trial following his conviction in July 2022. Sias deleted 7,000 files, according to an FBI agent at his trial, minutes after receiving a grand jury subpoena for bank records. The subpoena came as part of an investigation into the spending of tax dollars at the Jamestown Community Center.
Sias served as the president of the Sandridge Community Association, which operates the publicly-owned center. The SCA received $150,000 in sales tax dollars to perform upgrades at the center without Sias ever having to submit a receipt, and it appeared he transferred much of the money to a personal account.
us might not be living, but our children and grandchildren will be in a predicament in which we could have help prepare for by planning now. We don’t need another Hurricane Katrina situation in which 1,500 residents died in New Orleans, Louisiana, waiting for help that showed up too late.
I will continue to write about climate change and urban revitalization in my future newsletters, please discuss these matters with your legislative representatives. Let the truth be known about climate change.
– Melvin Lorenzo KellyPROPOSAL NUM.: B-21-024-0103
PROJECT NAME: Freedom Park Roof Replacement
Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the B-21-024-0103 – Freedom Park Elementary School Roof Replacement project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 p.m. local time, July 26, 2023, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made
A Pre-Bid Conference will be held July 13, 2023 @11:00 AM local time in the Media Center Conference Room, Freedom Park Elementary School, 345 42nd Street, Building 43400, Fort Gordon, GA 30905.
Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, Ga 30906
Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Architect: 2KM Architects, Inc., 529 Greene Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $125.00 set should be filed promptly with the Architect. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposit for one set will be refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bids. All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bid.
Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of 35 days after time has been called on the date of opening.
Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.
To promote local participation, a database of Sub -contractors, Suppliers, and Vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1127 for location to review and obtain this database.
Bids shall be submitted and addressed to:
Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw
County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office 864 Broad Street
Augusta, Georgia 30901
c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CPA
AUGUSTA
The Richmond County School System will host a series of job fairs to recruit employees for open positions on Wednesday, July 12. Recruiters and hiring managers will be on-site to conduct interviews and discuss open positions.
“We are looking for some talented and dedicated individuals to join our high-performing workforce to support the educational offerings and resources required to educate more than 30,000 students. Our employees are eligible for excellent benefits, and we offer professional development and a collaborative work environment,” says Dr. Cecil Clark, Richmond County School System Chief Human Resources Officer.
The Walk-In Wednesday job fair will be held at our Central Office, 864 Broad St., from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
To view the complete list of openings, visit our website at rcboe.info/Work4RCSS.
Sue
Reception in Great Hall: July 13, 5-7 pm
Art Exhibit in Sacred Heart Art Hall: July 14September 1, Monday-Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
1301 Greene Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901 706-826-4700
SUE PORTERFIELD
Susan Porterfield has painted all her life but retirement from the Medical College of Georgia has given her the time to more seriously develop her art. She has studied with David Mascaro, Del Holt, Kelly Arnold and Karen Leffel-Massengill and she is a member of the Mascaro Art Group. Her paintings have won awards in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. She has paintings hanging in homes and businesses across the country. Her paintings are often representational and colorful. Susan enjoys painting people and animals and her paintings frequently reflect her love of the ocean,
the low country waterways, and the birds that inhabit these areas.
TERRY SMITH
Terry had a long career in management as a senior civilian with the US Army. He retired at Fort Gordon in 2008 and has focused on art since then. He has studied painting with Dick Dunlap and David Mascaro and has attended numerous workshops by nationally prominent artists. He has exhibited work in venues across the CSRA and in Columbus, Georgia. He is in the Mascaro Art Group and the Oil Painters of America, and he is represented by the Art on Broad gallery in Augusta, Georgia.
