In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Greg White, then-director of Recreation and Parks for the city of Decatur, began to see how the shutdown was making life even harder for people experiencing homelessness. “I say, in America, we forgot about poor people,” White said. With water fountains turned off in public spaces, many […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
Posted inColumns
Smyrna’s riverfront neighborhood adds to city’s changing landscape
A stretch of Smyrna along the Chattahoochee River that was once dominated by industrial uses has a new identity. The city is putting finishing touches on the new riverfront community. “I’m excited about it because development along the river is difficult,” said Andrea Worthy, Smyrna’s community development director. Riverview Landing is a mixed-use development of […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
UPS marks anniversary by looking at AI and the human touch
UPS marks nearly 12 decades in business this week. The company is celebrating its history, and also looking at how employees today fit into the corporation’s growing use of artificial intelligence. The Sandy Springs-based company held its fifth annual UPS Impact Summit at its corporate headquarters on Wednesday. Artificial intelligence and the role of human […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Acclaimed artists Amy Sherald, Calida Rawles guests of lecture series at Spelman
Artist Amy Sherald, known for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, will appear in a Distinguished Lecture Series event at Spelman College on Sept. 1. Sherald and acclaimed artist Calida Rawles will be in conversation with moderator and art historian Dr. Cheryl Finley for the series, hosted by Atlanta University Center Art and […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Alpharetta approves North Point project with NHL arena, eyes Fulton support
Alpharetta, this week, approved redevelopment of the declining North Point Mall property. Developer Jamestown plans to transform the nearly 100-acre site into a mixed-use sports and entertainment district. The redevelopment would include a 20,000-seat NHL arena if the league awards an expansion franchise to the Atlanta market and the Alpharetta site is selected. Alpharetta is […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Community and faith leaders connect human trafficking, human rights and responsibility
Seed Life Foundation, an advocacy group that works to combat human trafficking and other forms of injustice, recently brought together Atlanta-area faith leaders, veterans, human rights advocates, and civic leaders for a conversation on global responsibility in the face of injustice. The Aug. 14 event at Mountain View Baptist Church in Stone Mountain challenged attendees […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Who belongs in a neighborhood? College Park forced to revisit sober house request
Tensions over the idea of eight people recovering from addiction living in a 4,500-square-foot house in College Park are touching on questions beyond zoning or land use. What responsibility does a community have to people rebuilding their lives, and how should that responsibility be weighed against neighbors’ concerns about safety and property values? On Tuesday, […]
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Two men living with HIV bring message of hope, awareness to Atlanta symposium
Jordan Edwards and Titan Capri are committed to connecting people living with HIV and AIDS to resources, support and community advocacy. Both are living with HIV. Each remembers a time after diagnosis when he felt isolated and hopeless about his future. Today, both are empowered. They are in Atlanta for the Saving Ourselves Symposium, an […]
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Atlanta Quilt Festival stitches together music, history and social justice
Themes spanning music, Black history, social justice, enslavement and empowerment are stitched into more than 150 works on display during the 18th annual Atlanta Quilt Festival. The festival opened July 31 at the Southwest Arts Center and continues through Sept. 5. More than 150 quilts highlight African American history and culture. Quilters from Atlanta and […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
United College Park charts future amid Good Trouble Honors consideration
United College Park has spent years challenging city leaders, questioning government decisions and pushing for greater transparency. It’s work that has often put the resident organization at odds with College Park officials. The group is currently rethinking its mission and how it engages the community while seeking additional members. United College Park is also being […]
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Veteran tourism executive fears other cities could follow College Park’s lead
The former president of the ATL Airport District believes the state’s response to College Park could have implications for destination marketing organizations across Georgia. Cookie Smoak served as president of the ATL Airport District Convention and Visitors Bureau from 2013 to 2024. She believes that if College Park’s actions are allowed to stand, other municipalities […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park advances tourism contract as selection process remains under scrutiny
College Park City Council voted Monday to move forward with a contract for a new destination marketing organization, even as questions remain unanswered about how Destination Must Visit Tourism Alliance was selected. Council approved the organization over other candidates in a hurried fashion on June 29 during a special called meeting in Savannah. Mayor Bianca […]
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College Park development authority chair, husband reject conflict of interest questions
The chairwoman of College Park’s Business and Industrial Development Authority and her family are reiterating that there is no conflict of interest between her role as an appointed official and her company RSW Services, which is operated by her husband, Rex Willis. During public comment at Monday’s city council meeting, Subrenia Willis said she and […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
King Center premieres docuseries on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s faith and calling
A new documentary on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives viewers a deeper understanding of the faith that shaped his ministry and led him to embrace the Civil Rights Movement as a calling from God. “When Faith Calls,” a six-part docuseries produced by The King Center, was screened Thursday evening at The Carter Center during […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Gammon Theological Seminary’s new chapter prepares leaders for today’s world
Gammon Theological Seminary is entering a defining new chapter in its 143-year history. As President Rev. Candace Lewis celebrates her 30th year in ministry, the historically Black seminary is also celebrating its recent independent accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The achievement comes as Gammon prepares future faith leaders […]
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Resident scrutinizes $1M in College Park contracts awarded to company owned by appointed official
A College Park resident has obtained a wealth of public records that she says point to a conflict of interest involving the city, a public official and a vendor paid more than $1 million by College Park over two fiscal years. The vendor is RSW Services, which is owned by Subrenia Willis, chairwoman of College […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Nonprofit builds confidence, workforce skills for young adults with disabilities
In a matter of months, Jordan Rowland’s confidence has soared. Last September, the 24-year-old, who lives with autism, joined a cohort in Bobby Dodd Institute’s Elevate Academy. He says he doubted his ability to succeed in the workplace and wasn’t sure what career path might be right for him. Over the program’s eight months, Rowland […]
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Restaurant owner’s back-to-school bash kicks off larger community mission
A back-to-school bash in College Park this weekend represents more than festivities and giveaways for organizers Shawn Perkins and LaKresha Williams. The women see the event as the first step in building Ask For a Better Life, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding personal development, wellness, workforce training and other supportive services in an underserved College […]
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College Park transparency questions rile city attorney
College Park government is providing no shortage of material for local news coverage during these hazy summer days. But one word seems to dog the city year-round: transparency. That question has resurfaced in College Park following city attorney Winston Denmark’s response to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office concerning residents’ complaints alleging violation of the Open […]
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Savannah meeting prompts citizen activist to sue College Park officials
College Park maintains there was nothing improper or illegal about city council’s decision to select a new destination marketing organization during a special-called meeting in Savannah in June. But, now a government-transparency advocate has filed a lawsuit against the four council members, the city manager, city clerk and city attorney, alleging violations of Georgia’s Open […]
