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 […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
Posted inColumns
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 […]
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AileyCamp Atlanta performers shine amid downtown FIFA festivities
The Atlanta Cultural Exchange overflowed with dance, African rhythms, music and spoken word Tuesday as dozens of young performers from AileyCamp Atlanta took the stage for an end-of-summer performance. The show often extended offstage with performers dancing just steps from the audience, exuding the self-confidence and creativity cultivated during the four-week camp. “…Spirit enlightens the […]
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New Ronald McDonald House intentionally designed for healing, comfort and connection
Ronald McDonald House Atlanta is already seeing the demand that prompted leaders to accelerate construction of its new facility on the campus of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Arthur M. Blank Hospital. Originally planned as a two-phase project, the $81 million facility was completed last year to meet growing demand from families of children receiving medical […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Dress for Success Georgia rebrands and expands workforce training statewide
The Atlanta nonprofit Dress for Success is expanding its workforce development services statewide under a new name, Dress for Success Georgia. The organization, which helps women enter and re-enter the workforce through professional attire, job-readiness training and more, is marking the expansion with the debut of a bright pink Mercedes-Benz Sprinter mobile career center donated […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park councilman ordered to repay public funds, pay penalties for ethics violations
A College Park councilman has been ordered to repay public funds and pay penalties for state ethics violations that residents say center on accountability and the misuse of taxpayer money. Councilman Roderick Gay agreed to a consent order with the Georgia State Ethics Commission requiring him to refund $3,262 to the city and pay $2,000 […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Metro tourism officials say College Park’s marketing pick falsely claimed them as clients
Documents suggest that either due diligence was not done on the firm College Park selected as its new destination marketing organization, or city officials were aware of alleged false information included in the winning bidder’s proposal. Chris Hardman President and CEO of the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association has filed a complaint with the Georgia […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park mayor inducted into Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame
While College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom has seen her authority constrained by city council, her leadership has been recognized by the Georgia Municipal Association. Motley Broom was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual convention in Savannah last weekend. She received the honor while remaining at odds with […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Attorney General seeks answers on latest allegations against College Park
After more than two years of residents filing complaints with the Attorney General’s Office alleging a lack of transparency and violations of the Open Meetings Act by College Park officials, recent city council actions are drawing increased scrutiny from state officials. Senior Assistant Attorney General Kristen Settlemire sent a June 30 letter to city attorney […]
