Across metro Atlanta, food pantries and volunteers are working to ensure families have what they need for the holidays. Among them are two organizations: Dreamz Always Come True, a Sandy Springs–based nonprofit, and separately, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which is expanding its reach in high-need communities. The Atlanta Community Food Bank hosted a media […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
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College Park developer refutes claims by fired city manager
A new wave of controversies has emerged in College Park following the firing of City Manager Lindell Miller. The developer renovating the former Chelsea Gardens apartments is refuting her allegations. Miller issued a written statement and has spoken to media outlets about her firing, which occurred during Monday’s city council meeting. A resident shared her […]
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College Park fires another city manager during meeting of twists and turns
College Park fired City Manager Lindell Miller near the end of Monday’s City Council meeting. Similar to her predecessor Emmanuel Adediran, who was also terminated without explanation last May, Miller gathered her belongings and left the chambers after the surprise vote. Councilman Joe Carn, who called for the motion, voted in approval of the firing […]
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Atlanta Women’s Foundation luncheon featuring Hoda Kotb raises $1.2M
The Atlanta Women’s Foundation raised $1.2 million at its annual “Numbers Too Big to Ignore” luncheon last month, continuing a nearly 30-year tradition of supporting nonprofits that serve women and girls across metro Atlanta. This year’s event at the Georgia World Congress Center drew 1,600 guests and featured broadcast journalist Hoda Kotb. The former cohost […]
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Runoff candidate forums set to tackle voter concerns
Local elections that take place without federal or state contests on the ballot rarely attract large numbers of voters, a political science professor at Emory University said. But next week, residents will have opportunities to hear directly from runoff candidates in races spanning Atlanta, South Fulton and Sandy Springs, as contenders participate in candidate forums […]
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Roswell looks to create a luxury town center while grappling with affordability
Roswell officials are envisioning the redevelopment of an aged shopping center that sits on 47 acres on Holcomb Bridge Road. The goal is to transform the property owned by Malon D. Mimms Co. into a high-end mixed-use town center that could serve as a cultural hub. The property is already named Roswell Town Center. During […]
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Philanthropist continues multimillion-dollar gifts to HBCUs
During this divisive period in the U.S., Historically Black Colleges and Universities are receiving significant philanthropic funding that leaders say will strengthen academic programs, support capital projects and help students excel. In recent weeks, philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated millions to Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and Howard University — adding to the substantial gifts […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Mayoral races in north and south Fulton cities headed to a runoff
Voters in several north and south Fulton cities are sending mayoral candidates to a runoff election on Dec. 2. Sandy Springs The day after Sandy Springs marks its 20th anniversary as an incorporated city, residents will return to the polls to decide their next mayor in the Dec. 2 runoff election. Mayor Rusty Paul, who […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gifts Clark Atlanta University $53M
Clark Atlanta University announced Monday that it has received a $53 million philanthropic gift from MacKenzie Scott, the billionaire philanthropist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. University President George T. French Jr. said the total includes a previous $15 million contribution made by Scott in 2020, along with a new gift of $38 […]
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‘We were here’: Sandy Springs elder reflects on Black life rarely highlighted by the city
At 83, Shirley Peters Pruitt believes she is the oldest living Black resident in the city of Sandy Springs, where the stories of early Black families have rarely been told as they have been in the neighboring cities of Roswell and Alpharetta. Yet Pruitt and former schoolmates who attended the Bailey-Johnson School during segregation are […]
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Goodwill to work around federal order that halts training for SNAP recipients
While the Trump administration has been ordered by two courts to use emergency funds to pay SNAP recipients, the ripple effects of potentially halting payments to 42 million people extend beyond the program participants. Goodwill of North Georgia is preparing to bear the full cost of its SNAP Employment and Training program — at a […]
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Atlanta food bank directs $5M to feed SNAP families and federal workers
As the federal government shutdown stretches on, the Atlanta Community Food Bank is stepping in to help families who may soon lose access to SNAP benefits. The nonprofit has moved $5 million from its reserves to help food pantries provide for metro Atlanta residents impacted by the suspension of government services, including SNAP recipients and […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Social media post alleges criminal acts within College Park’s administration
College Park residents have wondered whether a municipality can break laws without facing repercussions — and whether elected officials such as Councilman Roderick Gay, who has been at the center of numerous controversies involving financial decisions, alleged intimidation and, most recently, leaving the scene of a car collision, can avoid investigation. Since March 2024, residents, […]
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Pinnacle accelerator program names startups for $500K investment
Pinnacle Atlanta Innovation Accelerator has selected five unique businesses for its first 12-week cohort. Each business is receiving $100,000 and access to investors and industry experts — resources valued at a combined $1 million. Managing Director Keena Pierre said the cohort represents some of the most promising fintech founders in Atlanta’s growing innovation ecosystem. “We […]
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Marietta company creates shield against space debris
A Marietta materials company is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space protection. Atomic-6, known for its work in aerospace and defense composites, has introduced Space Armor tiles, a product that shields satellites and astronauts from dangerous space debris while preserving vital communications. According to a statement, Space Armor can stop debris traveling at […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
College Park councilman accused of driving away from car accident
College Park Councilman Roderick Gay is under scrutiny following a car accident that occurred Saturday, Oct. 11, at Phillips Park — the same day as the Citywide Festival held in his ward. According to a police report, Gay was driving his personal vehicle, a BMW, when he backed into a parked Chevrolet Camaro, striking the side […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Goodwill of North Georgia celebrates new specialized trainee program
Joshua Parker hopes to one day open his own HVAC business. While attending a job fair, the 31-year-old was introduced to Goodwill of North Georgia’s career services and soon discovered a training program that is helping him earn certifications and gain hands-on experience toward achieving that goal. Parker joined Goodwill’s new Certified Electric Heat Pump […]
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Music center to expand with third location for voice and instrument lessons
The Music Studio Atlanta, a large privately owned music school that provides lessons for a wide range of instruments, is opening a third location in Alpharetta in the coming weeks. Founder Cecilia Rowe opened her first studio in Vinings in 2011 and a second in East Cobb in 2022. The Music Studio Atlanta offers both […]
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Teen to host ‘Hoops for Hunger’ basketball challenge in Roswell
A Sandy Springs teenager is turning his love of basketball into a community event for a cause. Fifteen-year-old Christian Milteer will host the “High Schoolers Hoops for Hunger 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament & Food Drive” on Saturday to benefit North Fulton Community Charities. The tournament is organized through The Empowerment Workshop and will be held from […]
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College Park mayor says ‘the math ain’t mathing’ on council’s questionable spending
How public money is spent — and how it’s requested — is raising new questions in College Park, where city officials are offering no answers. “There is a problem with the money,” Mayor Bianca Motley Broom said. During the Oct. 6 city council meeting, Mayor Bianca Motley Broom received no response when she raised concerns […]
