Loving arts and culture while growing up in New London, Connecticut, Adriane V. Jefferson did not set out to become Atlanta’s executive director of Cultural Affairs by age 39. But she kept saying yes to the small inclinations that spoke to her creativity and community. Each step — including earning a bachelor’s degree in popular […]
Author Archives: Adrianne Murchison
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
UPS Impact Summit highlights power of small business
The importance of entrepreneurs and small businesses in the U.S. economy was in the spotlight Wednesday during the fourth annual UPS Impact Summit, held at the company’s headquarters in Sandy Springs. The event featured panels of UPS executives, small business owners, and civic leaders discussing both the opportunities and challenges facing entrepreneurs. UPS CEO Carol […]
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Educators highlight teacher burnout and retention challenges at Atlanta Panel
Educators are speaking out about burnout, lack of support and feeling unseen. The educators were giving voice to struggles shared by workers in many professions today. RedefinED Atlanta hosted the event, titled “A City Changing: Investing in the Educator Experience,” at the Commerce Club last Thursday. The nonprofit convened an audience of educators and advocates […]
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Conflict of interest concerns sink proposed College Park contract
A proposal to award a $40,000 contract to a former College Park city council candidate was denied Monday following sharp comments from city leaders, and criticism from a resident who questioned whether the proposed contract amounted to a payoff for the candidate exiting the race. Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, in a post previewing the council […]
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Fulton Superior Court reschedules hearing in College Park zoning fight
The Fulton County Superior Court hearing involving Rogers Repair Shop, originally scheduled for Aug. 26, did not take place and has been rescheduled for Sept. 25 at 1 p.m. Rogers Repair Shop, located at 2525 Riverdale Road, has been closed for several months. Owner Roderick Rogers says that the city has refused to renew his […]
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Authors, journalists and political leaders to appear at MJCCA book festival
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta has released its full lineup for this year’s book festival. The 34th Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCAA features a mix of political leaders, journalists, historians, chefs, and novelists who will not only share their latest works but also weigh in on today’s cultural and political […]
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Health Connect South conference to gather top healthcare leaders
The 12th annual Health Connect South conference will take place Sept. 17 at the Georgia Aquarium, bringing together more than 50 prominent speakers and moderators and an expected 1,000 attendees. The gathering has become one of the Southeast’s largest forums for advancing innovation and collaboration in healthcare. Notable speakers include Corwin Harper, president of Kaiser […]
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Arts and authors at the Marcus Jewish Community Center
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is preparing for a full fall season of programming that blends live performance, storytelling, and nationally recognized authors. The 2025 Arts & Authors lineup includes the 34th annual book festival of the MJCCA. The Arts & Authors season opened in August and continues with two events on Sept. […]
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College Park business owner fighting to survive zoning battle, and two alleged arson attacks
A long-operating automotive repair shop in College Park has been shuttered since February, and its owner, Roderick Rogers, is fighting to keep his business alive. Rogers, who owns Rogers Repair Shop, said the city has refused to renew his business license and has sought to close the business down permanently. His attorney, Erin Coleman, said […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Contentious vote approves $1.1B plan to overhaul Fulton jail
During a Wednesday meeting, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $1.1 billion plan to overhaul its troubled jail system, despite opposition from two board members and community leaders. The plan includes building a new special-purpose facility to house vulnerable inmate populations and renovating the county’s main jail on Rice Street. The […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Metro mayors urge corporations, philanthropists to recognize the whole metro region
If the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is successfully completed, Sandy Springs can boast more Fortune 500 companies than the city of Atlanta, says Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, including the New York Stock Exchange, which has been headquartered there for years. But, Paul adds, many of those firms headquartered in the […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Roswell mourns former Councilman Marcelo Zapata
Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson led a moment of silence Monday in honor of former Councilman Marcelo Zapata during the City Council meeting. Wilson learned earlier that day that Zapata died on August 1 in Argentina. Zapata, first elected to city council in 2015, resigned in 2022 due to undisclosed serious health issues. He is being […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Housing advocates call for reducing barriers to affordable housing
Rising construction costs, restrictive local policies, and regulatory hurdles are widening Georgia’s housing affordability gap, according to housing advocates and builders, and policymakers. During a recent meeting of the Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition, Shawn Stafford, president of Stafford Builders & Consultants, said theft and vandalism at construction sites are driving up costs. Stolen materials, from […]
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Fulton County Honors Goodwill of North Georgia for 100 Years of Service
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday recognized Goodwill of North Georgia for a century of service, adding to the nonprofit’s growing list of accolades. Commissioner Bob Ellis presented the organization with a proclamation declaring “Goodwill of North Georgia Appreciation Day.” Founded in 1925 as Goodwill Industries of Atlanta, the nonprofit began in a […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Week of homelessness on Atlanta streets gives pastor new insight
Last May, Pastor Mayo Sowell of LIIV Atlanta church left his home, phone, and wallet behind to live for a week on the streets of Atlanta. He carried only a GoPro camera, a Bible, a journal, the clothes on his back, and a determination to better understand life for the city’s unhoused residents. The father […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Ex-Roswell leaders accuse city of illegalities tied to Mimosa Hall and beyond
A group of former elected officials gathered at Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street Wednesday to voice criticism of Mayor Kurt Wilson and city council. Led by former Mayor Jere Wood, the group of 10 described the city as “in crisis,” pointing to the removal of 35 specimen trees at Mimosa Hall as the […]
Posted inAdrianne Murchison, Columns
Fulton inches closer to releasing funds for staff overtime pay at jail
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office could be a step closer to receiving $6.4 million in supplemental funding to cover overtime pay and staffing incentives for the troubled county jail — months after commissioners first approved the funds. The sheriff’s office and county administration are “in current talks” to receive the funds, said Natalie Ammons, the […]
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Survivors of gun violence push for more funds and support services for victims
Survivors of gun violence and public safety advocates will gather Saturday and later this month to raise awareness of victim compensation programs that could reimburse families paying for funeral costs, counseling, lost wages and other expenses in the wake of tragedy. Saturday’s event by Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice will be held from 11 […]
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National Hispanic Chamber to hold annual conference in Atlanta
The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will hold its 46th annual national conference in Atlanta in September, bringing the largest gathering of Hispanic and small business leaders back to the city for the first time in roughly 25 years. More than 2,000 entrepreneurs, executives, policymakers, and local leaders are expected to attend, according to a […]
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Decatur middle school serving refugee girls names new CEO and Head of School
Global Village Project, a Decatur-based middle school serving refugee girls, has selected Allison Almand Ezell as its new CEO and head of school. She succeeds Elizabeth Elango following a six-month national search. Ezell has been part of the Global Village Project community for eight years, first as a volunteer and most recently as director of […]
