Although African Americans make up only 13 percent of the population, 40 percent of the missing person population in this country are people of color. By Allison Joyner African Americans turn up missing at a startling pace and generally speaking take four times as long for law enforcement to locate than whites. Several organizations, however, […]
Author Archives: Allison Joyner
Posted inAllison Joyner
Black Women’s History Month: Leona Barr-Davenport wants women to “use their voice”
This month, SaportaReport will highlight Atlanta-based women making a difference in their fields. By Allison Joyner As Covid progressed, more African American women made a pivot to leave their jobs and start their own businesses. “Black women — African Americans across the board — start businesses out of necessity. I need to be able to […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
SCAD students work together to help revitalize Sweet Auburn District bakery
By Allison Joyner The Savannah College of Art Design (SCAD) worked with Sweet Auburn Work’s SPARK Innovation Lab to help a small business get a much-needed refresh. SCAD’s nonprofit, SCAD SERVE, launched its Design for Good course to use students’ creative abilities to generate elevated communication-centered solutions to make a difference in local communities in […]
Posted inLatest News
‘Anonymous threat’ signals shelter-in-place order for Clark Atlanta, more bomb threats to HBCUs
Campus police received the threat shortly before noon and lifted the order just before 1 p.m. By Allison Joyner The Clark Atlanta University (CAU) Public Safety Department administered a shelter-in-place order after a threat was received Wednesday morning. “A temporary shelter-in-place order” for the entire campus occurred after “an anonymous threat received by campus police” […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
More HBCUs, ‘Despicable:’ How the Black History Month bomb threats could have been prevented
In addition to Howard University receiving its fourth bomb threat, three new schools receive their first. By Allison Joyner UPDATE: The outbreak of bomb threats to Historically Black Colleges and Universities continues to be sustained. Monday, Howard University received its fourth bomb threat this year and three Carolina schools had their first on Tuesday. Columbia, […]
Posted inLatest News
Spelman receives third bomb threat, second during Black History Month
Other threats occurred on Jan. 5 and Feb. 1 By Allison Joyner Spelman College’s Department of Public Safety has closed campus to all visitors and vendors as they respond to yet another bomb threat to the school. “I know that it is difficult to receive this news and not to be unnerved by it,” said […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms joins CNN as political commentator
Keisha Lance Bottoms announced an opportunity that she calls a “dream” of hers on her social media. By Allison Joyner This morning, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she will be joining the CNN team. “I am thrilled to officially announce that I have joined CNN as a political commentator,” Bottoms said in a […]
Posted inLatest News
Spelman College receives $10 million grant from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to support innovation, entrepreneurship
The funds will go towards The Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab, which will form a creative inquiry in Spelman’s new Center for Innovation and the Arts slated to open in 2024. By Allison Joyner Today, Spelman College announced a grant from The Arthur M. Blank Foundation to support an on-campus creative hub for young entrepreneurs […]
Posted inLatest News
Georgia HBCUs, others received bomb threats over past two days
Spelman College received another threat on Jan. 5. By Allison Joyner Three Georgia Historically Black Colleges and Universities received bomb threats yesterday and this morning. The threats are part of an apparent trend. Yesterday, Albany State University (ASU) along with five other schools received bomb threats. Spelman College, Ft. Valley State University and four other […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Why is Black History Month in February, and is it still necessary?
President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the U.S. bicentennial in 1976. By Allison Joyner For over 100 years, Black History Month has been in some form a celebration of the African Americans who contributed to reshaping the U.S. and the world. So how did this tradition begin and is it still necessary […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Wells Fargo ‘Open for Business’ Fund donates $20 million for local small businesses
The fund was created to help small businesses stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Allison Joyner Wells Fargo announced today that they are donating $20 million to help small businesses in Atlanta — particularly those owned by minorities — create assets and make storefront improvements. “As a company, we commit to make the communities […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Civic leaders’ friendship results in visual symphony collaboration
Doug Hooker gained inspiration from Andrew Feiler’s books for his most recent composition. By Allison Joyner Atlanta Regional Commission Executive Director Doug Hooker recently partnered with photographer and friend Andrew Feiler to create his new symphony “Without Regard to Race, Sex or Color.” Inspired by Feiler’s first photo book of the same name and his […]
Posted inLatest News
SCAD reacts to passing of fashion icon André Leon Talley
Reports indicate he passed away in a hospital near his home in White Plains, N.Y. He was 73 years old. By Allison Joyner The Savannah College of Art Design (SCAD) community is in deep mourning after the passing of fashion journalist and former Board of Trustee member André Leon Talley. “André had the heart of […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
NFT studio helps local artists sell original creations on crypto platform
Umba Daima’s brand Black NFT Art gets the unknown noticed. By Allison Joyner As cryptocurrency becomes more popular and media is increasingly digitized, Umba Daima bridges the gap between up-and-coming artists with buyers who are searching for authentic masterpieces. “We originally started in 2020 as an eCommerce store,” said Iris Nevins, co-founder of Umba Daima. […]
Posted inLatest News
Spelman, seven other HBCUs receive bomb threats on same day
Historically Black Universities in eight states ordered lockdowns and evacuations to keep students, faculty and staff safe. By Allison Joyner This morning, Spelman College announced that the campus received a bomb threat on Jan. 4, they are the eighth historically Black institution to announce they received a threat on that day. The school, located inside […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Civil rights photographer releases second book of images from Jim Crow South
“A Civil Rights Journey,” by Dr. Doris Derby shows photographs of defining moments in American history and presents candid stills of Muhammad Ali, Alice Walker and Fannie Lou Hamer. By Allison Joyner Dr. Doris Derby’s latest book, “A Civil Rights Journey,” uses photographs from her time living in Mississippi from 1963 to 1972 to illustrate […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Atlanta REALTORS Association’s first African American female president promotes diversity and inclusion in 2022
Karen Hatcher is the first African American brokerage owner in its 112-year history. By Allison Joyner Earlier this month, the Atlanta REALTORS Association (ARA) appointed Karen Hatcher as their 97th president, making her the first African American female to lead this prestigious institution. Hatcher, who joined the ARA in 2007, is the founder, CEO and […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Historically Black Seminary appoints youngest president
Matthew Wesly Williams is the 11th president in the school’s 60-plus-year history. By Allison Joyner Last month, President Rev. Matthew Wesly Williams was officially celebrated as the 11th president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). At 45, he is the youngest to hold the position. “I consider it a homecoming,” Williams said. “It’s a place […]
Posted inAllison Joyner
Local website boosts visibility of Black-owned businesses
We Buy Black gives minority-owned small businesses the opportunity to showcase and sell their products just in time for the holidays. By Allison Joyner With shopping for the holidays in full swing, some are considering buying from small businesses, especially those that are Black-owned, instead of big box stores. It can be difficult, though, to […]
Posted inLatest News
Black Nativity starts Christmas holiday season with message of love
Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes originally wrote the 1961 off-Broadway musical. By Allison Joyner Holiday gospel musical Black Nativity comes back to Atlanta with a modern twist on the classic Christmas Story. Director Robert John Conner portrays the story of Jesus Christ’s birth from a Black cultural perspective. With limited showings available, theatergoers need to […]
