Judy Forte, superintendent of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park for the last 17 years, retired earlier this year after working for the federal government for 47 years.
Author Archives: Maria Saporta
Maria Saporta, executive editor, is a longtime Atlanta business, civic and urban affairs journalist with a deep knowledge of our city, our region and state. From 2008 to 2020, she wrote weekly columns and news stories for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Prior to that, she spent 27 years with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, becoming its business columnist in 1991. Maria received her Master’s degree in urban studies from Georgia State and her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University. Maria was born in Atlanta to European parents and has two young adult children. She launched SaportaReport in February 2009.
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CAU President French on Gaines Hall: ‘Demolition not an option’
Structural engineering report on Clark Atlanta University’s Gaines Hall states the building has enough structural integrity for reuse.
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The friendship of Judith Alexander and Nellie Mae Rowe lives on
What a week it has been to celebrate one of the most unusual friendships in Atlanta’s history.
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Former Atlanta planning commissioner Tim Keane lands new job
Tim Keane, Atlanta’s visionary planning commissioner from July 2015 to February 2022, will be moving from Boise to Calgary, Canada.
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Atlanta BeltLine’s Clyde Higgs: 2030 is the magic number
Five years ago (Feb. 13, 2019), Clyde Higgs became the permanent CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. It seemed like a perfect time (Valentine’s Day) to sit down with Higgs and have a far-reaching discussion so he could reflect on his tenure with ABI and share his thoughts on the BeltLine’s next chapter.
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Recasting Dexter King’s legacy by uplifting the family’s contributions to Atlanta
Reconciliation. It’s a word we have heard repeatedly since the death of Dexter King on Jan. 22.
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Legacy fundraising firm Alexander Haas enters new chapter
Alexander Haas, one of the leading fund-raising consulting firms in Atlanta, has a new owner – New Jersey-based Collegium.
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Before his death, Dexter King reconciled with his sister Bernice King
For years, the children of Martin Luther King Jr. faced unimaginable tragedy, turmoil and conflict – brought on from the outside world and those that were self-inflicted.
The road to reconciliation began eight years ago and culminated Jan. 22 when Dexter King, 62, died of prostate cancer at his home in Malibu.
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Terri Lee unanimously approved as Atlanta Housing’s new CEO
As the board of Atlanta Housing Wednesday voted to approve Terri Lee, chief operating officer of the authority to be its next CEO, the standing-room-only crowd at the historic Roosevelt Hall cheered in jubilation.
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Powerful Atlanta business leader Jimmy Williams, 90, passes away
During the peak of his career, Jimmy Williams held a coveted spot as one of Atlanta’s most influential leaders. Williams was a key connection point at the intersection of power between Trust Company Bank (later SunTrust and now Truist), the Coca-Cola Co. and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. By the time he was elected president […]
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New York developer seeking to build high density project on CAU’s Diamond Hill
Direct Invest Development is proposing to build several high-rise buildings on 12 acres of land along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive owned by Clark Atlanta University. Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos has introduced legislation to rezone the property so Direct Invest will be able to build multiple towers, two that could be as high as […]
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Kendeda Fund reaches end of its philanthropic journey
On Dec. 31, the Kendeda Fund went out of business. And that’s just what Diana Blank wanted.
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Newly formed Georgia Trust for Local News sparks hope for journalism
As of Jan. 1, the Georgia Trust for Local News – a subsidiary of the National Trust for Local News (NTLN) – has acquired 18 newspapers in Middle and South Georgia. The model blends the best of nonprofit and for-profit practices to ensure the sustainability of local news.
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Terri Lee top choice to become CEO of Atlanta Housing
The search committee for a new CEO of Atlanta Housing has picked Terri Lee, the agency’s chief operating officer, to be the next leader. The board of Atlanta Housing is expected to approve Lee as the new CEO during its next board meeting scheduled for Jan. 24. She will succeed Eugene Jones, who announced his […]
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Raphael Bostic paints fairly rosy economic picture at Atlanta Rotary
In his annual talk to the Rotary Club of Atlanta, Federal Reserve of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic compared the economic situation to last year’s forecast.
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Pedro Cherry, 2024 chair of Georgia Chamber, to focus on economic opportunity
As the Georgia Chamber of Commerce enters a new year, one theme is on its mind – how to make sure Georgia maintains its standing (10 years running) as the best state for business.
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Messages of peace will flood Atlanta during the 2024 King holiday week
From Jan. 8 to Jan. 16, the 2024 King Holiday Observance will celebrate the teachings of the late Martin Luther King Jr., who would have turned 95 on Jan. 15. This year’s theme: “It Starts with Me.”
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‘Conserving America’s Wildlands’: Rhett Turner’s ode to his father
Rhett Turner, one of Ted Turner’s five children, has captured the spirit of his father in a recently published book – “Conserving America’s Wildlands: The Vision of Ted Turner.”
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The Gathering Spot reverts to original owners, operators
Ryan Wilson and TK Peterson – co-founders of “The Gathering Spot” – announced Thursday the company is once again independent because they have reacquired majority ownership.
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Open AI’s Sam Altman to co-chair AI Ethics Council with Atlanta’s John Hope Bryant
In his first public appearance since rejoining Open AI as CEO, Sam Altman took the stage at the HOPE Global Forums Dec. 11 to join in a conversation with Operation HOPE’s CEO and founder – John Hope Bryant.
