Longtime journalist Ed Hula will receive the prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Medal from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on June 23.
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.
Posted inLatest News
Alliance Theatre names Tinashe Kajese-Bolden and Chris Moses as artistic directors
Since last October, Tinashe Kajese-Bolden and Chris Moses have been serving as interim artistic directors of the Alliance Theatre, filling in after Susan Booth left to become artistic director of Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. The board of the Alliance Theatre announced today that after a national search, Kajese-Bolden and Moses will assume permanent roles as artistic directors. […]
Posted inColumns
Healing the divide: Matt Westmoreland and Liliana Bakhtiari offer hope
The plans for a new public safety training center have polarized Atlanta into two camps – those for and those against. That was evident during a confrontational Atlanta City Council meeting that began at 1 p.m. June 12 and lasted for nearly 17 hours with an overwhelming number of speakers passionately arguing against what they have labeled as “cop city.”
Posted inSections
Suwanee-based InVeris hires former Atlanta police chief – Erika Shields
Erika Shields is back in Atlanta, joining the leadership team of InVeris Training Solutions Inc., a Suwanee-based company, effective June 16.
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An inside look into Arthur Blank, his family and his foundation
Arthur Blank, a premier business and philanthropic leader, was the invited guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Atlanta’s Father-Son Day along with his three sons – Kenny Blank, Joshua Blank and Max Blank. Stephanie Blank, his second ex-wife, moderated the program.
Posted inColumns
Unlike past revolving door, Atlanta’s airport general manager – ‘B’ Bheodari – staying put
Balram “B” Bheodari, general manager of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, attended an industry conference in Denver earlier this month when he was offered a job making significantly more money than his current $310,000 annual salary.
Posted inColumns
Creating the city we want through ‘incentive zoning’
A beautiful mature tree adorns the steep front yard of a historic home in the southwest Atlanta Pittsburgh community. The home represents so much of what we want as a city. Historic preservation. Affordability. Tree conservation. Density. Sustainable development. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation and the Atlanta Land Trust held an open house on […]
Posted inColumns
Reflections: Tale from Piedmont Park’s past offers lessons for today
Seeing thousands of people enjoying the Atlanta Jazz Festival this weekend reminded me of the disaster that could have been.
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Tom Fanning passes baton to Chris Womack at Southern Co. annual meeting
The Southern Co. annual meeting Wednesday marked a historic transition as Chris Womack became the utility company’s CEO, succeeding Tom Fanning, who will continue to serve as its executive chairman. “Having grown up in southern Alabama in the 1960s and to stand where I am today is a very humbling experience,” said Womack, a subtle […]
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Atlanta’s Tara Theatre reopening May 25
An Atlanta treasure, the Tara Theatre, will reopen Memorial Day weekend featuring three new films as well as four old favorites. The Tara was able to secure its operating permits – enabling the theater to reopen after being closed since November, when Regal Cinema abruptly closed the popular movie destination. Chris Escobar, the major owner […]
Posted inColumns
Central Atlanta’s academic triangle developing into a ‘college town’
Midtown Atlanta welcomed the opening of Emory University’s new Winship Cancer Institute in May – a $440 million investment right at Peachtree and Linden. The new glass building is connected to Emory University Hospital Midtown (formerly Crawford Long) with a two-story bridge – solidifying Emory’s investment in the heart of central Atlanta. “This is a […]
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Women take center stage during NCCHR’s Power to Inspire event
For decades, women have been overshadowed when it comes to telling the history of the civil rights movement. The Atlanta-based National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) took a big step to remedy that omission during its sold-out May 17 Power to Inspire award event at the Rialto Theatre. Instead of a sit-down dinner, NCCHR […]
Posted inColumns
Auburn Avenue’s ‘jewel’ — Prince Hall Masonic Lodge — receives grant for restoration
History is being saved on Auburn Avenue thanks to a $2 million grant from the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, part of the Woodruff-Whitehead family. The Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, one of the most significant buildings of Atlanta’s civil rights movement, is finally garnering community-wide support for its restoration. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is […]
Posted inColumns
Atlanta working as one team to create affordable housing – unlike the past
What a difference a decade makes. On May 2, the City of Atlanta and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta announced a $300 million initiative to build and preserve affordable housing in the city and the region. The setting was the Academy Lofts at Adair Park, the award-winning renovation of George W. Adair School, built […]
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Stars align for $300 million affordable housing treasure chest in Atlanta
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and Mayor Andre Dickens announced Tuesday a historic commitment to building and preserving affordable housing.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
A first – Woodruff Foundation adds Joe Arnold as a trustee
Without question, the most influential board in Atlanta is the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, the largest philanthropy in the Southeast.
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Manuel’s Tavern having to raise prices to cover inflationary costs
In an open letter to customers, Manuel’s Tavern owner – Brian Maloof – is letting folks know the iconic Atlanta gathering spot is reluctantly raising its prices.
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DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond reflects on his leadership journey
The State of DeKalb County lunch on April 26 had a railroad theme – partly because it was held at Pullman Yards – which once built the luxury Pullman passenger train cars.
Posted inColumns, Maria's Metro
Appreciating two legacy Atlanta festivals – Dogwood and ATLFF
It’s a tale of two festivals. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival, now in its 87th year. And the Atlanta Film Festival, now in its 47th year.
Posted inLatest News
Leadership changing at Center for Global Health Innovation
The founding CEO of the Center for Global Health Innovation (CGHI) – Maria Thacker-Goethe – is stepping down from that leadership role for personal and family reasons.
