A recent report from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) ranks Atlanta third in new HIV infection diagnoses. The Center’s annual HIV Surveillance report, published in March, summarizes information about diagnosed HIV infections in the U.S. in 2021. Over half of the new cases happen to be people ages 13-24 years old nationwide, with the […]
Category: Allison Joyner
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Atlanta says goodbye to ‘Atlanta Voice’ General Manager James “Jim” Washington
“Beacon of hope,” “leader” and “good friend” were some of the words that were used to describe James “Jim” Washington during his celebration of life last week. The General Manager of “The Atlanta Voice” died at 73 after a long battle with cancer. Many gathered at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Southwest Atlanta to say farewell […]
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Sorority chapter receives proclamation celebrating 100 years of service to ATL
On January 22, a sea of red flooded the city hall as members of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority entered for a special occasion. Post 1 At Large Councilman Michael Julian Bond presented the members with a proclamation at the city council meeting. It was recognizing the chapter’s century-long contributions to […]
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Segregation, the great migration discussed in new puppet show
The Center for Puppetry Arts’ latest show portrays the story of a little girl who experiences racism for the first time in the segregated South. The show “Ruth and the Green Book” is adapted from Charles Alexander’s children’s book. It depicts the story of eight-year-old Ruth, who travels with her parents in their new green […]
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Alvin Ailey Dance Theater begins 65th-anniversary tour in Atlanta
2024 marks 65 years since the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s U.S. tour, which celebrated the work of the titular dance choreographer and Black culture overall through music and movement. Since 1958, the company has been captivating audiences with its annual performances, which bring the gift of American dance to the world. Atlanta was the first […]
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New Spelman board chair aims to increase endowment to $1 billion in five years
As New Year resolutions are in effect for most people, Spelman College has planned to develop a plan to improve its endowment to over $1 billion in the next five years. Senior consultant at Coxe Curry and Associates and Spelman’s board chair, Lovette Russell, will spearhead the lofty goal. “Right now, we are the number […]
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$3 million grant to Morris Brown is largest in 20 years
Morris Brown College (MBC) ended the fall semester with a $3 million grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (AMBFF) to help launch its hospitality program and begin its partnership to build a hotel on campus. The grant will help develop the school’s Hospitality Certification Program, which includes a partnership with Hilton Hotels to […]
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HOPE Global Forums kick off with screening of ‘The Color of Money,’ discussion panel
Last week, an almost capacity crowd gathered at Clark Atlanta University to watch a screening of Ambassador Andrew Young’s documentary, “The Color of Money,” as part of Operation HOPE’s HOPE Global Forums’ Salon Series. Young was in attendance along with John Hope Bryant, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. After the screening, they spoke […]
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Rhodes Scholar wants to inspire Black girls, women to ‘have audacity’
Life has been a whirlwind for Agnes Scott student Madison Jennings since she heard she is bound for the United Kingdom to be a part of the Rhodes Scholars program. Jennings and 31 other students from across the country will be in the postgraduate program at Oxford next year, where she plans to pursue a […]
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New casting office gives SCAD Atlanta students opportunities to work in film, television productions
The Savannah College of Art and Design’s (SCAD) Atlanta campus opened its new casting office in September to help students get unique, industry-ready opportunities in professional and student film, TV and digital shows. Alpha Tyler is an acting professor and Casting Director for the new office at SCAD Atlanta. She describes casting as a human […]
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Midtown High club hosts school board forum for students before Election Day
Organized by the student group Midtown Votes, students from Midtown High School club last week to hear from candidates running for school board offices about significant issues affecting the Atlanta Public School (APS) system. Alfred “Shivy” Brooks and Tamara Jones, running for District 7 At-Large; Jessica Johnson and Nkoyo Effiong Lewis, running for District 9 […]
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Mastercard donates $6.5 million to AUC Data Science Initiative to enhance diversity in data science
Last week, the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Consortium gathered with MasterCard to announce a new partnership about expanding data science across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The AUC Data Science Initiative received a $6.5 million grant from the credit card company to engage AUC students and faculty toward becoming data scientists in the workforce. […]
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Black geeks embrace growing diversity at DragonCon
The pop culture convention makes a significant effort to encourage diversity and kindness amongst its attendees.
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ABL awards Men of Influence, Warrick Dunn inducted into Legends Hall of Fame
The Atlanta Business League (ABL) continued its tradition of honoring African-American men with the Men of Influence and Legends Hall of Fame awards. Last month, hundreds gathered at the Hyatt Regency to celebrate the 12 men who demonstrated their commitment to the citizenry of the capital city. Leona Barr-Davenport, President and CEO of the ABL […]
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New DeKalb schools superintendent addresses plans, teacher shortage for school year
Earlier this month, new DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton met with the press to announce his plans for a successful school year. Horton was appointed superintendent on Jun. 29 and began work on Jul. 1. He began his address by announcing this year’s theme, “disrupting for excellence.” He says the theme references […]
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100 Honors Gala resumes in person after four-year absence
Earlier this month, the 100 Black Men of Atlanta hosted its signature fundraiser, the 100 Honors Gala, in person for the first time in four years. Over a thousand people attended the black tie event to help the organization support its Project Success programs. “Project Success is composed of several smaller initiatives like our Pathways […]
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New novel inspired by first Black female bank founder
The new historical fiction “A Right Worthy Woman” tells the story of the ambitious and unafraid woman, Maggie Lena Walker, who was determined to gain wealth for her community. Written by Atlanta-based author Ruth P. Watson, “A Right Worthy Woman” begins shortly after the Civil War in the predominantly Black Jackson Ward community in Richmond, […]
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SCOTUS affirmative action ruling proves HBCUs are needed now more than ever
Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a 20-year-old rule on how students are evaluated by institutions of higher learning. Friday’s reversal of affirmative action is now in the history books, but we have yet to turn the pages to find out how much damage this decision will ultimately cause. Oral tradition in Black culture has […]
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NCBP, CAU opens, names institution after community leader Tommy Dortch
The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Institution will develop and support community-based leaders addressing racial, social and economic issues in the South. Last month, the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) opened its new Clark Atlanta University (CAU) campus Southern Regional Office to help strengthen its work in the […]
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‘Blurring the Color Line’ focuses on Asian, Black relations in Augusta during Jim Crow
The relationships between Blacks and Whites during segregation is often studied, but a new documentary shows race relations as another group of people affected as well. The film “Blurring the Color Line: Chinese in the Segregated South” highlights race relations between the Whites, Blacks and Chinese Americans in Augusta, Ga., during a pivotal time in […]
