Category: Guest Column

Among the founders of “The Great Speckled Bird,” Atlanta’s weekly “underground” newspaper, Tom wrote a column entitled “What’s it all about, Ralphie?” in the paper’s first issue, March 8, 1968. Its title came from a contemporary movie starring Michael Caine as “Alfie,” a priapic chauffeur; striking a note that set the subsequent tone for The […]

Living overseas for several years, my trips back to Atlanta were always very special for my kids and me. We would hug my parents and catch up on family, my brother’s latest band, and how soon we could head to the Waffle House. Among the most fascinating updates, however, was what was going on in […]

In cities like Atlanta, known for innovation, resilience and civic pride, public safety talks often focus on enforcement. But if we truly want safer streets and stronger neighborhoods, our efforts must go beyond just enforcement. We need to address recidivism, which is the rate at which individuals reoffend after entering the justice system, and understand […]

Georgia businesses are constantly seeking ways to reduce their tax burden, strengthen their workforce, and invest in long-term economic growth. Georgia’s new foster care tax credit delivers on all three. This isn’t a donation. It’s a dollar-for-dollar tax credit that allows Georgia businesses and taxpayers to redirect their state income taxes to a qualified nonprofit […]

Something devastating and deeply un-American is happening right here in Atlanta, the city once known as the public health capital of the world.  On Oct. 10, another 1,300 employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received late-night reduction-in-force (RIF) notices. The next day, 700 of those notices were rescinded, a “glitch,” according to […]

The social contract in America, our shared agreement to be governed by laws and protected in exchange for a stable society, is breaking for many communities. One of these is the immigrant community. Specifically, legal immigrants: people who have undergone rigorous screenings, hold work permits, pay all taxes, and contribute to our families, neighborhoods, and […]

Buckhead has never been a community content with standing still. From Peachtree Road’s evolution into the heart of Buckhead’s commercial corridor — home to world-class offices, hotels, retail and dining — to the continued vibrancy of Buckhead Village, our community has thrived by thinking boldly about its future. It’s time we apply that same vision […]

Georgia businesses, we have long taken seriously the commitment to corporate citizenship: stepping up when our neighbors and communities face challenges and being a steadfast force for good beyond the bottom line. From Hurricane Helene to the call to tackle human trafficking, Peach State small businesses and major corporations always answer the call to step […]

Atlanta has always been a city where vision meets action. From the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement who dreamed forward and acted boldly, to the corporations that helped grow this region into an international hub, Atlanta has demonstrated the power of courage and collaboration.  Today, that legacy meets a new urgency.  Black children and […]

When most people think about college students, they picture vibrant campuses, dorm rooms, and academic ambition. Beneath this idealized image, many college students are quietly struggling with basic needs insecurity. By definition, basic needs insecurity is the lack of consistent access to basic needs, including food, housing, healthcare, transportation, resources, technology, and childcare.  According to […]

Professor Larry Keating, for four decades one of Atlanta’s strongest advocates for housing reform and social justice, died at age 83 on July 26, his family recently announced. His passing leaves us in metro Atlanta with an unfinished agenda — but also an impressive list of his accomplishments. Edward L. Keating was Professor Emeritus at […]

On the last day of September 2025, Mayor Andre Dickens walked to a podium and announced an investment that could define Atlanta’s future. Its name is the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, or NRI, but its ambition is grander than any acronym suggests. The Mayor framed it simply: this is Atlanta’s strategy for becoming the best city […]

Amphibians — frogs, toads and salamanders — are declining in the United States and across the world. If you’re like me, that matters tremendously because you find them fascinating and wonderful. But, beyond my fascination, amphibians are essential parts of the food web, eating tons of insects like mosquitoes and serving as food for other […]

This summer, The Wall Street Journal headline sent shivers down spines in city halls, chambers of commerce and real estate firms across our metro region: “Atlanta’s Growth Streak Has Come to an End.” More domestic migrants left than came to metro Atlanta between 2023 and 2024, for the first time since such data were recorded. […]

In a city full of movers and shakers, Darlene Schultz operates with the quiet efficiency of someone who doesn’t need a spotlight to change lives — she just needs a mission. As CEO of Georgia Works, she’s not chasing recognition or corner office glory. She’s too busy being a one-woman force of nature, transforming Atlanta’s […]

Atlanta Public Schools recently raised teacher salaries by 11 percent, boosted support staff salaries by 10 percent, and set a goal to have the average salary reach $100,000 by 2030. As it relates to teacher retention, these steps are very welcome — and also insufficient if we want to keep our most impactful teachers in […]

In public health, we have a saying that underscores the invisible impact of the work: “When prevention works, absolutely nothing happens.” Everyday, you experience the quiet magic of public health. You may drive in your car with confidence in the safety features in case of an accident. You may drink from your tap and never […]

Georgia’s math scores ticked up this year.  English Language Arts didn’t. In fact, Georgia has the steepest decline of all the states that have posted third-grade data this summer, and the share of students in the lowest level, “Beginning,” is up eight points since 2019.  We can fix this, but only if state and district […]

A Gainesville developer wants to build a 116-room hotel, with a bar and restaurant, behind the 169-year-old Prince Avenue antebellum mansion that has housed University of Georgia presidents since 1949. Plans are to preserve the house with some interior modifications. Having divested itself of the houses for the University System of Georgia chancellor, and the […]

I have been described as a speaker, teacher, organizer, consultant, leader, facilitator, mediator, entrepreneur, innovator and executive. I strive to use these skills toward a singular focus: increasing intercultural understanding. At my core, I am a community-builder and peace-maker. Knowing this about myself was often a challenge in a corporate environment. I was born in […]