Maria's Metro Archives - Page 7 of 57 - SaportaReport

Before his death, Dexter King reconciled with his sister Bernice King

by Maria Saporta January 29, 2024 6:22 pmMay 22, 2024 1:23 pm

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.

New York developer seeking to build high density project on CAU’s Diamond Hill

by Maria Saporta January 22, 2024 7:04 pmJanuary 22, 2024 11:02 pm

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 […]

A mother-daughter relationship

Kendeda Fund reaches end of its philanthropic journey

by Maria Saporta January 15, 2024 5:59 pmJanuary 16, 2024 10:47 am

On Dec. 31, the Kendeda Fund went out of business. And that’s just what Diana Blank wanted.

Seeking opportunity for all

Pedro Cherry, 2024 chair of Georgia Chamber, to focus on economic opportunity

by Maria Saporta January 8, 2024 5:28 pmJanuary 8, 2024 5:28 pm

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.

‘Conserving America’s Wildlands’: Rhett Turner’s ode to his father

by Maria Saporta December 18, 2023 4:07 pmDecember 18, 2023 5:34 pm

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.”

Atlanta Committee for Progress united in supporting Andre Dickens and the city

by Maria Saporta December 11, 2023 4:11 pmDecember 11, 2023 4:13 pm

Based on the turnout at ACP’s December meeting on Dec. 8 at the headquarters of King & Spalding, Mayor Dickens’ relationship with Atlanta’s business and civic leaders is as strong as that of any mayor since Shirley Franklin, who founded the group in 2003.

Searching for next AHA CEO

Atlanta Housing CEO search critical in city’s goal for affordable housing

by Maria Saporta December 4, 2023 5:52 pmDecember 4, 2023 5:54 pm

The search for a new leader of Atlanta Housing has taken on greater significance given the city’s ambitious goal to add 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030 – with Atlanta Housing expected to deliver 10,000 of those units.

Atlanta needs to better protect and expand its tree canopy

by Maria Saporta November 27, 2023 7:05 pmNovember 27, 2023 7:34 pm

For nearly a dozen years, there’s been aborted effort after aborted effort to strengthen Atlanta’s tree ordinance and expand the city’s tree canopy. Fortunately, after months (even years) of little to no progress, there’s now movement.

For the sake of the planet, let’s move away from gas leaf blowers and lawn equipment

by Maria Saporta November 20, 2023 5:13 pmNovember 20, 2023 5:13 pm

Few sounds make me angrier than gas-powered leaf blowers. Every time I hear them, they disturb our environment by emitting hazardous fumes and noise pollution in our communities. In fact, gas-powered leaf blowers are among the greatest contributors to air pollution in Georgia and beyond. A new report by Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center […]

A new day at ARC

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens as next chair of ARC: ‘I will bring my whole self’

by Maria Saporta November 13, 2023 6:19 pmNovember 13, 2023 6:19 pm

Several milestones were reached on Nov. 8 when the board of the Atlanta Regional Commission unanimously elected Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to be its next chair beginning Jan. 1.

Atlanta was his destiny

Piedmont Park Conservancy’s Doug Widener: ‘It was meant to be’

by Maria Saporta November 6, 2023 4:42 pmNovember 7, 2023 8:01 am

Doug Widener, the new president and CEO of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, believes he was destined to move to Atlanta.

A new record: Women now top 25 percent of directors on Georgia’s public companies

by Maria Saporta October 30, 2023 5:21 pmOctober 31, 2023 1:01 pm

For the first time ever, women now make up a quarter of all directors on the boards of Georgia’s public companies, according to OnBoard, an organization that’s been keeping count for decades.

Time and time again, Atlantans have spoken: Build BeltLine rail

by Maria Saporta October 23, 2023 4:35 pmOctober 23, 2023 5:49 pm

It’s so frustrating to keep revisiting the issue of whether to build rail on the BeltLine after years of repeated voter and citizen support for the concept.

2023 TEDWomen conference puts Atlanta in the global spotlight

by Maria Saporta October 16, 2023 5:52 pmOctober 16, 2023 5:52 pm

A common refrain emerged after the three-day convening of TEDWomen in Atlanta from Oct. 11 to 13 when 1,200 people came for the first ever gathering of the group in the city.

MARTA’s CFO Raj Srinath leaves at a crucial time for transit agency

by Maria Saporta October 9, 2023 4:40 pmOctober 9, 2023 5:42 pm

The departure of MARTA’s chief financial officer, Raj Srinath, is being viewed as Atlanta’s loss and Jacksonville’s gain.

Better when we're together

Three Atlanta foundations reaping rewards of sharing office space

by Maria Saporta October 2, 2023 6:06 pmOctober 2, 2023 6:09 pm

Three foundations – Tull, Dobbs and Lanier Foundations – moved in together in August..

Auburn Avenue historic buildings

Prince Hall Masonic Lodge to be restored thanks to Blank Foundation gift of $1.5 million

by Maria Saporta September 25, 2023 4:45 pmSeptember 25, 2023 4:59 pm

Nearly all of the money needed to restore one of the most significant historic buildings in Atlanta – the Prince Hall Masonic Lodge on Auburn Avenue – has been raised.

Piedmont Park sign

Music Midtown ‘adds to Atlanta being a real city’

by Maria Saporta September 18, 2023 6:41 pmSeptember 18, 2023 6:41 pm

I’ve witnessed the evolution, the hiatus and the rebirth of Music Midtown – one of the largest festivals that takes place in the city. As best I can count, that’s 23 years of Music Midtown.

Atlanta’s role as a hub for global health is too important ‘to let it die’

by Maria Saporta September 11, 2023 6:13 pmSeptember 11, 2023 6:14 pm

For decades, visionary leaders have showcased how Atlanta is a center for global health. The vision still holds true – despite a setback with the dismantling of the Center for Global Health Innovation (CGHI).

ARC leadership

Possible contested race for ARC board chair could pit Andre Dickens against Kerry Armstrong

by Maria Saporta September 4, 2023 4:27 pmSeptember 4, 2023 4:27 pm

For the first time in a decade, it appears there will be a contested race for the role of board chair of the Atlanta Regional Commission.