The power of story. That’s what Joey Seidman took away from one of his most meaningful classes at Emory, the Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases Project class, taught by Hank Klibanoff, teaching professor in the Creative Writing Program. “I think the biggest emotion that I got coming out of it was just, you know, how urgent this […]
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Posted inPeople, Places & Parks
“My mind has been blown by this program”: Nine park leaders graduate from Park Pride’s Park Stewardship Academy
By Hannah E. Jones, Park Pride’s Marketing & Communications Manager “What I’ve gained from the Park Stewardship Academy program is nearly immeasurable, and to be a steward of something is a true honor. My mind has been blown by this program,” said Marianna Lee with the Friends of Mountain Way Common. On Saturday, nine park […]
Posted inGuest Column
Remembering Tom Coffin
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 […]
Posted inColumns
Educational findings in metro Atlanta show much room for improvement
The just-released annual State of Education in Metro Atlanta report showed disappointing results in third-grade literacy and postsecondary enrollment and completion. But the report, conducted by the unique nonprofit Learn4Life, spotlighted programs that are having success. Learn4Life is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit that is a collaboration of the big four entities that have a regional mandate. […]
Posted inStories of Atlanta
Love in the Workplace
A young man from Cartersville, GA comes to the big city hoping to pursue a career in medicine. He walks the streets of Atlanta, knocking on the door of every drug store in town. As the sun is setting, he is hired on the spot by one of the best-known druggists in Georgia and his […]
Posted inColumns
Holiday toy drive gala spurs community-wide support for children and charities
A holiday tradition that gathers Christmas toys for children and raises money for Atlanta-area charities returns Thursday, supported by a wide circle of community partners, including a restaurant, car dealer, nonprofit leaders, and two young entrepreneurs preparing to open a new eatery. The Mark Carroll and Friends Annual Toy Drive Party will be held from […]
Posted inColumns
MARTA prepares for World Cup and system-wide changes in 2026
The MARTA board of directors convened for its final meeting of the year on Thursday, Dec. 4, as the transit agency heads into major system changes and prepares for World Cup crowds in 2026. The rider experience will be different by April, as MARTA plans to roll out modernized payment methods, brand new train cars, […]
Posted inSecuring Atlanta's Future
2025 State of Education in Metro Atlanta Report Highlights Urgent Challenges and Effective Bright Spots
By Taylor Hall Metro Atlanta continues to make progress in some education outcomes, yet wide and persistent gaps remain. The 2025 State of Education in Metro Atlanta report outlines the most pressing obstacles facing students today—and elevates the strategies showing real promise in improving learning and opportunity across the region. Learn4Life released its ninth annual […]
Posted inHigher Education
Graduation Gift Empowers Atlanta’s Rising Entrepreneurs
When Georgia Tech alumnus Christopher W. Klaus announced he would personally cover the incorporation costs for graduating Tech students who sought to launch a startup, he wanted the gift to ignite their entrepreneurial spirit and elevate Atlanta’s startup culture. For hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs, including Raghav Balasubramaniam, founder and CEO of Overcast, and Shreyas Mavanoor, […]
Posted inCorporate Community Impact
Carol D. Reiser Youth Service Awards Provide Hope As We Look to the Future
By Cheryl Kortemeier, Executive Director, Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta (CVC) Each year, the Corporate Volunteer Council (CVC) of Atlanta chooses to end each year on a positive note by inviting the community to an annual Holiday Luncheon. During the luncheon, the CVC announces the winners of the Carol D. Reiser Youth Service Awards, recognizing […]
Posted inLatest News
MARTA advisory board reveals recommendations for agency
The advisory board appointed to support interim MARTA CEO Jonathan Hunt provided its official recommendations for the transit agency at a Dec. 4 meeting, pushing for urgent improvements to operations and image. In August, MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood abruptly retired, and Chief Legal Counsel Jonathan Hunt took over as the interim General Manager and CEO. […]
Posted inAtlanta Way 2.0
‘Invert the burden’: ARCHI advocates for systemic change at second annual State of Metro Atlanta Health
Since its creation over a decade ago, Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI) has convened over 130 metro Atlanta organizations for discussion and collaboration on improving health outcomes. On Nov. 14, nearly 300 attendees packed the Decatur Conference Center for an update on the State of Metro Atlanta Health in the wake of a […]
Posted inColumns
Bryon Allen to Atlanta entrepreneurs: You are the commodity
Entrepreneurs received master-class advice from some of the most successful people in business during this year’s Hope Global Forums conference. Media mogul Byron Allen was among the headline speakers at the three-day event held at the Signia by Hilton Atlanta. The billionaire urged the crowd of more than 1,000 attendees to know their value. “You […]
Posted inLatest News
Roswell Community Masjid breaks ground on what will be the World’s First Living Building-certified place of worship
Metro Atlanta will soon be home to another landmark building that champions sustainability in its design and performance. The Roswell Community Masjid — or Mosque — (RCM) is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6 for their eventual home, which hopes to become the world’s first Living Building-certified place of worship. A Living Building […]
Posted inColumns
‘Jay Kelly’ and a movie star’s final take
“When I look at you, I see my whole life!” This is what a stranger says to Jay Kelly (George Clooney) on a train in Italy. The man has never met Jay, but he still feels he knows him. Jay is a movie star, and movie stars are (or, at least they used to be) […]
Posted inDelaney Tarr, Latest News
Dickens looks to design future at Atlanta Way 2.0 event
Atlanta has a lot of monikers: The city in the forest, the Hollywood of the South, the city too busy to hate, a “Black mecca.” But it’s never been known for design. On Dec. 2, Atlanta civic leaders sat down with Mayor Andre Dickens for an Atlanta Way 2.0 “Design Roundtable” at Perkins&Will to talk […]
Posted inReporter's Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Shipman at South Arts, Right whale spotted off S.C., ‘Civil Sights’ book signing
South Arts names Doug Shipman as next president and CEO South Arts has selected Doug Shipman to serve as its next president and CEO, effective Jan. 20. He will lead the regional arts organization as it enters its 50th anniversary year. Shipman, a former Atlanta City Council president and past CEO of the Woodruff Arts […]
Posted inCommon Chords
Funk, fire and the future: OutKast’s Stankonia
There’s a line that runs from Public Enemy’s It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back to OutKast’s Stankonia, a current that hums with righteous noise and ungovernable imagination. Both albums seized chaos and bent it into statement — Chuck D turned fury into news broadcast; André “3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” […]
Posted inHistoric Westside
New Paths to Homeownership on English Avenue — Two Modular Homes Point Toward What’s Possible
In historic English Avenue, two new single-family homes rose into place in a single day this November — a striking moment in a neighborhood where high-quality, affordable homeownership has long been out of reach for many of the people who love this community most. For Westside Future Fund (WFF), the installation wasn’t simply about construction […]
Posted inDelaney Tarr
Here’s who won Atlanta’s runoff elections
Atlanta’s election season is officially over. After voters turned out for Atlanta City Council elections and school board races across the city on Nov. 4, several races got pushed to runoff elections. Here are the results from the Dec. 2 runoff elections in Atlanta. District 7 MARTA Board of Directors member Thomas Worthy beat out […]
