This week Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and the Atlanta City Council reached an agreement to transfer some of the Atlanta Public School property deeds possessed by the City of Atlanta back over to the schools. The school system and city split in 1970 but some of the property ownership was still in question. Under
Judge Austin Thomas Walden was the first black Georgian appointed to be a judge after Reconstruction. During Walden’s career as a lawyer he had several landmark cases including pay equity for black teachers, allowing African Americans to vote in party primaries, and the desegregation of Atlanta city buses and public schools. Born in Fort Valley,
It was 1912, and while the rest of the country was in the era of American Imperialism, parts of Georgia was stuck in the Reconstruction Era. This was the year that white residents of Forsyth County cleansed the area of the entire black population. Approximately 1,100 black residents, business owners, land owners, children, and elderly
Last night, the Democratic candidates for Governor, Stacey Evans and Stacey Abrams, filed their latest disclosure reports. Of course I have reviewed both disclosures. And it’s very clear these reports show that the spending decisions and fundraising sources of the two campaigns differ in a way that is indicative of what type of governor they
Running parallel to Peachtree Street, one of the most historic streets in Georgia’s political and civic history is Auburn Ave. Auburn Avenue was the center of African American life in Atlanta. It boasts the commercial and cultural home of many firsts for African American’s in Georgia. Dubbed “Sweet Auburn” Auburn Avenue was filled with black-owned
You know that odd looking MLK bust near John Wesley Dobbs Dr. between Edgewood and Auburn Ave, in downtown Atlanta, just one exit up from the Georgia Capitol? That is not Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. That is a bust of John Wesley Dobbs, the “mayor” of Auburn Ave. John Wesley Dobbs was a Georgia
Lucy Craft Laney (1854-1933) was an American educator, trailblazer, and hero. Most known for creating the Haines Institute in Augusta, Georgia. Born April 13, 1854, Lucy was one of ten children. Her father purchased his freedom and worked tirelessly to purchase his wife’s freedom. Twenty years later Lucy Laney was born. Laney was extremely smart,
Today at the Georgia Capitol, the Legislative Black Caucus hosted a press conference to commemorate the “Original 33.” This often-forgotten moment in Georgia history both highlights how much we have progressed while also reminding us that the foundation of our government has inherent flaws. Trying to build a balanced and fair government on top of
My plea is earnest, although my solutions are in jest – mostly. I’ve personally picked a candidate for the May 2018 Gubernatorial primary. It was an easy no brainer because unlike most voters, I had an opportunity to work with both women in their official capacity. I get to see how they lead teams, how
Republicans think white suburban women could be the lynchpin of the November gubernatorial election. Some Democrats believe shoring up the black woman base like Doug Jones did in Alabama is the lynchpin. Who is right? BOTH. There is no secret sauce. Winning the votes of people is the key. Getting your base to the polls
