Morris Brown College President Kevin James attended Mays High School graduation ceremomy in Atlanta and announced that all 272 seniors had been admitted to Morris Brown College, a Georgia HBCU and Atlanta University Center member. The only stipulation is that they graduate with above a 2.0 GPA.
African American news blog that features news that may get little or no coverage in the mainstream media
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Thursday, May 18, 2023
The 2023 Urban Nerd Con is coming to Atlanta in July!!!
The Urban Nerd Con is the Premier Urban and Multi-Cultural Comic, Gaming, Cos Play & Tech event in the South East! Providing Creators of African descent across the diaspora an opportunity to show case and sell their work! This is also a place where fans will be able to come see and buy some of the BEST Indy and Urban art work, comics, novels and games from across the Diaspora! Join us July 21st - 23rd.
The convention will be hosted at The Sheraton Downtown Atlanta, 165 Courtland St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.
2022 was the inaugural year of The Urban Nerd Con. The three-day event was the idea of Roy Eavins, an HBCU sports broadcasting professional/ multimedia nerd who saw the need for a celebration of Black fans and professionals in the South.
Roy Eavins and a team of convention enthusiasts are excited to bring The Urban Nerd Con "home" to Atlanta for 2023. In the city known for its nerd culture, notable film locations, history-makers, and world-renowned creators, Atlanta was the obvious setting for year 2.
The theme for 2023 is Urban Futurism, which we define as "Reclaiming Our History. Redefining The Future.
Urban Nerd Con will feature:
Cosplay contest.
Gaming tournaments throughout the weekend.
Panel: Learn industry tips and network with artists, animators, authors, producers, programmers, and creative professionals.
Learn more about Urban Nerd Con here: https://www.theurbannerdcon.net/
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Barack Obama to campaign for Stacey Abrams and Raphael Warnock in Atlanta
The Georgia Democratic Party announced former President Barack Obama is expected to attend an upcoming campaign event to suppot Stacey Abarms, Raphael Warnock, and other Georgia Democrats in Atlanta.
The event is set to start at 4 p.m. on Oct. 28, according to a a tweet on Twitter. As of yet no official location has been given for the event.
BIG NEWS: @BarackObama is coming to Georgia on October 28 to get out the vote for Georgia Democrats. Click the link below to sign up!https://t.co/PIBb1dbLY8
— Georgia Democrats (@GeorgiaDemocrat) October 15, 2022
Saturday, September 03, 2022
Stacey Abrams Statement on Brian Kemp’s Latest Hospital Closure Failure
Democratic nominee for governor Stacey Abrams released the following statement after news that Brian Kemp’s agenda might shut down Atlanta Medical Center:
“Brian Kemp has once again placed his extremist agenda before the lives of Georgians. For the second time this year, a hospital will likely turn away patients, right in the heart of Atlanta. Sadly, whether you live in rural, urban or suburban Georgia, Kemp has united every region in a healthcare crisis of spiraling costs and declining access. His continued refusal to expand Medicaid will guarantee more hospitals shut down, and last-minute stop-gap funding or Medicaid waiver half-measures will not address the core, systemic issues facing Georgia’s imploding public health system. If the Atlanta Medical Center shutters completely or shuts down key services, this will be the sixth hospital to turn away patients on his watch. Every hospital that continues to serve patients who cannot pay because Kemp refuses to accept our tax dollars should be commended. But it is shameful – but not surprising – that Brian Kemp puts his far right partisan politics over what is best for Georgians, who desperately need their health care costs to go down and to have access to medical care.”
Under Brian Kemp, in addition to the potential closure of AMC, there are an estimated 19 rural Georgia hospitals at risk of closing any day, as Kemp refuses to fully expand Medicaid. Today’s announcement marks the sixth hospital that might close under Kemp’s watch – but this crisis continues to unfold with many more at risk due to Kemp’s dangerous agenda.
Wednesday, August 03, 2022
Jacqueline Rolle is missing!
Atlanta Police are asking the public for help finding Jacqueline Rolle, a missing 60-year-old woman last seen at Grady Hospital over six weeks ago.
Authorities said Jacqueline Rolle was last seen at Grady Hospital on Friday, June 17. Officers responded to Grady Hospital after receiving a missing persons call on Wednesday, July 27. Investigators were able to talk with Rolle's daughter-in-law, where they learned she had not talked to her family or friends in more than six weeks.
Rolle is described as 5-feet tall, weighs 190 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes. Her nickname is "Lady J" and she has it tattooed on her left shoulder.
Atlanta Police said her last clothing description is unknown. Her last known address was in the Lakewood Heights area.
Anyone with information about Jacqueline Rolle's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or the Atlanta Police Homicide/Adult Missing Persons Unit at (404) 546-4235.
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Missing 3-year-old girl safely returned home in time for Christmas
At the beginning of November, Atlanta police were alerted to a toddler being taken by her father who does not have custody over her.
Harmony Hill’s family has spent six weeks trying to find her, but now officers have and 3-year-old Harmony was able to make it home in time for Christmas.
Earlier this week, investigators found Harmony and her father, Nickien Collins, in Mississippi. Collins was arrested and Harmony was returned to her family in Atlanta.
“My family is eternally grateful that our nightmare is over and everything turned out well in the end,” the family wrote in a Facebook post.
The family also took the opportunity to compliment Atlanta police and Investigator D. Scott’s hard work to bring their loved one home. They say that after weeks of searching, Investigator Scott was reassigned to Harmony’s case and was able to locate the girl in just a matter of weeks.
“[Atlanta police] have a true GEM in [Investigator] Scott!” the family went on to say. “[She] found her in less than half a week!!! And before Christmas like she said she would!”
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Andre Dickens wins Atlanta mayor race
City Council member Andre Dickens won a runoff election Tuesday to become Atlanta's next mayor, soundly beating the council's president Felicia Moore.
It has been a remarkable run for Dickens, a current Atlanta City Councilman, who just more than a month ago was polling at 6 percent, well behind front runners Moore and former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed.
A month before that, Dickens polled in fourth place behind Sharon Gay, and just ahead of fellow councilman Antonio Brown.
But then came Election Day. On Nov. 2, Dickens surged ahead of Reed late in the night and ended up securing his spot in Tuesday's runoff by about 600 votes. But on that night, he was still trailing Moore by about 17 percent of the vote.
Over the next 28 days, Dickens was able to carry that momentum into an unlikely win and a job he says he's been looking forward to since he was 16 years old.
Dickens says he will hit the ground running in his first 100 days in office. He says his primary focus when he takes the oath in January will be on public safety.
"On day one, I'll make sure we start and enact my 'Safe Streets Plan,' my public safety plan for the city of Atlanta. To begin the process of hiring 250 officers and start their training toward conflict resolution and community-based policing."
He's also pushing to advance education initiatives, despite the mayor's office having no direct oversight over the city's schools.
Dickens will be sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2022.
Monday, November 02, 2020
Stacey Abrams speech in support of Joe Biden at Atlanta Rally 11/02/2020
Former Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks at a rally in support of Joe Biden and other Democrats at a rally hosted by former President Barrack Obama in Atlanta. Watch her entire speech below:
Monday, July 06, 2020
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Has Coronavirus
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lane Bottoms has announced via Twitter that she has tested positive for Coronavirus:
COVID-19 has literally hit home. I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive.
— Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) July 6, 2020
Saturday, May 30, 2020
REP. LEWIS ON RECENT POLICE KILLINGS AND CIVIL UNREST ACROSS THE NATION
Rep. John Lewis released the following statement on recent police killings and civil unrest throughout the United States:
"Sixty-five years have passed, and I still remember the face of young Emmett Till. It was 1955. I was 15 years old — just a year older than him. What happened that summer in Money, Mississippi, and the months that followed — the recanted accusation, the sham trial, the dreaded verdict — shocked the country to its core. And it helped spur a series of non-violent events by everyday people who demanded better from our country.
“Despite real progress, I can't help but think of young Emmett today as I watch video after video after video of unarmed Black Americans being killed, and falsely accused. My heart breaks for these men and women, their families, and the country that let them down — again. My fellow Americans, this is a special moment in our history. Just as people of all faiths and no faiths, and all backgrounds, creeds, and colors banded together decades ago to fight for equality and justice in a peaceful, orderly, non-violent fashion, we must do so again.
“To the rioters here in Atlanta and across the country: I see you, and I hear you. I know your pain, your rage, your sense of despair and hopelessness. Justice has, indeed, been denied for far too long. Rioting, looting, and burning is not the way. Organize. Demonstrate. Sit-in. Stand-up. Vote. Be constructive, not destructive. History has proven time and again that non-violent, peaceful protest is the way to achieve the justice and equality that we all deserve.
“Our work won't be easy — nothing worth having ever is — but I strongly believe, as Dr. King once said, that while the arc of the moral universe is long, it bends toward justice.”
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms: Violent demonstrations in Atlanta are “disgracing the life of George Floyd”
Sunday, April 05, 2020
Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children premieres April 5, 2020
Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children premieres tonight on HBO at 8 PM Eastern. RATED TV-MA.
Atlanta's Missing And Murdered: The Lost Children is a five-part documentary series offering an unprecedented look at the abduction and murder of at least 30 African-American children and young adults in Atlanta between 1979 and 1981. Forty years later, with the official re-opening of the case by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, the series tells the inside story of this shocking tragedy, shedding new light on the horrific killings through exclusive archival material as well as interviews with those closest to the children and investigation.
The series tracks the story from the initial disappearance and discovery of two murdered teenage boys to the fear that progressively gripped the city, ultimately building to the indictment and prosecution of 23-year-old Wayne Williams, who was found guilty of murdering two adults while also being linked to the murders of 10 children. Days after Williams was sentenced to two life terms, most of the children’s cases were closed and attributed to Williams, without ever going to trial.
Further, it details the rush to officially shut down the case and the continuing deluge of questions that remain unanswered, including how the victims’ family members – along with many others in the Atlanta community – remain skeptical of Williams’ guilt. The documentary series also points to alternate suspects and details the biases and unexplored leads that may have tainted the original investigation.
Through never-before-seen footage, interviews and court documents, the series brings new evidence to light while raising new questions related to the racial tensions and political clashes that brought Atlanta to a boiling point during this tragedy.
Atlanta's Missing And Murdered: The Lost Children is executive produced and directed by Sam Pollard, Maro Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre and Joshua Bennett for Show of Force; produced by Saralena Weinfield for Show of Force; executive produced by Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius and John Legend for Get Lifted Film Co. in association with Roc Nation. For HBO: supervising producer, Sara Rodriguez; executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller.
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Atlanta renames street after civil rights icon John Lewis
Noting U.S. Rep. John Lewis’ life of “raw courage,” Atlanta officials renamed a street for the civil rights icon Wednesday.
Freedom Parkway, a four-lane conduit to the Carter Center, will now be called John Lewis Freedom Parkway.
“John Lewis is synonymous with freedom,” Atlanta City Council member Andre Dickens said when explaining why that particular street was chosen. Dickens sponsored the resolution — which the council unanimously approved in December — to rename the street after Lewis.
“He has lived a life of raw courage,” Dickens said, calling Lewis the “conscience of Congress.”
Lewis encouraged the crowd to vote and called voting “the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society.”
Renaming the street is just one way the task force assembled by Dickens plans to pay respect to the congressman. Plans to paint a mural of Lewis in the Atlanta airport in January ahead of the Super Bowl are in the works, Dickens said.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms also presented Lewis with the Phoenix Award — the city’s highest honor — Wednesday for his work as both a local and national leader.
“We are one people. We are one family,” Lewis said. “We will not give up on each other.”
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Bernice King Call for Boycott of Waffle House
Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Civil Rights icons Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, is calling for the boycott of Atlanta-based chain Waffle House after a video surfaced of an incident involving a police officer at a location in Warsaw, North Carolina. The video shows an officer choking, then pushing 22-year-old Anthony Wall to the ground. Wall was in formal attire and had just taken his 16-year-old sister to the prom.
King, the CEO of the King Center in Atlanta, took to Twitter Thursday asking people to “stay out of Waffle House until the corporate office” commits to employee training and discussions on racism.
Family, let’s stay out of @WaffleHouse until the corporate office legitimately and seriously commits to 1) discussion on racism, 2) employee training, and 3) other plans to change; and until they start to implement changes. https://t.co/NJWFOBKN7i
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 10, 2018
Friday, December 22, 2017
Mary Norwood concedes: Keisha Lance Bottoms Officially Mayor Elect of Atlanta
Just two weeks after being narrowly defeated in the Atlanta mayoral runoff, Mary Norwood has officially conceded the race, making Keisha Lance Bottoms election night win official.
"For the future of this city, I believe it is the right thing to do to move on and hold a new administration accountable to serve this great city well," Norwood said in a video shared online.
The decision comes after a tumultuous several days following the election which was earlier in the month. Norwood first requested a recount and later challenged whether an entire recently-annexed neighborhood should be counted.
The admission, which follows the recount results showing an even bigger win for mayor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, further paves the way for the city's next mayor.
"I wish my opponent a term of governance that embodies all that my campaign did embracing every Atlantan and working hard for all Atlantans with grace and dignity," Norwood said in closing.
Thursday afternoon Bottoms released this statement:
“This was a long, hard fought campaign and I remain grateful for the support we received across this city. We truly are stronger together and we will move forward as one Atlanta. I appreciate the passion Ms. Norwood has shown towards our city and look forward to working with leaders across Atlanta to continue to improve our communities.”
[SOURCE]
Monday, September 18, 2017
Donald Glover takes home two Emmy Awards for Atlanta
By George L. Cook III African American Reports
Actor, director, writer, producer, (and singer) Donald Glover had a very good night at the 69th Annual Emmy Awards.
The multi-talented creator of the TV show "Atlanta", which airs on the FX Network took home two Emmy Awards.
Glover won the category Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series making him the first African American to do so for directing a comedy.
But making Emmy Award history was not enough for Glover,he also won the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Congratulations to Donald Glover and what seems to be a bright future.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. unveiled in Atlanta
The daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. stood beside her father's newly unveiled statue Monday, just a few blocks from where he grew up, handing out hugs and telling each well-wisher: "It's about time."
The statue paying tribute to King made its public debut Monday on the Georgia Capitol grounds in front of around 800 people including Gov. Nathan Deal, many other state political leaders and several members of the King family. The sculpture's installation comes more than three years after Georgia lawmakers endorsed the project.
"Forty-nine years ago when my father was assassinated, he was the most hated man in America. Today, he is one of the most loved men in the world," the Rev. Bernice King said of her father, who was slain in 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee.
A replica of the nation's Liberty Bell tolled three times before the 8-foot (2.4-meter) bronze statue was unveiled on the 54th anniversary of King's "I have a dream" speech at the 1963 March on Washington. The sculpture depicts King in mid-stride, as his left arm holds an overcoat while grasping a batch of papers.
"Today, we as the sons and daughters of former slaves and former slave owners are here to witness the unveiling of that statue," Bernice King said. "It is a glorious and grand day in the state of Georgia and in the United States of America and all over the world."
Read more: Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. unveiled in his hometown.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Former Atlanta policeman charged in the death of unarmed black man
A white former Atlanta police officer was charged on Friday in the shooting death of an unarmed black man who he said was fleeing the scene of a crime and put his life in danger, claims that were refuted by investigators, a prosecutor said.
The charges come amid national unrest and Black Lives Matter protests over the deaths of two black men in Minneapolis and Baton Rouge at the hands of white officers and a national debate about race and the use of force by police.
James Burns, who was fired from the Atlanta Police Department on Tuesday, was charged in Fulton County with felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of violation of his police oath, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
District Attorney Paul Howard said he had requested an arrest warrant to be issued for Burns. It was unclear late on Friday if Burns had turned himself in to police.
Burns responded to a call about a suspected burglar breaking into cars on June 22. When he arrived at the scene, Devaris Caine Rogers, 22, jumped into a car and began to drive, an investigation report said.
Burns said Rogers drove toward him and that he fired into the vehicle because he thought he was in danger. Investigators said they found that Rogers made no attempt to strike Burns with the car he was driving and that Burns was never in danger.
Read more: White former Atlanta policeman charged in the death of unarmed black man
Thursday, April 02, 2015
11 former Atlanta educators convicted in cheating scandal
In one of the biggest cheating scandals of its kind in the U.S., 11 former Atlanta public school educators were convicted Wednesday of racketeering for their role in a scheme to inflate students' scores on standardized exams.
The defendants, including teachers, a principal and other administrators, were accused of falsifying test results to collect bonuses or keep their jobs in the 50,000-student Atlanta school system. A 12th defendant, a teacher, was acquitted of all charges by the jury.
The racketeering charges carry up to 20 years in prison. Most of the defendants will be sentenced April 8.
Read more: 11 former Atlanta educators convicted in cheating scandal
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Forbes top 10 cities for African American Economic Success
Here are the top 10 cities for African American economic success according to Forbes Magazine. One thing that jumps out at you immediately is the majority of the cities are in the southern region of the United States. Cities like Atlanta being #1, and Washington DC being on the top 10 list are no surprise but some of the other cities may actually surprise you.
1. Atlanta
2. Raleigh
3. Washington, D.C.
4. Baltimore (tie)
4. Charlotte (tie)
6. Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Va.
7. Orlando, Fla.
8. Miami (tie)
8. Richmond, Va. (tie)
8. San Antonio (tie)