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AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • Vol. 61 Issue 15 • FREE

IN THIS ISSUE

‘Let Us Play’: Big-Time Boxing Belongs in Atlanta PAGE 9

Faith in the Soil Atlanta’s urban growers are turning faith, food, and the soil into tools for community change. Photo by Tabius H. McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

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Community

Creed & Crop: Atlanta’s Urban Growers Find God in the Garden Atlanta’s faith-based growers are using community gardens to address food insecurity, promote self-reliance and reconnect Black communities with the land. By LOYALTY JEAN AIME’ Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism Intern

“W

hen God first started talking to us, it was in a garden.” Shawn Deangelo Walton is the founder of Everybody Eats Together, a faith-based coalition that runs a community garden in Ashview Heights. Walton is one of many people putting their faith into practice by growing food– not as a pastime, but as a religious obligation. For these faith-based urban growers, growing food not only addresses racial and economic inequities in the food system; it honors a primordial charge to humanity: to preserve and serve the land. “It’s an injustice when we don’t have a stake in our food system as it was originally planned by God,” Walton said. “Everybody is trying to find their purpose. Our purpose is right there in Genesis. We’re supposed to steward the land.” This year, Fox 5 Atlanta reported that the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which serves more than 300,000 families, saw a 70 percent increase in pantry visits. The organization also reported that one in five children in Atlanta would go to bed hungry. Community gardens can help address food insecurity by supplying local pantries with surplus harvests, lowering household food expenses and giving families direct access to fresh, nutritious food. That is why Walton advocates for equity and ownership. He works to create locally owned food systems, including through his “community cart,” which distributes free or donation-based food. Recently, Walton marked a milestone when the cart distributed food harvested within a one-mile radius of the neighborhood. “That was a benchmark of what we can do to sustain ourselves when we organize as local farmers, neighbors and institutions around food justice.” For many urban growers, educating the

Community farmers tend to leafy green vegetables inside a hoop house. Growers are using agriculture to promote food justice, self-reliance and faith-based land stewardship. Photo by Loyalty Jean Aimé.

community is just as important as growing the food itself. Food and Faith-Based Education At the Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, the Firdous Community Farm is a required part of the curriculum for students from kindergarten through high school. Students engage with the farm as part of their science education. “It is a part of the belief system at Mohammed Schools that all of our students will be Khalifas, caretakers of the earth,” said Sister Terri Ali, the Firdous farm teacher. “The children plant with a ‘Bismillāh,’ which means in the name of God. And when we harvest, we say, ‘Alhamdulillah,’ because all blessings come from God.” “Alhamdulillah” is an Arabic expression meaning “Praise be to God.” The farm’s philosophy is rooted in the “Do for Self” movement and the principle of “Eat to Live.” The “Do for Self” movement is a foundational principle in the Nation of Islam that promotes economic independence and self-reliance. “How to Eat to Live” is a dietary and lifestyle book series written by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad that instructs followers on practices intended to promote physical health, longevity and spiritual growth. The Firdous Community Farm spans 11,000 square feet. Students grow foods referenced in the Quran, such as pomegranates, figs and lentils. Qur’an Shakir, chair of the school board, emphasizes the importance of teaching children about healthy eating at an early age. “Cigarette and alcohol companies appeal to you at a very young age because if they approach you young, they have you for life,” Shakir said. “I say we use that same approach in teaching the good stuff. If we start young, then

we will have them for life as people who are eating well, growing their food and abandoning the things that are killing us.” For some urban residents of faith, however, understanding land stewardship as a religious issue can be difficult, particularly when environmental conversations feel disconnected from the struggles affecting their neighborhoods. Reclaiming the Conversation Creation Justice Ministries is a faith-based environmental justice organization. Derrick Weston is the director of theological education and formation. Weston explained that mainstream environmental conversations are often detached from the lived realities of Black congregants. “What I have seen in a lot of historically Black denominations is the shift that happens when they start realizing that caring for God’s creation isn’t just about polar bears, ice caps and rainforests,” Weston said. “It’s also about food security; it’s about our air quality. It’s about the fact that Black children have disproportionate rates of asthma. Those are environmental justice issues.” For other Black Americans, returning to the land can also carry the weight of historical trauma. The legacy of enslavement and forced agricultural labor can make the prospect of working the land undesirable. Weston urges those who are resistant to reconsider that relationship. “Our relationship to the land didn’t start with enslavement. It started with the fact that we were brought here as a people because of our agricultural genius. It was our knowledge and wisdom about the land that made the enterprise of the United States possible. Healing the relationship that Black people have with the land is

work that can be done by the church.” Respite and Resources For urban growers, community gardens aren’t just spaces for labor. They can also provide a place for people to rest and commune together. At Everybody Eats Together, Walton hosts “Gospel in the Garden” on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. The gatherings give people an opportunity to fellowship, stream a sermon or simply relax. “We have hammock chairs and egg chairs,” Walton said. “You can bring your blanket. You can also use the time for restoration in a beautiful place.” At the Firdous Community Farm, the space is open to community members, not just students. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the farm became a place of refuge for people in the surrounding community. “We don’t want it just to be a place of labor, but a place of belonging as well,” Sister Terri said. Both Walton and Sister Terri stressed the importance of growers building networks and cultivating resources. Sister Terri said numerous grantors support the Firdous Community Farm, and she continually applies for new grants to keep the farm operating year-round. “I want other schools to know that they can do this too,” Sister Terri said. Walton is similarly focused on long-term sustainability. He is currently raising funds to purchase a building for a community-owned grocery store. “I see the greatest opportunity here than anywhere else. If there is indeed a challenge, the challenge would be on us to be obedient to bring all of these things together. The only challenge is us.”

theatlantavoice.com • AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • Page 3

Business

Atlanta Descends on Martha’s Vineyard for a Weekend of Fashion, Tech, and Culture By NOAH WASHINGTON

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (above) opened his remarks by thanking the RenderATL team, describing the people behind the gathering as more than organizers. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. — While either celebrating the day away at The Inkwell Beach club or representing the city on the getaway island that is Martha’s Vineyard, Atlanta came with full force. Over a span of days on the island, the city’s presence showed up in two distinct but connected forms: a fashion and sneaker activation from Harlem’s Fashion Row that put Atlanta-born designer Jai Lyle in a national spotlight, and Silicon South House, a tech and culture gathering hosted by RenderATL that brought Mayor Andre Dickens and a cohort of Atlanta founders, funders and creatives to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. Harlem’s Fashion Row, known widely as HFR, opened its threeday HFR House experience last weekend. HFR also partnered with Foot Locker and Nike around a charity sneaker auction. Five Black designers, including three HBCU graduates, were selected to reimagine the Nike Air Force 1, each

contributing a one-of-one design. All proceeds from the auction benefit the United Negro College Fund. Among the five was Jai Lyle, the Atlanta-based designer behind the brand Jai Lyle MCMLXXXII, who contributed two silhouettes to the collection. One paid homage to Florida A&M University, rendered in orange and green with a rattler design and python detailing across the swoosh. The other, in white and red with pearls worked into the laces, was designed in memory of family, a tribute Lyle has said reflects the promise on which his brand was built. “A lot of love, a lot of energy, and a lot of momentum,” Lyle said of what he’s taking back to Atlanta. “It’s almost like you have to visit here to understand the charm and beautiful vibe. I feel like we truly have aligned our brand with this proper environment at Martha’s Vineyard.” Lyle also used the platform to showcase his Hankins Park Tennis Club capsule collection and newly

introduced Oak Bluffs sweaters, with another capsule collection planned for fall. He said bringing his Atlanta-rooted brand to the island was about representation as much as fashion. “Atlanta’s everywhere. We’re global,” Lyle said. “I’m seeing the presence of Atlanta here in Martha’s Vineyard. Atlanta is not just a physical space, it’s a state of mind.” Behind the HFR House activation was Allyson Bennett, director of collaborations and designer relations at Harlem’s Fashion Row, who has spent two decades coming to the island and said it was the right setting for Black-owned businesses to be seen and supported. “I’ve been coming here for 20 years, and I love the island,” Bennett said. “This is the perfect place for a Black business to come and get support.” Bennett said HFR had worked with Foot Locker for the past year before landing on the Air Force 1 collaboration, calling the pairing

See RENDERATL on page 10

Across the island in Vineyard Haven, Atlanta’s tech and civic leadership had its own moment at Silicon South House, hosted by RenderATL in partnership with The Gathering Spot and the Silicon South Foundation. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice

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Voices

450,000 student loan borrowers duped into high-cost loans receive $23B in relief By CHARLENE CROWELL Center for Responsible Lending

federal appeals court last month issued a ruling erasing $23 billion in student loan debt for an estimated 450,000 borrowers duped by false promises made by more than 150 for-profit colleges. The debt ruling for full settlement relief came on July 17 in a unanimous decision by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case known as Sweet v. McMahon. “It makes clear that the federal government cannot simply disregard borrowers’ rights and its own legal obligations without consequence,” said Eileen Connor, the president and director of The Project on Predatory Student Lending, an advocacy organization that brought the lawsuit in 2019. The case centered on a federal rule known as borrower defense to repayment that protects defrauded student loan borrowers who incurred massive debts on false promises and misrepresentations. The ruling found that more than 150 for-profit colleges used high-pressure sales tactics

in their recruitment that targeted Blacks, Latinos, veterans, and other low-income consumers to extract the maximum amount of federal loans, Pell grants, and veteran’s benefits with each enrollment. Connor shared that one student’s loan debt swelled from $250,000 to roughly $400,000 while she waited for the Education Department to decide on her Borrower Defense claim. The case showed that these for-profit schools lured students with promises of high-paying careers in an array of disciplines including beauty culture, culinary arts, computer technology, court reporting, and photography. Other for-profits solicited graduate level students in business management, law, and medicine. Among these institutions are many of the largest and well-known for-profit schools like Capella University, three DeVry-branded schools, ITT Technical Institute, Keller Graduate School of Management, and the University of Phoenix. A complete list of schools represented in the settlement is available at: https://studentaid.gov/sites/ default/files/sweet-v-cardona-school-list.pdf. Full Settlement Relief means that the federal

student loan(s) associated with the borrower’s attendance at the school will be discharged. Further, the Education Department will refund any amounts paid on those loans, and the credit report entries for those loans will be deleted from the borrower’s credit report. The settlement includes borrower defense applications filed on or before Nov. 15, 2022, as well as borrowers whose applications for borrower defense discharges were pending as of June 22, 2022. Any amounts paid to the Education Department on those loans will be refunded. These actions will be taken 90 days from the court’s decision to notify affected borrowers that they will receive full relief. Until this relief is provided, lenders cannot make any efforts to collect on these loans. Earlier research by the Center for Responsible Lending probed the value of for-profit colleges and universities and posed the question, Do Students of Color Profit from For-Profit College? Its eye-opening findings include: • Black and Latino students enroll in for-profit colleges at much higher rates than other students, which puts them at risk of high student loan debt, default, and failure to graduate. • Students who attend for-profit colleges are more likely to need to borrow for their education and tend to borrow more than their peers at public or private, non-profit schools. • Students who attend for-profit colleges are also less likely to graduate, more likely to default on their student loans, and may face poor employment outcomes. • An African American student at a for-profit college will borrow at the highest rates almost twice as frequently as African American students at a public college (35% vs 19%), regardless of income. As early as 2012, a 2-year investigation by the U.S. Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee revealed that for-profit colleges collected over $30 billion annually in federal funds, making up 25 percent of Department of Education student aid and nearly half of military and veteran educational benefits. The committee also found that more than half of the students who enrolled in 2008– 2009 withdrew by mid-2010, and these attendees accounted for nearly half of all federal student loan defaults. More recently, this summer CRL issued a new policy brief calling on Congress to use its authority to respond to the continuing student loan crisis: “Congress should eliminate the new borrowing limits that will push students towards higher-cost private loans, or worse, make education completely inaccessible. Congress should also restore and maintain adequate funding to the Department of Education, investing in programs like subsidized loans and Pell grants that help lower- and middleincome borrowers.” Charlene Crowell is a senior fellow with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org .

FOUNDED May 11, 1966

FOUNDER/EDITOR Ed Clayton Immortalis Memoria

PUBLISHER/EDITOR J. Lowell Ware

Immortalis Memoria The Atlanta Voice honors the life of J. Lowell Ware. ––– PUBLISHER Janis Ware PRESIDENT/ GENERAL MANAGER James A. Washington 2018-2024 COO Richard Dunn rdunn@theatlantavoice.com CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER Jazmine Brazier jbrazier@theatlantavoice.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING / EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO PUBLISHER Chia Suggs csuggs@theatlantavoice.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Donnell Suggs editor@theatlantavoice.com GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTERS Laura Nwogu lnwogu@theatlantavoice.com Noah Washington nwashington@theatlantavoice.com BUSINESS REPORTER Tabius H. McCoy tmccoy@theatlantavoice.com SPORTS REPORTER Tarohn Finley tfinley@theatlantavoice.com EDITOR AT LARGE Stan Washington swashington@theatlantavoice.com ––– SALES RDW Jackson rdwadman@gmail.com SUBMISSIONS editor@theatlantavoice.com DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Martel Sharpe msharpe@theatlantavoice.com ––– CONTACT INFORMATION 633 Pryor Street, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30312 Office: 404-524-6426 info@theatlantavoice.com

theatlantavoice.com • AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • Page 5

SPONSORED BY JPMORGANCHASE

cross the U.S., affordable housing remains out of reach as shortages persist, prices rise and high interest rates keep homeownership inaccessible for many. As more households turn to renting, affordability pressures continue to grow. The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reports that renter cost burdens reached another record high in 2023. The JPMorganChase Institute similarly finds that renters are devoting more take-home pay to housing costs — underscoring a national need that is especially relevant in Atlanta. In Atlanta, closing that gap requires housing that lets more residents share in the city’s growth. For The Paces Foundation and Soho Housing Partners, Metropolitan Place is one concrete response: affordable homes for individuals and families who might otherwise be priced out. The project connects housing affordability with neighborhood stability, giving residents homes designed to support both immediate needs and long-term community connection. Keeping Atlanta within reach Metropolitan Place, developed by The Paces Foundation and Soho Housing Partners, with support from J.P. Morgan, is a 176-unit

workforce and affordable family housing community at 2333 Metropolitan Parkway SW in Atlanta’s Perkerson neighborhood. The $74.8 million development sits on six acres between downtown Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Designed for households earning 60% to 80% of area median income, it includes 50 one-bedroom, 86 two-bedroom and 40 three-bedroom homes ranging from about 700 to 1,300 square feet. As Metropolitan Place nears construction completion, pre-leasing is in progress, with early move-ins phased over the fall and a grand opening date expected before year’s end. Prospective residents can inquire at LiveAtMetropolitan.com for leasing information. Open applications for pre-leasing launched at nearby E.F.F.E.C.T Fitness’ Metropolitan 5k in June and marks the shift from a construction site to a lived-in community connecting residents with affordable homes near transit corridors, job centers, the new City of Atlanta Police Precinct Zone 3 and the Goodwill training facility. Common spaces include works from local artists and elevated interior design features. Amenities like a community area that provides a relaxed environment for resident socials, quiet spaces for homework and a fully appointed business center, support both convenience and connection. The grounds feature a pavilion and tiered park with a

playground and outdoor seating. The fitness center is planned for gym-tier strength and cardio training, and there is covered parking with charging stations. By pairing affordability with resident-centered design, Metropolitan Place helps strengthen the surrounding neighborhood and keep Atlanta vibrant. “Metropolitan Place reflects The Paces Foundation’s mission to provide affordable homes that are sustainable, practical and connected to community needs,” said Steven Bauhan, Chief Development Officer of The Paces Foundation. “As lease-up begins, we’re focused on welcoming residents into quality housing in a part of Atlanta positioned for continued growth.” “We believe Metropolitan Place will help drive the appeal and economic viability of Metropolitan Parkway,” said Kevin DiQuattro, Co-President and Co-Founding Partner of Soho Housing Partners. “Paces and Soho are committed to our neighbors and proud to deliver a community that can serve as a beacon for change.” “We’re proud of the far-reaching impact these projects are having and to work with developers to expand and preserve the supply of high-quality, affordable homes across Atlanta,” said Sharmi Sobhan, head of J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking’s East Region. “Every additional housing unit matters — and increasing the

number that are affordable is critical.” A broader commitment to Atlanta’s future Metropolitan Place is part of JPMorganChase’s broader commitment to Atlanta’s future. The firm serves more than 1.4 million local customers and works across sectors to expand economic opportunity. Over the last five years, JPMorganChase has invested more than $25 million in local nonprofits, supported more than 160,000 small business clients and delivered financial health education to thousands of residents. “As we work with local stakeholders to expand housing options, JPMorganChase’s goal is to create inclusive economic opportunity for all,” said Keith Fleming, Market Manager, Private Banking and Co-Chair, Georgia Market Leadership Team, JPMorganChase. “When our communities thrive, we all thrive.” Locally and nationally, this project reflects JPMorganChase’s American Dream Initiative, a commitment to scaling local housing solutions across the country—learn more at www.jpmorganchase.com/America. Learn more about JPMorganChase’s affordable housing, community development and local work in Atlanta at jpmorgan.com/ commercial-real-estate and jpmorganchase. com/communities/Atlanta.

theatlantavoice.com • AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • Page 7

Local

‘God Bless Black Journalists’: Media Girls Network Honors Trailblazers at the Georgia State Capitol By LAURA NWOGU

he annual National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) conference is underway, and just a few minutes away from the conference center, 24 Black journalists were honored for their work and leadership at the Georgia State Capitol for Black Journalism Day. Organized by Media Girls Network, Black journalists from across the country gathered in what was, for many of them, a full-circle moment. Shoulder to shoulder, they sat with colleagues they’d worked with throughout their careers, mentors who had advised them early on, and leaders they looked up to. Aspiring Clark Atlanta student journalists sat in the audience as they watched the career journalists in front of them be celebrated for their brilliance, resilience, and passion. Jelisa Raquel, the founder and CEO of Media Girls Network, launced the organization in 2019 to provide

Black Journalism Day: Organized by Media Girls Network, Black journalists from across the country gathered in what was, for many of them, a fullcircle moment. Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice

resources, create a collaborative community, and empower women in the media industry. Black Journalism Day is dedicated to truth, access, and the representation of Black journalists in media. “We knew that if the media landscape wasn’t going to make room for us at every table, we were going to build our own tables, pull up our

own chairs, and pay it forward every single step of the way,” Raquel said. “For us, journalism has never been just a job or a headline. From Freedom’s Journal to Ida B. Wells, from Ethel Payne to every single one of you in this room, Black journalism has always been the act of truth-telling, resistance, and love. We don’t just report on the news; we preserve

the culture, we document the joy, we demand accountability, and we give voice to the quiet triumphs that the mainstream often overlooks.” Raquel acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the media industry and the toll it can take, especially for Black journalists, but encouraged those who surrounded her to ask for help, reach back, and lift up younger journalists. Among the honorees were Atlanta native Marissa Mitchell, a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, and Summer Jackson, a freelance journalist and communications professor at Clark Atlanta University. They both reflected on their journeys and emphasized the importance of learning how to pivot and also giving back to the community. “That’s a beautiful part of being a Black journalist because our community is like no other. But you have to pour into the community if you want it to pour back into you,” Mitchell said, thanking NABJ for its

support throughout her career. Tyrik Wynn, morning anchor at 41 NBC News in Macon, Georgia, and chairman of the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force, encouraged the students in the audience not to “despise the small beginnings.” “Keep going when they overlook you. Keep going when you have to walk through a door nobody thought would open. Keep going because our communities need journalists who understand that our stories are not side stories. Our stories are American stories. We have a responsibility not to be perfect, but to be courageous. To ask the hard questions. To hold power accountable. To tell the truth with integrity. “Let’s keep telling the truth. Let’s keep opening doors. Let’s keep reaching back for the next generation and all of us. Let’s keep going because somebody’s future is waiting on the story that only you can tell. God bless Black journalists.”

Local

NABJ26 Atlanta: More than just a convention By DONNELL SUGGS

The gathering of thousands of Black journalists from around the country is news within itself. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention has landed in Atlanta, and though there are panels and parties to be attended, there is also news to be made. This year’s conference had a confirmed attendance of 4,302, just 62 attendees from breaking the record set in Chicago in 2024. Day 4: Speaking to the press The NABJ Comms team has brought individuals from all walks of professional life to speak with the credentialed journalists at the convention. On Saturday, actress and model Nzinga Imani and local radio host Francesca Amiker spoke to the media about controlling your narrative in the TV business. USA Today Network Beyonce’ Knowles-Carter beat reporter Cache McClay spoke about earning access and owning her beat. Day 3: Owning Black media: ‘It’s non-negotiable at this point’ Black-owned media remained at

the forefront of this year’s convention. Ashley Allison, owner of The Root, made a stop by the media area, off the lobby of the Marriott Marquis Atlanta, to take questions from members of the media. Wearing an emerald green dress and the look of someone with a plate full of responsibilities as the owner of a respected media brand, Allison acknowledged she was tired, but continue to be a storyteller. Asked why it was important to own the media spaces that many Black journalists and content creators work in, Allison said someone will tell stories about Black life, business, art, and health in this country, so why not Black-owned media companies? “Ownership matters, you want to own your home, you want to own property, why can’t we own the distribution platforms so we get to make our own decisions and tell the stories on our terms,” she said. “If we own it, we can tell it the way we want to. It’s non-negotiable at this point.” Day 2: ‘They deserve answers, they deserve justice’ On day two of the NABJ convention, the parents of Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old found dead

near Horn Island in the Mississippi Gulf Coast following a boating trip with friends, took their seats behind microphones in a small conference room inside the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Wells’ story has been trending on social media since his mysterious passing and the discovery of his body on July 6. Wells had been missing since July 4. His family, through their attorney Ben Crump, and many others involved in Civil Rights and hate crimes against Black people, have been getting the word out and giving updates. But Crump believes the story should be told even more, and he said Black journalists will have to be the people to do it. “What happened to Nolan Wells? Somebody has to know,” said Crump. “We all have the same objective, we all want to know the truth about what happened.” On Thursday, August 13, a press conference was scheduled to further explain the progress, or lack thereof in the case. Joining Wells’ parents, Elmore Wonsley and Christine Wells-Wonsley, were Civil Rights Activist and founder of the National Action Network Rev. Al

Sharpton, and Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath. McBath, who lost her son Jordan to gun violence, said this moment brought back memories. “This brings back so many vivid memories for me and my family. Here we are again today, here for the loss of another Black young man. They deserve answers, they deserve justice.” The hour-long press conference allowed Wells’ parents to address the media, who they believe might have a more vested interest in their son’s case. “As the national Black journalists of this country, you have the ability to lift this story,” said McBath. “It mattered for me, it mattered for Trayvon, it mattered for Michael Brown, it mattered for all of us.” Wells’ birthday is Wednesday, August 19, and Crump announced that there will be a vigil held in his honor in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. “Our lives have forever changed. This new normal, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, not even my worst enemy,” said Wells-Wonsley. “We just want the truth,” said Wells. We’re asking the questions that any other parent would ask.”

The annual NABJ convention is more than just a week full of informational panels and cool parties. The convention is a national news event. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

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Politics

8 Weeks to early voting in Georgia By DONNELL SUGGS

he Georgia political campaign season is revving up after an Atlanta summer that included the FIFA World Cup and National Association of Black Journalists convention. With two months before the early voting period begins for midterm elections on Tuesday, October 13, Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff wants his supporters and the voters around the state to know that this election can be one for the history books. “Atlanta, the polls open in eight weeks. Eight weeks until you can cast your ballot to save the republic,” Ossoff said from a stage usually used for concerts and comedy shows. “Georgia is about to make history again.” The rally was held in Midtown at the Center Stage Theater just days after Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms hosted Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Marietta. In order for the Democratic Party to keep both Senate seats and change the keys at the Governor’s Mansion, a turnout of epic proportions has to take place. “In eight weeks, Atlanta, we cast our ballots and say enough is enough,” Ossoff said. During his time on stage in front of a reported 1,600 supporters, Ossoff made sure to mention former Atlanta mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms’ campaign. The politicians have campaigned together in the past, but on Sunday it was just Ossoff’s show. He does however understand that the next governor being a Black woman is equally as powerful and

Georgia Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff (above) referred to his opponent, Congressman Mike Collins, as a “bigot”. The two will have a debate in October. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

iconic as when he became the Peach State’s first Jewish senator. Ossoff’s opponent, Republican Mike Collins, has been called to the carper by local religious leaders for his alleged association with a white supremacist. A debate between

the two men has been scheduled for October. This rally felt like the kids gloves were off more than any other during this campaign. Ossoff referred to the current president of the United States of America as a “small man,” something he has done before. But he called

“Atlanta, the polls open in eight weeks. Eight weeks until you can cast your ballot to save the republic,” Ossoff said. Photo by Donnell Suggs/ The Atlanta Voice

Collins a “bigot congressman,” “rambling little bigot,” and a “scandal pinata.” The latter comment brought the crowd to its feet. Ossoff followed that up by saying there is a reason why current Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Bottoms’ opponent, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson haven’t publicly endorsed Collins. “He’s unfit for any elected office,” quipped Ossoff. Prior to Ossoff taking the stage, Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, the senior pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church, came on stage to introduce the senator. Despite pronouncing his name incorrectly as “O-ssoff,” Hale was passionate about Black representation in the state’s political conversation. She said, “It is clear that our right to vote is under threat again,” she said. “They don’t know who they are messing with.” The rally included testimony from a wife and mother, who said the cost of healthcare, even for her two income household, was difficult. “Two successful working professionals doing everything right, and the math doesn’t add up,” said Crystal King. Ossoff spoke about the cost of everyday essentials like food and gas going up under the current president’s watch and how that has to change. The war in Iraq and how American taxpayers are paying for it, despite many being against the war, was also a topic during the speech. “America deserves better than Donald Trump,” Ossoff said.

theatlantavoice.com • AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • Page 9

Sports

‘Let Us Play’: Big-Time Boxing Belongs in Atlanta By TAROHN FINLEY Report for America Corp

n overhead view of inside State Farm Arena hours before the title fight between Claressa Shields and Kaye Scott looked more like a Hawks/Knicks playoff game. The building was packed. It was proof that big-time boxing belongs in Atlanta. Scott said she tried everything in the post-fight press conference, but there was still nothing she could do as she lost to Shields by sixthround TKO at the 1:38 mark in the middleweight championship fight. Shields improved to 19-0 with four knockouts and became the first undisputed champion in three different divisions in the four-belt era. After the fight, Shields acknowledged that it had been a long time since she had stopped an opponent. Her last knockout came against Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse at Little Caesars Arena in 2024. “Look at her resume. No woman or man in the sport has the resume of Claressa Shields, and that is just facts,” Shields’ promoter, Dmitry Salita, said. The victory came one day after mulit-time champion and arguably the best fighter of his generation, Floyd Mayweather, called Shields the best fighter in the sport right now, praising her skills and outspoken personality. Mayweather was not the only celebrity in attendance. Shields’ latest knockout came in front of a star-studded crowd that included Kevin Gates, Terence Crawford, DC Youngfly, Stephen Jackson, Hunxcho, and Latto, who accompanied

Claressa Shields (left) stopped Kaye Scott with a sixth-round TKO at the 1:38 mark in the middleweight championship fight. Photo by Tabius H. McCoy/ The Atlanta Voice

Shields during her first fight at State Farm Arena on Saturday. This is the second time in her career, and the first time since 2023, that Shields has been a

Claressa Shields stopped Kaye Scott in the sixth round in Atlanta, becoming the first undisputed champion in three divisions of the four-belt era. Photo by Tabius H. McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

middleweight champion. She had to move down three divisions to compete for the title. While Scott held her own in the early rounds, the 41-year-old was overmatched in the sixth. After Shields landed a series of punches, Scott was knocked off balance and landed on the ropes before continuing to fight. After a few more punches from Shields, Scott’s corner had seen enough and threw in the towel to stop the fight. While Shields has not yet revealed what is next, she mentioned selling out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in her opening statement when asked how it feels to be the biggest star in boxing. She also spoke about not needing another co-star to continue drawing fans. “I’m in my Mike Tyson era,” Shields said. “Right now, everyone is showing up to these arenas to come see what Claressa Shields is going to do. They don’t give a damn who the opponent is.”

While Shields headlined the event, she has something bigger in mind. She has taken on a role advocating for women in sports. “Once soccer started getting equal pay, the WNBA started sticking up for themselves and making extra money, and then I made a million dollars,” Shields said. “I knew women’s sports were changing.” “All of us are packing arenas,

we have brands, we are likable, we have fans that want to put their butts in seats, who want to support us,” Shields said. “Women’s boxing is just as entertaining. We work just as hard. We love the sport of boxing. I don’t box because I want to be a man; I box because I strictly love fighting. The sport and the world is evolving, and people are just now realizing, ‘Let us play.’”

While Shields headlined the event, she has something bigger in mind. She has taken on a role advocating for women in sports. Photo by Tabius H. McCoy / The Atlanta Voice

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Arts

Hammonds House Museum dual exhibition explores Black identity By NOAH WASHINGTON

ammonds House Museum is presenting a dual exhibition by artist Steve R. Allen, pairing two shows that examine Black identity, spirituality, and athletic excellence through what Allen calls a “Fractal Afro Futuristic” visual language. “Infinite Inheritance” and “O Jogo Bonito (The Beautiful Game)” are running through Aug. 23 at the museum, located at 503 Peeples Street SW. Allen, whose full name is Steve Randall Allen, said the two shows represent distinct sides of his practice: “Infinite Inheritance,” on the ground floor and curated by Lydia Kimbrough, gathers his personal, Afrofuturistic work, while “O Jogo Bonito,” curated by Tisha Smith and installed upstairs, draws on decades of commissioned pieces tied to international athletics. “One is called Infinite Inheritance, and the second one is O Jogo Bonito, because that is my short Olympic work, World Cup work, and the other is my fractal Afrofuturistic work,” Allen said. The commissioned pieces upstairs date to Allen’s first Olympic commission in 1996 and span nearly three decades.

“The work upstairs is the work that I was commissioned to do since ‘96 for the Olympic Games,” Allen said. “What is upstairs is the piece that I did for the games here, my first foray into the Olympics here in ‘96, and a piece from Sydney. There’s so many of them, and two of the pieces that I did for the Athens Olympic Games. They’re original pieces in the Smithsonian, and the Torino Olympic Games, that piece is in the Smithsonian.” Kimbrough, the museum’s gallery manager, said the split followed each curator’s interest. “Tisha preferred the commission works, so she just went ahead and did that,” Kimbrough said. “And then I did the more personal works that he was doing.” Smith had previously worked with Allen and helped bring him into the museum, Kimbrough said. Allen, born in 1954 in Lillington, North Carolina, grew up in a former World War II-era barracks that had housed soldiers training at Fort Bragg before it was sold off after the war. “I’m actually from North Carolina,” Allen said. “Black folks down there in a one-room, really sort of like a little hut. It was a barracks that back in World War II at Fort Bragg when they were training

soldiers. That’s where they would house them, and after the war was over, they allowed people to buy them.” He first arrived in Atlanta at 18, in 1972, before moving to New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. He returned to Atlanta for good in 1992. Allen studied electrical engineering and had once planned to work as a customer service representative for the IRS, the VA, or another government agency. He resigned from his job at 38 and began painting that same day, a shift Kimbrough said still shows in his technique. “He’s been trained in engineering, so a lot of his work is really detail-oriented, has a lot of pattern, has a lot of color, and you can see the math in it when you’re looking at it,” Kimbrough said of the personal works featured in “Infinite Inheritance.” Allen said his current work builds on that mathematical foundation, drawing on sacred geometry and fractals to connect with a history that predates slavery. “Recently, I have been on a path where I’ve incorporated mathematics, sacred geometry, that type of thing, with a lot of rediscovering our history, going back thousands

RENDERATL Continued from page 3 with UNCF a natural fit given the island’s deep HBCU ties. She also credited HFR founder and CEO Brandis Daniels, whose vision for the organization began 19 years ago, ahead of its 20th anniversary next year. “We didn’t get here by happenstance or sheer luck,” Bennett said. “We got here one by community, two by her sticking to her vision. It’s just amazing to see her vision, and our team be a part of that, and see it come here.”

Atlanta-born designer Jai Lyle (above). Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice

Silicon South House Across the island in Vineyard Haven, Atlanta’s tech and civic leadership had its own moment at Silicon South House, hosted by RenderATL in partnership with The Gathering Spot and the Silicon South Foundation, convening founders, investors, policymakers, and creatives at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. Guests were asked to arrive in “Vineyard Chic,” linen, sand, ivory, and cream tones fitting for a summer evening, built around networking and remarks from industry leaders rather than a traditional conference format. Silicon South is RenderATL’s nonprofit

Positive Man, 2014, Acrylic paint on canvas by Steve R. Allen. Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice

of years, and again incorporating fractals, which is, of course, a concept that we came up with thousands of years ago,” Allen said. “So that connection of spirituality,

foundation, built to champion the technologists, founders, and builders driving innovation across the American South, a region the organization argues has too often been left out of the national tech conversation despite producing major companies and thriving innovation hubs. The foundation positions itself as a connector between technologists, investors, policymakers, corporations, and community leaders, and as a launchpad for emerging Southern talent, with the broader goal of ensuring the region’s builders are seen and supported on a national scale. Dickens opened his remarks by thanking the RenderATL team, describing the people behind the gathering as more than organizers. “Render ATL, my brothers Justin and the whole team here, Brianna and everybody,” Dickens said. “These are family members. These are friends. But these are visionaries. These are leaders in this community.” Dickens invoked Andre 3000’s famous 1995 Source Awards declaration to frame the moment as part of a longer arc for the city and the region. “The South got something to say, and the South is saying it right now in Silicon South and through Render ATL,” Dickens said, “through all of your advocacy and the hard work that you’re doing in uplifting your businesses.”

our history again, before our being brought here, enslavement here, but again, just our long history of great accomplishments as Black people.”

The mayor framed the gathering’s purpose in economic terms, telling the room the point of building out Atlanta’s tech ecosystem was to make sure prosperity reaches further than it currently does. “What good is a tech ecosystem if it only widens the wealth gap,” Dickens said. “We’re trying to close that wealth gap. This is about investing in the right places with the right people.” He credited Donnie Beamer, a member of his administration, as instrumental to that work, and expressed hope the Martha’s Vineyard gathering becomes a recurring fixture rather than a one-off. “Let’s not make this the last time that we have this Silicon South House,” Dickens said. “Atlanta is welcoming to all of those that want to start their tech startup in Atlanta, or grow it, scale it, or be able to invest.” Dickens closed by tying the evening back to Atlanta’s own geography, pointing to RenderATL’s new home in South Downtown as proof the momentum extends well beyond a summer night on the island. “South Downtown got a resident, a tenant now, and it is Render ATL with a building downtown,” Dickens said. “It matters to have a footprint in downtown Atlanta, where the city got started. Let’s continue on to only to the top.”

Page 11 • AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • theatlantavoice.com

AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • www.theatlantavoice.com

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LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DISTRICT OF ST. CROIX MILL HARBOUR CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, v. DOUGLAS HEMBREE, Defendant. CASE NUMBER: SX-2026CV-00108 ACTION: DEBT AND FORECLOSURE TO: Douglas Hembree Address: 195-14 th Street, N.E., Unit 1701, Atlanta, GA 30309 #1707 Within the time limited by law (see note below) you are hereby required to appear before this Court and answer to a complaint filed against you in this action. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment by default will be taken against you as demanded in the complaint. Witness my hand and the seal of this Court on this February 25, 2026. /s/ Scot F. McChain Attorney for Plaintiff Tamara Charles Clerk of the Court NOTE: The defendant, if served personally, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty-one (21) days after service of this summons, excluding the date of the service. The defendant, if served by publication or by personal service outside of the jurisdiction, is required to file his answer or other defense with the Clerk of the Court, and to serve a copy thereof upon the attorney for the plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the completion of the period of publication or personal service outside of the jurisdiction.

LEGAL NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Dr. Chandace White is no longer with CenterWell Stone Mountain as of September 18, 2026. Current patients will automatically be transferred to another provider at the center. If you are a patient and you choose not to continue care at CenterWell Stone Mountain, you can obtain your medical records by calling 404-9050100.

OPPORTUNITIES SOFTWARE ENGINEER II w/GREENSKY MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC in Atlanta, GA. Remote work permitted. Contribute toward designing, developing, & supporting frameworks for our test infrastructure & providing test & test automation expertise to our development teams. Ensure that all tests are executed & give regular feedback to the team on the status of quality. Reqs[NB1.1]: Master’s deg (U.S. or foreign equiv) in Computer Sci, Software Engr, Info Tech or rel field & three (3) yrs of exp in the job offered or in a rel role or Bach deg (U.S. or foreign equiv) in Comp Sci, Software Engr, Info Tech or rel field & five (5) yrs of exp in the job offered or in a rel role. Job Code: 10131609. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS: Apply at greensky. com. Select “About” tab and click on “Careers.” NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. 2006-2026 GreenSky, LLC. All rights reserved. GreenSky is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

ACCOUNTANT (Atlanta, GA) Reqs: BA Degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Business

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Administration or other related field. 3 months exp as accountant, accounting clerk, auditor, financial officer, salary $57K. OR High School/GED, and 48 months experience as accountant, accounting clerk, auditor, financial officer, salary 96K. Send resume to: Direct 1 Marble LLC, 780 Morosgo Dr. NE, Unit 13197, Atlanta, GA 30324

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GLOBAL CATEGORY MANAGER Marsh & McLennan Shared Services LLC (FT; Atlanta, GA – Hybrid work sched may be permitted w/in commutable dist from worksite, in accordance w/ co policies.) Influence stakeholders across Tech & Digital functions to make strategic & cost-effective s/ware purchasing decisions. RQTS: Bach deg or foreign equiv in any field + 7 yrs of exp in position offered or rel. Must have 7 yrs of exp in global procurement role w/: Sourcing IT hardware incl networking equip, EUC devices, converged infrastructure, infrastructure s/ ware & rel hardware & s/ware maintenance; Leading RFP activity liaising w/ sr stakeholders in vendor selection & contract implementation. To Apply: Email resume to olivia.gonzalez@marsh.com & reference the job title & R_351002 in the subject line. EOE

closely rel. 2 yrs. integrations or rel. softw. engg. exp. req’d. Position reports to HQ in Atlanta, GA; may telecommute. Mail CV to Attn: HR/Job #0811, STORD, Inc, 5195 Mason Rd, Atlanta, GA 30349.

OPPORTUNITIES COMPUTER NETWORK ARCHITECT Innova Solutions, Inc. has an opening for the role of Computer Network

Your news. Your Way.

Architect (Atlanta, GA). Duties include: Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes. 40 hours/week. Remote work/telecommuting permitted, position reports to Atlanta, GA. Any applicant who is interested in this position may apply by mail to the following individual (please reference

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job #FA698941): Innova Solutions, Inc. Attn: Ana Cristina Santiesteban Guiterrez, 1455 LINCOLN PARKWAY EAST, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30346.

PUBLIC HEARING City of South Fulton, Georgia Notice to the Public Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Adoption

Public Hearing & Adoption of FY2027 Budget Pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Section 36-81- 5, et seq., the City of South Fulton hereby provides notice that public hearings will be conducted on August 25, 2026, and September 22, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. at the City of South Fulton City Hall, 5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd. SW, South Fulton, GA 30336 to adopt its FY2027 Budget Ordinance. Any person wishing to be heard on the budget may appear at the hearings and comment in accordance with the City’s policies and/or procedures for public comment as outlined on the city’s website at https://www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov/3074/Public-Comment-at-CouncilMeetings. The City Council will consider a final vote for adoption of the FY2027 Budget on September 22, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. at the City of South Fulton City Hall, 5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd. SW, South Fulton, GA 30336

Budget Available for Review The proposed FY2027 Budget that will be adopted by Mayor and City Council will be available for public inspection on the city’s website at http://www.cityofsouthfultonga.gov. A physical copy is also available for review in the office of the City Clerk, at the City of South Fulton City Hall, 5440 Fulton Industrial Blvd. SW, South Fulton, GA 30336 between the hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

Page 12 • AUGUST 21-27, 2026 • theatlantavoice.com

Thousands of local electricians are gaining new skills and job opportunities with support from the electrical training ALLIANCE and Google.

The electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) is partnering with Google to train existing electrical workers and new apprentices in Georgia. Through the etA, electricians will be prepared for long-term careers building energy infrastructure in communities across the state. Sign up at goo.gle/ga-impact