By NOAH WASHINGTON
For nearly half a century, the
Rev.
Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr. has stood at the heart of Morehouse College’s spiritual and intellectual life. Now, the founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel & professor is preparing to close one chapter of his storied career.
Carter, 76, announced he will retire from his deanship on June 30, 2026, after 47 years at the historically Black men’s college. His tenure, which began on July 1, 1979, when he was appointed by then-President Hugh Gloster, makes him one of the longest-serving leaders in Morehouse history.
“This is my 46th year, and I will retire from the deanship June 30, 2026,” Carter said in an interview with The Atlanta Voice. “I will maintain my professorship and go on sabbatical for one year that will complete 47 years with Morehouse College.”
From Dawson to Morehouse: Transforming the Chapel
Born in Dawson, Georgia, Carter’s journey to the ministry started early. His mother later told him that his grandmother had prayed over him as an infant, asking God to “make this boy a preacher.” Carter didn’t learn of that prayer until after earning his doctorate at Boston University School of Theology.
“I was wrestling with my calling from ninth through twelfth grade, and finally announcing it publicly my senior year, as something just between me and God,” he recalled. “So when I heard my mother say that, it stunned me.”
Before coming to Morehouse, Carter served as acting director of the Martin Luther King Jr. African American Cultural Center at Boston University while completing his doctorate. Though some doubted he could lead the Morehouse chapel without being an alumnus, Carter was selected unanimously from a pool of 500 candidates.
One of his earliest acts was persuading the Board of Trustees to rename Memorial Chapel as the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. Carter said he didn’t want to preside over “a museum for battles that are no longer being fought.” The board eventually approved the change unanimously.
Over the next four decades, Carter led the
chapel’s evolution into a hub for global ethics, peacebuilding, and interfaith dialogue. He launched the Chapel Assistants Pre-Seminarians Program, widely regarded as a top feeder program for divinity schools nationwide. He also introduced initiatives like the Gandhi–King–Ikeda awards and the Community Builders Prizes, which brought international leaders to Morehouse’s campus. The chapel itself transformed under Carter’s leadership, both physically and philosophically. Beyond renaming the building for Martin Luther King Jr., he oversaw the installation of historic stone tablets on its facade, salvaged from a King monument at Boston University. Carter recalled being present when the monument was first dedicated: “The President himself dedicated it, and I was in the crowd. When he finished delivering his speech, he stepped from behind
See CARTER, page 5
By DONNELL SUGGS
Former DeKalb County CEO and 2026 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Michael Thurmond visited The Atlanta Voice on Monday, Sept. 2, to discuss why he believes he should be the Democratic nominee next November. A former employee at The Athens Voice, a nowclosed newspaper that was part of The Voice News Network, Thurmond was hired right out of Paine College to work for The Atlanta Voice’s founder and current publisher’s father, J. Lowell Ware. He calls himself a “newspaper man” and has warm memories of working in the newspaper industry for a Black-owned and operated publication.
Thurmond, however, left the journalism field for local and statewide politics and found success as a Georgia State Representative and Georgia Commissioner of Labor. Now he wants to make a run for the state’s top spot.
“This is beyond party politics,” Thurmond said.
The Atlanta Voice: Good morning, Mr. Thurmond, and welcome to WAREHOUSE Studios on the campus of The Atlanta Voice. Let’s get right to it. Why did you decide to run for governor?
Michael Thurmond: We are at a pivotal moment in the history of our state and of our nation. At this moment in time, we need leadership that can push back against some of the
more damaging aspects of the new federalization in the Big Beautiful Bill.
AV: Can you elaborate on that?
MT: Here in Georgia, if we have the right governor, not one Georgian will have to lose his or her Medicaid. If we have the right governor with the right type of leadership, not one Georgian who deserves it and is eligible will have to lose their SNAP benefits. If we have the right leadership, we will not go back, but I think we can achieve a level of greatness that we have dreamed about but have not been able to grasp.
AV: And you believe you can provide the “right leadership” you’re speaking of?
MT: I believe so. I believe my background, not my promises, but my performances have prepared me for this unprecedented challenge that we face. My entire life experiences have prepared me for this historic moment.
Thurmond said the fact that he has led successful transformations of both public and private agencies is something voters should consider an asset. “I’ve not been afraid to innovate and create new solutions to old problems,” he said.
AV: I covered the gubernatorial forum at First Baptist Church in Warner Robins on August 20. Why do you believe it was important for you to be there?
MT: This is more than a political campaign. If we see this through the prism of traditional politics, then I think you’re missing the moment. I think this about the future of Georgia
MT: Georgia is not the worst performing state in the nation. However, I do believe we are underperforming in many areas. I will continue to work hard to protect and advance Georgia’s ranking as the number one state to do business. Where we have fallen down is insuring that families have the resources and opportunities needed for them to fulfill their goals and ambitions.
If we can be number one in business, we ought to be number one in terms of being a safe place for a woman to give birth to her child. We should be number one in protecting our senior citizens. We ought to have the number one best public school system in America.
AV: You have been campaigning for several weeks now. What has that looked and felt like?
MT: My natural political habitat is the state of Georgia. I have done 80 different events and listening tours around the state of Georgia over the last year and a half. I wanted to go out and actually listen before I announced.
We had a packed house in Lumpkin County. I was thrilled that so many people came together for a common desire.
and the future of our nation. We now must stand in the gap to protect progress, and how we define America.
AV: What do you believe you can bring to the office of the governor that the other candidates cannot?
Before Thurmond left the office, he talked about being willing to go anywhere voters were. He said having strong ties in Atlanta and DeKalb County wouldn’t be enough to get the job done.
“We can’t win this with just Black voters,” Thurmond said. “It has to be a coalition of the willing.”
By ISAIAH SINGLETON
Atlanta’s downtown is getting a new residential tower, and it’s just days from opening its doors.
CIM Group and Centennial Yards Company are set to debut The Mitchell, the first completed residential tower in the $5 billion Centennial Yards mixed-use development. Located at 250 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW, this 19-story, 300,000-square-foot luxury apartment building offers 304 modern homes in the heart of Centennial Yards. The Mitchell’s units range from studios to three-bedroom floor plans, with select residences featuring walk-in closets, balconies, and floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views.
The Mitchell showcases a unique blend of upscale urban living and a refined downtown lifestyle. Residents have access to a comprehensive range of top-tier amenities, including a community pool with views of the downtown skyline, a premium fitness center with a barre studio, co-working spaces with office suites, multiple outdoor gathering areas, indoor event spaces with a catering kitchen, and a dedicated pet area/ spa. Approximately 16,000 square feet of groundfloor retail and restaurant space is planned to energize the street level with ample outdoor patio space. Khao Thai Isan, a Thai tapas concept
CIM Group and Centennial yards Company announced the grand opening of The Mitchell (above), the first residential tower and ground-up building completed within the $5 billion Centennial yards mixed-use development in Downtown Atlanta.
Atlanta Voice
introduced last winter by local favorite 26 Thai, will occupy 4,730 square feet.
More retail and dining operators will be announced in the coming months. Located just steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and near four MARTA stations, and overlooking the emerging Entertainment District at Centennial Yards, The Mitchell benefits from its proximity to a diverse range of community assets.
Nearby attractions include the revitalized South Downtown and Underground Atlanta, the historic and arts-oriented Castleberry Hill district, top-tier Georgia universities, and major tourist destinations like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, all contributing to a vibrant and walkable urban experience in Downtown Atlanta.
Centennial Yards named The Mitchell to honor and reflect the historic significance of Atlanta’s Mitchell Street corridor. “Opening the Mitchell, the first residential tower at Centennial Yards, is a significant step in transforming Downtown Atlanta into a thriving neighborhood,” said Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards Company. “This community will bring new energy and life to downtown, offering a lifestyle that puts residents at the center of everything Atlanta has to offer.” Centennial Yards Company hosted an intimate ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Mitchell on September 4, marking the official opening of this new development. The event celebrated the addition of The Mitchell to Centennial Yards and was attended by company representatives, city officials, and community members. The grand opening of The Mitchell at Centennial Yards marks a major milestone in one of the country’s largest and most ambitious city center redevelopments.
The 50-acre site where Atlanta was founded is being transformed into a vibrant mixed-use destination that includes several new city blocks with 8 million square feet of commercial and residential space. Plans feature 4 million square feet of retail, entertainment, office, and hotel space, about 2,000 new residences, and interactive public gathering areas designed to serve both Atlantans and visitors. The Mitchell is the second residential community at Centennial Yards, joining The Lofts at Centennial Yards South, which offers 162 units located above the Georgia-based brewery Wild Leap. The 292-key Hotel Phoenix is scheduled to open later this year. Cosm’s immersive sporting experience is planned for 2026, and a 5,300-seat Live Nation venue was announced earlier this year, with an opening expected in 2027. Centennial Yards Company was established by CIM Group to serve as the owner and master developer of Centennial Yards.
“The Mitchell residential tower reflects our commitment to creating places that serve and strengthen the community,” Shaul Kuba, Co-Founder and Principal, CIM Group said. “At Centennial Yards, we are proud to help shape a neighborhood that celebrates local culture, connects people through public spaces, and supports the everyday lives of Atlantans.”
The Mitchell officially opens Sept. 15.
By DAVID ADAMS AND KERI RODRIGUES
In the Maasai culture of East Africa, the traditional greeting is not “hello,” but “Kasserian Ingera?” — “How are the children?” It’s a question that speaks to a society’s priorities. The well-being of children isn’t just a private concern — it’s the measure of a nation.
By that standard, we are falling short. Our children are under attack and they are not well. It is not hard to see the contempt that some in power have for children. In early July, without explanation, the Trump administration froze congressionally authorized federal spending for youth development and after-school programs, putting thousands of local initiatives — including Boys and Girls Clubs and school-based community centers — at risk of closure across the country. After weeks of chaos (and litigation) there was a partial thaw. But it is not enough. These programs provide safe spaces, mentorship, enrichment and support for working families.
We know this to be true through experience. For example, at the Urban Assembly Unison School, a middle school in Brooklyn, 70% of students participated in city-funded after-school programs that support their social, emotional, and academic development. These are the programs that help keep children safe, growing, and thriving all year long. They should never have been cut in the first place.
These casually imposed and reversed cuts are not the only damage the Trump administration is inflicting on children. Also harmful are changes to food aid and healthcare that will make it harder for children to have those things, as well as the evisceration of the federal Department of Education.
About 8% of New York state’s education spending is federally funded, but that percentage is much higher in more rural areas. More than half of the districts that will see the largest cuts are in rural West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, and California, and they serve a much larger percentage of students affected by poverty.
At the same time, proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would cut food benefits for millions of Americans, all while stripping over a million children of access to free school meals. In a country where 1 in 5 children live in households where there isn’t enough food to eat, this isn’t just bad policy — it’s a direct assault on children’s health, development, and dignity. These are real children the federal government is proposing to harm, with ambitions and aspirations to contribute to their communities and our nation. Let’s lift our children up.
Every day, we see the benefits of nourishing children with food, knowledge and ambition. In Urban Assembly schools, where 87% of our 9,000 students face economic hardship, graduation rates are amongst the highest in New York City. That’s because students get what they
need: food, high-quality academics, social-emotional learning and teachers who see and develop their potential.
The Trump’s administration’s policies harm children, including those the Urban Assembly serves. The relationship between poverty and academic achievement is already too strong. A 2005 meta-analysis across 60 studies demonstrates a strong negative correlation between socioeconomic status and academic achievement. That means poorer students consistently perform worse in school. More recent research found that the achievement gap between children from wealthy and impoverished families has grown by 40% since the 1960s. We can do better.
And while the pandemic has exacerbated students’ academic challenges, as shown by declining NAEP scores in reading and math, surely making kids hungrier will not help. When children are undernourished, unsupported or left without stable environments, their ability to learn — and to thrive — erodes.
The federal government has a responsibility to our nation’s children. The preamble to our Constitution commits us to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” That includes making sure every child has enough to eat, a safe place to grow, and a real shot at the future. Instead, this administration is reneging on that promise from our nation’s Founders. But we will not.
This administration may be comfortable with a decision to throw away children’s lives, but we must not be.
The American people do not agree with this war on children. Attacking children has never been popular. Investing in education reflects society’s clearest investment in itself. As Frederick Douglass reminded us, “It’s better to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Let us heed his wisdom and build strong, capable children who will support our communities and our nation.
This is not about partisanship. This is about priorities.
Kids are loved, and beloved — but they don’t vote. We hate to think so cynically, but that is clearly the political calculus. Children rely on us to be their representatives, their voice, their advocates, their protectors, and we cannot fail them. The choices we make today, from investing in education that prepares children for the jobs and economy of the future to supporting funds for teacher development, to protecting the critical safety net here at home, will shape the world our children inherit.
The children are not well. And this administration must end its war on them. We are the solution. Let’s act like it.
David Adams is CEO of the Urban Assembly, a network of public schools in New York City. Keri Rodrigues is the founding president of the National Parents Union.
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By LAURA NWOGU
The Intercontinental Buckhead shines a little brighter as Buckhead’s first Italian steakhouse, The Americano, reopens with a revamped menu that takes a more inspired, rooted, and soulful approach to celebrity chef Scott Conant’s cuisine.
After the restaurant was forced to shut down due to a kitchen fire in March 2025, Conant and the team at The Americano took the incident as an opportunity to press reset.
The Americano blends bold and contemporary well, with sophisticated gold wire light fixtures, modern art, and a sleek design that creates an elevated atmosphere. From rich pastas to hearty steaks and savory fish, The Americano leads with flair and quality. But Conant said he knew it was time for a refresh when it came to the menu. With help from their partners, LT Hospitality, they were able to rise from the ashes and emerge renewed.
“I think you could make a case that it may have been the best thing that ever happened, truly,” Conant said. “I think we took that opportunity and morphed it into something that we’re evolving into, and everyone is embracing. From ownership to the GM of the hotel
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the podium, and he walked three rows back and handed me his speech and said, ‘You’re the only one here who will appreciate this.’”
Years later, when Boston University renovated the monument
to the marketing team, to the entire frontof-house team, as well as the back-of-house team, it’s something that we’re really excited about.”
The two-time James Beard Award-winning chef is known for his passion for Italian cuisine, but he said he isn’t beholden to one region or technique. When curating the menu,
with marble and gold lettering, the original stones were offered to Morehouse. Carter accepted them, seeing their arrival as divine confirmation of his calling to remain at the college. The chapel’s Thurman Tower also houses a time capsule with artifacts spanning thousands of years of African and world history, further grounding the space in a global legacy.
Conant knew he wanted the dishes served to guests and locals to deeply reflect his nearly 40-year culinary career.
“I wanted to do something that’s personal and heartfelt and something that makes sense for my style of food rather than a steakhouse.”
The relaunched menu merges the new with the old, emphasizing local produce and
Praise from Morehouse Leadership: A Lasting Legacy Carter’s influence has stretched well beyond the campus gates. Generations of Morehouse students trained under his mentorship have gone on to leadership in churches, seminaries, and public life. Recruiters from divinity schools, he said, often prefer Morehouse graduates because they “rise to the top
taking dishes such as the focaccia ripiena and turning it into a focaccia barese with heirloom tomatoes, broccoli rabe presto, and garden herbs served in a cast-iron skillet. Chilli-spiced shrimp and tuna crudo are new additions, and caesar salads are out in favor of a fresh and comforting fagiolini salad with warm lentils, purple potatoes, “sweet grass” cheese, and truffle vinaigrette.
Southern influences come into play throughout the menu, but especially with dishes such as the frito misto, which adds green tomatoes and pickled okra to the deep-fried seafood appetizer; the Georgia peach crostata, an addictive tart with vanilla gelato drizzled with aged balsamic; and the iberico pork chop topped with molasses and a balsamic glaze.
The menu also features dishes such as the foie gras triangoli with a marsala reduction, Conant’s popular gnocchi al pomodoro with his signature sauce, and a fennel-spiced coastal grouper with smoked potato puree. The bar program still boasts creative drinks such as the newly added la pomodoro cocktail, a mix of limoncello, citrus vodka, rosemary, Roma tomato, and lemon with a basil garnish.
“I want to make sure the guests are happier when they leave out the door.”
of the class all over the nation.”
In moments of national crisis, major media outlets have sought out Morehouse pastors and alumni, a testament to the chapel’s reach under his stewardship.
Still, Carter’s path was not without challenges. In his 19th year, he nearly resigned, facing a crisis of faith, telling his wife Marva that he felt “burnt out” and “lonely.” A weeklong trip that included preaching in Los Angeles restored his sense of purpose.
“When I landed in Atlanta, everything said, you’re home,” he remembered.
Preparing for the Next Chapter: A Scholar’s Passion
Away from the pulpit, Carter is known as a voracious reader and collector of books, boasting what he believes to be the largest personal library of any Morehouse faculty member. His love of knowledge began as a child, flipping through books he couldn’t yet read but sensed contained “secrets, answers to the problems of the world.”
His passion for education also connects him to the roots of Morehouse. Carter has written about the college’s founder, William Jefferson White, a journalist who risked his life by opening clandestine schools for enslaved people before establishing what became Morehouse in 1867.
“There’s a reason why during slavery there were laws on the books against teaching enslaved Africans to read,” Carter said. “And there’s a reason why the founder of Morehouse College was considered the greatest Black journalist of his era.”
Carter’s career has spanned multiple eras in Morehouse history, from Gloster to the present. His work helped redefine the chapel not only as a place of worship but as a platform for leadership, service, and global vision.
As the college begins its search for a new chapel dean, Carter is looking ahead to a sabbatical and a slower pace. But he said the affirmation he has received since announcing his retirement has been both humbling and reassuring.
The college plans an international search for his successor, chaired by trustee and alumnus Rev. Dr. Delman Coates, Class of 1995.
Since announcing his retirement, Carter said his life has changed. Visitors from around the world have come to see him, offering thanks and reflections on his legacy.
“Since July 1, my life has not been the same,” he said. “They’ve been telling me that I did it. And then the strange thing is, they’re saying nobody else could have done this, but you’ve done it.”
By LAURA NWOGU
James Jones fell in love with the art of gymnastics while watching the sport on TV. In his hometown of Columbus, Georgia, he often watched the boys in his neighborhood use concrete and grass as springboards, flipping and flying along the pavements. But the idea of competing wasn’t something he’d imagined for himself. Because no gym existed in his community, his dreams of flying were confined to screens and the books he’d check out in the library.
It wasn’t until his elementary school assistant principal saw his talent on the playground that his dreams led to him earning a gymnastics scholarship at a gym across town. When he requested an extension to that scholarship, Jones discovered that the assistant principal had been paying his tuition the whole time.
That act of kindness, faith, and nurturing of his abilities stayed with Jones. He vowed to pay it forward for younger boys who looked like him.
“It stuck with me because I told everybody that I wanted to do gymnastics. They knew I had this great love for it, but nobody in my community actually ever tried to put me in gymnastics; it was this lady who wasn’t in the community who did so. And so when I got older, I didn’t want the kids in my community to have to look to someone outside of the community for assistance,” Jones said.
Now, Jones is helping other kids fly and is the coach and founder of the James Jones Gymnastics Academy, home to the only allBlack boys’ competitive gymnastics team in the United States.
However, that home is now in jeopardy. In July, news broke online that the gym was in danger of closing down after zoning laws wouldn’t allow the team to relocate to a new building after outgrowing their old one. Jones had until Aug. 1 to resolve the situation, which he was unable to do due to rejection after rejection, forcing the gym to close down. Now, Jones and his students are looking for a new home suitable for gymnastics.
“It got to the point where I had submitted so many applications and they were denied, even though other people were operating similar or general commercial buildings in the area. And that’s what led to my frustration. I believe I was probably eight denials in, and I was like, OK, something crazy is going on. I applied for a couple of more spaces, and they were denied. And I’m so confused.”
However, that denial from the county led to the news going viral, resulting in widespread attention, a GoFundMe that has now raised over $50,000, and support from people across the U.S., including celebrities and
other gymnasts. People have reached out to him with contacts for securing a new location and offers to house the boys in temporary spaces until they find a new home.
For Jones, the community’s support has shown him just how much gymnastics is valued in the Black community and further revealed why that value is limited.
“I think that the community loves to see go-getters, and the boys are go-getters for one. I’m going to tell you the truth — Black people love gymnastics. I don’t care what anybody says. But for some reason, it doesn’t translate to Black kids being in gymnastics.”
But the dream is still alive, and Jones doesn’t plan on letting it die.
The seeds of James Jones Gymnastics Academy began to grow when Jones became a volunteer gymnastics coach for a recreation center in 2019. After six months on the job, he noted that many of the boys wanted to further their athletic careers in gymnastics by competing; however, opportunity was limited at the particular rec center; they only let the girls compete. When the city rejected his request to start another gymnastics program for the boys, he ventured out on his own.
For six years, the gymnastics academy has been a safe space for young Black boys to nurture their talents in a sport and world that doesn’t often celebrate and recognize them. Jones has witnessed how gymnastics has
transformed the boys, developing their skills and personalities and giving them the opportunity to see parts of the world at a young age as they travel to competitions across the country.
The team, named the Skywalkers, has won first place in the Judges Cup, the entry competition for each season. One of his students made the future stars team for their region, the precursor for boys training for the U.S. Olympic team. He also had several boys who were in the National Gymnastics Association’s training program, and four of them were invited to the national training camp for the summer.
Jones is a Georgia state representative for the National Gymnastics Association, and one of his goals is to use that organization to grow men’s gymnastics. As the Skywalkers make their mark with their footprints, they’re also breaking glass ceilings.
“To have boys in our community who are kind of at the forefront of not only pioneering Black gymnastics, but assisting in saving men’s gymnastics is great. When we’re looking for videos or looking at examples, I remember one boy said, ‘Well, why don’t you ever show us any examples of Black boys doing gymnastics?’ And I say, ‘You are the Black boys doing gymnastics.
James Jones Gymnastics Academy is a small program compared to others, which means Jones pulls together and exhausts all the resources he can for the up to 60 kids he teaches a period. Tuition for the program is income-based, and those who can’t afford the tuition train for free.
He and his students have had to make do, relying on donations and fundraisers and building needed equipment out of existing things in the gym. Jones shared that the resi-pit — a safety mat and padding system — they use was taken from another gym after they threw it out and gave it to him after request; he took a box cutter, sawed the $5,000 it into tiny pieces, stuffed it into his sedan and drove it from Roswell to Jonesboro.
“That just lets you know the type of things that we’ve had to do over the last six years to ensure that we have the equipment that we need.”
Currently, Jones is taking his time in selecting a new location because when they return, he wants to come back bigger. Jones said the enthusiasm for the return of the program can be seen by the number of people who have signed up for preregistration even though there isn’t a physical location yet.
“Last time, I started a small program, and we didn’t have anything that we needed when we started. This time, when I restart, I want it to be a program that can welcome all levels of gymnastics from our community,” Jones said.
By DONNELL SUGGS
Pinky Cole, the founder, owner, and operator of the Slutty Vegan franchise, hugged one woman, then hugged another, and shook the hand of yet another. Cole stood in the dining room of the restaurant’s flagship store on Edgewood Avenue on Friday, Aug. 28, at the start of the annual Community Giveback event. Community members were given toiletries such as toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, canned goods, oatmeal, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.
Cole told The Atlanta Voice that the Pinky Cole Foundation enjoys giving back to the people who have supported her businesses over the years.
The community giveback event occurred tonight from 3-7 p.m. or until supplies lasted. Boxes full of supplies ready to be distributed. Cole has been engulfed in news pertaining to her business dealings recently, but on Friday afternoon,
she was dealing with the people.
“I just want to show the community all the ways I say thanks to them,” she said.
“I want them to know that y’all show up for me and I’ll show up for y’all.”
Live music was being played by DJay Amazin inside the Edgewood Slutty Vegan location, which was still open for business at the start of the event. Camera crews were making their way around the location, filming an episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta. One of the longtime cast members of the show, Cynthia Bailey, could be seen helping out at a table, while a more recent addition to the cast, Kelli Ferrell, was at another table helping fill Slutty Vegan brown paper bags with giveaway goods.
Cole and her staff served hundreds of people.
“This is important because Slutty Vegan is rooted in the community,” Cole said. “The community always comes first.”
By ISAIAH SINGLETON
Approximately 10 to 18 million seniors need help with daily activities, with projections suggesting that 70% of people 65 and older will require longterm services and support at some point in their lives.
A significant number of older adults face significant unmet needs for care, and this is compounded by the growing aging population and smaller family sizes, placing greater pressure on the caregiving system
Married for 13 years, Shanticleer and Erica Graham have opened a new location for the franchise Seniors Helping Seniors®, an inhome care service where active seniors are hired to be companions or personal caregivers to other seniors who need help.
The Grahams’ serve Southwest Atlanta and surrounding communities in Douglas, Fulton, Coweta, and Cobb Counties, marking the eighth location in the state.
Seniors Helping Seniors, a franchisor with over 200 franchise partners and 400 territories nationwide, has grown rapidly in recent years by building a workforce of talented caregivers who create meaningful relationships with their senior care clients.
The demand for in-home care for mature populations continues to grow, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reporting that 70% of retirees will require some form of long-term care.
“We do careful matching through various criteria to make sure we match up our caregivers with the right client and to ensure they can have a mutually beneficial relationship,” Shanticleer said. “It’s going to feel like a friend in your house.”
Seniors Helping Seniors offers up to 24-hour-a-day care, so the hours depend on the client and their needs. Services also include Alzheimer’s and Dementia care.
Shanticleer, a U.S. Army veteran and former medical technology executive, transitioned out of a 20-year corporate career when the couple saw an opportunity to align their personal values and professional skills through Seniors Helping Seniors, a brand that shares their passion for community-based elder care.
Shanticleer and his wife, Erica, a former healthcare project manager and small business owner, were both inspired by their mothers, both longtime informal caregivers, and their own experiences supporting aging loved ones.
The Grahams are also no strangers to entrepreneurship as they have had three businesses together thus far. Currently, Erica has been running their travel agency, Paperplanes & Passports for the last 10 years.
“We wanted to do something meaningful
that honors our parents and allows us to uplift our community,” Shanticleer said.
“Seniors Helping Seniors lets us serve some of the most vulnerable people in our neighborhoods while also creating flexible and fulfilling opportunities for caregivers who are seniors themselves.”
“Shanticleer said his father-in-law has Glaucoma, and his mother-in-law has been his informal caregiver for the past 15 years. His mom also helps around the neighborhood and other family members.
When Erica told her mom she was getting into caregiving, she said her mom was super proud asking where she could sign up to help.
“It felt great to know our mothers had our back and also allowed us to bring something they’ve already been doing to the community here in Georgia,” she said.
“Taking that break away from corporate America to sit back and realize what’s valuable and what’s important to me really highlighted this next journey we’re on,” he said.
Additionally, the Seniors Helping Seniors® franchise stands out from other brands in the elder-care space, according to President of Seniors Helping Seniors Namrata Yocom-Jan, through its commitment to hiring senior caregivers, which gives employment
opportunities to seniors and better cultivates meaningful relationships between caregivers and care receivers.
“We’ve become a leader in this industry by prioritizing the best possible care for our seniors, and that means partnering with only the most passionate and hard-working franchisees,” Yocom-Jan said. “That’s exactly what we’ve found with Shanticleer and Erica Graham as a new franchisee partner.”
When Shanticleer was laid off from his corporate job, he said it hit him hard because he had been with that company for 20 years, which he started from the very bottom working his way up to an executive position.
“It really hit me hard, and I had to realize that I’m not what I do, what I do doesn’t make me who I am, it’s more about my character,” he said. “I had to figure out my own identity again.”
Shanticleer also says things don’t always happen when you want them to, but it happens when they’re supposed to. He said they were ready to be able to accept the things that were.
“Yes, you work all the time but are you able to save something when you can, and if you can’t, and if you don’t have that job anymore, what can you do next, because you just never
know,” he said.
Regarding entrepreneurship, Erica says do your research and figure out what type of business you want to invest yourself into.
“We all have 1,000 ideas in our heads every single day, and I knew I wanted to do something I was passionate about and something I loved,” she said. “You must figure that out because you’re going to be spending your whole everything building this business, this brand, so you have to be knowledgeable about it.”
Shanticleer adds to his wife and says always get better and reevaluate, even if you fail the first time.
“Everything you do, do it better next time. The goal is to constantly improve and evolve, but don’t get stuck on trying to get perfect right out the box,” he said.
The Grahams said that in the next five years, they see their location servicing veterans and expanding.
“We want to build trust and a quality, reliable reputation within the community, and the first year is always the toughest,” they said. “Being able to teach and educate other people, especially people of color, on how to get into franchising, it’s all about pouring into the community for us.”
By NOAH WASHINGTON
Dr. Beverly Daniel
Tatum, President emerita of Spelman College, launched her book tour on Wednesday evening. She discussed the challenges rocking higher education and the tough leadership decisions that defined her 13year tenure at the historically Black women’s college.
Speaking before a packed audience of students, alumni, faculty, and supporters at Spelman’s Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center Auditorium, Tatum presented her latest work, “Peril and Promise: College Leadership in Turbulent Times.” The timing proved apt as moderator & WABE journalist Rose Scott for the fireside chat opened the evening by addressing breaking news about Emory University’s decision to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, setting the stage for the conversation to follow.
One of Tatum’s most controversial decisions during her tenure as Spelman’s president from 2002 to 2015 was discontinuing Spelman’s NCAA Division III athletics program in 2012. The choice sparked fierce debate but grew
from genuine concern about student wellness during a pivotal moment in her presidency.
The catalyst came during a sparsely attended basketball game as the Great South Athletic Conference dissolved around schools seeking more competitive opportunities.
Tatum said, “I was sitting watching the basketball game, five players on the court, and five people, maybe on the bench, and hardly anybody in the stands,” Tatum recalled. “And while I was watching this game, I had an ‘aha’ moment and the little whisper said, ‘flip it.’”
Tatum had discovered research showing young Black women had the highest rates of physical inactivity among all demographic groups, leading to early onset diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. By investing in comprehensive wellness programs instead of traditional athletics, she saw transformational potential aligned with Spelman’s mission. By investing in comprehensive wellness programs instead of traditional athletics, she saw an opportunity for transformational impact.
“We could change not only the trajectory of our students, but our students would change the trajectory of their families, their communities,” she explained.
referencing a 1945 Truman Commission that identified three essential purposes: maintaining democracy, fostering international cooperation, and applying creative thinking to complex problems.
“We need people who have an understanding of history, who recognize history when it’s repeating, who are able to think critically about the social challenges that are part of our democratic process,” she said.
Learning from Leadership Challenges and Broader Patterns
When asked about the correlation between Black women achieving the highest college graduation rates and changing attitudes toward higher education, Tatum offered her perspective on broader social patterns affecting academic leadership.
“There’s a pattern of devaluing activities when they become feminized,” Tatum observed. “As campus communities have become more diverse, as there has been greater access on the part of people of color to higher education, there is less public support for it.”
Her analysis of Claudine Gay’s
treatment, Harvard’s 30th president, provided a specific example of these dynamics at work. Tatum noted the stark difference in public response when Gay resigned compared to Stanford’s president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne who had stepped down six months earlier over similar academic integrity concerns.
“When he stepped down, people didn’t call him a DEI hire,” Tatum pointed out. “People expressed regret that he was leaving, and that’s the difference.”
Despite these challenges, Tatum emphasized the enduring importance of higher education’s mission,
During Q&A, Tatum shared the personal philosophy that guided her through multiple crises. Asked about courage, she reframed fear: “Fear stands for false evidence appearing real.”
“It’s not that the fear goes away when you’re taking courageous action, even when you’re afraid. You act even in the presence of fear,” she said.
This philosophy was tested during what she called “a president’s worst nightmare”, when responding to the killing of Jasmine Lynn, a student at Spelman in September 2009. Despite staff assurances, she immediately returned to campus from Washington, D.C.
“In a moment like that, you have to be there,” she said simply.
The evening concluded with a book signing for attendees.
By LAURA NWOGU
Amazon hosted its inaugural Future Innovator Summit at the ATL2 Robotics Facility in Stone Mountain on Friday morning. Over 50 Atlanta-area college students got the opportunity to hear from Amazon leadership, tour the state-of-the-art robotics facility, and participate in student programming geared toward preparing the next generation of leaders in operations and logistics.
The summit featured a panel with Amazon leadership, including Sandy Gordon, the global vice president of employee experience and relations; Tony Vozzolo, the ATL2 director of operations and general manager; and Kawanne Clark, senior HR manager at ATL2. 11Alive News anchor Faith Jessie moderated the discussion. The future engineers, business leaders, founders, and creatives gained insight into the skills Amazon seeks in young talent, and what it’s like to be on the front line of operations.
“Have grit. Be hungry. Be customer-obsessed. Look at our leadership principles around here. That’s all we’re looking for,” Vozzolo advised. “What we’re looking for is,
do you care? Do you take care of your team? You take care of your people? Are you hungry? You want to go out there and innovate and explore.”
Gordon also discussed her experience rising in the ranks as a woman in the STEM field, sharing that she would often be the only woman in the room when she started. She noted that in Amazon’s operations, women represent 49.2% of the workforce, nearly half. According to the World Economic Forum, women comprised only 28.2% of the STEM global workforce in 2024.
“This is a space where it may not seem conventional wisdom to take a STEM background and come into the operations, but it’s not just that it’s a place for you to come and grow; it is a place for you to thrive if you’re a female,” Gordon said. “When you’re able to come into an environment where there are other women as leaders, you can see what you can do.”
Lauryn Carter, a senior industrial engineering major at Georgia Tech, is the first in her family to go to college. She said student-focused events like the Future Innovator Summit allow her to connect with like-minded students and gain experience
and insight into her future career.
“Being a future innovator as a first-generation student means setting the pathway for my family. Being from a small town, there
are not really any opportunities there, so just branching out and really exploring opportunities and networking to build those connections is very important to me.”
By DONNELL SUGGS
The Atlanta Falcons are on their way to Minnesota for a Sunday Night Football meeting with the Vikings. The warm and friendly confines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000-plus football fans were in the building for the season opener) and a pro-Falcons crowd will not be waiting for them when they arrive.
Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. made just his fourth professional start on Sunday against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game in Minnesota will only be his second on the road. It won’t be the first time he will be in uniform in Minnesota. The Falcons lost 42-12 to the Vikings last season during former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins’s return to his former home on Dec. 8. That game was in the middle of a four-game losing streak and near the end of Cousins’s time as the starter in Atlanta.
Minnesota won its season opener in Chicago on Monday night and will have a sold-out crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium for its home opener against the Falcons. Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, similar to Penix, Jr., will be making his first career start at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. Unlike Penix, Jr., McCarthy threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns and helped lead his team to victory.
Now Penix, Jr. is starting and coming off a quality, if not stellar, performance in front of the home fans on Sunday against the Buccaneers (298 yards and a touchdown on 27-42 passing, 21 rushing yards and a touchdown), he was appreciative of the environment at The Benz.
“Oh yeah, man, that’s big time. We need that. We love it,” Penix said of the crowd participation. “Each and every home game, we want it. We know that they will bring it. Whenever we’re making big-time plays, the city is going to be behind us.”
Falcons receiver Chris Blair, who was inactive for the game, agreed with Penix, Jr. about the environment in The Benz on Sunday afternoon.
“I feel like it was the right energy,” said Blair, an Alcorn State alum. “They showed up for sure.”
There were plenty of big plays during the game that kept the crowd into it -Penix, Jr.’s fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown run, Bijan Robinson’s six receptions for 100 yards- but the Falcons lost the home and season opener 23-20 to a division rival. Atlanta kicker Young Koo missed a 44-yard field goal that could have tied the game and when he got to the sideline he threw his helmet to the ground in disgust.
By DONNELL SUGGS
Atlanta United was off for the international break, but returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to host the Columbus Crew on Saturday, Sept. 13. First kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The two teams last met at Lower.com Field on June 25 in Columbus, and Atlanta United lost 3-0 on a rainy night. That game included players no longer on Atlanta’s roster, including defender Derrick Williams. In his place are now defenders such as Juan Berrocal and Enea Mihaj, who have each made an impact since their respective arrivals. Mihaj has started four of the five matches he has played in, while Berrocal has been a substitute in the four matches he has played in.
The emergence of Alexey Miranchuk as the team’s most valuable all-around player is something that should be high on the
list of good things that have happened this season. Second on the team in goals with six, Miranchuk has four assists, a couple of game-tying goals, and has been a trusted asset of manager Ronny Deila. Miranchuk has started 27 of the 28 matches he has played this season.
Team captain Miguel Almiron is putting together a quiet but efficient season in his return to Atlanta from Newcastle United. Almiron has only scored three goals in 26 matches, but he is second on the team in assists (six) and has completed 84% of his passes.
The team’s leading goal-scorer, Emmanuel Latte Lath (seven), has cooled off in rage Currently 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with 26 points, the Five Stripes have been mired in inconsistent play at times this season, but are now playing better heading into the final month of the Major League Soccer regular season schedule.
Penix, Jr. said he is “looking forward” to getting back in front of the home fans that don’t make the trips to Minnesota and Charlotte in the coming weeks.
“We appreciate them and we look forward to being back home again and having that influence that they brought today,” Penix, Jr. said.
Penix spoke to the press about what he said to Koo after the game. He said he told Koo not to let this kick get him down and to keep being the kicker that the team believes in.
The Falcons won’t be back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for two weeks as the National Football League schedule’s week three matchup will take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte against the Panthers (0-1 after losing at Jacksonville on Sunday, Sept. 7).
The Falcons will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. This will be a rematch of sorts for two young quarterbacks. Penix, Jr.’s second career start came against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in Washington last season. Though the Falcons lost 30-24, Penix, Jr. (19-35, 223 yards, a touchdown, and an interception) displayed poise late in that game.
Performing in a hostile environment will be what Penix, Jr. and the Falcons will have to do in Minnesota on Sunday night.
Software Engineer Test III w/GREENSKY MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC in Atlanta, GA. Telecommuting permitted. Analysis, dsgn, implementation, & unit testing to produce high-quality code. Dsgn & dvlp automated testing tools to drive unified manual & automated test strategy. Req’s: Bach deg (U.S. or foreign equiv) in Comp Sci, Softw Engg, IT, or rel. field. 7 yrs of exp in job offered or in rel. role. Job Code: 8846168. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS: Apply at greensky.com. Select “About” tab & click on “Careers.” NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. ©2006-2025 GreenSky, LLC. All rights reserved. GreenSky is an equal opportunity employer & 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.
Bid solicitation for 25ITB1492196B-RT Electronic Closed Captioning Transcription Services for the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, will be accepted online through BidNet Direct on Tuesday, October 07, 2025. All Bids submitted must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated date. https://www. bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) The selected firm will provide Electronic Closed Captioning Transcription Services for the Fulton County Government. Transcription services for Fulton County Board of Commissioner (BOC) broadcasts are to be provided for no less than twenty-three (23) and no more than thirty (30). 6–8-hour meetings in a twelve-month period.
In order to obtain complete information about this solicitation, please click the link below where this document and supporting documents can be downloaded, https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty
Fee: N/A
Term of Contract: This is an annual agreement with two (2) one (1) year renewal options.
Pre-Bid Conference: will be held virtually online via a Zoom Conference on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. to provide bidders with information regarding this project and to address any questions. Join Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99013962750?pwd=pEKjs oyHDiasmRSBDygjYggxO88E8A.1&jst=1 If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Roderic Terrell, APA, (404) 612-7965 or Email: roderic.terrell@fultoncountyga.gov. Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any and all applications and to waive technicalities.
You are hereby notified, in accordance with OCGA 40-11-19 (a) (2), that the above-referenced vehicles are subject to a lien and a petition may be filed in court to foreclose a lien for all amounts owed. If the lien is foreclosed, a court shall order the sale of the vehicle to satisfy the debt. The vehicle is currently located at 1314 Brookwood Avenue, Jackson, Georgia 30233. Anyone with an ownership interest in this vehicle should contact the following immediately: Southern Style Towing 1314 Brookwood Avenue Jackson, GA 30233 : 470-344-1634
Vehicle: 2005 Nissan Altima VIN:1N4BL11D55N482472
Vehicle: 2008 Nissan Armada VIN: 5N1BA08D68N627700
Vehicle: 2014 Ford Focus VIN: 1FADP3K23EL222203
Vehicle: 2000 Dodge Ram Van VIN: 2B7JB21Y0YK137254
Vehicle: 1997 Dodge Ram Van VIN: 2B7JB31Z7VK560875
Vehicle: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport VIN: 1FMYU60E33UC04791
Vehicle: 2015 Kia Soul VIN: KNDJN2A26F7147232
Vehicle: 2000 Honda Odyssey VIN: 2HKRL186XYH518886
Vehicle: 2015 Ford Fusion VIN: 3FA6P0D92FR144727
Vehicle: 2003 Pontiac Grand Am VIN: 1G2NW12E13C149463
Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai SONATA VIN: 5NPEB4AC9DH567817
Vehicle: 2019 Nissan Sentra VIN: 3N1AB7APXKY362836
Vehicle: 2006 Chrysler 300 VIN: 2C3KA53G16H383421
FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR RFP
RFP Solicitation for 25RFP 450816K-JAJ Flow Monitoring Services & I/I Program Management for theDepartment of Public Works will be accepted by the Fulton County Department of Purchasing & Contract Compliance online through the Web Grants System via BidNet Direct at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty on Wednesday, October 08, 2025. All Bids submitted must be received no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated due date.
Bids will be publicly read at 11:15 a.m. on the stated due date via Zoom. Please See link noted in the Solicitation Document of Section 1 Instructions.
Bid Bond: N/A
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) The County is looking for a comprehensive set of services including operations, preventative maintenance, repair services, and sewer system evaluation services (SSES) for the existing flow monitoring network in both the North and South Fulton service areas. The current network consists of 227 ADS Triton+ flow monitors (50 billing sites), 32 ADS ECHO depth monitors, and 25 RainAlert III rain gauges. All equipment and services for this project are critical in supporting the County’s ability to keep all people healthy by maintaining approximately 72,075 manholes and 2579 miles of sewer line pipe, including force mains, which flow either out of the County to other jurisdictions or to one of four of the County’s wastewater treatment plants: Big Creek, Camp Creek, Johns Creek Environmental Campus, or Little River. These monitors are also used for compliance with Intergovernmental Wastewater Service Agreements to bill interjurisdictional partners, as well as for modeling work the county uses for sewer capacity evaluations and capital planning.
General instructions, specifications and/or plans for this project can be downloaded Free of charge at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/Georgia/fultoncounty under “Bid Opportunities”.
A Pre-Bid Conference: will be held virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 11:00 A.M.,to provide proposer(s) with information regarding this project and to address any questions. Registration Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/0XkQk39STKCzJ6vc7XwlPQ Fee: N/A
Contract Term: The contract term is five (5) years with two (2) one-year renewals.
If you have any questions regarding this project please contact James Jones, MPA, APA, Email james.jones@ fultoncountyga.gov.
Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities.
