‘We care for the dead, but also for the living’
By DONNELL SUGGS
One of the things that makes Atlanta a sort of utopia for Black Americans is the number of Black-owned businesses within its borders. According to a recent report by the Pew Research Center, only three percent of American companies are owned and primarily operated by Black people. In comparison, just over 11 percent are owned by Asians, while Hispanics own eight percent of companies.
While Florida leads with the most Blackowned businesses, totaling 21,000 according to Pew, Georgia, with just under 17,000, has Atlanta, which is the city with the most Black-owned businesses in America.
The continued success of Black-owned businesses is vital to Atlanta’s lifeblood and reputation as one of the dwindling number of larger “Black cities” in the United States, alongside sister cities such as Chicago, Washington, D.C., Houston, and Philadelphia, respectively.
Murray Brothers Funeral Home, Inc., located in Southwest Atlanta off Cascade Road, is one of many family-owned Black businesses that began and continue to operate in Atlanta. Founded by Hubert Murray on Labor Day, September. 7, 1981, Murray Brothers is a name synonymous with Black business in Atlanta.
From Hubert to Kenneth to William and beyond
On a cool Tuesday morning in late October, inside the funeral home’s chapel, William Murray, Jr. and his youngest sister, Ayako Murray, stood on either side of their father and stared into the photographer’s camera.
“Hubert Murray used to walk around Booker T. Washington High School, telling people he was going to open up a funeral home,” Murray, Sr., the family’s master storyteller, said. “I believe he was inspired by our uncle, Norris Gunby.”
A photo of Hubert rests in a frame on a dresser in the hall of Murray Funeral Home.
Murray, Sr. recalled Gunby, originally from Lincolnton, Georgia, traveling the 130-plus miles to Atlanta to see family and
“I worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and 30 days
discuss the idea of opening a funeral home. When Murray family members, back in what Murray Sr. called their “ancestral home,” passed away, they all trekked back to Lincolnton for funerals.
“You had to go, there wasn’t no way out of it,” Murray, Sr, said.
Gunby owned several businesses in Lincolnton, one of which was the funeral home he eventually opened. Years later, the family would open Murray Brothers Funeral Home. Murray, Sr, and his family were living in Pennsylvania when he got the call to come home and help out on a family project.
“I worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and 30 days later on Labor Day, we opened Murray Brothers Funeral Home,” Murray, Sr. said.
The first Murray Brothers was located at 195 Senoia Rd. in Fairburn, and the second at 502 Pryor St., SW, in Atlanta. What began as a trip to buy additional furniture for the funeral home at an auction turned into an expansion. A local funeral home, J. Austin Dillion, had closed, and Hubert Murray ended up securing the building and everything in it.
“He met the owners, they came to an
See MURRAY on page 6
By LAURA NWOGU
Comcast Business hosted a cybersecurity social on Tuesday, inviting local residents and business partners to explore the cutting-edge security solutions the corporation offers, and providing an opportunity to network and connect with professionals. The event featured live demos of advanced protection tools, breakout sessions with expert insights, and a Q&A session that broke down the most significant risks people face on their computer networks.
Mike Thibodeaux, vice president of Comcast Business for the Big South Region, said events such as the social help them spread knowledge about safe technology practices.
“I believe the best way to help people is to give them the knowledge that they need. And whether they decide to do business with us or decide to do business with
somebody else, they’re prepared to protect their business,” Thibodeaux said. “If they’re prepared, they can protect their business and they can grow and continue and contribute to the community.”
Thibodeaux noted that the landscape of cybersecurity is constantly changing. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), business owners have had to balance the benefits of the technology
with the threats it poses to their operations. An expert insight on Comcast SecurityEdge, a security service for businesses that protects against threats like malware, phishing, and ransomware by blocking malicious websites and filtering content, revealed that companies face exponential threats every day.
According to a 2025 Cybersecurity Threat Report, Comcast
By DONNELL SUGGS
There is a new Ronald McDonald House set to open for families in December. Movein day is scheduled for Dec. 9 and 10. This will be the third location in metro Atlanta. There are two other Ronald McDonald House locations in Atlanta and Sandy Springs.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, The Atlanta Voice was given a tour of the new 110-room, five-story facility, which is located at 2580 Briarcliff Rd. The new facility has 92 guest rooms that are 350-square-feet each and 18 suites that are 655-square-feet. The increased capacity will help serve more families, according to Todd Myrick, the information technology program manager for Ronald McDonald House Atlanta.
For the families who check into Ronald McDonald House, there will be an appbased and tablet check-in process that was designed for a faster process. The facility is similar to a hotel in many ways, says Myrick. “We have a quasi-hotel/hotel/dorm room
set up here,” Myrick said.
The dining room looks to be able to seat dozens of people and is reminiscent of what diners can find on a cruise ship, for example. It’s a large space, and the facility has a chef-driven menu that is updated every day.
The dining room staff will include two executive chefs and two sous chefs.
There are three glassed-in reserve dining areas for families who need privacy as part of the Marcus Autism eating program.
The new Ronald McDonald House also has an arts and crafts room, game room, wellness activities room, and an indoor play area called the playscape. The five-story playscape has different designs on each of the floors. There is also an outdoor play area that has a covered rest area and a grilling area.
“We try to replicate the home environment for the families,” Myrick explained.
The facility is currently under construction and will have 55-60 staff members on site when it opens. Myrick said staffers are
Business analyzed 34.6 billion cybersecurity events, including 19.5 billion resource development events related to botnet activity; 9.7 billion drive-by compromise events attempting to install malware; 4.7 billion phishing events attempting to compromise credentials or deliver malware; and 44,000 distributed denial of service (DDos) attacks attempting to test or overwhelm defenses. The report offers actionable insights to help businesses strengthen their defenses, align cybersecurity with business risk, and reduce dwell time, which is the period a cyber threat remains undetected in a network after an initial breach.
“The big thing is understanding that on a day-to-day basis, your cybersecurity posture needs to evolve and make sure that you’re protected so your business can continue to run, and you’re compliant with any type of regulations out there… My best advice is,
speak to an expert, have a trusted advisor, have a consultant.”
Cybersecurity can be a daunting aspect for small businesses, particularly those that are new. However, for those on a tighter budget, Thibodeaux said they offer low-cost products, allowing them to protect their services without breaking the bank and compromising on security.
“That lets the business owners focus on doing what they do best — running the business. And so, as part of that, we do most of the cybersecurity work in the cloud. And there are devices that we put on site that actively monitor and protect their business. It is highly resilient, it keeps their business operational, and it outsources a lot of that type of work, and allows them to focus on their business, which is continuing to grow.”
To learn more about Comcast Business offerings and its cybersecurity solutions, visit https:// business.comcast.com/
scheduled to move in mid-November. The 3,000-square-foot community room can be split into two rooms in order to serve multiple parties or groups for meetings.
There are also multiple meeting spaces on the ground level of the $90-million project.
Ronald McDonald House Atlanta has $2.5 million remaining of its $90 million goal. For information about how to donate, visit the Ronald McDonald House website.
Myrick said most of the donations come from everyday people and in sums as small as $5, $10, and $20.
When asked what he likes the most about the new Ronald McDonald House, Myrick said there are too many things to single out just one.
“For me, the operational advances make it easier for us to help the families,” Myrick said.
iStock.com/anasuanes
By DR. FRANCES “TONI” DRAPER AFRO CEO and Publisher
When I was 7, I fell hard off my bicycle. My knees were scraped raw, and tears streamed down my face. An older family member looked at me and said, “Suck it up.” But sucking it up didn’t stop the bleeding. It didn’t ease the sting. What I needed was the right bandage and the right antibiotic ointment that my aunt quickly applied once she saw how badly I was hurt. Only then did the wound begin to heal.
Black women know this lesson all too well. For centuries, we have been told to “suck it up” or “tough it out” in ways no one else would accept:
• In slavery’s fields — forced to give birth while laboring, return to work within days, and nurse white children while our own went hungry.
• Through sexual violence — when our bodies were exploited to increase wealth for others, and our pain was ignored.
• In workplaces — where we are still paid less than both white men and Black men. In 2025 alone, more than 300,000 Black women lost jobs, erasing fragile economic gains.
• In hospitals — where our pain is minimized,
our symptoms overlooked, and our deaths too often accepted. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reportsthe maternal mortality rate for Black women was 50.3 per 100,000 births in 2023 — more than three times that of white women.
That history is why the words of the President of the United States sting so deeply. This week, he told pregnant women to stop taking Tylenol: “Don’t take Tylenol, don’t take it. Fight like hell not to take it… There’s no downside in not taking it.” He went further: “If you can’t tough it out, if you can’t do it, that’s what you’re gonna have to do. You’ll take a Tylenol, but it’ll be very sparingly … I think you shouldn’t take it.”
Pain doesn’t go away just because someone orders you to endure it. And when it comes to pregnancy, untreated fever and pain can be dangerous for both mother and baby. Doesn’t #47 have enough to do without interfering in a woman’s ability to make the best health decisions for her body in consultation with her physician?
The autism debate is complex, but here’s what matters: there is no conclusive evidence linking prudent acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently reaffirmed that
acetaminophen “plays an important — and safe — role” in pregnancy when used as directed and in consultation with an obstetrician.
The bottom line is clear: Black women — and all women — don’t need lectures about resilience. We need expanded access to maternal health care, fair wages, workplace protections for pregnant workers, and evidence-based guidance rooted in science, not slogans. We need leaders who recognize that untreated fever in pregnancy can be deadly, and who respect women enough to tell us the truth.
“Tough it out” has already cost Black women our health, our children, and our lives. We will not be silenced, and we will not be told again to simply suffer. We demand to be heard, respected, and cared for.
Because we are not fragile. We are not naïve. We are not anyone’s afterthought. We are women — fully capable of making our own decisions with our own doctors. And we are done being told to endure what no one else would accept. And for those who have a problem with that, “tough it out!”
Frances “Toni” Draper is the publisher of the AFRO-American Newspaper (the AFRO), with offices in Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
FOUNDED May 11, 1966
FOUNDER/EDITOR
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Immortalis Memoria
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Immortalis Memoria
The Atlanta Voice honors the life of J. Lowell Ware.
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James A. Washington 2018-2024
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By LAURA NWOGU
Part of Atlanta’s charm lies in its diverse food scene, from the rich culture to the bold flavors. The saying often goes that “Atlanta isn’t a real place,” and what makes it unique is the bustling array of dining and drinking spots on every corner of the city’s neighborhoods, catering to every palate. Lucky for locals and tourists alike, there’s never a shortage of places to visit, especially when new businesses are rolling in every month.
Here is a roundup of updates on your local favorites and recently opened restaurants.
Local Updates
Food Hall at Phipps- 3500 Peachtree Rd NE
The Food Hall at Phipps is in full swing, embracing its transition from Citizens Culinary Market to a locally owned small-business haven. Featuring Stackhouse Burgers & Shakes, Pizza Jeans, Mad Dad’s Philly’s, Wasabi Hibachi Sushi & Ramen, Deallo’s Seafood + Taco Co., Lokma Mediterranean Kitchen, Buckhead Bar, and Cultivate Coffee, the 25,000 square-foot food hall is bringing local flavors to Atlanta’s upscale business district.
“Once we went through the rebranding of Food Hall at Phipps, we turned around and we looked at the community, and we said, ‘OK, who is going to be in alignment with our brand? Who’s going to be the best
people to come in and really bring back the community?” said Britt Harrison, director of marketing at Phipps Plaza.
Chef Tony Sharpe is the owner of two restaurants in the hall, Stackhouse and Mad Dad’s Philly’s. A chef for over 25 years, the venture into entrepreneurship showed him the importance of betting on himself. He went from a ghost kitchen in Buckhead to four Mad Dad’s locations and opened the first Stackhouse location at the Food Hall at Phipps.
“Doing business for yourself, a lot of people don’t understand it. It takes a lot of hard work, takes great partnerships, and we’re looking forward to the future and growing our brand worldwide,” Sharpe said.
Chef Deallo Frazier, owner of the Cajun seafood restaurant Deallo’s, said, “It means a lot” that Phipps Plaza and Simon Property Group reached out to local businesses to make their new vision a reality.
“Local brands just know what the people want locally. When you bring people in from outside, like Citizens Market did, it just wasn’t working. And so when bringing in local business, we know how to cater to the local people.”
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.8 p.m.; Saturdays from noon-6 p.m.
Recently-opened restaurants
Lo Kee- 2 Interlock Ave. N.W. West Midtown has welcomed a new addition to its corridor of restaurants at The Interlock. Lo
Kee is an Asian-fusion restaurant with a Southern twist, melding both cultures to create a menu that brings both creativity and comfort. Think King Fu Fried chicken, oxtail spring rolls, and Shanghai spare ribs, accompanied by a variety of entrees, satay options, dim sum, and noodles/rice dishes. Those familiar with celebrity hot spot Sei Less in New York City might be familiar with the restaurateurs behind Lo Kee. Dara Mirjahangiry and Ivi Shano are bringing what has made their NYC restaurant a hit to Atlanta, with a flair that pays
homage to both cities.
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m.midnight; Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
Big Bad Breakfast- 1952 Howell Mill Rd., Suite 200
James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence has opened a new Big Bad Breakfast location in Buckhead, marking the breakfast spot’s first location in Atlanta. The restaurant is located in the former space of Cultivate, keeping the brunch vibes alive. Known for its
hearty, Southern classics, the New Orleans native has taken the “most important meal of the day” and fused it with flavors from his childhood and staples that have kept bellies full for years.
Guests can expect dishes such as fried oyster scramble, biscuits and gravy, fried chicken sandwiches, shrimp po-boys, flapjacks, and a variety of other breakfast/brunch classics and favorites.
Hours: Open Daily, 7 a.m.2:30 p.m..
Continued from page 2
agreement, and then he said, ‘Look what we got,’” Murray, Sr. said.
Today, William Murray, Sr., along with his children William Murray, Jr., Zenia Murray McCray, and Candis Mathis, continue to represent the family name in the bereavement and funeral services business. There’s only one location in Cascade, which was purchased in 1991, but the reach of Murray Brothers is citywide.
Murrays have always run the business; Hubert ran the business up until his passing in 1991. Kenneth Earl Murray, Sr., ran the business for 26 years, and Murray, Sr. ran the business for five years. Kenneth was featured in a May 1976 issue of Ebony magazine. On the cover were the gleaming domes of singer/songwriter Isaac Hayes and actor Telly Savalas. The story was titled, “The Shaved Head Syndrome: What’s It all About?” Murray wasn’t bald; he was a sought-after interior designer and was included in a list of “The 100 Most Influential Blacks.”
The company reorganized, and William Murray, Jr., was elected managing partner in November 2023. Along with his sister Zenia, they are the future of the business. Having grown up in the funeral home, the company would be passed down.
“I can always remember as a kid, I would say that I never wanted to work in a funeral home,” Zenia said.
Zenia’s fifth-grade teacher brought a copy of a homework assignment, “What are you going to be when you grow up?” to the funeral of her mother, with whom she shared a name, and showed it to her. The assignment said she would be a funeral director one day. Zenia laughed while retelling the story.
“I guess I lied,” she said.
Today, she is one of the funeral directors alongside Ron Jenkins.
“We can all agree on how blessed we are to have served the public all these years,” Jenkins, an unofficial member of the Murray family, the other funeral director, and the funeral home’s head embalmer, said.
A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, Jenkins, came to Atlanta to attend mortuary
school at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur. On his first ever visit to Murray Brothers, he would wind up helping bring boxes in off of a delivery truck.
Jenkins remembers Kenneth Earl Murray, Sr., asking him three questions, one of which was when he wanted to move into the living quarters at Murray Brothers. That was in 1986, and he has been at Murray Brothers ever since.
“He gave me a chance of a lifetime,” Jenkins said.
William Murray, Jr., Jenkins, and Zenia all shared stories of working with families. The common thread of all of the stories was the quality of service Murray Brothers is expected to deliver to families during one of the worst times. Zenia continues that tradition by opening a funeral home, McCray Family Funeral Service & Cremation, in Bankhead.
“It’s a hell of an accomplishment,” Murray, Jr. said.
Murray Brothers handled the funeral service for Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson, and the funeral for Bobby Brown’s sister, Elizabeth Brown. William, Jr. remembers watching the late Whitney Houston walk into the church and take to the pulpit to sing, “I Love the Lord.”
Having Houston sing at a service was something William Jr. said he would never
forget, but he remained professional.
“This position is a calling, so people look at you a certain way,” said William, Jr., who has been married to his wife Valarie for the past 28 years, said. “Murray Brothers is the standard, and we handle things in a professional manner.”
Towards the end of a recent interview with the family one afternoon, Murray, Sr., brought a plate of peppers, bean sprouts, and mustard greens from his garden to the table. A member of the Georgia Master Gardener Association, he learned how to garden by watching his late mother, Myrtice Murray. Murray, Sr., believes there’s power in providing nourishment from the earth.
“It’s important because they label anything, but if you grow it yourself, you will know what you’re eating,” he said. “With gardening, I am able to reach out and touch people. It’s good for your mind, soul, and spirit.”
Murray, Sr. said Murray Brothers has helped start gardens at local churches,
including Lindsey Street Baptist Church, Zion Hill Baptist Church, and Salem Bible Church. At Thanksgiving time, Murray, Sr. said he has been able to give back to the community that has helped make Murray Brothers a household name in Atlanta for many years. He gives back through the garden.
“On some instances, I have been able to give out two or three hundred bunches of collard greens for families at Thanksgiving,” he said, calling his efforts, “creating goodwill.”
Murray, Sr., handed the reporter a piece of mustard greens off the plate next and asked him to try it. “It’s spicy. You bite it twice, you’ll say it ain’t nothing, but bite it a third time and you’ll get to sweating.”
He took a tiny ghost pepper off the plate and waved it around.
“You’ll need to wash your hands if you touch that one,” he joked.
Explaining what the family business has done for the community for the past 44 years, Murray, Sr. simply said, “We care for the dead, but we also care for the living.”
By DONNELL SUGGS
Walking into Eugene Mosely’s apartment, there are so many pictures on the walls that it’s hard for a visitor not to allow them to grab their immediate attention. Pictures of his late parents, siblings, grandparents, nieces, nephews, and the people who he calls family, despite them not being a part of his bloodline.
“You are born with your blood family. You don’t have a choice. But I learned that there is another family that you can pick and choose,” Moseley said.
A self-described “talker,” Moseley makes friends everywhere he goes, and those connections have helped him throughout the many moves in his life, from his native Virginia to Colorado, California, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and finally to Georgia. Through all of these moves, which include a stint in the military, Mosely believes his steps have been ordained by God. He said the past decade-plus “has been totally spiritual”.
“My life has been so amazing,” Moseley, 68, said. “God has always had a plan for wherever I have been and where I will be next.”
This year marks the 71st anniversary of Veterans Day, which took place on Tuesday, Nov. 11. A week earlier, on a warm Thursday afternoon, a few days before the nation celebrated the men and women who protect this country, Mosley is wearing a new black U.S. Army Veteran cap. He hadn’t previously owned one, but proud of his eight-year career, he now routinely dons one of the two caps he has whenever he can.
“People always walk up to me and say thank you or say that they are in the military, too, whenever they see me in these hats,” Mosley said.
Yet another reason for Mosely to participate in the ancient art of conversation. Whether riding MARTA downtown or while taking walks around his apartment complex near Greenbriar Mall, Mosley says he’s kept an upbeat attitude since he was a kid. Born in Buckingham, Virginia, Mosely remembers growing up in the tiny community located 150 miles from Washington, D.C. His late mother, Rosa Mae Mosley, was a domestic worker who lived with the family she worked for during the week, so her children would see her on Friday afternoons and on weekends. That helped Mosely and his siblings grow closer because they were dependent on each other. The brood grew even closer when their father, Stephen Mosely, passed away in his thirties.
Today, Mosley, the youngest of 12 children that his parents had together, has just three living siblings: Lucille Morris, Dorothy Martin, and Rosa Kinny. Though he was close to all of his siblings, who included five brothers, he has vivid memories of his sister Mattie,
who passed away in her mid-30s from an aneurysm.
There is a photo of Mosley and Mattie above the white leather sectional in the living room. In the photo, Mosley is 17 years old and only a few weeks from leaving home for basic training and a new life as a soldier.
Mosley joined the military in 1975 and left in 1983. That service led to him receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, which he still utilizes today. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2020. What began as a routine check-up saved his life, he recalled. A doctor at the VA recommended more tests, and the cancer was found. His fits surgery to remove the prostate took place in September 2020. The cancer has not returned.
“And I’m still here,” says Mosley, a self-described spiritual person.
“On Veterans Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of all who have served and reaffirm our commitment to support them every day,” said Kai Mentzer, Director for the Atlanta VA Health Care System. “Veterans like Mr. Mosley show us that strength grows through resilience and healing. At the Atlanta VA Health Care System, we are committed partners in our patients’ journeys – providing care, connection, and unwavering support. We take pride in Atlanta’s vibrant community that supports Veterans year-round, demonstrating our city’s compassion, unity, and strength.”
During his military career, Mosley worked with the field artillery unit and as a dental specialist. He knows full well how much those jobs and that career helped shape his life. As a civilian, Moseley held jobs of all kinds. He smiles when recalling his career in hospitality and as a Greyhound bus driver.
During his interview with The Atlanta Voice, Mosley shared a story of his bus, full of sleeping passengers, nearly careening off a cliff in Pittsburgh one night. The bus stayed the course after a bit of a slippery ride, and once again Mosely chalked the entire experience up to God watching his back and ordering his steps.
“I don’t hear voices, I hear a voice. It’s the same voice I’ve heard since I was a child,” Moseley, now retired, said of the conversations he has with God.
A Bible rests on a table in the corner of the living room. A crystal angel blowing a horn stands sentry on the kitchen island.
A sports fan, Mosley attends Atlanta United matches and Atlanta Hawks games. He said he enjoys being around people and in the middle of the action. A week earlier, he attended a jazz concert at City Winery.
Music is a kind of therapy, he says. In his living room, there is a laminated collection of photos of Patti LaBelle on a tabletop, and a Nelly t-shirt draped over a chair. On another chair was a Kane Brown concert t-shirt. Mosley admitted that he didn’t attend the Brown concert, but enjoys all types of music.
“It’s my peace,” he says of music. “Music is where I go for serenity.”
Mosley also loves plants and has them inside the apartment and outside on his patio. There is life all around him, and one of his mottos is that we all have three things in common: Life, death, and living.
“What you do with your life and how you choose to live is up to you,” he said. “I used to think that I was afraid of dying, I just didn’t understand that God has a plan for wherever I will be.”
Living in his one-bedroom apartment, with his plants, which were brought inside off the balcony because of the weather conditions, Mosley says he’s happy and fulfilled.
“I have everything I could imagine I would ever have,” he said.
By NOAH WASHINGTON
This week, the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) is showcasing the good, the bad, and the beautiful of one of the most recognizable, and misunderstood garments in modern culture. The Hoodie: Identity. Power. Protest. opening Thursday, Oct. 30, explores how a simple sweatshirt has come to embody questions of power, perception, and social identity across generations and geographies.
The hoodie is an item found in nearly every closet, yet it carries vastly different meanings depending on who wears it and where.
“What does it mean to wear a hoodie? Who am I when I wear a hoodie? Who is anybody else when they wear a hoodie?” asked MODA Executive Director and Co-Curator Laura Flusche, Ph.D. “And who gets to decide what a hoodie means at any given moment?”
Originally presented in 2019 at the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam,
explained. “We thought it was incredibly interesting, incredibly applicable to Atlanta. They invited us to take the theme and re-curate it to reflect what’s happening in Atlanta and the Southeast.”
The Atlanta edition grounds the global story of the hoodie in Southern culture, connecting fashion, hip-hop, and protest.
“We were trying to figure out how to situate the South in the conversation about the hoodie,” said Bradley. “My areas of research are Southern hip-hop, so I was like, well, Southern hip-hop, duh. That gave me a deep dive into which artists really use the hoodie to symbolize something unique, something special.”
The Hoodie has been re-curated for Atlanta by Flusche and Dr. Regina N. Bradley, associate professor of English and African Diaspora Studies at Kennesaw State University.
“We saw that the Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam had put up an exhibition called The Hoodie,” Flusche
Inside the galleries, visitors will find more than 50 hoodies displayed as both design objects and cultural artifacts. International brands such as Off-White by Virgil Abloh, Nike, Supreme, and GAP appear alongside Atlanta-based designers, including Atlanta Influences Everything, Brain Love, Kultured Misfits, Eastside Golf, and Grady Baby Company.
Flusche said the local selection was intentional: “We started looking at what the streetwear brands in Atlanta are doing, who’s reclaiming some piece of Atlanta culture and using the hoodie as a vehicle for doing that,” she said. “That’s what informed how we reached out and figured out who we wanted.”
For co-curator Bradley, one of the highlights was celebrating Atlanta’s homegrown creativity. “We wanted to make sure that we highlighted at least some of the incredible creatives and entrepreneurs in Atlanta,” she said. “We went down a rabbit hole, asking, who’s creating in Atlanta? Who has hoodies we can use for the exhibit?”
Bradley also designed the Southern Hip-Hop and Superhero walls, where cultural icons like T.I., Jeezy, and Kriss Kross share space with comic-book figures such as Spider-Man, Luke Cage, and Angela Abar from Watchmen. “I’m just a comic book nerd,” she laughed. “We wanted to get the most iconic ones we could find, especially in recent memory, and represent them here.”
Graphic designer Hannah Shannon, who led the exhibition’s layout
and visual presentation, said bringing The Hoodie to life was one of her favorite projects with MODA. With nearly a decade of experience in exhibition and graphic design, Shannon crafted the show’s panels, posters, and large-scale window graphics to match the curatorial vision. “All I had seen were the panels and the text,” she said. “So walking in and seeing everything installed, the objects, the colors, the scale, it looked even better than I imagined.”
For Bem Joiner, co-founder of Atlanta Influences Everything, one of the featured brands, the exhibit marks a milestone for the city’s creative identity. “The fact that our hoodie would make it into a museum based on design, that’s a statement,” he said. “This started from a rant about Atlanta not being respected, and years
later, it’s resonating large enough that MODA would say, ‘We want to place it on the wall.’ It feels good to be seen.”
Joiner said the moment is bigger than fashion, it’s about connection. “We believe that Atlanta, the letters ATL, have agency,” he said. “Atlanta Influences Everything is the ideology of that agency. We’re hoping that folks come and not only see our stuff but also other local brands too. It’s amazing that a museum brought us all together.”
For Bradley, seeing that connection come to life has been deeply meaningful. “I just wanted to do something different and unique,” she said. “Kind of stretches my abilities and what I have and haven’t done, and this is the result. I’m just so very pleased with how it came out.”
SPONSORED BY JPMORGANCHASE
Whether you’ve just started your journey to financial health or have years of experience, you’ve probably heard how investing can play an important role in your overall finances. But you may be wondering how to approach creating your investment strategy and which investments should be a part of it.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to investing. Your investment choices should align with your unique financial goals, both in the short term and long term.
Here, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management Regional Director Mark Adams shares four key tips for building your investment strategy and how to get started:
Know your goals, timeline and risk tolerance
Before you get started on your investing journey, it’s important to understand what you hope to achieve with your wealth. Think about your objectives in both the short and long term. For example, maybe you want to go on a big vacation with your family next year, and you’re also saving for your
children’s future college costs and your eventual retirement.
You should also think about your investing timeline, or when you need that money for your various goals. Your portfolio allocation should depend on the amount of time you plan to keep that money invested.
Remember, investing involves risk. You should ask yourself how much risk you’re comfortable taking on. How would you react if your portfolio saw a large decline? Would you be able to stomach this in the short term?
Everyone’s financial situation is unique. These factors will look different from person to person, and they’re important to consider as you create your personal investment strategy.
Have a plan
Once you’ve outlined your goals, you should figure out how you want to get there. Having a plan is key – and it’s proven to help improve outcomes. J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s latest 2025 Investor Study found that a whopping 90% of respondents who have a plan for their financial goals feel confident they’re on track to meet them, compared to 49% of respondents who don’t have a plan in place.
A plan can provide a roadmap to help guide you throughout your financial journey. It can also help keep you on track along the way. That said, life is full of changes. It’s common for people’s priorities to evolve over time. Investors should regularly check in on their plan and adjust it as needed.
If you aren’t sure how to get started, there are professionals out there who can help. You may want to partner with a financial advisor, who
can sit down with you to map out your goals and build a customized plan that is unique to your situation. An advisor can also regularly check in on your plan with you to see how you’re tracking towards your goals.
You may have heard the saying, “don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.” This should apply with your investments, too. For example, concentrating all your investments in a single stock means that your entire portfolio is tied to the performance of that one company.
Diversification can help even out your portfolio’s returns during periods of volatility. Investors should also consider diversifying by asset class (for example, just stocks). Instead, it’s generally a good practice to spread your investments across different types of securities with different levels of risk.
Investing is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s important to maintain a long-term view with your investments. Remember, it’s about time in the market, not timing the market. The amount of time you are invested in the market is one of the most important factors in growing your wealth.
Markets go up and down. During times of volatility, investors should avoid making an impulse reaction and stay focused on their long-term strategy. Over the last 20 years, seven of the 10 best days occurred within 15 days of the 10 worst days. Don’t let emotions derail your plan.
The bottom line
Money is personal, and your investment approach should be, too. When you’re ready to get started, consider these tips as you map out your long-term financial strategy. And if you’re looking for more resources to help you in your investing journey, check out our library of free educational content at chase.com/theknow.
The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.
Investing involves market risk, including possible loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be achieved. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Diversification and asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.
J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC.
By LAURA NWOGU
After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, advocate Daphne Meyers decided to elevate her mission of creating safe spaces and encouraging early detection by launching EmpowHer and Him. The organization aims to empower those who have been diagnosed and increase the visibility of men in the breast cancer conversation.
The Atlanta Voice spoke with Meyers about the organization’s annual brunch, the importance of early detection, and what it means to be on the frontline of this fight.
The Atlanta Voice: EmpowHER and HIM recently held its annual breast cancer awareness brunch. What’s been the most important part of getting to see how much this organization and the people who support it have grown?
Daphne Myers: “When we started, it was called the Tatas and Tutus. I was an advocate for breast cancer, but had never really thought much about the men. It wasn’t until the second year that I was like, ‘Well, men can get breast cancer, so why am I not getting men to come to this event?’ The first year, none. In the second year, we probably had four, and one of them was my son. So I said, ‘Okay, I’m getting interest. Men are buying the tickets, but they’re sending their wives or sisters or daughters; they’re not coming.’
“I changed the name in the third year to Tatas, Tutus and Ties. The most rewarding aspect of that is seeing how it has grown from year one to year five. We probably had at least 60 men this year, and that’s grown from having none, to a year of four, and then maybe double that the following year. And so now it seems as if we have just as many men in there.”
AV: “I love that. Let’s go back a little. EmpowHer and Him is about uplifting every fighter, men and women, going through this battle. Can you talk about how the organization began?
DM: “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Based on my diagnosis, I thought, ‘I’ve always been an advocate, so where do I go from here to raise more awareness among men and women?’ Being diagnosed with breast cancer, you’re all over the place. First, you have to accept
it, and then second, you have to figure out how to navigate. You’ve got to decide whether to do treatment or not, and how it’s going to affect your livelihood. So the questions that were in my mind as someone with breast cancer at that particular time prompted me to say, ‘You know what? If I had those questions, there are millions of other people who have those same questions. And if I have the answer to it, then I need to open up my mouth and be able to give the gift of awareness.
“This is bigger than me. It’s bigger than the Tatas, Tutus, and Ties. It’s about bringing about awareness, not just for women, but also for men. In the past year, I found myself doing a lot of speaking engagements, and a lot of men, just like women, don’t know about breast cancer. That’s where EmpowHER and HIM came about. I had to use
this mouthpiece to bring about awareness so that people know that early detection is key. If I tell one person, then that person tells someone else; it becomes a domino effect. Your work is not done, but it keepsgoing.”
AV: I think that’s so admirable that your fight became perspective, and it became this thing about you wanting to lend a helping hand and be a support system for other people who may be going through their own breast cancer journey or fight. When it comes to the aspect of men being diagnosed with breast cancer, why do you think there’s not a lot of visibility in their fight?
DM: “There’s no talk about it. Even from the medical profession, there’s not a lot of talk about it. I did an interview, probably about two or three weeks ago, and I was talking to this man about breast cancer, and he said, ‘Yeah, you
don’t think about men with breast cancer.’ I said, ‘But you have a chest.’ He says, ‘OK, well, let’s maybe say breast and chest cancer.’
“People don’t understand that they have breast tissue; this is our breastplate. It’s not just prostate [cancer], and it’s not just colon. We have to come together and understand that yeah, it may be a small percentage, but it is there. When you see the Susan G. Komen’s or the American Cancer Society, you see women, and the men are in the background. With EmpowHer and Him, we’re both standing there side by side. So that’s why the ribbon is half pink and half blue. It’s about making it more relatable to them. Men don’t know that they can get a mammogram. When you go to fill out your paperwork, it says, when was your last period? How many pregnancies? You’re putting on this pink robe to get your mammogram,
all of that. Our medical society doesn’t even pay attention to it as much as we should.”
AV: What do you think there needs to be more awareness about when it comes to breast cancer?
DM: “Early detection. That’s the key to anything. I know it sounds cliché-ish, but we have to start with checking our breasts and our chest at an early age, and especially if you have a history of it in your family. Because I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it kind of moves the scale up for my children to be checked.
“People of color, our breast tissue is more dense, so it goes undetected. On a regular mammogram mine was missed the first time. It wasn’t until I got the 3D that detected my breast cancer. Had I gone on and thought it was clear, I may not have been sitting here talking to you today.”
By DONNELL SUGGS
Through nine games last season the Falcons were 6-3, in first place in the NFC South, and holding all of the cards after sweeping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This season, not so much.
The Atlanta Falcons will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday to play the Carolina Panthers. This will be the second time the rivals will play this season, and a loss for Atlanta will virtually end the 2025 season.
Atlanta is now 3-6, after a 31-25 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Berlin, Germany. It was the first time an NFL game was played in Berlin. However, it wasn’t the first time the Falcons lost a close game this season. Sunday’s loss to the Colts was the third loss by six or less points this season. If you count the 10-point loss to the San Francisco 49ers on the road on Oct. 19, that’s four losses by 10 points or less.
Stats aside, a loss is a loss and the Atlanta Falcons have a lot of them.
Five NFC teams already have six wins, and
another four teams have four wins on their records. A wildcard berth is most likely out of the picture, so winning the NFC South title might have to be the only way to end the current seven-year playoff drought. The Tampa
Bay Buccaneers, whom the Falcons lost to in Week 1, 23-20, are currently in first place. The Carolina Panthers are in second place.
Losing 30-0 at Carolina during week three, possibly the worst Falcons loss in
several seasons, has to be avenged with a victory at home on Sunday. Atlanta is 2-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season. The victories are over the Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills, two teams that will most likely participate in the postseason.
This season’s struggles can’t be blamed on the defense. The Falcons have one of the topranked overall defenses in the NFL. On Sunday in Berlin, the Falcons left the field with seven sacks. That’s the most they have had in a single game since a late-season victory over the Arizona Cardinals in 2018.
Atlanta leads the league in pass defense, allowing an average of just 158.1 yards per game. For example, Josh Allen, the reigning NFL MVP, passed for just 180 yards and two interceptions during the Falcons’ 24-14 victory on Monday, Oct. 13.
The Falcons are also among the top 10 teams in third-downs allowed and first-downs allowed. But none of that is going to matter if they don’t start winning in a more consistent fashion. Atlanta has now lost their last four games.
By DONNELL SUGGS
The Atlanta Braves named former bench coach Walt Weiss as its new manager. Former manager Brian Snitker announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 season, and the Braves didn’t go far to find his replacement.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Braves held a press conference to formally introduce Weiss as its next manager. The upstate New York native, walked into the press conference room in the bowels of Truist Park and was immediately given a Braves jersey and cap. Weiss would once again wear his old uniform number.
“There is a lot of responsibility here, but I embrace it,” Weiss said about being the manager of one of Major League Baseball’s most popular and successful franchises.
In the front two rows were Weiss’s family, which includes four sons, and Braves star and Baseball Hall of Famer Chipper Jones, former manager Brian Snitker, and current Braves starters Drake Baldwin and Jurickson Profar.
Weiss thanked Snitker several times during the press conference, saying Snitker and former Braves manager Bobby Cox brought him back to Atlanta and that had helped make this new opportunity possible.
“The standards are high, the expectations are high, and that’s a good thing,” said Weiss, who turns 62 on November 28. “We can hit the ground running.”
Braves General Manager and President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopolous sat next to Weiss during the press conference. Anthopolous was asked about the hiring process several times by members of the media.
Anthopolous, 48, didn’t reveal the exact process, but said he had his mind made up by Sunday, a day before the announcement was made via the Braves social media feeds.
“Obviously, this has been a long process for us,” Anthopolous said. “This was important for us to get it right.”
Weiss has spent eight years on the Braves bench and will be seen as a safe hire for the franchise. The fact that Weiss has a losing record asd a manager might be seen as a gamble, but the former Major League shortstop said he understands what he is getting into.
“I understand the impact of this Braves brand,” Weiss said. “The fact is that I’ve been here, and that has been established, so I think we can hit the ground running.”
This will be Weiss’ second stint as a major league manager. He managed the Colorado Rockies, one of his clubs, from 2013-2016. During those four years, the Rockies were under .500 for all four seasons. Weiss’ career record is 283-365. The Braves team that he will manage when spring training begins in early 2026 is much better than the teams he managed in Colorado. The expectations for the Braves will be high after missing the postseason in 2025.
Weiss will be the 39th manager in franchise history, and he credited his time in Colorado for the lessons he learned as a manager.
Weiss, the 1988 American League Rookie of the Year with the Oakland A’s, spent 14 years as a shortstop in the majors. His final three seasons, 1998, 1999, and 2000, were spent with the Braves. That span includes his only MLB All-Star Game appearance in
By DENNIS MALCOLM
ByRON AKA ALE SHARPTON
In the highly competitive midsize SUV market, Nissan successfully makes a grand entrance with the all-new 2025 Murano with an all-new . Reviewing the Platinum AWD trim, I was impressed with the upgrades in style, comfort, technology, cabin space, and overall craftsmanship representing this vehicle’s fourth generation.
The eyes are met with an exterior makeover, boasting Nissan’s “Energetic Elegance” design theme. This includes the sweeping roofline, curvaceous body, and futuristic LED headlights arranged seamlessly with the V-motion grille. The two-tone premium paint, 21-inch alloy wheels, and exterior ground lighting further steps up Murano’s game.
Under the hood, the Murano is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC 16-valve engine, pumping out 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a newly appointed 9-speed automatic transmission—bye, bye CVT— and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, it delivers a smoother drive while gears shift. The AWD appointment adds more maneuverability, while the Drive Mode Selector boosts confidence to take on virtually any road conditions.
Inside, the Murano Platinum gets a thumbs up with semi-aniline leather-appointed seats featuring heating, ventilation, and massage functions—a welcomed rarity in this car segment. Nissan gives the pilot even more love with the power tilt-and-telescoping heated leather-wrapped steering wheel; dual-zone automatic climate control; and customizable 64-color ambient lighting to set whatever mood is desired. The panoramic moonroof is perfect for stargazing, and hands-free power liftgate brings convenience especially when hands are loaded with groceries or baggage. The rear sunshades
and heated rear seats make passengers feel pampered as well.
Tech is evidently a major focus. Nissan’s latest tech suite shines through the 12.3-inch color touchscreen with Google built-in; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity; and the highly lauded NissanConnect Services. Ears get treated with the BOSE audio system’s premium sound. Minds are at ease as well with numerous safety features including advanced driver-assistance systems like ProPILOT Assist 1.1, intelligent cruise control; traffic sign recognition; automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; and an enhanced intelligent around view monitor. The ”invisible hood view” was a standout feature that wowed me, which provid ed a clear look at what was directly under and in front of the vehicle to avoid any hazards that could require road assistance.
Starting at $49,600, the Platinum trim takes the Murano to the highest lev el, and I was all for it. Nis san definitely shines with this reintroduction, and the accolades will be heard to any owner who consid ers driving one off the lot.
Fuel Economy: 21 city/27 highway/23 combined
Price: The 2025 Nis san Murano Platinum AWD starts at $49,600 and $54,450 as reviewed with the two-tone paint, lighting enhancements and other upgrades.
For more information, visit Nissan.com.
Spacious 1-Bedroom Affordable! Rent Based on Annual Income Amenities, Great Location, and Convenient to Marta Please call for detailed information (404) 586-9098
FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR RFP
RFP solicitation for 25RFP1501517B-RT Hope To Home Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program for the Department of Information Technology will be accepted online through BidNet Direct on Tuesday, December 09, 2025. All applications 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”) is seeking nonprofit organizations that have experience administering the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program (TBRA) or a similar program. Through the issuance of this Request for Proposal (“RFP” and/or “Proposals”), the County is soliciting Proposals from qualified Proposers for the administration of TBRA programs aimed at providing rental assistance to eligible household with low to moderate incomes, specifically those at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
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 one (1) year renewal option
Pre-Proposal Conference: will be held virtually online via a Zoom Conference on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. to provide proponents with information regarding this project and to address any questions. Join Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96711643904?pwd=XmMJpsXQotiYmlZJNR2rq7OyDvOCKB.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.
FULTON COUNTY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Sealed Bids for 25ITB1484401B-PS E-Rate Eligible Internet Access & WAN Connectivity for will be accepted for the Fulton County Library, online through the Web Grants System via BidNet Direct at https://www.bidnetdirect. com/georgia/fultoncountyga.gov. Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. All Bids submitted must be received electronically no later than 11:00 a.m. local (Eastern) time on the stated due date.
Scope of Work: Fulton County, Georgia (“County”) The Fulton County Public Library System (FCLS) is soliciting bids from qualified telecommunications service providers to supply broadband Internet access and wide area network (WAN) connectivity between primary and secondary data centers and a number of individual public libraries located within the metropolitan Atlanta Georgia area.
General instructions, specifications and supporting documents for this project can be downloaded through BidNet Direct free of charge at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/georgia/fultoncounty.
Fee: N/A
Bid Bond: N/A
Pre-Bid Conference: will be held via a zoom conference on, Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 10:00 A.M., to provide bidders with information regarding solicitation: Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/96332986415
Meeting ID: 963 3298 6415
One tap mobile
+14703812552,,96332986415# US (Atlanta) +14702509358,,96332986415# US (Atlanta)
If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Phyllis Stewart, APA, MBA, CPPB at (404) 612-4215 or email Phyllis.Stewart@ fultoncountyga.gov.
Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities.