UPW - Urban Pro Weekly

UPW 51 Years Later The 1970 Augusta Riots Revisited

MAY 13 - 26, 2021 VOL. 9 NO. 18

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

“The Committee of Ten”

by Grady Abrams

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

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C

Movers & Shakers

al organizations within his community such as the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Greater Augusta Black Chamber

H R I S T O P H E R MULLIENS, founder of the Freddie Mae Foundation, has been appointed to serve as president of the Board of Trustees for the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System.

of Commerce, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, Michael R. Moore Lodge #764, and Candidates For Change (C4C).

He is a graduate of Florida A&M University, where he obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in Political Science. He also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University. Christopher’s educational background developed his enterprising spirit as he founded and is the Executive Director of Freddie Mae Foundation Inc., a solution focused 501(c)(3) entity that confronts homelessness, hunger, drug, alcohol rehabilitation amongst men and mentoring the youth in the community.

Growing up in a single parent home with his mother and two siblings in the “murder capital” of Florida for much of his childhood, Christopher Mulliens witnessed firsthand the devastating effects that high unemployment rates, low pay, and low high school graduation rates can have on a community. Mr. Mulliens was blessed to have his grandmother, Freddie Mae, who showered him with love and was determined to keep him on the path to success. She taught him the principles of hard work, determination, and community service. Not only was she committed to his success, but the success of everyone she met. Freddie Mae was not a wealthy woman, but she was known to give food off her table and the clothes off her back.

This demonstrates why the foundation was developed and named after such a phenomenal woman.

Christopher positioned himself in areas of life that would expose him to greater opportunities and greater rewards.

Mentorship and community outreach has always been a high priority in Christopher Mulliens’ life. He first started mentoring while he was a sophomore at Florida A&M University. Although his loving mother and grandmother taught him about the joys of community service, Mr. Mulliens dove head first to serving the community while on his first tour in Germany in the US Army by helping to raise over 240 lbs of clothes as well as school supplies to the local German orphanage.

Mr. Mulliens is a veteran of the United States Army. He is also a part of sever-

UPW

PUBLISHER Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co +1 (706) 751-2537

URBAN PRO WEEKLY SALES & MARKETING

http://www.growingaugusta.co/upw +1 (762) 233-5299

CONTRIBUTORS K.L Gordon, Denise Tucker Kimberley Beasley, Ronic West Rickey Jones [editing] Layout/Design by urbanpromedia

Struggling households to get affordable internet

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assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline; *Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year; *Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; *Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or *Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.

Various broadband providers, including those offering landline and wireless broadband, are participating in the Emergency Broadband Benefit.

UrbanProWeekly - MAY 13 - 26, 2021

On May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

The program will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households.

Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

In order to be eligible a household must meet one of the criteria below: *Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain

Augusta Black Restaurant Week 2021 soul food : plant-based : dessert : tapas : brunch : international cuisine The Inaugural Augusta Black Restaurant Week: July 20-25, 2021, celebrates AfricanAmerican-owned restaurants and eateries and the role they play in socioeconomic progress.

Participating restaurants develop offers individually - whether a signature menu item, discount, or an unexpected celeb photobomb. Like the cuisine, each restaurant experience is unique.

All Greater Augusta restaurants were severely impacted

by Covid-19, but many Blackowned businesses were overlooked in relief funding initiatives. Participating restaurants, listed below, craft their offers separately - whether a menu item, or a discount, or an unexpected selfie photobomb. Like the food, each restaurant experience is unique and special.

All are encouraged to patron-

ize these businesses well beyond this special promotion.

All restaurants are in Richmond County, Augusta, Georgia, unless otherwise indicated.

Participating restaurants below: Alexander’s Great BBQ * The Brunch House of Augusta * Big Mama’s Soul Food * Broad Street Bullies * The Buttercup Bake Shop (Columbia) * Café 209 * Chef Redd BBQ * Deshawn’s Seafood (Aiken) * HolyShakes! * Humanitree House * Jackie M’s and Son * Maryland’s Fried Chicken * Sweet Savour Desserts More more info, or to have your restaurant participate, message growingaugusta@gmail.com or text RESTAUR ANTWEEK to (706) 528-6855

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Girl Scouts launch the Becoming Me Program A SPECIAL COLLABORATION WITH PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AND FORMER FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES MICHELLE OBAMA Girl Scouts of the USA is excited to announce the Becoming Me program, a special collaboration with Penguin Random House and Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama The program follows the recent publication of Mrs. Obama’s book, Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, and offers a unique opportunity for Girl Scouts to embark on their journeys to become their best selves. The program, which includes a virtual event with Mrs. Obama, will also walk girls through earning three badges at each Girl Scout level.

“Mrs. Obama is a cultural leader and a champion for girls and women,” said GSUSA Interim CEO Judith Batty. “Her journey described in Becoming closely aligns with our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character. It is a story of sharing joys and triumphs, as well as the bumps and bruises along the way. Our Becoming Me program will challenge participants to look inside

themselves to define who they are and who they want to become, just as Mrs. Obama does in Becoming.”

“I am so pleased to be working with Girl Scouts of the USA on the Becoming Me program,” says Mrs. Obama. “It is a joy and privilege to support young girls along their journeys of becoming, working together to unlock the unique and profound power that lies within each of our own stories.”

Girl Scouts’ Becoming Me program will be available at no cost to any interested Girl Scout enrolled for the 2021–22 membership year. Drawing on Girl Scouts’ programming— which includes over 300 skill-building badges—we’re thrilled to release the curated Becoming Me program series, built on 18 badges that explore key themes in Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers.

The Becoming Me program will launch in early May 2021. Learn more by visiting girlscouts.org/BecomingMe.

The family of the late Robert “Flash” Gordon needs the community’s help Robert “Flash” Gordon and The World Famous Pyramid Music & More have been a beacon of Black excellence, entrepreneurship, and service to the Augusta community for more than 40 years. Now, the Gordon family needs our help. Flash passed on in early March, and what should be a celebration of his life has become a nightmare for his wife and daughters. Third youngest daughter Mona Gordon has started a fund-raising campaign. She explains why “My (family has) been put through the ringer. Countless things have happened ..... It’s like we’re living in the Twilight Zone,” Mona stated.

She asserts that, while under his elder daughter’s (from a previous relationship) care, Flash made significant changes to their long-standing family and business financial portfolio, all while suffering from Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, and more recent-

ly, prostate cancer. The enormous and unexpected debt has been overwhelming.

“The day after I did the Channel 6 interview, his checking account, that my mother was authorized to use, was frozen. All of the transactions we made were reversed. That’s

why we initially decided to do a Go Fund Me. We’re going to have to pay about $3,225, plus returned check fees because the debits were disputed by his eldest daughters.

I’m not one to put me or my family’s business out in the street; however... the fact of the matter is this, we’re drowning. And this is our last resort, until everything is settled in court.

We’re trying to catch up on everything.

We appreciate whatever y’all can give.

We’re planning a private memorial and hope to celebrate his life with a tribute with the community soon,” Family. UPW family. Augusta family.

Music family... the time is now. Stand up and show up for the Gordon family.

This family needs peace. You can help.

Donate at https://gofund.me/ ca0fa96b. Use the CONTACT button on the campaign page to reach Mona directly.

Jessye Norman School of the Arts and GPB Podcast “Shots in the Back” Wins Edward R. Murrow Award viewed several firsthand witnesses and local experts to help produce the series.

“We are so proud of Sea Stachura and the students,” says JNSA Executive Director Gary Dennis.

“We’re also grateful to every member of the community who contributed to this project. The riot is an important part of this community’s history, and we are excited to help keep this story alive.”

The series was one of the first major podcast projects produced

by JNSA’s high school and middle school students. When the podcast series was first released on GPB’s website, it quickly became the number 1 podcast on the website with over 300,000 downloads.

The Edward R. Murrow Award is one of the most prestigious awards in broadcasting and journalism and is given by the Radio Television and

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The podcast series “Shots in the Back: Exhuming the 1970 Augusta Riot,” produced by the Jessye Norman School of the Arts and Georgia Public Broadcasting, has been announced as a Regional winner of the 2021 Edward R. Murrow Journalism Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Led by the school’s podcast instructor, Sea Stachura, the project featured student voices and conversations about the historic riot and its resonance in their lives.

The podcast follows the series of events that led to the first major Civil Rights Era riot in the South, all of which began with the brutal murder of Charles Oatman, a developmentally disabled African American teenager in the county jail. Police killed six Black men the night of the uprising. All of them were shot in the back. Podcast students inter-

JNSA podcasting class Photo by Sea Stachura Digital News Association.

More information about the podcast can be found at https:// w w w.gpb.org /podcasts/shots-inthe-back exhuming-the-1970-au-

gusta-riot. You can download the podcast at https://podcasts.apple. com/us/podcast/ shots-in-theback-exhuming-the-1970-augustariot/id1518652796.

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JUSTICEWATCH

. . . a day in the timeline of Nefertiti On May 11, 2021, the THE 1970 AUGUSTA RIOT OBSERVANCE COMMITTEE observed the 51st anniversary of the uprising by dedicating a historical marker at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building. Nefertiti Robinson served on the Committee, and took to social media to share her thoughts throughout the day.

08:45 I haven’t been “here”, but know that the work is continuing.

On this date 51 years ago, at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building and all over downtown, we said “NOT TODAY”. And we say it again in our new exhibit in the City Gallery located in the very same Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building. And we say it officially at our in person marker dedication, once again on location at the AugustaRichmond County Municipal Building.

Please share me and my dear friend and colleague Prof John Hayes’s work “Black Resistance from Augusta to BLM”. https://www.aaihs.org/ black-resistance-from-augusta-to-blm/ Also......

“Published by the African American Intellectual Historical Society”......

I can get used to that right there GLORY AND PRAISE BE TO THE MOST HIGH. #REMEMBERCHARLESOATMAN #REMEMBERTHEAUGUSTASIX #BlackHistoryisAmericanHistory #acknowledge #vindicate #BuildMoreMemorials #revolution #ThereAreBlackPeopleintheFuture #ThereAreBlackPeopleintheFutureofAugustaGA because #ThePeopleResisted #BLACKLIVESMATTER

13:12 Pleeeeeaaaaasssseeee don’t overlook that we referred to the Augusta Chronicle as “the city’s white newspaper” in our Black Perspectives piece.

Said it with our WHOLE chest. And we said what we said.

Please note that there were NO BLACK REPORTERS working at any major media outlets in Augusta, GA (not because there were no talented Black journalists..... not because we weren’t trying..... BECAUSE AUGUSTA WAS STILL ON JIM CROW 50 YEARS AGO, EVEN AFTER THE MAJOR LEGISLATION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT PEOPLE LOVE TO CREDIT AS THE END OF RACISM IN AMERICA) before 1971 (and one could argue that it happened then largely because of the strong activism and power of the Black uprising the year before, as several major progressive moves in the city occurred afterwards as a DIRECT result).

So yes, the Augusta Chronicle, whose tag line is ‘The South’s Oldest Newspaper’, needs to be read critically and directly criticized and confronted for their role in the oppression and suppression of Black Americans, our experiences, our voices, and the truth in general. If you know someone that works there, tag them. I would love to tell someone directly as SEVERAL of us already have, and I’m tired of that SAME TIRED NARRATIVE they print every year on this day. I’m with the Schitts. TAG THEM Then go follow Urban Pro Weekly and go follow Makin A Difference, read their work, support them in tangible ways. Keep local Black journalism going strong!

13:38 TRIGGER WARNING️: police brutality, abuse of a child On this date 51 years ago, the largest Black uprising in the Deep South during the Civil Rights era occurred here in my city.

Please take time out today to view and share this commemorative virtual walking tour that me and my colleagues organized, and join us to reflect on our history and to remember the names of those who were murdered by the state.

I think I spent like 80 hours working solely on the walking tour that week last year (I still worked 40 hours at my job, so I legit don’t know when I slept that week. I know my family that lives with me barely saw me lol) Totally worth it, very very fulfilling exhaustion.

I pray my God is please with and my ancestors proud of my labors, and I hope as many people as possible are able to learn about this important history for generations to come

13:58 Standing with some of my favorite humans, who I endearingly refer to as ‘da homies’.

At first, I didn’t think I was emotionally tough enough to do this work (let’s be clear, I’M NOT. I cried in the exhibit TWICE). I almost bowed out entirely early on.

I’m so grateful I didn’t, for several reasons, but one of them being that it’s so rare to make so many deep friendships in adulthood! Another being it is the privilege of my lifetime to work alongside some of the most exceptional talent in the city across sectors. They’ve set the bar high!!!! Thankful for friends who I get to work with, who are willing to be radical and love Black people in public. I love them y’all . . .

(L-R) Shawn Edwards, Gary Tom, Corey Rogers, Pax Bobrow, Leon Maben, Nefertiti Robinson, Sea Stachura, Dr. John Hayes

The 1970 Augusta Riot Exhibit and Commemoration Event

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“WEEDS BETWEEN US”, an acrylic painting by artist Warren Richard, is displayed in a new exhibition that tells the narrative of the 1970 Augusta Riot. “Reckoning with Our Past: The 1970 Augusta Riot” is open to the public at the Municipal Building, now through June 30, 2021.

This fascinating exhibit includes historical documents, oral history quotes, and artwork by local artists created in response to the memory of the May 1970 Augusta Riot. (May 12, 2021 Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vince Hobbs

RECKONING WITH OUR PAST:

The 1970 Augusta Riot Exhibit and Commemoration Event A new exhibition has opened at the City of Augusta Gallery, located on the first floor of the Municipal Building at 535 Telfair Street. “Reckoning with Our Past: The 1970 Augusta Riot” is open to the public now through June 30, 2021.

This fascinating exhibit includes historical documents, oral history quotes, and artwork by local artists created in response to the memory of the May 1970 Augusta Riot. Original artworks are by Devin Lovett, Warren Richard, Wesley Stewart, and Matthew Thomas.

The story of the May 1970 Augusta Riot is not yet part of our local, state or national school curricula, and the dominant white narrative has been that it was a random moment of communal black insanity that came out of nowhere and was miraculously calmed by a speech

by James Brown and the presence of the National Guard. The truth is far more interesting, heartbreaking, shameful, and important. Learn more at www.1970Au-

gustaRiot.com.

This exhibit is the work of the May 1970 Augusta Riot Committee and made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Greater Augusta Arts Council, and contributions from local citizens in Augusta, Georgia.

For more information about the 1970 Augusta Riot Exhibit contact Pax Bobrow at pax@augustaarts.com.

“Protected Sprouts”, a mixed-media painting by artist Warren Richard, is displayed in a new exhibition that tells the narrative of the 1970 Augusta Riot. (May 12, 2021 Augusta, GA) - Photo by Vince Hobbs ON THE COVER The artwork appearing on the Cover of this edition “The Committee of Ten” was created by Grady Abrams, who was a city commissioner in 1970 and a member of the Committee of Ten. The painting was inspired by an iconic photo of the Committee of Ten.

FOOD

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Red, Black and Greens By MaChere T Jamaican-Inspired Brown Stew Salmon Growing up, in my chicken eating days brown stew chicken was my favorite dish to order at any Jamaican restaurant. I love how the chicken was so tender and falls off the bone good! The gravy is cooked with so many flavorful ingredients like sweet peppers, onions, thyme, tomato and of course a scotch bonnet pepper.

Well, for those people not eating chicken anymore, here is a recipe to make the same dish but with salmon and this brown stew salmon doesn’t lack on flavor one bit. The salmon is tender and flaky and really absorbs all of the juices and spices coming from the gravy. It’s a winner ya’ll!

Before we dive into the recipe, just know that you can substitute the fish (for Vegans) with Tofu pressed really well or Seitan. (You will have to make the seitan from scratch in order for it to absorb the right flavors). Here are a few ingredients you may not be very familiar with: Browning sauce: Browning sauce is a blend of caramel color, vegetable concentrates and seasonings.

Traditionally added to sauces and gravies, it works well in meaty recipes to deepen the flavor and in soups and stews to darken the broth. You find this at any grocery store near the gravies or international spice sections. I use Kitchen Bouquet but there are many to choose from.

Scotch Bonnet Pepper: Scotch bonnet, also known as Caribbean red peppers, is a variety of chili pepper. In Augusta you will most likely have to visit the Caribbean grocer for these. Most Scotch bonnets have a heat rating of 100,000–350,000 Scoville units which mean it’s HOT! For this recipe we are not cutting the pepper open, we are just letting the pepper cook whole in the gravy for a subtle kick of heat. If

(Vegan Version also avail-

you can’t find a scotch bonnet pepper near you, you can use scotch bonnet pepper sauce.

How to make Brown Stew Fish/ Tofu or ChickUn The Red Using a large pan or skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat.

While the oil is heating up, season the salmon with salt, pepper, and fish seasoning. Also make sure your peppers and onion are sliced. Once the oil is hot place the salmon in the pan and brown for 2 minutes on each side then remove from the pan. The salmon won’t be fully cooked and that’s okay.

Once you have removed the salmon from the pan, add the peppers and onions to the pan and sauté on medium heat until the veggies are tender and fragrant.

Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the veggies as they cook. Once the veggies start to get tender add in the garlic and fresh thyme.

The Black In a bowl stir together the water, ketchup, browning sauce, and hot pepper sauce (if using) and stir together. Once the veggies are tender, pour the browning mixture into the pan and whisk everything together so that the ketchup is fully incorporated.

If you’re using a scotch bonnet pepper, add it to the pan and let it cook in the gravy (do not cut the pepper open, add it whole).

The Green Once the gravy comes to a boil, reduce the heat and add the salmon back into the pan. Spoon the gravy over the salmon and let it cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the salmon is done. Serve with rice and enjoy!

Brown Stew Salmon A Jamaican inspired brown stewed salmon recipe cooked in fresh veggies, deep rich flavors, and flavor brown gravy (you may substitute tofu or seitan for a Vegan dish) Prep Time: 5 Cook Time: 30 Total Time: 35 minutes Yield: 4 servings Category: Dinner Cuisine: Jamaican INGREDIENTS 3 table spoons olive oil 4 salmon filets ( or tofu or Seitan) Salt Pepper 1 teaspoon fish seasoning (per filet) 1 sweet red pepper, sliced 1 sweet yellow pepper, sliced 1 white onion, sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup water 1/3 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon browning sauce 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce or 1 scotch bonnet pepper 2 sprigs fresh thyme INSTRUCTIONS Using a large pan or skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat.

While the oil is heating up, season the salmon with salt, pepper, and fish seasoning. Also make sure your peppers and onions are sliced.

Once the oil is hot place the salmon in the pan and brown for 2 minutes

on each side then remove from the pan. The salmon won’t be fully cooked and that’s okay.

Once you have removed the salmon from the pan, add the peppers and onions to the pan and sauté on medium heat until the veggies are tender and fragrant. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the veggies as they cook. Once the veggies start to get tender add in the garlic and fresh thyme.

In a bowl stir together the water, ketchup, browning sauce, and hot pepper sauce (if using) and stir together. Once the veggies are tender, pour the browning mixture into the pan and whisk everything together so that the ketchup is fully incorporated. If you’re using a scotch bonnet pepper, add it to the pan and let it cook in the gravy (do not cut the pepper open, add it whole).

Once the gravy comes to a boil, reduce the heat and add the salmon back into the pan. Spoon the gravy over the salmon and let it cook for another 5-7 minutes or until the salmon is done. Serve with rice and enjoy!

Health should be a top priority for all entrepreneurs Hawthorne, Owner of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery just to name a few.

It is critical that entrepreneurs are responsibly scheduled instead of booked and busy. Here are some tips to help with making health a priority throughout your entrepreneur journey: Know yourself, get more sleep, try waking up the same time every day and come up with a routine, start a healthy habit, schedule stay cations, take vacations, schedule brain dumps, ensure you have confidants and friends that will pull you away from work, and ensure you have a preferred mental health specialist that you can visit when needed. Entrepreneurship is very rewarding as well, but we must understand all aspects of this journey. The goal is to build and enjoy the fruits of your labor with a healthy balance.

Ronic West| President/Co-Founder The Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce

Summer Reading Program and Virtual Kickoff Event The Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System (ARCPLS) invites readers of all ages to participate in the Tails and Tales Summer Reading Program June 1 through August 6. Participants can earn individual prizes and be entered into special prize drawings throughout the summer while supplies last.

The virtual kickoff event takes place June 1- June 5 on the Augusta Library Facebook page @ARCPLS.

The animal themed event will feature programs in collaboration with the Savannah River Site Ecology Lab, Where the Wild Things Are Rescue, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, and so many more.

Registration for Summer Reading will be online at arcpls.beanstack.org.

Pre-registration will begin Tuesday, May 18. For more information contact Carrie Koerber at 706-821-2631 or koerberc@arcpls.org .

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UrbanProWeekly - MAY 13 - 26, 2021

By Ronic West, President GABCC Most times only the glamorous side of entrepreneurship is highlighted and there is no balance in the conversation.

So, when many come into this world, they are unaware of what the normal life of entrepreneur and business owner entails. Entrepreneurship and being a business owner are at the top of any investment risk scale. It is reported that 72% of entrepreneurs suffer from mental health issues according to the study by National Institute of Mental Health. Black enterprise reports the top 10 health issues as depression, anxiety, addiction, hypertension/heart disease, lack of health insurance, joint and circulation challenges, sleeping disorders, vision-related problems, migraines, and sexual health. We have lost several successful entrepreneurs to suicide including: Titi Branch, Co-Owner of Miss Jessies, CEO Kent Taylor, Texas Roadhouse, Karyn Washington, Founder of For Brown Girls, and Lowell

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City gives green light for parade for city’s champs SHORT PARADE WILL CELEBRATE JOSEY, CROSS CREEK STATE BASKETBALL TITLES AUGUSTA It took several weeks, but the city of Augusta will finally get to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the T.W. Josey High School Eagles and the Cross Creek High School Razorbacks girls and boys — each having won state championships in March.

As Georgia eased up on the COVID restrictions and more people are getting vaccinated officials say there’s no better time than now to celebrate our state champs. The parade will start on Telfair Street ending with a ceremony at the steps of the court house.

The commission, which resumed regular in-person meetings last week, had debated whether to permit a

parade for the teams under COVID19 restrictions after blocking similar events earlier this year. It also faced reluctance by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to police the events. all state champs.

“This is not a better late than never.

It is we’re going to come out as if it happened yesterday, if it happened today and we’re going to celebrate our kids,” said Shawnda Griffin, Richmond County Board of Education District 1 Representative.

The commissioners and the sheriff’s office have signed off completely on the parade. Now we just have to wait for superintendent dr. Bradshaw for the final stamp of approval.

Cross Creek HS Girls (above) and T.W. Josey HS Girls (below) each won state championships. The Cross Creek Boys won as well.

Face masks required on Augusta Transit until Sept. ator is unacceptable behavior and may result in: 1) immediate stopping of the bus along its route for the offending passenger[s] to leave; or, 2) calling the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in removing the offending passenger[s]. For the foreseeable future Augusta Transit will enforce these requirements in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Augusta Transit apologizes in advance for any inconvenience caused to passengers from the enforcement of COVID-19 transit service procedures.

To find a bus route near you, bus schedules and which bus gets you to your destination download Augusta Transit’s ‘MyAT Augusta’ app or call (706) 821-1719 between 6am thru 6pm Monday–Saturday. The MyAT Augusta app is available 24/7 at the Google Play store for Android; and, the App Store for iPhone.

CLASS OF 2021

TREYVEON RASHAD MITCHELL

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Glenn H I lls High School Richmond Count y, GA

Celebrate your graduate in our special “School’s Out” Edition Send photos to: urbanproweekly@gmail.com

IT’S ONLY FITTING THAT WE SAY THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY AND CUSTOMERS AS WE CELEBRATE!

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

UniversalPlumbingInc.com • 706.738.4424

UrbanProWeekly - MAY 13 - 26, 2021

The wearing of masks on Augusta and Richmond County Transit buses remains in full effect until Monday, September 13, 2021.

Augusta Transit is committed to following federal, state, county and public health guidance on reducing the spread of COVID-19. The wearing of facemasks will be required while riding any bus and at the Broad Street Transfer Center.

Eating or drinking are not permitted on any Augusta Transit bus and the wearing of masks will be enforced while riding. Any passenger talking to another passenger or speaking on their cell phone while riding must ensure their mask covers their nose and mouth.

Failure to comply with the mask wearing mandate, failing to accept a mask from a bus operator, disregarding requests from a bus operator or cursing/verbal abuse of any bus oper-

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