UPW - Urban Pro Weekly - Nov 7, 2022

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

The Audacious Stacey Abrams

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Campaign signs for various candidates running for office crowd the corners of downtown streets.

Photo by Jerry Hernandez

NOVEMBER 7 - 20, 2022 • VOL. 11 NO. 7

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

2020 MIDTERMS IN FOCUS

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If Abrams prevails in her race against Kemp, she will make history as the first Black governor of Georgia and the first Black woman to serve as governor of any state.

The audacious rise of Stacey Abrams KELLY YAMANOUCHI The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ATLANTA In the four years since Stacey Abrams last ran for governor, she has skyrocketed into the national spotlight as a Democratic star, showing up on magazine covers, as a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize, and in a cameo on “Star Trek: Discovery.”

Yet her name recognition across the U.S. — and popularity among liberals for mobilizing minority voters — doesn’t necessarily translate into a winning formula here in her home state.

Abrams, a Spelman College and Yale Law School graduate who went on to become an attorney for the city of Atlanta, an author and entrepreneur, served as a Georgia House legislator for 11 years — including seven years as the chamber’s top Democrat.

She left the Legislature in 2017 to run for governor, with her campaign ending in a 2018 loss to Republican Brian Kemp that concluded in a famous nonconcession speech where she announced she was starting a new voting rights organization called Fair Fight.

That catapulted Abrams into the national spotlight. Democrats credited her and her efforts to register hundreds of thousands of voters in Georgia with helping to flip the state in support of Joe Biden and propel two Democrats into U.S. Senate seats

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

in Georgia.

Along the way, Abrams was considered as a potential running mate for Biden and became a highly sought-after public speaker and author worth more than $3 million who now has investments in technology and a solar startup.

But she has also kept her eye on the governorship since her last run for office. “It was soon clear to me that the work still needed to be done and that the direction that Gov. (Brian) Kemp was taking the state in was not consistent with what I believe the state needs,” Abrams said.

If Abrams prevails in her race against Kemp, she will make history as the first Black governor of Georgia and the first Black woman to serve as governor of any state.

But she faces significant challenges to gain enough support among voters, who have put Republicans in the Governor’s Mansion since 2003 and given the GOP a strong majority in the state Legislature.

Even if Abrams were to win the race for governor, the likely Republican majorities in Georgia’s House and Senate mean it could be difficult for her to accomplish some of her key campaign promises — including expanding Medicaid.

“Know that what I say I’m going to do, I’m going to do,” Abrams said at a recent campaign event.

But for those who see Abrams as a hero of the left and would expect her

Abrams believes that she can channel frustration over anti-abortion restrictions and permissive gun policies into votes. to deliver on Democratic priorities such as expanding Medicaid and repealing Georgia’s restrictive abortion law and permitless gun rights statute as she has vowed, the political realities could bring disappointment.

Abrams also wants to legalize sports betting and casino gambling to expand HOPE scholarships. She has pledged to use Georgia’s $6.6 billion budget surplus to fund some of her key initiatives, including raises for teachers and law enforcement officers and a $1 billion tax refund to many Georgians.

But some key elements of her platform would require cooperation from the Legislature.

When asked about the likelihood of an expansion of Medicaid if Abrams is

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elected governor, state Rep. Carolyn Hugley, a Columbus Democrat who was Abrams’ top deputy in the House, said: “I would never underestimate Stacey Abrams. ... I think there is a possibility it will happen.”

“Stacey Abrams has proven that she can fight. And when she becomes governor she will have to prove she can lead and she can govern,” Hugley said.

“Those are two different things.”

Abrams, for her part, said she is “absolutely certain” she can expand Medicaid, adding that most legislators want to get more people on the public health plan. And she has aimed to channel frustration over the state’s anti-abortion restrictions and permissive gun policies into votes.

CONTRIBUTORS • K.L. Gordon • Ken Makin • Vincent Hobbs • Menia L. Chester • Frederick Benjamin Sr. Layout/Design : UrbanProMedia

2022 MIDTERMS IN FOCUS

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Recent public polling shows this year’s race between Raphael Warnock (above) and Republican Herschel Walker remains a dead heat, even amid revelations of numerous scandals around Walker.

The ground game that flipped Senate is kicking back into gear ELENA SCHNEIDER POLITICO SAVANNAH Sen. Jon Ossoff isn’t on the ballot this year. But he’s leaping into Georgia’s midterm campaigns, restarting the organizing machine that helped turn the state blue as Democrats scramble for every tool to prevent Georgia — and the Senate — from flipping back.

Ossoff, who was elected alongside fellow Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in Jan. 2021 runoffs, is revving up a field organization that tested innovative ways to get unlikely-to-vote citizens to turn out two years ago. The methods helped mobilize Democratic voters in enough numbers to flip the Senate.

The stakes are just as high now.

Recent public polling shows this year’s race between Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker remains a dead heat, even amid revelations of numerous scandals around Walker. The state could once again determine the bal-

ance of power in the 50-50 Senate.

And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was caught on a hot mic Thursday telling President Joe Biden that the race was “going downhill.”

But Ossoff believes that a strong field operation can change the electorate, and he’s spending six-figures from his own leadership PAC account to try, according to his campaign aides.

“We’ve demonstrated since 2017 that continually investing in organizing, especially young voters, is so important, and so I’m using the organization that I’ve built and putting it back to work,” Ossoff said in an interview with POLITICO, after launching a canvass effort in a strip mall parking lot alongside Warnock, Democratic House candidate Wade Herring and Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson.

Ossoff’s efforts join a sprawling network of field operations in the state, spearheaded by Warnock and Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is Continued on next page

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Jon Ossoff, was elected alongside fellow Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock in Jan. 2021 runoffs.

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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin

A modern-day Message To The Black Man in America

I

saw a few brothas share a Facebook post recently with what equated to a “check-in.” I’m paraphrasing when I say that the post basically suggests that one “Facebook tag” six Black men to see if they’re alright.

While I appreciated the intent of the post, I knew better. Black men aren’t built that way.

I spoke with a childhood friend of mine after I went to see the movie TILL. We basically traded “war stories” – he told me about some heart palpitations he had recently, and I told him about some work and family-related challenges that I endured.

At the end of our dialogue, we both said, “If you need anything, holla at me.”

Black men are built to endure without emotion, and this is to our detriment. I watch how my brothas and

OSSOFF From page 3 running for governor. A number of get-out-the-vote nonprofits are also involved, as Democrats look for a way to close strong after several weeks of public polling gains by GOP Senate candidates, including Walker.

The network of field organizers is racing to turn out every possible voter for Nov. 8 — and then may have to turn around and do it again four weeks later, if the Warnock-Walker race goes to a runoff because no one got a majority of the vote.

But notably, some of the outside groups knocking on doors ahead of the midterms have raised serious concerns that they’re not as well-funded as they have been in the past, severely limiting the scope of their turnout efforts in 2022.

“I expected [the funding] to be different because it was not a presidential year,” said LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter. “But it’s not even on par, in terms of resources, compared to 2018.”

Brown noted Georgia’s new voting law implemented in 2021 by the Republican-controlled state legislature, which made significant changes to the runoff rules.

I are treated in political, social and healthcare outcomes. Voting for the Democratic Party close to 90 percent of the time isn’t enough; because brothas don’t pledge our entire loyalty to the party, we are seen as hinderers of progress. Socially, Black men are encouraged to “seek therapy” with no mention of how capitalism affects each and every one of us.

Therapy is seen within the context of control and commodification, not within the context of community.

Our healthcare outcomes are so bad that even The New York Times reported the following: Researchers who study Type 2 diabetes have reached a stark conclusion: There is no device, no drug powerful enough to counter the effects of poverty, pollution, stress, a broken food system, cities that are

hard to navigate on foot and inequitable access to health care, particularly in minority communities.

I thought about all of this before the unfortunate death of one of the “Migos” this week – a rap group founded in Georgia whose style has shaped modern rap. Kirshnik Khari Ball, known and beloved as “Takeoff,” was shot and killed in Houston.

My message to brothas today A Modern-Day Message To The Black Man In America will be clear and concise – we need each other. We can no longer afford to be islands, separated by social status and sports teams. We need to organize around common interests and certainly in the spirit of Blackness and brotherhood.

Kwame Ture said it effectively and

boldly some 55 years ago in explaining the concept of Black Power – “a call for black people in this country to unite, to recognize their heritage, to build a sense of community.”

It is a call for black people to begin to define their own goals, to lead their own organizations and to support those organizations. It is a call to reject the racist institutions and values of this society.

This must start with Black men – right here and right now.

Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writer for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other outlets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.

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CREATED2PLAY “We are a youth mentorship program that uses the power of rhythms and music to inspire, empower, develop discipline, redirect negative energy and instill core values to help youth in the community reach their full potential. Our children range from the ages of youngest 3 to the oldest current member 17. The mission of our program is to make a positive difference in the lives of the children in our community by providing musical and visual experiences and performances, and to assist them in achieving their potential as they develop confidence, cooperation, leadership, responsibility and standards of excellence and character.”

MADE2REIGN The Created2Play Drumline performed recently at a political rally in College Park, Georgia with President Barack Obama in the audience.

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Latrell’s Baked Thanksgiving Turkey Live your best life! That is my motto. My name is Menia L. Chester, I am a chef and owner of Desserts by Latrell and Southern Jazz and Sweets.

The holiday season has officially started so let’s talk about turkey!

Think about the number of people that you are preparing for and secondly, will you have other types of meat. Lastly, how much time will you have?

If you are purchasing a frozen turkey, you will need several days to thaw it and it will require space in your freezer and refrigerator. Whether you are frying, baking, or smoking your turkey, it must be thawed before cooking.

Allow 1 day of thawing for every 4 pounds of turkey. Turkeys need to be thawed in the refrigerator or by cold water thawing. For food safety reasons, you should not thaw your turkey on the countertop. Remember start with enough time so that you can safely prepare your turkey.

LATRELL’S BAKED THANKSGIVING TURKEY INGREDIENTS 1 uncooked turkey 2 onions sliced into quarters 6 stalks of celery roughly chopped ½ tsp garlic powder 1/2 cup of sliced butter-divided salt and pepper to taste TURKEY BASTE 2 tablespoons of olive oil ¼ cup of water

Use your fingers to loosen and lift the skin above the breasts. Place ¼ cup of sliced butter underneath the skin. Tuck the wings of the turkey underneath the turkey and place the turkey in a large pan. Bake the turkey at 325 degrees F for about 13-15 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature (insert your DIRECTIONS Remove turkey from packaging and remove the neck and giblets from thermometer in the middle of thigh and breast) reaches 165 degrees. Bake for the inside the cavities of the bird. Rinse thoroughly and clean and sanitize 2O more minutes. Let turkey rest 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy! your sink. Pat the turkey dry with paper towels. Season the cavity of the If you have questions, would like to see other recipes, or learn about events turkey with salt, garlic powder and pepper. Stuff it with ¼ cup of butter,

by Latrell, please visit my website and send an email via the contact form. the quartered onions and celery.

Mix olive oil and water in small bowl and brush the turkey liberally with Website: www.southernjazzandsweets.com mixture. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

The Richmond County School System is hosting a transportation job fair for persons interested in bus driver or mechanic positions on Wednesday, November 9 at the Transportation Department, at 2950 Mike Padgett Highway, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The school system provides extensive Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training for qualified bus driver candidates. No experience is necessary.

Apply online at rcboe.info/BusJobs.

Family Emergency Readiness Day The community is invited to take part of Family Emergency Readiness Day hosted by Augusta Fire and Emergency Management. This event is set for 10am-2pm on Saturday, November 5, 2022, at the Augusta Common, located at 836 Reynolds Street. Activities

include free child car seat installation, a fire engine tour, a meet & greet with Augusta’s first responders, and pet adoptions. In addition, free food will be served.

For more information on this event, the public should call 706-821-2909.

FORUM

Get Spiritual Nutrition You are what you eat.

Physically, that is. No one can deny the importance of nutrition. Our level of energy, our ability to cope with life’s challenges, and even our mental attitude are directly related to proper nourishment. Are you feeding your soul that lives inside of you, daily? Our busy lives are filled with so many worldly distractions that we neglect our souls continuously.

One doesn’t have to be spiritual in order to feed his/her soul; however, as a believer in Jesus Christ, it is imperative for the believer to savor His word by responding, submitting, studying, meditating, and obeying His commands. If you don’t nourish your body physically, you will die. Spiritually, when we are malnourished, we start operating in our flesh rather than the control of God’s Spirit.

About 20 years ago, I discovered that I was spiritually dead.

(Living a carnal life without seeking any Godly righteousness). Physically, I was merely living only to realize that I was only existing with no direction, no purpose, no goals, or any ambitions for my life. An elderly pastor once explained to me that death is inevitable, but my soul lives forever. From that profound moment, I sought God’s Word, and it revealed to

me that I needed some spiritual nourishment. His word simmered and marinated in my heart. Having a malnourished soul is dangerous.

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

(Matthew 10:28). A healthy level of spiritual nutrition involves the following: First, we need a regular diet of God’s Word. Just as we must eat each day. Our souls must “be nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:6).

Next, we need to pray regularly. In reading God’s Word, God speaks to us; in prayer, we speak to Him. Prayer helps us realign our lives to the Lord’s timing and direction. “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22).

Finally, a daily serving of meditation is needed on the things of God. It’s good to clear our thinking and refocus. “You shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do all that is written in it.” (Joshua 1:8).

Our souls long to be fed, nourished, and energized on a regular basis. Make spiritual nutrition a priority in your life today.

Thurman K. Brown tkbrownjr382@gmail.com (803) 979-7032 Film Photography • Spiritual Writings

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Richmond County School System to host Transportation Job Fair

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Laney Museum of Black History Call for Art for CSRA Artists The Lucy Craft Laney Museum is accepting works of art for juried consideration for an upcoming “New & Emerging Artists” exhibition to be held Feb. 6 - March 24, 2023. The application is open to all artists 18 years and older (including Senior Citizens) who reside in the CSRA and are looking to showcase recent artwork. Artists may submit up to 2 works of art in any medium (painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, digital, etc.) Two-dimensional works cannot be larger than 24”x36” in size and must be matted/framed and ready to hang. Three dimensional (sculptures) are limited to a size that can be displayed on a table top.

All submissions will be reviewed by

a jury panel and artists notified of acceptance. There are no application fees, but the museum will take a 20% commission on any sales to help cover costs of exhibit promotions.

Applications open on October 24, 2022 and will close on January 13, 2023. Jury selection will be completed on January 20th. All accepted artwork must be dropped off to the Museum by February 1st.

To submit artwork please visit www.LucyCraftLaneyMuseum.com for the PDF application and submission instructions. The Laney Museum is located at 1116 Phillips Street, Augusta, GA 30901. For questions please call 706-724-3576.

Augusta Regional Airport highlights local artist for the fourth quarter Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) is excited to provide the traveling public with amazing works of art from one local artist for the final quarter of the year.

The AGS Art Committee selected this artist to highlight their talents in the commercial terminal building for the fourth quarter of the year.

The airport is the perfect venue to have artwork viewed by thousands of travelers, as well as showcase the talent of the local art community.

Bruce McElya, from Aiken, South Carolina, has extensive experience in photography. A graduate from Texas Tech. University, Bruce earned a degree in Civil Engineering and Telecommunications. In 1974

he began his commercial photography business shooting large format ektachromes for architects. His work was featured in Architectural Record and Architectural Digest.

Mr. McElya began shooting black and whites to be sold in galleries. He likes to focus on nature and wildlife.

One collection of work focuses on a family of swans from the Colorado River that runs through the Grand Canyon.

You can see Bruce’s work in the gate area October through December.

For more information on these artists and the AGS Art Program, please visit www.FLYAGS.com/ArtProgram.

Gratefulness Affirmation

By Clarence Thomas

I CHOOSE to be grateful.

I praise God for choosing to be grateful.

With or without a job, I choose to be grateful.

Although I may struggle in school or work, I choose to be grateful.

If I become angry at unkindness from others, when I am calm I reflect, and choose to be grateful.

In situations of uncertainty, I maintain my composure, and choose to be grateful for my dignity.

I choose to be grateful that my goals are firm and cannot be shaken.

I am blessed and open to every possibility of choosing gratefulness.

Lord God, I praise You and thank You daily for the freedom to CHOOSE gratefulness toward You each day of my life.

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LiveMUSIC

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High quality music and the arts are integral to a flourishing community.

Jazz is a particularly power-full artform because of its intrinsic qualities of vulnerability, improvisation, affirmation, and collaboration - all qualities that we as a faith community hold dear. Also, jazz is a quintessential American artform, with a particularly rich history in the CSRA. And, though jazz is primarily an African American musical genre, it has long bridged divides between all segments of western society.

There are currently few opportunities for folks to experience chamber or combo jazz on an ongoing basis in the CSRA. We feel this is a substantial gap in the quality of communal life for all our residents and are excited to meet that need.

Therefore, in service of our mission ‘to Create a Beloved Community,’ the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta located at 3501 Walton Way

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Building Community through a Jazz Series Ext. in Augusta is launching the Final Friday Jazz Series, beginning with a performance on October 28th at 7:30 PM. The first performance will feature a trio with Cat Galan, voice; Kyle Bryant, guitar; and Travis Shaw, bass.

There will be three more performances in this inaugural season: - January 27th, 2023 - March 31st, 2023 - May 26th, 2023 The series is co-sponsored by a few generous community partners: - Evan Grantski, Grantski Records - Shanita Q. Newton, Newton Creative Consulting Tickets are $20 or $10 for students/ military.

For tickets, please visit uuaugusta. org/jazz or arrive by 7:15 the night of the performance to purchase at the door.

Seats are general admission and limited, so purchasing in advance will ensure your spot!

Get UPW delivered to your inbox OR your front door.

Subscribe at growingaugusta.co/upw

#gardencityjazz june 27 : july 25 code: UPW text UPW to (706) 528-6855

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