January 9, 2024 – The long-anticipated day has finally arrived for 10 of the nation’s most trusted and innovative Black publishers, who have worked hard over the past three years to grow Word In Black into a national news site focused on solutions to racial inequities in America. As of Jan. 1, Word In Black has officially incorporated as a public benefit company. 

Word In Black is the only media startup of its kind and serves as a future model for the industry. It was incubated inside Local Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with Local Media Association. The incubation period allowed for significant testing and experimentation which in turn led to rapid growth. The 10 publishers and the LMF team worked hand-in-hand throughout the last three years to drive this growth. As part of this transition envisioned in the original 2020 business plan, LMF sold the assets to Word In Black, PBC, and will continue to provide support as a shareholder in the new company.

What makes it so successful is combining the large and loyal audience of the 10 publishers with the new national brand, along with third-party management services that don’t drain local resources. Almost all of the support, both commercial and philanthropic, includes all 10 publishers and the national brand, reaching a combined audience of more than 1 million. All 10 publishers have been able to add mini-beats to their newsrooms focused on health and education, along with access to content developed by the national reporting team. It’s a winning formula that has not been tested anywhere else. 

The public benefit corporation will be supported by the Word In Black Racial Equity Fund, a component fund of LMF. This support will ensure the great journalism funded by philanthropy continues to grow. Word In Black employs a newsroom of 10 FTEs along with contracted freelancers. The staff includes reporters and data journalists focused on health, education, finance, climate justice, religion and more. Read the 2023 Impact Report to learn more. 

The new corporation’s shareholders include the 10 publishers, their companies, LMF, and LMA/LMF CEO Nancy Lane. All shareholders contributed to a capital raise to strengthen the infrastructure on the business side. The company will continue to be managed by LMA and LMF for at least the next three years to ensure a smooth transition and manage the growth.

The shareholders elected the first board of directors, as follows: Dr. Frances Toni Draper, CEO, The AFRO American, board chair; Elinor Tatum, CEO, New York Amsterdam News, first vice chair; Patrick Washington, publisher, Dallas Weekly, second vice chair; Denise Rolark Barnes, CEO, The Washington Informer, treasurer; and Nancy Lane, secretary.

“This is a day to celebrate an important step in the evolution of Word In Black,” said Dr. Draper. “Launching a digital news site focused on racial inequities in America, in collaboration with nine other leading Black publishers, has been game changing for all of us. The transition to a public benefit corporation allows us to take Word In Black out of the pilot phase and develop it into a much larger national brand that is unapologetically Black.”

In the future, the group believes there will be opportunities to include more of the nation’s leading Black publishers. “We are already working with other like-minded local Black publishers on content campaigns involving large brands,” said Dr. Draper. “We look forward to casting a wider net as opportunities arise. Publishers that want to be involved are encouraged to contact us.”

“As chair of the board for Local Media Foundation, I could not be more proud of the work that has been done over the past three years,” said Larry Lee, publisher, The Sacramento Observer, and a shareholder in Word In Black. “We have been sharing our learnings with many others in the industry which has led to the formation of several new collaborations including News Is Out, a queer media collaborative. We believe this model is scalable and important to the long term sustainability of local media.”

As part of the transition, Word In Black is hiring a director of business development to cultivate sponsorships, events, reader revenue and branded content opportunities. 

Without the support of corporations, foundations and individuals, Word In Black would not exist. The board of directors would especially like to thank Google News Initiative, Conrad Hilton Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Comcast Foundation, Commonwealth Fund, Deloitte, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, McKinsey, Henry Luce Foundation, Walton Family Foundation, Wells Fargo, AARP, Biogen, Meta Journalism Project and many others.

For more information about Word In Black and the WIB Racial Equity Fund, visit: www.wordinblack.com/aboutus and www.wordinblack.com/racial-equity-fund.

About Word In Black

Amsterdam News Publisher Elinor R. Tatum conceived what is today known as Word in Black, the acclaimed and historic collaboration of Black newspaper publishers to collectively address racial inequity in partnership with the Local Media Association, after the murder of George Floyd.

Since its launch in late 2020, Word In Black’s reporting team has relentlessly confronted inequities, elevated solutions, and amplified the Black experience by collecting and sharing stories that inform, inspire, and center truth.

Through this collaboration, Word In Black aims to accurately frame how the nation understands and addresses systemic issues of race, justice, and equity. Collective understanding leads to collective impact.

The 10 publishers that make up Word In Black are: AFRO News, The Atlanta Voice, Dallas Weekly, Houston Defender, Michigan Chronicle, New York Amsterdam News, The Sacramento Observer, The Seattle Medium, The St. Louis American and The Washington Informer. Cumulatively, these publishers have operated for more than 800 years.

About Word in Black Racial Equity Fund

The Word In Black Racial Equity Fund, a component fund of Local Media Foundation, supports the work of Black-owned and operated local news media by providing critical journalism resources for Word In Black, a collaborative effort of 10 of the leading Black publishers. 

The Fund supports journalism projects focused on solutions to racial inequities. Funding generally supports journalists who work for Word In Black, as well as journalists working for the 10 publishers. The Fund currently covers costs of 10 Word In Black journalists: an education reporter, education data journalist, health reporter, health data journalist, newsletter editor, climate justice reporter, community and audience engagement manager, finance reporter, religion reporter and the managing editor. The 10 publishers work with the WIB team to localize the stories in their markets, as well as producing their own original reporting.

About Local Media Foundation

Local Media Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with Local Media Association. The LMF mission is to ensure a healthy future for local journalism, which is essential to a strong democracy, by reinventing business models for news.

In line with this mission, LMF worked with 10 of the nation’s legendary Black publishers to incubate Word In Black, a digital startup unlike any other in the industry. Over a three year period the national site, as well as the 10 local publishers, experienced significant growth. The organization believes this is a model that can be duplicated in other ways and in other markets. 

LMF manages other national collaborations including: Oklahoma Media Center, News Is Out – Queer Media Collaborative, Solving Sacramento, LMA Covering Climate, and New York/Michigan Solutions Journalism. LMF also manages the Local News Fund, which has helped hundreds of local and national news outlets fundraise for journalism projects, along with the Knight x LMA BloomLab, Lab for Journalism funding, Family and Independent Media Sustainability Lab and much more. More information at: www.localmedia.org.

The post Word In Black, groundbreaking collaborative with 10 legendary Black publishers, incorporates as public benefit company appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

DETROIT – Ten HBCU students from around the country will gather in Detroit to start a 10-week immersive internship in marketing and communications, learning content creation and familiarizing themselves with the technological advancements that power the automotive industry.

Fellows will work alongside National Newspaper Publication Association (NNPA) journalists and Chevrolet marketing teams while experiencing the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax on a group road trip to grow their professional skills, collaborate on innovative and challenging assignments, and document their journey on social media. This is the seventh year Chevrolet and the NNPA have hosted the Discover the Unexpected (DTU) internship program.   

The 2023 DTU mentors and ambassadors, all HBCU graduates, will provide professional insight, encouragement and advice to students throughout their DTU journey. Television host and actor Terrence Jenkins (known as Terrence J) returns to DTU for his third year as an ambassador.

“Having support and opportunities during your college years is invaluable and will set you on a path of lifelong success,” said Jenkins. “As a proud HBCU graduate, I am thrilled to collaborate with Chevrolet and the NNPA again to uplift the next generation of talented journalists, marketers and content creators.”

Justin “Mr. Fascinate” Shaifer, a STEM advocate and educator, is also returning to DTU for his third year as student mentor. ESPN sports journalist and HBCU Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) alum Tiffany Greene joins DTU as a new guest mentor.

This summer, two DTU alumni will start their professional careers at General Motors. Raza El, a two-time DTU fellow will join GMC as an SUV and truck analyst.

“I presented to the CMOs of GM and Chevrolet, and the research I did was actually used,” said El. “It was work that I could put my name on even as an intern.”

Ashley McJunkin will join Chevrolet as the Silverado assistant advertising marketing manager.

“I loved my team, the work environment, culture and values,” said McJunkin. “My DTU experience confirmed that this is what I want to do, and this is the team that I want to be a part of.”

Steve Majoros, chief marketing officer, Chevrolet, said it has been the brand’s honor to watch the growth of the DTU program over the years.

“DTU reinforces Chevrolet’s commitment to HBCUs, allowing students an opportunity to gain experience, mentorship and support to set themselves up for a successful future,” said Majoros. “DTU helps us keep a finger on the pulse of the younger and more diverse buyers who will drive our future and strengthen the diversity of our marketing talent.”

The Chevy DTU program would not be where it is today without Dr. Benjamin Chavis, NNPA President and CEO.

“I am passionate, excited and humbled about the continual success and evolution of our relationship with Chevrolet for DTU,” said Chavis. “This is a life changing opportunity for HBCU students, professionally and personally, preparing them for their professional careers.” The DTU internships will take place from June 5 to August 11, commencing in Detroit with a three-day boot camp. Upon completion of the program, Chevrolet and the NNPA will award each fellow $18,000 between scholarships and stipends, totaling over $750,000 to date. To learn more about Discover the Unexpected, visit www.nnpa.org/chevydtu.

The post HBCU Students Receive $18,000 for Chevrolet and NNPA ‘Discover the Unexpected’ Internship Program appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Local Media Association is pleased to announce the 16 news organizations selected to participate in the fourth cohort of its Lab for Journalism Funding. The lab will help these local news organizations develop and execute strategies to fund essential local journalism via philanthropy. The six-month intensive lab runs from May through November 2023.

The lab, a program of Local Media Foundation, is operated by LMA with continued support from the Google News Initiative. Since its launch in September 2020, the lab has trained and coached 70 publishers, helping them raise more than $17.7 million to fund community service journalism. LMA published a 42-page report, Pathways to Philanthropy, to share lessons learned and best practices with the news industry. 

“We are excited by the diverse set of local journalism projects this cohort seeks to fund,” said Frank Mungeam, chief innovation officer at LMA and LMF. “Their commitment to serving their communities is clear, and we are excited to share the learnings from our fundraising lab to enable them to grow and sustain their journalism.” 

“The Google News Initiative works to support a thriving local news ecosystem, and we are excited for this fourth cohort of news publishers in the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding to develop new, sustainable funding sources for their essential local journalism,” said Chrissy Towle, head of Associations and Ecosystems, Americas at Google.

The 16 newsrooms accepted into the fourth cohort include a diverse set of organizations in small and large markets, across varied media platforms, with a strong representation of family-owned outlets and publishers who focus on traditionally underserved audiences. These news outlets share a commitment to civic journalism. LMA asked leaders at these news outlets to share their goals for participating in the lab.

What the lab participants say

“The days of supporting our news operations with advertising and circulation revenue are coming to an end. I am hoping to develop an expert on our staff who can help us fund our project to expand our coverage to better include underserved surrounding areas, and then moving forward, to endow our newsroom, ensuring Northwest Philadelphia will benefit from a team of independent local newsgathering and reporting professionals in perpetuity.”

— John Derr, publisher, Chestnut Hill Local

“We have a strong revenue team in general, but we have struggled with raising funding for discrete, tangible journalism projects. Based on what we’ve seen in other newsrooms, we’re betting a lot of senior leadership time on the belief that LMA Lab for Journalism Funding can fill this hole for us and bring even more accountability journalism to Connecticut.”

— Bruce S. Putterman, chief executive officer / publisher, CT Mirror

“We’ve been inspired by The Seattle Times, The Sacramento Bee and others that are leading the way in fundraising for local news. LMA’s program is the next step we need to improve our skills and better serve Detroit.”

— Anjanette Delgado, executive editor, Detroit Free Press

“This lab will give us the tools to add philanthropy into our long-range goal of keeping community-based journalism alive in rural Oregon.”

— Heidi Wright, publisher/chief operations officer, The Bulletin | EO Media Group 

​​”We are very excited to participate in the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding to learn best practices on how to create opportunities to fund our high quality journalism through philanthropy.”

— Hilda Gurdian, publisher, La Noticia

“During a time of racial discord and conflict in much of America, a vibrant Black Press is needed now more than ever. We believe the LMA Lab will help us acquire the tools and resources needed to bolster our foundation and, ultimately, advance our mission of providing empowering information that helps our readers live happier, healthier and more productive lives.”

— Gregory J. Huskisson, vice-president / content and audience,
Equal Access Media Inc. | Los Angeles Wave

“We were thrilled to be selected to participate in this next Lab cohort. We are eager to introduce philanthropy as a new revenue stream to Masthead Maine, the state’s largest media network. Collaborating with the cohort publishers and learning from the experienced team of advisors and coaches at the LMA, we’re ready to build a playbook that will enable us to fund more important local news in service to our communities.”

— Lisa DeSisto, chief executive officer, Masthead Maine

“Participation in the lab will line up perfectly with our company’s latest endeavor, The Democracy Project. This is a forward-looking initiative that seeks to enhance our journalism’s impact on communities. Through this program, we aspire to promote democratic principles, foster social equity, encourage civic participation, and elevate journalism’s credibility. We see philanthropy playing a critical role in our ability to provide our trustworthy journalism to underserved areas. We are thrilled to participate in the lab and discover innovative ways to overcome internal distractions and prioritize our community’s requirements.”

— Kelly Montague, vice president marketing, communications and subscriptions, Metroland/Torstar

“Our approach to funding journalism projects over the past few years has been overly reactive and grounded in a figure-it-out-as-we-go philosophy. We’re looking forward to learning with the experts at LMA and the other publishers in the cohort so we can be more strategic, proactive and structured in our approach to funding journalism projects.” 

— Levi Rickert, editor and publisher, Native News Online

“As a news organization committed to local reporting and keeping our audiences informed, we think this is a groundbreaking opportunity to not only develop strategies to acquire philanthropic support, but also connect with a cohort of like-minded journalists, who are also committed to serving their communities.”

— Terri Cope Walton, vice president and general manager, WJXT/WCWJ

“As a nonprofit news organization, we are thrilled to have access to such a valuable resource for engaging with philanthropic communities. We recognize the success of this cohort and believe it will bring greater success to our company. This formal opportunity will allow us to address an important need within our organization.”

— Janis Ware, publisher, The Atlanta Voice

“I am thrilled to be part of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding. This opportunity opens a new chapter for The Kansas City Defender. I am eager to learn, share, and implement innovative strategies for fundraising that align with our mission and values. Not only will it help us become financially sustainable, but it will also provide us with the tools to maintain our growth and continue delivering award-winning content. Our participation in the Lab marks a significant step towards our goal of becoming a longstanding pillar in the landscape of Black digital news.”

— Ryan A. Sorrell, founder and editor-in-chief, The Kansas City Defender

Through participation in the lab, The St. Louis American is seeking to fund coverage of individuals, organizations and policy advocates involved in protecting voters’ rights working to enfranchise African American communities, and increase voter participation leading up to the 2024 elections and beyond.

— The St. Louis American

“Our education is never complete. Joining the LMA Lab is an exciting opportunity to expand my knowledge as I venture into journalism funding and build upon my experience in fundraising and partnerships.” 

— Harmony Trevino, director of development,
SE Region, McClatchy | The State, The Island Packet and The Sun News

“Being in publishing for more than 30 years, my quest for knowledge thrives. Today in the media, it is about evolution and sustainability. It is my hope to learn more about this new revenue source for local media through corporate foundations. For newspapers/media to survive, you have to be open to evolve. You have to look for alternative revenue sources. You have to be open to learning new things. LMA is positioned to teach us how to efficiently collaborate to reach sustainability.”

— Leo Cusimano, publisher, Dallas Voice | OUT North Texas

“We are thrilled to participate in the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding. Media outlets in New Jersey have been reducing their coverage of local news for many years and TAPinto has stepped into that void to enable local news to bloom in the news deserts left behind. More than 125 municipalities in New Jersey now have a TAPinto local news platform in their community, providing original local news reporting every day. Our franchise model for local news is now sustainable, scalable and profitable. Unfortunately, recently there has been a significant reduction in statehouse news reporting in the Garden State as well as virtual elimination of coverage of New Jersey’s congressional delegation. Like we have done on the local level in New Jersey, we believe TAPinto can help fill the void in coverage of the Statehouse and we have concluded that such journalism can best be funded long-term through philanthropy. We are excited to join the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding to help make meaningful New Jersey Statehouse reporting, provided through TAPinto’s platform to our large local audience, a reality.” 

— Michael Shapiro, founder and chief executive officer, TAPinto Local

Newsrooms will receive one-on-one coaching from our team of coaches, including Joaquin Alvarado, Joanne Heyman, Sam Johnston and Jennifer Preston. Frank Mungeam will once again lead the lab.The fourth cohort of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding will run from May through November, with fundraising to be completed by December 31, 2023. LMA will publish case studies on publisher lessons and successes from the lab that can be applied across the news industry.

The post The Atlanta Voice among news outlets LMA announced for 4th cohort of Lab for Journalism Funding appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

ATLANTA – The 87th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is less than three weeks away, and the three-day outdoor event will bring a plethora of fine art, live entertainment and family-friendly features to Piedmont Park. To assist first-time visitors and veteran attendees alike, festival organizers have gathered their top tips for making the most of the city’s favorite springtime experience.

Here is what to know to plan the best festival weekend of all time:

Party in the Park VIP Experience

Taking place within a spacious fenced VIP area, Party in the Park offers ticket holders the chance to upgrade their festival attendance with seating, private bathrooms, a private bar, beer and wine tastings, the Loaded Taco/Loaded Burger food truck and more, all with a perfect view of the Coca-Cola Main Stage.

Party in the Park takes place festival Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and VIP access is also available Friday and Saturday evenings. Several ticket levels are offered, allowing guests to customize their experience. https://dogwood.org/2023-vip-experience/. 

Support for the Festival

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that puts on the city’s largest and longest-running fine arts festival each spring and supports youth arts programs throughout the year. With the changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, costs have gone up by 30%-$40% to produce this annual tradition. The event is still free to attend, but audience support is needed to keep the festival running. There is a requested donation of $5 at the door, or visitors may choose to make an online donation through the website. https://dogwood.org/product/donate-friends-of-the-dogwood/

Performances and Entertainment

Throughout the weekend, the festival offers a variety of live music and entertainment on the Coca-Cola Main Stage, including local bands, dance troupes, international performers, children’s choirs and more. Each day kicks off with a range of performances representing the many international communities that call Atlanta home, as part of the award-winning International Stage. Mid-afternoon, local and well-known bands take the stage, bringing attendees live music in genres from bluegrass to indie rock and from pop to R&B with a few party bands in between. Adults can take a break, kick back, relax in the Corona Beer Garden and stop by the AARP Block Party, a rockin’ activation for any generation.  https://dogwood.org/music/

Fairway & Amusement Park Rides

The rides are back! A festival favorite that went on necessary hiatus during the pandemic, the amusement park rides return for 2023 with options from tame to breathtaking. Attendees will find the rides in the Meadow, and nearby ticket booths offer a range of packages. 

Kids of all ages can enjoy the rides, but there is plenty more for young festival attendees to celebrate. In the Kids Village presented by Visit Tallahassee, families will find hands-on arts and crafts projects, puppet shows, inflatables and special features like the Teddy Bear Hospital or Topplin’ Tots Mobile Play Area.

Atlanta High School Art Exhibition Winners

The festival is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Atlanta High School Art Exhibition (AHSAE), a competition for area high school students, which culminates in an on-site show during the festival, as well as prizes and scholarships for top submissions. In addition to the winners below, several students won medium-specific awards.

• Best of Show: Yinglin Zhou – “Divergent” – soft pastel, Chattahoochee High School
• Second Place: Ola Baker – “Leading” – soft pastel, Parkview High School
• Third Place: Elizabeth Tian – “Maladaptive Daydream” – mixed media, Wesleyan School
• Fourth Place: Katie Hwang – “Window Shopping at Ponce de Leon Avenue” – watercolor, Peachtree Ridge High School
• Fifth Place: Faye Lu – “Younger Brother” – watercolor, Alpharetta High School
• Sixth Place: Michelle Severson – “Weighted” – graphite, East Coweta High School
• Seventh Place: Gaeun Lee – “Passing Time” – mixed media sculpture, East Coweta High School
• Eighth Place: Anna Rohn – “Desperate Aspect of Self” – ballpoint pen, North Atlanta High School
• Ninth Place: Naperia Wilson – “Giant Red Velvet Cannoli” – resin, North Springs High School
• Tenth Place: Nasia Phipps – “As Above, So Below” – oil, North Atlanta High School

At the festival, visitors to the exhibition, which is held in the Community Center near the 12^th Street park entrance, can get a look at these and about 100 other pieces selected for inclusion by the jury of arts professionals. Visitors can also cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award during the exhibition, and the Art Throwdown on Sunday afternoon pits teams of high school artists against each other in a live art competition. https://dogwood.org/attractions/atlanta-high-school-art-exhibition/

Getting to the Festival & Parking

The best way to get to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is by taking MARTA! Attendees can exit at the Arts Center or Midtown station and walk a few blocks to Piedmont Park.

Drivers can reserve a guaranteed parking space in advance with SpotHero. https://dogwood.org/about/direction-parking/ 

Rules & City Ordinances

Piedmont Park and City of Atlanta ordinances require a few rules festivalgoers will want to keep in mind:

The City of Atlanta’s ban on smoking and outdoor facilities includes Piedmont Park. No tobacco products of any type are permitted anywhere in the park during the festival. 

As per a City ordinance, no dogs (or other pets) are permitted in Piedmont Park during the festival. The Off Leash Dog Park will be open during the event with access via the Park Drive entrance only.

No outside food or beverages may be brought into Piedmont Park during the festival. Small chairs are allowed. No tents or coolers are allowed.

The 87^th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the city’s largest and longest-running fine arts festival and the third oldest in the country. Taking place Friday through Sunday, April 14-16, 2023, the festival brings three days of art, music, fare and fun to Piedmont Park in Midtown.

The post What to Know Before Attending the 87th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Augusta, GA – The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) dedicated a new historical marker that recognizes “Frank Garvin Yerby: King of the Costume Novel.” GHS unveiled the new marker in partnership with the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, Haines Alumni Association, and Paine College on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Augusta.

“The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to dedicate the Frank Garvin Yerby historical marker,” says Elyse Butler, GHS Marker Manager. “The historical marker discusses Yerby’s life and career and illustrates how popular fiction can address themes such as racism and social injustices.” 

Frank Garvin Yerby was born in 1916 in Augusta, where he lived on Hall Street and graduated from the Haines Institute and Paine College. Over his lifetime, Yerby published poetry, short stories, and 33 novels. His use of the costume novel, a form of popular fiction, propelled him to international and commercial success. Yerby’s novels tackled themes of identity, ambition, and marginalization. Yerby is recognized in the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.

The marker dedication took place near the corner of 8th and Hall Streets, off Laney-Walker Boulevard in Augusta. Speakers included Corey Rogers, Historian, Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; Jared Williams, District Attorney, Augusta Judicial Circuit; Leon Maben, Vice President, Board of Directors, docent, and Frank Yerby reenactor, Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History; Gerald Yerby, family member of Frank Yerby; Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones, President, Paine College; Dr. Lejeune Hickson, Haines Alumni Association; and Breana James, Historical Marker and Program Coordinator, Georgia Historical Society.

The marker text reads:

Frank Garvin Yerby
King of the Costume Novel

Born in Augusta on September 5, 1916, author Frank Garvin Yerby graduated from Haines Institute and Paine College, and also attended Fisk University and the University of Chicago. He published poetry, short stories, and 33 novels, 12 of which became best sellers. His early novels depicted White characters in historical events; his later works focused on Black characters. Widely celebrated, he was criticized by some African Americans for not confronting racial injustice more openly in his writings. In rebuttal, Yerby challenged critics to read several of his works, including Speak Now and The Dahomean, which he felt addressed racism. Yerby moved to France in 1951 and then Madrid, Spain, in 1955, where he lived until his death on November 30, 1991. His works have been adapted for motion pictures and translated into 30 languages.

Erected by the Georgia Historical Society, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History, Haines Alumni Association, and Paine College

The post Georgia Historical Society dedicates new historical marker recognizing Georgia author Frank Garvin Yerby appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

(ATLANTA, GA) – Multi-award-winning Jazz master Wynton Marsalis proclaims: “she has one of the most powerful, purposeful, and accurate voices of this or any time,” while talking about Ms. Dianne Reeves, the preeminent Jazz vocalist of a generation! Dianne Reeves, enthusiastically joins Clark Atlanta University (CAU) Guild, as the headliner for its’ annual Jazz Under the Stars benefit concert, held on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, on the Clark Atlanta University’s Harkness Quadrangle, at 7 p.m.!

Since the CAU Guild’s inception in 1992, this southeast region’s favorite and highly anticipated benefit concert has raised over 2.9 million dollars, providing financial assistance to Clark Atlanta University scholars pursuing degrees in the performing arts, music, creative writing, theatre, film, and fashion. This year’s Jazz Under the Stars presenting sponsor is Delta Air Lines and all proceeds from the concert and auction will benefit the scholarship program. More information for sponsorship opportunities and tickets at (Jazz Under the Stars 2023 – Clark Atlanta University (thankyou4caring.org) or https://1591.thankyou4caring.org/jazz-under-the-stars-2023).

Reeves, a 5-time GRAMMY awardee and treasured worldwide audience favorite will be accompanied by Edward Simon on piano, Brazilian jazz guitarist extraordinaire Romero Lubambo, bassist Reuben Rogers, and veteran Atlanta-based drummer Terreon Gully. These talented artists will share the bandstand with the Clark Atlanta University Jazz ensemble in what promises to be a night of musical genius!

Reeves, a 2018 National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master, and an honorary doctorate recipient of The Juilliard School/New York. Reeves is also the recipient of the 2018 Jazz Legends Award — the first woman to receive the esteemed award from the famed Monterey Jazz Festival. (Previous recipients are Dave Brubeck, Gerald Wilson, George Wein, Jack DeJohnette, Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, Chick Corea, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, and Terence Blanchard.) Reeves’ timeless voice, warm beautiful personality, and the sheer force of her performances deem her a captivating world-class artist. With a broad catalog of repertoire ranging from the American Songbook to Motown and R&B classics, reggae, and Latin-inspired tunes, Reeves has enchanted audiences of some of the world’s greatest stages and orchestras.

The Boston Pops, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Pops Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, and the upcoming performance with the Clark Atlanta University Jazz ensemble, to name a few! Reeves’ latest GRAMMY Award-winning album, Beautiful Life, epitomizes the spirit of her storied and extraordinary career, which traverses many genres and collaborates with a diverse collection of artists.

The post Dianne Reeves joins CAU Guild’s Annual Jazz Under The Stars appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

ATLANTA, GA — Registration for the 12th annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy is now open. Participants who register now through April 1^st will receive 100 bonus points to increase chances of earning top honors. The Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, an annual two-week virtual fundraising competition open to Georgia based legal professionals, invites members of the Georgia legal industry to aid in the fight against hunger by raising funds for Georgians in need. The Georgia Legal Food Frenzy officially kicks off April 17^th and runs through April 28^th. Firms of all sizes and legal practices are encouraged to participate.

Registration takes just three minutes to complete at https://galegalfoodfrenzy.org/sign-up/.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is aiming to increase registration in hopes of raising $700,000 in relief funds, the equivalent of more than 2,800,000 meals, which are distributed to Georgia children, seniors, and families in need through more than 700 non-profit partner organizations. To help achieve this goal, The Food Bank is putting a call out to the Georgia legal community to join the fight. Every dollar raised remains local and benefits one of eight regional food banks that serve Georgia neighbors. Georgia Legal Food Frenzy is in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General, the State Bar of Georgia, the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia, and Feeding Georgia (formerly, the Georgia Food Bank Association).

“Over the last twelve years, the legal community has shown tremendous support for Georgia’s food banks through Georgia Legal Food Frenzy,” said Kyle Waide, president and CEO of Atlanta Community Food Bank. “With lines continuing to grow at our food banks, the need to assist our neighbors persists, and Georgia Legal Food Frenzy is a great opportunity for members of the legal community to raise awareness and critical funds for local hunger relief. We are looking forward to another successful year of helping hungry Georgians in need.”

If you are a member of the Georgia legal community and you would like to join us in the fight against hunger visit GALegalFoodFrenzy.org. For questions or registration changes, email info@feedinggeorgia.org.

The post Atlanta Community Food Bank announces open registration for 12th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

ATLANTA (February 28, 2023) – Atlanta Technical College (ATC) has been named a recipient of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” Initiative through the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC). ATC will receive $2.9M over the two-year grant cycle and is one of three institutions in Georgia and the only technical college in the country to receive this impactful award.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that it has awarded more than $175 million to 61 colleges and universities as part of the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC). These new awards cover colleges and universities in 29 states and four territories.

The Atlanta Technical College “Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program” (ATC-CMCPP) project aims to align programs, initiatives, and services to ensure student success and to meet community and industry needs; improve institutional infrastructure for leadership and accountability across all functions of the College; and build a sustainable business model for resources and industry partnerships. Through this grant, the College has four Programmatic Outcomes:

• Increased Wireless Access Connectivity on Campus (main and south)
• Increase Student Laptop and Hotspot Lending Capacity by 200
• Implement Senior Citizen Digital Literacy Project Serving 200 Participants and Providing them Laptops and Hotspot (Integrity Transformation Community Development Corporation Community-based Partner)
• Third-party Implementation and Broadband Evaluation

“Atlanta Technical College will expand our technology services to our students, who are our priority stakeholders, and who continue to impact their communities and the surrounding region economically. It is a great time to assist our communities with becoming digitally literate when oftentimes our residents are left behind,” said Dr. Victoria Seals, ATC president.

ATC will improve its broadband and wireless infrastructure and will also increase the IT Department’s staff capacity by engaging consultants to ensure that the project is implemented with the highest quality within the grant period. “It took the pandemic for people to realize that millions of students don’t have proper Internet connectivity when away from campus. This award will help mitigate the challenges our local communities face dealing with the digital divide,” stated Robby Gulri – Co-founder Seva Security & Cloud Technology Advocate.

“We are thrilled that Atlanta Technical College has been awarded the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program funding from NIST and look forward to seeing the direct results to the local community of leveraging better broadband for local economic development, job creation, enhanced educational opportunities, and workforce development” said Stephen Stewart – Smart Broadband CEO.

A full listing of the 61 colleges and universities receiving awards is available on InternetForAll.Gov.

The post Atlanta Technical College Receives Biden-Harris Connecting Minority Communities Federal Grant appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

ATLANTA – February 24, 2022 — The Run with Maud 5K Run/Walk, an initiative to celebrate the life of Ahmaud Arbery and raise funds for the foundation established in his name, will take place on May 6 in Centennial Olympic Park.

The announcement came at a community conversation hosted by the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation and Atlanta Track Club Foundation on Friday evening, three years after the Brunswick, Georgia, man was shot and killed on February 23, 2020, while out for a run. The conversation was led by Wanda Cooper-Jones – Arbery’s mother – and Alison Mariella Désir, author of “Running While Black.”

“Ahmaud ran to feel free,” said Cooper-Jones, who created the foundation. “It is the goal of the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation for all people to enjoy running for their mental and physical health. The Run with Maud 5K will raise awareness for that vision and funding to provide mental health resources for black boys.”

Ahmaud Arbery would have turned 29 just two days after the run/walk.

Over the last 47 years, I have run in 35 countries and almost every state in the union – more than 40,000 miles,” said Rich Kenah, CEO of Atlanta Track Club, which will serve as organizer of the run/walk. “Never once have I felt unsafe because of the color of my skin. The murder of Ahmaud Arbery brought that home to me like nothing had before. For Atlanta Track Club to play a role in an initiative that will further his legacy in raising that kind of awareness is an honor.”

The run/walk will begin at 8 a.m. on May 6, with all proceeds benefitting the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation. Registration is now open. It will be part of a day-long celebration of running in downtown Atlanta. Later in the day, Centennial Olympic Park will host the Running City Mile and the adidas Atlanta City Games.

##

About Atlanta Track Club Foundation Atlanta Track Club Foundation, established in May 2021, supports the mission and vision of Atlanta Track Club’s commitment to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. The Foundation’s oversees all fundraising efforts associated with current community programs and general operations as well as seeks to create meaningful partnerships to expand community engagement.

The post Run With Maud 5K Run/Walk to Raise Money for Ahmaud Arbery Foundation appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

ATLANTA – Due to popular demand, Harry Potter: The Exhibition’s Atlanta run has been extended at 200 Peachtree in Downtown Atlanta. The exhibition will now close on April 16, 2023, giving more Wizarding World fans the chance to experience the magic.

Having already welcomed patrons from across the state of Georgia and beyond, including visits from those in all 50 states, 44 countries, and 6 continents, Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta continues to delight and inspire the masses.

With this extension, those in the state of Georgia and neighboring Southeast markets like Chattanooga, Birmingham, Charlotte and Raleigh, to name a few, can plan a trip to Atlanta across Spring Break weeks and long weekends through April.

“We are beyond thrilled with the response to Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Atlanta and excited to extend the time here,” said Tom Zaller, President and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions. “I hope this news gives more fans the chance to make plans to see this one-of-a-kind experience. It’s the perfect Spring Break outing for any age, and a great addition to a local vacation or staycation.”

Enthusiastic reactions to the exhibition have been received from top media outlets including Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta News First, Paste Magazine, Muggle Net, WSB-TV as well as Southeast shows like The Daily Refresh in Chattanooga and Tennessee Valley Living.

To celebrate the added dates, Harry Potter: The Exhibition has announced new ticket offerings and packages:

Two-for-One Tuesdays

Bring a friend and save on Tuesdays now for a limited time.* Don’t miss the chance to share the magic of this spellbinding experience at the best price.

*Tickets for this special offer will be priced at 50% of the face value timed general admission adult tickets only, excluding fees. No minimum purchase necessary. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Some exclusions apply. Not valid on VIP Tickets or Flextime Tickets.

Wizarding Wednesdays

Bring the entire family to Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta! Every Wednesday, get 4 tickets for the price of 3, a savings of up to $29! Plus, receive a $20 credit for the Harry Potter: The Exhibition retail store. Don’t miss your chance to embark on this spellbinding journey with the entire family!

Harry Potter: The Exhibition – After-Hours Night on March 24

Do you remember waiting at the bookstore for the release of a new Harry Potter™ book? Did you ever dress up for a midnight film premiere? Or are you a newer fan looking to discover more about the Wizarding World and explore the exhibition at your own pace? Then this event is for you! Get ready to join fellow witches and wizards who are 18+ for Harry Potter: The Exhibition – After-Hours night.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta allows fans the chance to celebrate the wonder of the Harry Potter series as well as the wider Wizarding World in this unique and interactive way. Upon check in, personalize your experience by picking your Hogwarts house, Patronus and favorite character wand and then earn points for your house throughout the adventure. The spacious galleries encompass over 38,000 sq. ft. giving visitors the unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes, engage and walk-through iconic environments including the Great Hall, Hogwarts classrooms, Hagrid’s Hut and the Forbidden Forest. Test your Quidditch skills, place your name on Marauder’s Map and see film costumes, props and artifacts up close in the incredible Exhibition.

To top off the one-of-a-kind experience, the Café features an inspired food and beverage menu, including savory and sweet items and specially themed drinks such as “The Philosopher’s Stone,” a special mix of cranberry, lime and pineapple juices with a splash of soda and an Edible Smoke Bubble, completing the magical presentation.

Guests also can enjoy the retail store with official licensed collectibles and treats including bespoke art from MinaLima, the graphic design duo from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, bottled Butterbeer, notable snacks like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Botts Every-Flavor Jelly Beans, and exclusive Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta items only available in store and online for a limited time. The store and Cafe are open to the public and do not require an Exhibition ticket to visit.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition Atlanta Information:

Tickets are available now through April 16. The Exhibition is open Sunday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase here and start at $25 for children (12 and under) and $29 for adults (13 and over), excluding taxes and fees. Additional ticket offerings include the Flextime ticket starting at $59, good for any time or day, as well as a VIP ticket package good for any time on the date selected and includes a commemorative lanyard, complimentary audio guide and a $10 voucher to be used in the retail store at the Exhibition. Reserve your parking in advance here.

Harry Potter™: The Exhibition was created and developed by Imagine Exhibitions in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment and EMC Presents

Visit www.HarryPotterExhibition.com to register for updates on the experience. Fans are encouraged to follow Harry Potter: The Exhibition on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and through the #HarryPotterExhibition hashtag.

The post Harry Potter: The Exhibition in Atlanta will continue to welcome visitors through April 16 appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.