The Coca-Cola Company recently announced the launch of The World Is My Yard. The exclusive platform provides HBCU students with educational and professional opportunities such as grants, externships, mentorship and more.
The platform also offers special perks and informs users about engaging experiences that celebrate the magic and culture of HBCUs.
Stephanie Eaddy, Senior Director of Cultural Marketing at Coca-Cola, shared thoughts on the initiative. “We’re really excited about bringing this platform to life for our students,” Eaddy told ADW. “We have had a long standing history with HBCUs in particular, and this program, or platform as I’m calling it, is a holistic approach to how we are creating more experiences, greater opportunity, and honestly, fun and celebration for the HBCU students during their time at school.”
During this weekend’s Spelhouse Homecoming, the company was on site to give info to students.
“Homecoming is one of the ways in which we are introducing the platform to the students,” Eaddy said. “So ‘The world is my Yard’ is accessible to students when they download the Plus One app. Through this app, students get a curated and customized experience where they will be able to learn about invaluable resources, different on campus, experiences and tools that are available to them as HBCU students exclusively. So we have a three pillared program that offers world readiness programs, things that help students prepare for life beyond the classroom, everything from internships and externships to real classroom experience and mentorship. But we also want to celebrate the culture of HBCUs. We bring fun experiences to the yard. And then our third pillar is really around refreshing and renewal of students to help them get access to exclusive partnerships. So we’re really excited to introduce this platform and get it into the hands of students.”
Jasmine Jackson, a senior attending Delaware State University, also provided insight.
“The externship was eight weeks, and after the eight weeks, we had a two day on site visit to the Atlanta headquarters where we presented our final presentation,” Jackson said. “So throughout the eight weeks, we had to solve a marketing problem and make like a case around it, using research data. And then at the final presentation, all the students got to present. I definitely got to learn a lot. I met a lot of students, and I had great mentors as well, which was really cool…I would say, if you’re interested in going to HBCU, definitely do it. And when you get there, talk to everybody. Get involved in as many things as you can, and just put yourself out there and create a brand for yourself so that people know to come to you when they have opportunities. So yeah, just talk to people, network and, of course, apply yourself.”
A.R. Shaw serves as Executive Editor of Atlanta Daily World. His work has been featured in The Guardian, ABC News, NBC, BBC, CBC. He’s also the author of the book “Trap History: Atlanta Culture and the Global Impact of Trap Music.”
Trump, the Republican nominee, took the stage at Madison Square Garden, delivering a closing pitch that unleashed xenophobic, racially charged rhetoric, painting an America under siege and promising a wave of mass deportations starting on Day 1.
By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
As Election Day draws closer, the divide between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump has become a chasm. With the help of well-known supporters like Beyoncé, Usher, and Bruce Springsteen who gathered in cities across the country to support her inclusive platform, Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has spent the final days of her campaign calling for unity among Americans. Meanwhile, Trump, the Republican nominee, took the stage at Madison Square Garden, delivering a closing pitch that unleashed xenophobic, racially charged rhetoric, painting an America under siege and promising a wave of mass deportations starting on Day 1.
Beyoncé joined Harris onstage in Houston, stating, “I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m here as a mother.” Springsteen spoke to Harris’s core values, noting, “She believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power.” The entertainers championed a vision that they argue will protect democracy, safeguard freedoms, and promote unity—a vision starkly opposed to Trump’s divisive tirade at the World’s Most Famous Arena, where just blocks away, Trump was found guilty of 34 felony charges this year and only a few miles from the court that held him responsible for sexual assault.
His civil conviction on massive business fraud also occurred across town from The Garden.
Trump’s rally, marketed as a historic comeback, was instead a showcase of his campaign’s unrestrained hostility. He anchored his speech on his promise of a massive deportation program, calling the country “occupied” by immigrants—a message reminiscent of historical demagogues. Outside, the Democrats made their own statements, projecting the messages “Trump is Unhinged” and “Trump Praised Hitler” across the storied arena’s exterior.
Before Trump even reached the podium, his supporters stoked racial hatred and fear. Former congressional candidate David Rem attacked Harris, calling her “the antichrist” and “the devil” while waving a cross. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe plunged into outright racism, referring to Puerto Rico as “a floating island of garbage” and demeaning Latinos with, “These Latinos, they love making babies, too.” Radio host Sid Rosenberg went further, railing against migrants living in New York and declaring, “You got homeless and veterans—Americans—sleeping on their own feces on a bench in Central Park. But the f**king illegals, they get whatever they want, don’t they?”
Trump’s speech bristled with falsehoods and conspiracy-laden claims. Echoing his 2016 rhetoric, he argued that migrants are to blame for economic woes, pushing the narrative that his leadership alone could restore prosperity. “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” he asked, promising to end inflation and “bring back the American dream” despite his previous term’s failure. His speech underscored the extremist shift that defines his campaign—a willingness to blame society’s ills on the most vulnerable, in line with far-right leaders who have exploited fear and division throughout history.
Harris’s final rally, scheduled for Tuesday, will occur on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., a deliberate echo of the January 6, 2021, insurrection that Trump incited.
Harris’s campaign has drawn strength from powerful allies who recognize the stakes. Reflecting on Trump’s divisive legacy, Tyler Perry said, “In this Donald Trump America, there is no dream that looks like me.” Bruce Springsteen declared, “There is only one candidate in this election who holds those principles dear: Kamala Harris… Trump is running to be an American tyrant. He does not understand this country, its history, or what it means to be deeply American.”
Samuel L. Jackson, standing firmly behind Harris, reminded audiences, “She’s running on a proven track record of fighting for the people… of taking on the toughest fights.”
There are eight days remaining in the 2024 Presidential Election for Vice President Kamala D. Harris and former President Donald J. Trump. In the last week, Vice President Harris visited Clarkston, an enclave bordered by Decatur to the west and Stone Mountain to the east. Friday, Harris visited Houston, Texas to campaign alongside U.S. Represntative Colin Allred, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé. Saturday, Michelle Obama joined Harris to rally voters in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Meanwhile, Trump headlined a rally at Madison Square Garden and is set to return to Atlanta tonight at Georgia Tech.
What do we know about the race with one week to go?
First, the early voting turnout in Georgia has surpassed the levels from 2020. As of 6am Monday morning, 38.9% of Georgia’s registered voters have made their choice in this year’s presidential election. More than 2.81 million voters have cast their ballot. Black voters make up nearly 34% of that turnout. The general rule of thumb is if more than 30% of Black voters vote for the Democratic Party, it bodes well for their chances. In the cases for Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton and Henry Counties, total turnout has been north of 40% during the early voting period.
Additionally, 71,000 Georgians who were registered to vote in 2020, but did not cast a ballot in that election, have already cast a ballot this year during the first week of early voting. Among newly-activated voters, Democrats currently hold an edge.
Every single survey has Harris and Trump locked in a dead heat in Georgia.
Maya Harris speaks during a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday, October 18, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
A Woman’s Right to Choose is central to Democrats closing message
During each campaign stop, one message was clear: reproductive freedom for women is true freedom for all Americans. The stories of the pain and suffering were told in an effervescent manner. Thursday, the family of Amber Nicole Thurman attended the Harris rally in Clarkston. Friday, Harris rallied voters in Houston on her pledge to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. Texas, like Georgia, abortion procedures are prohibited at six weeks – before many women know they are pregnant – with exceptions only if the mother’s life is in danger.
“So do you think Donald Trump is thinking about the consequences for the millions of women who will be living in medical deserts,” asked Michelle Obama during her speech in Houston. “Does anyone think he has the emotional maturity and foresight to come up with a plan to protect us?”
During an event hosted by Maya Harris, the women backing the Vice President Harris urged attendees to vote early and in person, emphasizing the significance of youth and diverse voter engagement. Maya Harris also underscored the Vice President’s commitment to reproductive freedom. The message was clear: individual efforts can make a significant impact, and the collective goal is to ensure Kamala Harris becomes the next President.
Objectives for enshrining Roe
Vote for Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, as she has pledged to protect reproductive rights and expand access to healthcare.
Women must have open and honest conversations important men in their lives to make it clear that protecting women’s health and rights is a priority. Urge the gentlemen to vote accordingly.
Encourage women, especially first-time voters, to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard on these critical issues.
Support efforts to pass legislation that would restore nationwide protections for reproductive rights.
Advocate against policies and politicians that seek to restrict or undermine access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, contraception, and maternal care.
Maya Harris takes a selfie with a crowd during a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday, October 18, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
“It is why she has spent her entire life fighting for each of us to be able to have that freedom,” explained Maya Harris. “To put a fine point on it, like the freedom to make our own decisions about our health, our families and our futures. Which includes our reproductive freedom, which is a defining issue, not just in this election, but for our entire country. And certainly for this room in so many ways. It’s an issue that Kamala has been the strongest, most vocal champion of this issue since the overturning of Roe v Wade.”
Puerto Rico, an American territory, MAGA’s latest target
While Kamala Harris was in Philadelphia on Sunday, Donald Trump staged a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was apropos for Trump to hold such an event on an NFL Sunday. Trump notoriously failed in his attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills and the NFL put the former United States Football League out of business in the 1980s.
As for modern times, Trump and his surrogates put on a rally that was red meat for conservatives living on Long Island and Staten Island. Comedian Tony Hinchcliff warmed up the crowd by dehumanizing Puerto Ricans when he said, “I don’t know if you know this but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico.” That joke did not go over well for U.S. Senator Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida currently fighting to keep his seat.
The problem for Scott is that every speaker was vetted by Team Trump. Scott is locked in a battle with Debbie Mucarsel-Powell for his seat in November’s elections. Florida is home to the largest number of Puerto Ricans in the United States outside of the island itself.
Conversely, Marc Anthony, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, Luis Fonsi and others have shared a post by Kamala Harris which outlines her plans for Puerto Rico. Each person is supporting Harris in the election.
Notably, about 100,000 Puerto Ricans live in Georgia. Also notable, it took the Trump team six hours to clean up the disastrous fallout from the joke. “This joke does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign,” says Trump campaign Senior Advisor Danielle Alvarez. I mean, this too is a lie because Trump spent the week calling America a ‘garbage can.’ Trump also wanted to swap Puerto Rico for Greenland in 2020.
Trump does nothing to distance himself from the fascist labels
David Rem, a Trump surrogate, called Vice President Harris ‘the antichrist’. Tucker Carlson referred to Harris as, ‘a Samoan, Malaysian, low IQ former California prosecutor.’ Stephen Miller said, ‘America is for Americans and Americans only.’ That quote was directly lifted from Adolf Hitler’s speech in 1934 when he said, ‘Germany is for Germans and Germans only.’ No coincidence here. The Nazi Party held a rally at the World’s Most Famous Arena in 1939, espousing similar views.
This story will not directly discuss Trump’s former Chief of Staff John Kelly proclaiming that his former boss is a fascist and wishes he had generals that are loyal to him like Hitler’s. However, Miller’s quote is directly reminiscent of Joseph Goebbels, the philosopher of the Nazi Party. Goebbels drafted its literature which was cloaked in antisemitism.
For Trump, he realized his dream of seeing his name in lights on Sunday. Like his rally in Traverse City on Friday, Trump showed up hours late for his event. Trump labeled the Democrats as ‘the enemy from within’ because he believes they’ve done terrible things to America. Trump rattled through his greatest hits Sunday. He attacked the media and referred to America’s generals as ‘weak, stupid people’. Trump also said FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina was worse than Hurricane Katrina because FEMA paid out money to undocumented immigrants. That is an outright lie.
Subsequently, his followers left MSG after they could not sit around any longer.
Black Men and the Vote
Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, at the James R Hallford Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Clarkston, Georgia. (Photo: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
During Sunday night’s WinWithBlackMen call, it emphasized the importance of increasing Black voter turnout in key battleground states. Key metrics included Black women voting 34-56 points above Black men in some states, and over 65% of Black voters aged 65+ having already voted. In Georgia, 38% of Black men have voted in the 2024 Elections.
Many leaders on the call were emphasizing to young voters that their vote can make a critical difference. For example, The Collective PAC is hiring up to 15,000 voting ambassadors in key swing states, including Georgia, to organize their friends and family. They are encouraging young people to sign up as ambassadors and leverage their personal networks to drive voter turnout.
The idea that Black men are not turning out for Harris is a myth. 72% of Black men are supporting Harris according to a Pew Research Center survey. However, misogyny is what is driving conversation. It is not a myth that misogyny by some Black men are being platformed by the Republican Party. Those pleas got hollowed out when “Dixie” was played before the U.S. Representative, Byron Donalds, was introduced in New York City Sunday afternoon.
The finish line is approaching
With eight days remaining, the Harris campaign has momentum. They are packing out stadiums. If polling data is not to be trusted, follow the money. The Harris campaign raised more than $1 billion in the period before September 30th, according to official filings.
Conversely, the Trump campaign is resigned to using racism and threats of violence. Trump even winked at the U.S. House Speaker, Mike Johnson, saying: “I think with our little secret we are gonna do really well with the house. Our little secret is having a big impact. He and I have a little secret. We will tell you what it is when the race is over.” Trump hopes the Election has enough chaos that it shall be thrown into the House of Representatives.
Donald Trump pledges to use the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. It was created to deport individuals during war with France, to deport undocumented immigrants from the United States. While Trump’s surrogates are making jingoistic and xenophobic remarks, Vice President Kamala Harris is shoring up support within Latino communities in Philadelphia.
The case for both candidates is now in the collective hands of Georgia voters.
“Unfortunately, it may be too late for her campaign. There are some things that I wouldn’t be inclined to support, and some other things that the measures are not specific enough to meet the needs and wants of black men as a whole. She waited a long time to address what black men want and need. And I’m sure she’s afraid to step on the grenade doing something that is going to benefit black people specifically. Although black people are in a specific and unique position financially in America, and that’s probably what’s most on people’s minds is our finances and our families.”
Timothy Hood
Smyrna
“It may be considered to be pandering, but isn’t that a part of the political structure? She has to offer something to those seeking to vote for her. I believe that, based on her history in the criminal justice system, we need criminal justice reform for black men. I would consider that primary because she specializes in that particular industry. So, all in all, we are looking at the political system and process underway. We should not be shocked by her campaigning to black men. And, you know, we all can vote for whomever we believe in.”
Brian Christian
Mableton
“This whole thing about attacking Kamala for black men who don’t have a good impression of her, I think, is nonsense. We’re the flavor of the week right now. You’ll be talking about something else next week. I think it’s an insult for you to try to jump on top of Black men and change your mindset. I think Kamala is about as black as they come. And she has a solid base. I think that she would do a lot for this country.”
Tony Cade
Challenges Games and Comics, Tucker
“The outreach is a positive thing. One thing people don’t get is that a president is not a king or queen. You may want to do something but still have to pass it through the House of Representatives and the Senate. So, anything that a politician offers you, you have to take it with a grain of salt. But I’m up for anything that will improve economic standpoints.”
Do you know many people who claim to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Maybe they say they know the Holy Spirit intimately. Do you claim this? I suspect we all want to. Now, if you’re going to be honest, how many people do you know who really have that kind of spiritual connection? I think it’s pretty easy to understand the concept. However, I believe it is more than a notion to achieve if you use the natural world as your reference point.
We have all had, at one time or another, a very personal relationship with another person. They are wonderful, at times painful, and at other times seemingly very traumatic. But make no mistake about it. They have been and are considered by you as extremely personal. In many cases, these relationships shape our character and define us as human beings, good and bad. Not only do deeply personal relationships define us, but they can also set our lives on a road we sometimes would otherwise choose not to go down. Your relationships with your mother or father, brother or sister, family member, ex-lover, ex-spouse, or best friend can and do leave lasting impressions branded on your psyche. How we deal with and recover from personal relationships allows us to become who we are. You are extremely blessed if you can share your personal moments with others. Many of us keep them hidden in our secret places to treasure or cherish or, in many cases, despise. Isn’t it interesting that much of the road to salvation begins with a personal experience that some call “being or getting saved?” I understand it as puzzling to those who have not had this experience. How can you have a personal experience, a moment of enlightenment, with an invisible untouchable who has been dead for over two centuries? But if you have had a real connection with someone who is now deceased or no longer in your life, you can testify how that person has and continues to have a profound effect on your very being. Even now, though they are gone, you respond to the knowledge of how he or she would respond and react to certain behaviors you wouldn’t want any of us to know you engage in.
You know that person would be disappointed, maybe hurt. You also know what would make them very proud of you. Sometimes, you even act or react according to what you think they would expect of you. Now, that’s a personal relationship. And so it is with the Almighty. By faith in Jesus, belief in His deity, trying to live by His Word, understanding His sacrifice, these things, and much more, we all have begun this very personal trip. You cannot have a personal relationship with a stranger. Only an idiot would submit themselves to the will of someone they just met yesterday. How many times have you spent a great deal of time with someone who ultimately turned out to be a complete and total stranger? I guess I’m saying we don’t have that relationship with God that we want simply because we don’t seek to establish it. We study Him not. We know Him not. A personal relationship with God is not measured by how often you attend church but rather by the depths to which you’ve been touched by His will because you were consciously and deliberately looking for Him. May God bless you and keep you always.
This column is from James Washington’s Spiritually Speaking: Reflections for and from a New Christian. You can purchase this enlightening book on Amazon and start your journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
Kamala Harris and Beyoncé ignited a Houston rally with a double-barreled argument against Donald Trump on Friday, with the superstar telling the Democratic nominee’s biggest crowd ever that it was “time to sing a new song” as Harris warned that her GOP opponent was dead set on further eroding women’s rights.
The rally was set in reliably Republican Texas, to highlight the growing medical fallout from the state’s strict abortion ban, but the message was intended to register in the political battleground states, where Harris is hoping that the aftereffects from the fall of Roe v. Wade will spur voters to turn out to support her quest for the presidency.
“For all the men and women in this room, and watching around the country, we need you,” Beyoncé said in a rare political appearance. The megastar’s speech was lofty, joyful and optimistic — a temper to the seriousness of the topic and of the message Harris was there to bring.
“I’m here as a mother, a mother who cares deeply about the world my children and all of our children live in,” Beyoncé said. “A world where we have freedom to control our bodies, a world where we’re not divided.”
Harris came out to huge cheers. She told the crowd that Trump had erased half a century of hard-fought progress when he appointed the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe and touched off a growing healthcare crisis.
She listed off downstream effects she sees from various bans. Women who never intended to end a pregnancy are suffering devastating complications when they can’t get care. They have fewer options, and fewer medical students are choosing to specialize in women’s health.
“For anyone watching from another state, if you think you are protected from Trump abortion bans because you live in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New York, California, or any state where voters or legislators have protected reproductive freedom, please know: No one is protected,” Harris warned. “Because a Donald Trump national ban will outlaw abortion in every single state.”
“All that to say, elections matter,” she said.
Trump has been inconsistent in his message to voters on abortion and reproductive rights, though he’s said he’d veto a national abortion ban. He has repeatedly shifted his stance and offered vague, contradictory and at times nonsensical answers to questions on an issue that has become a major vulnerability for Republicans in this year’s election.
Trump was also in Texas Friday, where he predicted he’d break records for the number of people deported from the United States if he wins the election. He taped a podcast with Joe Rogan before heading to a rally in Traverse City, Michigan, where he took the stage three hours late.
Harris was joined at the rally by women who have nearly died from sepsis and other pregnancy complications because they were unable to get proper medical care. Some of them have already been out campaigning for Harris and others have told their harrowing tales in campaign ads that seek to show how the issue has ballooned into something far bigger than the right to end an unwanted pregnancy.
Since abortion was restricted in Texas, the state’s infant death rate has increased, more babies have died of birth defects and maternal mortality has risen.
The crowd waited for hours, wearing flashing red, white and blue LED bracelets as “trust women” and “freedom” flashed on big screens between acts.
“Sometimes they forget about us because we’re a Republican state,” Rhonda Johnson, who has been living in Houston for 19 years, said. “But I’m glad she’s here.”
Reproductive rights, the economy and LGBTQ issues were key reasons for Yannick Djomatchoua in his decision to support Harris and wait in the hours-long line to see her. “It’s very personal,” he said, adding that he knew friends who had to make difficult decisions due to the state’s abortion restrictions.
Harris’ campaign has taken on Beyoncé’s 2016 track “Freedom” as its anthem, and the message dovetails with the vice president’s emphasis on reproductive freedom. Beyoncé was joined by her mother, Tina Knowles, and her former bandmate Kelly Rowland, who all spoke about Harris’ historic candidacy and a dream of a more united nation.
“Our voices sing a chorus of unity,” Beyoncé said. “They sing a song of dignity and opportunity — are y’all ready?”
Harris was also joined by country legend Willie Nelson, who sang some of his greatest hits, including “On the Road Again.”
“Hey, how are y’all doing?” the 91-year-old Nelson asked the crowd. “Are we ready to say Madam President?”
Democrats warn that a winnowing of rights and freedoms will only continue if Trump is elected. Republican lawmakers in states across the U.S. have been rejecting Democrats’ efforts to protect or expand access to birth control, for example.
“In America, freedom is not to be given. It is not to be bestowed. It is ours. By right. And that includes the fundamental freedom of a woman to make decisions about her own body and not have the government telling her what to do,” Harris said.
There is some evidence to suggest that abortion rights may drive women to the polls as it did during the 2022 midterm elections. Voters in seven states, including some conservative ones, have either protected abortion rights or defeated attempts to restrict them in statewide votes over the past two years.
About 6 in 10 Americans think their state should generally allow a person to obtain a legal abortion if they don’t want to be pregnant for any reason, according to a July poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Democrats also hope Harris’ visit will give a boost to Rep. Colin Allred, who is making a longshot bid to unseat Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred said Friday that if you vote to overturn a woman’s constitutional right, as Cruz did, then you should lose your job.
Texas encapsulates the post-Roe landscape. Its strict abortion ban prohibits physicians from performing abortions once cardiac activity is detected, which can happen as early as six weeks or before.
As a result, women are increasingly suffering worse medical care. That’s in part because doctors cannot intervene unless a woman is facing a life-threatening condition, or to prevent “substantial impairment of major bodily function.”
“Texas’ abortion bans unleashed by Donald Trump almost cost me my life and have left me with physical and emotional scars,” said Ondrea Cummings, who lost her 16-week baby and nearly died from sepsis when she couldn’t get care fast enough.
“I never thought I would have this type of personal experience. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
-By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, COLLEEN LONG and NADIA LATHAN Associated Press
Atlanta Daily World stands as the first Black daily publication in America. Started in 1927 by Morehouse College graduate W.A. Scott. Currently owned by Real Times Media, ADW is one of the most influential Black newspapers in the nation.
After Cardi B dropped out of headlining One Musicfest on Wednesday after hospitalization, there were questions on who would be replacing the “Bodak Yellow” superstar. But amid the questions, one name rang loudly: Latto.
The “Georgia Peach” and “Big Mama” rapper may have been a last-minute replacement, but she commanded the stage as if she was always meant to be the main performer. She was preceded by a set from DJ Drama and performances by Jeremiah and 2 Chainz. However, while their sets were filled with high energy, anticipation for Latto’s performance crescendoed into impatience.
When it hit 10:15 p.m. with no sign of Latto and 15 minutes left of the allotted time at the P&G stage, that impatience was evident when DJ Drama asked if he could play one more song.
“No,” the crowd yelled.
“Alright, dim the lights. Get ready for Big Latto,” he said.
Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice
About 5 minutes later and with only two days of preparation, Latto burst onto the stage with her recent hit, “Georgia Peach,” a love letter to her roots.
The performance came a day before the start of the North American tour for her third studio album “Sugar Honey Iced Tea.” Her appointment as the new headliner was a sort of redemption for her fans who criticized her lack of an Atlanta date on her tour, a glaring miss for her hometown.
“Let’s treat this like we’re on tour,” she said to the crowd of hundreds who packed Central Park and waited over an hour to see her perform.
In a cropped fur jacket and leather shorts, she performed hits such as “Brokey,” “Put it on Da Floor Again,” “Nasty,” and “Muwop,” the latter two of which were assists from Southern rappers Boosie and Gucci Mane early in her mainstream career. Her 20-minute performance was filled with slick and raunchy rap lyrics, dancing, and an attempt to pay the rent for someone celebrating their birthday (an attempt that failed after two people lied about their birth date).
“What do I get for my birthday,” Latto sang. Unfortunately, those two OMF-goers did not find out, but the performance, while not without its problems, was a last-minute gift in and of itself.
On Thursday (October 24), Perry appeared at Harris’ Atlanta rally where he told the crowd he knew he could never support Trump after learning that the former president took out a full-page ad calling for the Central Park Five to be put to death.
“I’ve watched him, from the Central Park Five to Project 2025,” Perry said of Trump.
“What I realized is that in this Donald Trump America, there is no dream that looks like me,” he added.
.@tylerperry: From the Central Park Five to Project 2025, I realized that in Donald Trump’s America, there is no dream that looks like me. We want a president who believes the American dream is for everyone. And that president is Kamala Harris pic.twitter.com/PT0LVaTQkB
While speaking onstage Thursday, Perry offered a stark contrast between his upbringing and Trump’s, saying the Republican nominee had “a father who had millions of dollars” and doesn’t understand the struggles of the lower and working class.
“If you are like me, I worked my ass off to buy my first house, to build my business and take care of my family,” Perry said.
During his speech, Perry also referred to Trump’s statement at last month’s presidential debate that he had “concepts of a plan” when it comes to health care policy.
“What the hell?” the actor-filmmaker said, invoking one of Madea’s catchphrases.
Perry urged Georgians to cast their ballots for Harris.
“I stand here, full-throated, with my full chest, begging you, imploring you: Let’s get out and make Kamala Harris the 47th president of the United States,” he said.
Other stars that attended Harris’ rally in Atlanta included filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and Bruce Springsteen, who performed.
“We are all shapes, sizes and colors, but we are one,” Perry said during his remarks. “It was so important for me to stand with a candidate who understands that we, as America, we are a quilt. And I could never stand with a candidate who wants us to be a sheet.”
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Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC)announced they will launch a major bus tour across Georgia, which will include a series of events aiming to harness the power of the youth vote in Georgia. BMAC, fresh off the 4th Annual BMAC GALA where the organization honored USHER, LL COOL J, BET, Ivy McGregor and Live Nation for their work advancing social and racial justice, will bring their “It’s Your Fight…VOTE” chartered bus to stop through the state and encourage early voting among young people, and in partnership with I Will Vote, help those voters create a voting plan. The organization will also use the bus to bring a group of 50 student leaders to the Harris for President Rally in Atlanta on Oct. 24 with Barack Obama, create music artist activations and engage voters at ONE Music Fest on Oct. 26-27, and host a “Celebration of Democracy” Brunch and panel conversation, in partnership with Rolling Sea Action Fund (RSAF) and I Will Vote on Tuesday, October 29 featuring BMAC’s CEO and Co-Founder Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, Niccara Campbell the Executive Director of the RSAF, and the DNC’s Brencia Berry, among others.
“BMAC is aiming to educate, empower, and engage with youth voters in order to leverage the power of the collective voice to drive systemic change. Georgia is going to be a key battleground again. Along with the historic nature of this election, we want the youth in Georgia to know their voice and vote might be the deciding factor that could change their lives and lives all across this country, as well as how we collectively hold the new administration accountable. Our mission is to make civic engagement at the local and federal level a priority for young people,” said Prophet.
Events include:
ONE MUSIC FEST – Saturday, Oct 26 and Sunday, Oct 27 – As a continuation of its push
to the polls, BMAC, in partnership with ‘I Will Vote,’ will activate at ONE Music Fest in Atlanta from October 26-27 to cultivate raw conversations around the upcoming election with influential artists, executives, and changemakers. The conversations will be posted on BET’s social channels to inspire and educate undecided voters as they finalize their voting plans.
BMAC “It’s Your Fight…VOTE” Bus stops – Monday, Oct. 28 and Tuesday, Oct. 28 – The BMAC “It’s Your Fight…VOTE” chartered bus will make stops in key areas in Georgia, continuing to engage Black youth to ensure they vote. The bus will be making stops at Fort Valley University, Georgia State, Kennesaw University, Clark Atlanta, Spelman, Morehouse, and Morris Brown.
BMAC presents “Celebration of Democracy” Brunch – Tuesday, Oct. 29 – Ahead of the
When We All Vote, Michelle Obama Voter Rally, BMAC has partnered with Black-owned restaurant Breakfast at Barney’s, owned by two Morris Brown alumni, to host a curated group of influencers, youth leaders, invested Artists, industry and community leaders, and activists. The celebration will feature good food, music and a brief discussion with a panel of changemakers who will discuss what is on the mind of young voters, a call to action to make a voting plan, and a call to action to spread the word about the importance of voting. Led by Kenny Burns (Serial Entrepreneur/ Investor and Author) and Shay M. Lawson Esq. (BMAC Chair of Policy and Civic Engagement), the panelists include Brencia Berry (Political Director, Democratic National Committee), Niccara Campbell (Executive Director, Rolling Sea Action Fund), Alencia Johnson (Cultural Commentator, Author, Political Advisor, Sr. Advisor, Harris for President), and Phillana Williams (Director Atlanta Mayor’s Office Of Film, Entertainment & Nightlife).
These events build on BMAC’s successful events that use the power of music to shine a light on the truth, as well as legislative efforts that work towards longlasting policy change around social and racial justice. Recent efforts include the annual BMAC Gala which brought together music and activism to honor LL COOL J, Usher, BET, Live Nation, and Ivy McGregor; Acts I – III in cities across the country which hosted conversations around the manufactured myth of country music and white America based off BMAC’s ‘Three Chords and The Actual Truth’ report; BMAC’s Economic Justice Summit with UTA; as well as supporting policy change like the CREATE Art Act, NO FAKES Act, RAP ACT, and SAG-AFTRA’s Sound Recording Deal, among other initiatives.
Atlanta Daily World stands as the first Black daily publication in America. Started in 1927 by Morehouse College graduate W.A. Scott. Currently owned by Real Times Media, ADW is one of the most influential Black newspapers in the nation.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have very different policy positions and political approaches − as well as fashion choices. Jacquelyn Martin/pool/AFP via Getty Images and Win McNamee/Getty Images
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and Republican contender Donald Trump could not be more different – and this split between them extends far beyond politics and into their fashion choices.
While Harris tends to wear form-fitting pantsuits and feminine tops, Trump opts for ill-fitting, boxy, navy suits and long red ties.
All American politicians oftenwear American flag pins on their lapels, as well as red, white and blue clothing. But my research shows how fashion plays an important, symbolic role in politics that goes far beyond patriotism. A person’s appearance reflects their identity and how they want others to perceive them.
It makes sense that political campaigns often work with professional stylists to dress and style their top candidates, as a way to define and reflect politicians’ different personalities, identities and policy positions.
Kamala Harris arrives to speak at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024, wearing a dark blue pantsuit. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
While Clinton’s pantsuits during the 2016 presidential campaign had rigid silhouettes that did not show the shape of her body, Harris’ pantsuits are more relaxed and less formal.
As a senator, Harris, alongside other Democratic female politicians, wore a white pantsuit to commemorate and celebrate the suffragettes.
At the Democratic National Convention in August 2024, Harris accepted the presidential nomination wearing a perhaps unsurprising navy blue pantsuit with the standard politician’s American flag pin on the lapel. She topped off the look with medium-heel dress shoes and a dark blue pussycat bow blouse, sometimes also called a lavallière. The pussycat bow blouse, which was popularized in the 1970s among professional women, is a feminine version of a traditional tie.
This type of tie has a soft, floppy bow at the neck that can be tied in numerous ways.
Harris’ decision to regularly wear pussycat bow blouses shows that she has a feminine flair, and it’s also a nod to past feminist icons who wore that type of bow.
When Harris wears sneakers – which are often Chuck Taylors – with a pantsuit, it reminds me of how the actress Helen Hunt’s character wore practical commuter sneakers with business clothing in the 1990s and 2000s “Mad About You” TV series.
The unlikely combination of a pantsuit with sneakers shows that Harris is a busy, professional woman – who is also youthful, energetic and relatable to other women.
Walz’s American dad style
Tim Walz speaks at a campaign rally in Volant, Pa., on Oct. 15, 2024, wearing one of his signature flannel shirts. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, has also received public attention for his clothing choices.
At the Democratic National Convention in August, former President Barack Obama remarked about Walz regularly wearing plaid, flannel shirts. “You can tell those flannel shirts he wears don’t come from some political consultant. They come from his closet, and they have been through some stuff,” Obama said.
Walz’s typical outfits, including plaid shirts, jeans and a well-worn suit with the shirt collar unbuttoned and no tie, signals that he is authentic and relatable to the average American.
This unofficial uniform also helps cement the public perception of Walz as an archetypal American coach and dad.
The Harris-Walz campaign has capitalized on Walz’s image by selling merchandise that seems like something out of his closet.
Donald Trump and JD Vance attend a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the World Trade Center at Ground Zero in New York City on Sept. 11, 2024. Adam Gray/AFP via Getty Images
Vance’s and Trump’s aesthetics
Republican politicians also show who they are, or who they want to be, through their fashion choices. Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, for example, has noticeably changed his appearance from when he first became involved in politics a few years ago to when he became a senator in 2023.
In 2017, Vance often wore jeans, a button-down, open-collar shirt and an unbuttoned blazer during his book tour. When he was elected as a senator in 2023, he began wearing suits and ties.
More recently, Vance began dressing in the unofficial Make America Great Again uniform, consisting of a tailored dark blue suit, red tie and white shirt with dark shoes. With this outfit choice, Vance is wrapping himself in red, white and blue, referencing the American flag and signaling his patriotism.
Trump wears a nearly identical political uniform that has become instantly recognizable and closely associated with conservative politicians.
When Trump selected Vance as his running mate in July 2024, Vance also dyed his gray hair to brown to possibly appear more youthful. Perhaps it became more important for Vance to appear younger after 81-year-old President Joe Biden stepped down from the Democratic ticket and 60-year-old Harris became the presidential candidate.
Beyond the campaign, in February 2024, Trump released 1,000 pairs of limited edition high-top sneakers called “Never Surrender.” These shoes, which quickly sold out, were covered in gaudy, gold lamé and had an American flag printed around the collar of the sneakers.
I recently found several examples of pairs of Trump sneakers for sale on eBay and other online shops for thousands of dollars.
Harris’ monochromatic blouses and pantsuit with sneakers combination, alongside Walz’s Midwestern dad outfits, will likely help the campaign’s effort for its candidates to appear as relatable to many working class voters and women.
Likewise, Trump’s classic MAGA red hat and tie, in addition to Vance’s similar uniform of navy blue suit, white button-down shirt and red tie, evoke their focus on masculine conservatism.
The candidates’ styles don’t tell voters any details about campaign promises or political policies, but they do give an idea of who the candidates think they are.
CHARLOTTE – “Imagine it’s January 20, 2025. It is also Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And a Black woman is holding the Frederick Douglass bible. Her name – Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. And placing her hand on that bible is another black woman – Kamala Harris.”
It was powerful imagery by Jamie Harrison, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Harrison was one of many speakers at the Charlotte Convention Center to introduce former President Barack Obama on Friday, October 25 in front of a crowd of several thousand supporters.
“Kamala Harris will be sworn in, and she will vow to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States,” Harris said. It was a sharp contrast to the words of Donald Trump, who called for the termination of the Constitution to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
“What MAGA means is that the greatness of America is in our past. We believe it’s in our future,” Harrison said.
Former Attorney General Eric Holder. Photo by Carla Peay/The Atlanta Voice
Former Attorney General Eric Holder followed Harrison and talked about the danger of the Trump agenda – Project 2025.
“Imagine Donald Trump back in power,” Holder said. “He would weaponize the Justice Department. He has installed a Supreme Court that thinks it’s OK for the president to violate federal law. He has a fascination with Hitler. This is the kind of America we would have under a second Trump presidency.”
Holder spoke of the importance of voting, reminding the crowd of the sacrifices of our ancestors, who fought and died so we could have the right to vote.
“Tim and Kamala are fighting the fights that matter,” Holder said. “We are not just going to save Democracy; we have the ability to enhance democracy.”
Following Holder was NC Attorney General and Democratic candidate for Governor Josh Stein, who still holds a double-digit lead in the polls over the Republican candidate, Mark Robinson.
“We didn’t need the CNN story to know that Robinson is unfit for Governor,” Stein said. He reminded the crowd that Trump endorsed Robinson, despite Trump’s attempt to distance himself from Robinson since the CNN story aired in September.
“The Republican vision is one of division, violence, and hate,” Stein said, drawing a parallel between his race and the presidential race.
“The stakes could not be higher, and the choice could not be clearer,” Stein said.
When Barack Obama finally took the stage, the expected thunderous applause occurred. The former president then energized a crowd with a critique of Donald Trump that managed to be both funny and serious.
“This man is a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down that escalator,” Obama said. “He wants to sell you stuff, like gold sneakers and Trump bibles. His behavior has become so commonplace that people don’t take it seriously. But that doesn’t mean that a second Trump presidency would not be dangerous.”
Obama talked about Trump’s “concepts of a plan” to replace the Affordable Care Act, his plans to use the military against “the enemy within”, and his fascination with Hitler.
“When I was president, a lot of people disagreed with me,” Obama said. “It doesn’t mean you go after them, to try and use the military to do your bidding. This is a democracy.”
He talked about how Trump is taking credit for the economy he (Obama) created; his plan to give tax cuts to billionaires, and if elected, how he will surround himself with people as wacky as he is.
“People who know him best, people who served under him say how dangerous he is,” Obama said. He also made a point to emphasize one of the most dangerous things Trump, and his running mate JD Vance, continue to do during their rallies – blame immigrants for everything.
“We are a nation of immigrants, so unless you are Native American, everyone in this country came from somewhere else,” Obama said.
“He thinks rounding up and deporting people is the answer to everything,” Obama said. “His plan is mean and ugly.” He acknowledged the border crisis is real but said Trump’s solution, and the way he plans to execute it, is not the way to solve the crisis. (During Obama’s tenure as president, he deported illegal immigrants, but never presented that action as the way to solve all the problems in the US, nor did he depict all immigrants – legal or otherwise – as criminals, murderers, or people from insane asylums, as Trump does.)
He then launched into a spirited endorsement of Kamala Harris and her qualifications to be the next president. He talked about her accomplishments as a prosecutor, Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President, and said she was more than ready to become the next President.
“Elections are not just about policies, they are about character, Obama said. “We need a leader who sees you and cares about you and thinks about you. Leaders don’t need to be perfect; they need to care.”
Obama also stumped for Stein to become the next Governor and Mo Green to become the next Superintendent of Schools, taking a moment to remind the audience that Stein’s opponent referred to himself as a “Black Nazi”, and Green’s opponent, Michelle Morrow, said that Obama should face a firing squad. He talked about how Trump ignored the pandemic playbook he and his staff put together, and how Trump’s poor response to COVID caused the needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans.
“We need a President who cares about solving problems,” Obama said. “We have people with the kind of character we need to lead us. We don’t need four years of a would-be king. Kamala Harris has spent her life fighting for people. She knows and cares what people are going through. If you elect Kamala and Tim, they will be focused on you.”
On Thursday, Oct. 24, Atlanta Contemporary welcomed visitors to its newest anchor exhibits: WE KEEP US SAFE, A Sorcery of Sustenance, and Donald Locke: Nexus.
“We have three major gallery experiences, so having new works in these spaces at the same time allows us to maximize our ability to present a range of artistic work while attracting a diverse audience,” said Floyd Hall, curator of the A Sorcery of Sustenance and executive director of The Atlanta Contemporary Gallery.
A Sorcery of Sustenance by Masud Olufani, delves into the cultural retentions of the African diaspora through food. Tatiana Bell’s WE KEEP US SAFE captures collective grief and resistance, while Donald Locke: Nexus highlights the artist’s exploration of his journey from Guyana to the United States.
Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
A Sorcery of Sustenance: Food as Cultural Memory
Masud Olufani’s exhibit, A Sorcery of Sustenance, highlights the connection between food and memory. Olufani who uses sculptures made from traditional African American food sources such as rice, yams, and black-eyed peas, Olufani spoke to The Atlanta Voice andexplained the central idea behind his work “Eating, consuming food is not just a rote exercise. There’s a whole other level to food consumption that involves memory, cultural retention, history, and meaning.”
The inspiration for A Sorcery of Sustenance came from Olufani’s travels to West Africa. In 2022, after receiving the results of his ancestry test, which traced his lineage to the Mende people of Sierra Leone, Olufani decided to visit the continent. “I went back to Sierra Leone two years ago to connect with my ancestors,” he said, “ I also visited Ghana while I was there. I was just very observant, watching how people process food, the foods that we were eating, going into villages, watching how people climbed trees and tapped for palm oil.” His observations led him to recognize deep connections between the foods of West Africa and those eaten by African Americans today, particularly in the Black community.
For Olufani, food consumption is a form of magic—“a sorcery,” as he calls it—because when we eat, we consume not just nutrients but also a culture’s history and identity. “If I’m taking in food from another culture, I’m consuming part of their history, part of their memory,” he elaborated.
Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
WE KEEP US SAFE: Honoring Collective Grief
Tatiana Bell’s exhibit, WE KEEP US SAFE, similarly explores memory but through the lens of collective grief. Bell’s – inspired by the Defend the Forest movement cited “the murder of Tortuguita,” an Indigenous queer and non-binary environmental activist and forest defender, “I was feeling really lost in terms of how I could show up for the movement and my community,” Bell explained. This sense of loss and the desire to create a space for collective healing drove her to begin working in a greenhouse at South River Art Studios, located in Southeast Atlanta.
The installation paying homage to the grief of people from various movements, with contributions from those involved in the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as those advocating for justice in Palestine and for environmental causes. “It was a journey of finding a place that felt safe,” Bell said. The exhibit’s video piece features voices from protests, notes read aloud by friends, and the voice of Tortuguitas’ mother, who attended one of Bell’s grief gatherings on the anniversary of her child’s death. “We keep our stories alive by word of mouth and feeling solidarity in whatever grief we’re feeling,” Bell emphasized.
For Bell, the exhibit is not only a reflection of political movements but also a space for personal grief. “It doesn’t have to be as big as a movement. It’s also a lot of personal grief, and it’s about really honoring the importance of grieving,” she said. Her hope is that visitors to the exhibit will leave with a deeper understanding of the power of memory and the need to honor both individual and collective losses.
Donald Locke: Nexus.
Donald Locke: Nexus, a tribute to the late Donald Locke, a Guyanese artist whose influence spanned continents and decades. Curated by Grace Aneiza Ali, Nexus not only showcases Locke’s work but also marks a return to the very studio space where his journey in Atlanta began more than 30 years ago.
Grace Aneiza Ali, a fellow Guyanese, curated the exhibit with a personal connection. “As a curator, it’s always a blessing to be able to work on an artist from the place you’re from,” she explained. Ali had worked with Locke’s art before, but Nexus holds a special significance. “He was one of the first 12 artists in 1992 to move into the Nexus studios [at Atlanta Contemporary],” Ali recounted. “Thirty years later, we’re literally back on hallowed ground. And the work that you see in the room is the work that he made while he was literally in the studio down the hall.”
Locke’s journey is that of the transnational artist experience, having migrated from Guyana to the United Kingdom and eventually to the United States. His work—rooted in these cross-cultural experiences—explores themes of identity, memory, and the intersection of personal and cultural histories. Ali’s curatorial process, steeped in their shared heritage, sought to honor not only Locke’s artistic legacy but also the rich Guyanese community from which he hailed.
Locke’s art challenges traditional categories, merging the boundaries between painting and sculpture. His ability to infuse structure with deep symbolic meaning is a recurring theme in his work. Ali emphasized this, saying, “Donald was such an incredible master of form. He would treat the back of his paintings as equally important as the front. He constructed the structures to hold his paintings, and then he would coat them with all of these things that you’re not necessarily meant to understand what they are. But he was pushing the boundaries between: Is it painting or is it sculpture? Is it sculpture or is it architecture?”
As visitors walk through the exhibit, they encounter 15 paintings and 4 sculptures. The structures Locke created defy easy classification. His experimental techniques were designed to provoke thought and conversation, and Nexus does exactly that. “Donald’s work wasn’t meant to fit into neat categories,” Ali explained. “He wanted to challenge our perceptions of what art could be, and he succeeded in doing that.”
One of Ali’s favorite pieces in the exhibit isn’t a painting or a sculpture, but a photograph of Locke himself. “This is him literally standing in his studio down the hall,” she said, pointing to the image. “I love this photo of him. It brings everything together.” The photograph, enlarged to a scale, captures Locke in a moment of creation—bringing viewers back to the origins of his artistic practice at Atlanta Contemporary.
The three anchor exhibits will be on display till Feb. 2, 2025.
Joe Evans ventured outside the standard responsibilities of a banker. He built up community banks and sold them for peak prices, a skill he learned growing up around cow traders.
Kamala Harris returned to Atlanta with star power as Election Day nears. On Oct. 24, the Vice President led a rally in metro Atlanta that featured Barack Obama, Tyler Perry, Spike Lee, Samuel Jackson And Bruce Springsteen.
Held in Clarkston in front of a crowd of over 20,000, the event provided Harris another opportunity to motivate Georgia voters.
Lee and Jackson, both Morehouse College graduates, opened the ceremony by speaking on the importance of standing with Harris.
Rock star Bruce Springsteen song a melody of songs and urged voters to stand up and be heard during the election cycle.
And Tyler Perry shared his story of going from homelessness to movie mogul while rebuking Donald Trump for racist antics.
“We all heard him saying that Barack Obama was not born in this country,” Perry said. “There are undertones there and there are echoes there that we all had to pay attention to. So I watched him when he won the presidency. I watched him say that there were good people on both sides when Neo Nazis were screaming, ‘Jews will not replace us.’ I watched him from the Central Park Five to Project 2025. And what I realized is that in this Donald Trump America, there is no dream that looks like me. We want a president who believes that this American dream is for everyone. And that President is Kamala Harris.”
Former President Barack Obama also took aim at Trump.
“Why anybody think that Donald Trump will shake things up in a way that is good for you,” Obama said. “Because there is absolutely no evidence that this man thinks about anybody but himself. Donald Trump is a 78 year old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rolled down that golden escalator nine years ago, and when he’s not complaining, when he’s not sending out crazy tweets, he’s trying to sell you stuff. He’s trying to sell you gold sneakers, trying to sell you a $100,000 watch, trying to sell you a Trump Bible. All he cares about is his ego, his money, his status, that’s his mindset.”
Harris closed out the rally by sharing her agenda and how it will help the American people
“My common sense plan will lower the prices you pay on everything from prescription drugs to groceries to housing,” Harris said. “On the other hand, Donald Trump will raise costs on you and your families. In fact, independent economists have analyzed our plans and found that mine will cut your costs and strengthen our economy, his will increase inflation and lead to a recession by the middle of next year. These are independent economists, Nobel laureate, prize winning economists who have reviewed our plans and are very clear.”
With a bit more than one week remaining before Election Day, it’s likely that Harris will return to Georgia once or twice more to win the state.
Tonight, she’s scheduled to host a rally in Houston, Texas with Beyoncé.
A.R. Shaw serves as Executive Editor of Atlanta Daily World. His work has been featured in The Guardian, ABC News, NBC, BBC, CBC. He’s also the author of the book “Trap History: Atlanta Culture and the Global Impact of Trap Music.”
Amir Abdur-Rahim, an Atlanta native and rising USF head coach has passed at 43. According to a statement by University of South Florida, Rahim passed following complications from a medical procedure.
Abdur-Rahim was born and raised in the Atlanta area where he followed his love for basketball along with his big brother, former Hawks star Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Amir Abdur-Rahim would make a name for himself as a head coach.
In 2019, Abdur-Rahim took over a failing basketball program at Kennesaw State that only won one game the previous season before his arrival.
By 2022, he led the team to a 26-9 record and Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) regular-season and tournament titles. The team battled the No. 3 seed Xavier in the first round of the NCAA tournament, leading to Abdur-Rahim becoming a national figure in the NCAA coaching ranks.
In 2023, Abdur-Rahim was hired by University of South Florida and led them to their first-ever regular season American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship with a 25-8 record, compiling the most wins in the school’s history. He was later named the AAC coach of the year.
“All of us with South Florida Athletics are grieving with the loved ones of Coach Abdur-Rahim,” said Vice President for Athletics, Michael Kelly. “He was authentic, driven, and his infectious personality captivated all of Bulls Nation. Coach Abdur-Rahim leaves a lasting impact on our student-athletes, the University, and the community. We are supporting those closest to him, including his family, team, and athletics staff, to ensure they have the resources they need to deal with this tremendous loss.”
“In a very short time, Coach Abdur-Rahim made an indelible impact on the University of South Florida. In his first season as our head coach, he brought an unmatched enthusiasm, achieved unprecedented success and helped generate unforgettable memories for Bulls Nation,” said USF President, Rhea Law. “Throughout my time working with Coach Abdur-Rahim, I was continually inspired by his leadership, and truly admired his sincere approach to connecting with our entire student body. His influence on our student-athletes, coaching staff and the university community will live on forever.”
A.R. Shaw serves as Executive Editor of Atlanta Daily World. His work has been featured in The Guardian, ABC News, NBC, BBC, CBC. He’s also the author of the book “Trap History: Atlanta Culture and the Global Impact of Trap Music.”
There are less than two weeks until the most powerful person in the free world is elected, and in the lead-up to the 2024 election, disinformation aimed at Black men has emerged as a significant concern. To address this issue, Jason “J” Carter, founder of ONE Musicfest, teamed up with Esosa Osa, founder, and CEO of Onyx Impact, to host a crucial panel discussion titled “FACT CHECK THE BULLSHIT & VOTE!: Why Black Men Are Being Targeted with Disinformation?” held on Oct. 23, at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta.
The event brought together a group of leaders to raise awareness about the harmful narratives targeting Black male voters and discuss strategies for resisting these tactics.
“Disinformation is as old as white supremacy. The tools and tactics may have evolved, but the goal has always been the same: to deter, deny, and disempower Black communities,” Osa said.
Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
Onyx Impact is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating harmful information ecosystems.
The panel was a high-profile gathering featuring speakers, including former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Grammy award-winning rapper Michael “Killer Mike” Render, Ryan Wilson, co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot (TGS), and Dr. Zackory Kirk. The event opened with remarks from Mo Ivory, Commissioner-Elect of Fulton County, who introduced the panelists featured in the dialogue.
Throughout the discussion, Osa provided a detailed breakdown of three types of harmful information that have been used against Black communities: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. She explained, “Misinformation is simply incorrect information, like giving out the wrong polling hours. Disinformation is a lie spread with intent, such as deliberately providing wrong polling information to Black communities. Malinformation, however, is based in truth but is spread with the intent to harm.”
Osa warned that all three forms are particularly dangerous during election cycles, where they are often amplified through social media to sow confusion and reduce voter turnout.
The panel also explored these tactics’ emotional and psychological impact on Black men. The goal, as the panelists discussed, is to weaken voter confidence and create feelings of disillusionment. Wilson spoke candidly about why this conversation was urgently needed, explaining that the idea for the event originated from the passionate and community-focused individuals at ONE Musicfest. “When there are a lot of things at stake, you’ve got to put those things on the table and have a real conversation about it,” Wilson said. He further emphasized the importance of understanding how disinformation undermines democratic participation.
“We have to get people out to vote. And the only way you do that is you work with people already organizing,” Killer Mike told the attending audience.
Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
Wilson also tackled concerns about Black men’s voting habits and participation in the upcoming election. He was optimistic about Black men’s involvement, highlighting that they have historically been the second-largest voting bloc for Democrats, following Black women. “We’re going to show up, and we’re ultimately going to win this election,” Wilson stated.
Closing out, each panelist stressed the urgency of recognizing and resisting disinformation, especially in an election cycle where false narratives are amplified through social media and other platforms. “The reason disinformation works is because the more times we hear something, the more likely we are to believe it’s true—and that’s why this recurring social media environment is so dangerous,” said Osa.
The event aims to equip attendees with the tools to fact-check false narratives and ensure that Black men are informed, empowered, and ready to vote in the 2024 election.
