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Tag: J. Lowell Ware

  • The Atlanta Voice 2025 Year in Review: A Year of Legacy, Leadership, and Looking Forward

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    In 2025, The Atlanta Voice reaffirmed its place as a cornerstone of Black-owned media in Atlanta, honoring nearly six decades of legacy while embracing innovation to meet the moment. The year stood as a powerful reflection of where the paper has been, where it stands, and where it is boldly headed.

    From launching new storytelling platforms and opening creative community spaces to earning major civic recognition and expanding its newsroom, 2025 marked a pivotal chapter in the publication’s ongoing mission to inform, uplift, and advocate for Atlanta’s Black communities.

    Preserving Black History Through New Media

    This year brought an expansion of storytelling through the launch of In The Black: Legacy of Legends, a video series dedicated to capturing and preserving the stories of Black leaders, pioneers, and cultural figures whose impact has shaped Atlanta and the nation.

    The series reflects a long-standing commitment to honoring elders and documenting lived experiences that too often go unrecorded. By embracing video storytelling, the newsroom bridged generational gaps, ensuring Black history is not only written, but seen and heard. At its core, the initiative reinforces a belief that Black communities must continue to control their own narratives.

    Strengthening the Newsroom

    The reporting team grew in 2025 with the addition of journalist Tabius McCoy, further strengthening the paper’s commitment to rigorous, community-centered journalism.  McCoy brought fresh perspective and a deep respect for the mission, contributing coverage that informs, challenges, and reflects the realities of Atlanta’s Black communities. His arrival underscored continued investment in the next generation of storytellers while upholding the standards that have defined the newspaper for decades.

    A Historic Honor for a Lasting Legacy

    The Atlanta Voice Publisher, Janis Ware (left) and her sister, Dr. Rhonda Ware (right). Photo by Jazmine Brazier/The Atlanta Voice

    One of the most significant milestones of the year came with the induction of Publisher Janis Ware and her late father, J. Lowell Ware, into the Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame.  The honor recognized their enduring contributions to journalism and the preservation of Black-owned media in Atlanta. J. Lowell Ware’s leadership guided the paper through eras of profound social change. Janis Ware has carried that legacy forward—navigating the modern media landscape with vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to community accountability.  The dual induction symbolized a bridge between generations and reaffirmed the publication’s lasting influence in Atlanta’s media history.

    In another first, a Midday Open House welcomed community members, partners, and supporters into the organization’s space for a celebration rooted in transparency and connection.  Guests engaged directly with staff, learned more about the work behind the headlines, and celebrated the paper’s role as a trusted voice in Atlanta. The event reflected a long-held belief by the publication: journalism is strongest when it is accessible, relational, and grounded in the communities it serves.

    A New Creative Chapter: WAREhouse Studios

    The year also marked the opening of WAREhouse Studios, a creative and production space designed to support multimedia storytelling, collaboration, and community engagement.  The studio represents an investment not only in the future of the publication but in the broader ecosystem of Black creatives and storytellers. WAREhouse Studios positions the organization to expand its digital and visual storytelling capabilities while creating new opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and cultural preservation.

    Recognized as a Legacy Business

    Recognition came in the form of the Invest Atlanta Legacy Business Grant, honoring the newspaper’s longstanding economic and cultural impact on the city.  The designation highlighted resilience, adaptability, and the importance of one of Atlanta’s historic Black-owned institutions. The grant serves as both recognition and reinforcement—acknowledging the continued role the paper plays in shaping civic dialogue and sustaining Black entrepreneurship.

    Leadership Honored on a Citywide Stage

    Photo By Trarell Torrence Credit: Photo by Trarell Torrence

    Publisher Janis Ware was also named a 2025 Salute to Women of Achievement honoree by the YWCA of Greater Atlanta, recognizing women whose leadership and service have made a lasting difference in the community.  The honor reflected decades of dedication not only to journalism but to equity, representation, and the preservation of Black-owned media in an era of consolidation and change.

    Investing in Black Entrepreneurship: In The Black-Black Business Directory

    Economic empowerment remained a key focus with the expansion of the In The Black- Black Business Directory, a growing digital resource designed to spotlight, support, and sustain Black-owned businesses across metro Atlanta.  More than a listing, the directory serves as a tool for visibility, connection, and the circulation of Black dollars—making it easier for readers, residents, and institutions to intentionally support Black entrepreneurship. Integrated into the publication’s digital ecosystem, the directory reinforces a role that extends beyond storytelling to active community investment.  The initiative aligns with a long-held belief that storytelling and economic justice are deeply connected. Highlighting Black-owned businesses alongside coverage of civic leadership, culture, and history reflects a holistic approach to community advocacy, one that recognizes ownership, access, and opportunity as essential parts of progress.

    Digital Reach and Community Engagement

    Digital growth continued throughout 2025, demonstrating expanding reach and influence across platforms.

    Facebook led performance with 5.6 million views and 1.6 million visitors, while Instagram generated 2.4 million views and reached 1.1 million users.  On X, our content received 532,000 impressions, expanding our visibility in real-time conversations.  Emerging and professional platforms also contributed to our digital footprint. , while Threads recorded 23,000 views and LinkedIn achieved 16,000 impressions. 

    Together, these milestones underscore the publication’s ability to connect with audiences across generations while maintaining the depth and credibility that define its journalism.

    Looking Ahead

    As 2025 comes to a close, the year stands as a testament to the power of legacy paired with innovation. From honoring the past to building new platforms, opening doors, and creating space for future generations, the work continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its founding mission.  Nearly 60 years after its founding, The Atlanta Voice remains a trusted voice for Atlanta’s Black communities, telling stories that matter, preserving history, and helping shape what comes next.

    The conversation continues beyond these pages. Readers can stay connected by following The Atlanta Voice on social media, subscribing to our newsletters, and visiting theatlantavoice.com for ongoing coverage of Atlanta’s Black communities.

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    Staff Report

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  • The Atlanta Voice Celebrates Hall of Fame Induction of Publisher Janis Ware and the Late J. Lowell Ware

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    The Atlanta Voice proudly celebrates the induction of Publisher Janis Ware and her late father, J. Lowell Ware (1928–1991), into the 2025 Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame — honoring their powerful legacy of journalism, justice, and community impact.

    The Atlanta Voice Publisher, Janis Ware (left), and her sister, Dr. Rhonda Ware (right). Photo by Jazmine Brazier/The Atlanta Voice

    A visionary publisher and civil rights advocate, J. Lowell Ware founded The Atlanta Voice in 1966 after co-founding The Atlanta Inquirer, determined to amplify Black voices and tell stories the mainstream press ignored. He used journalism as a force for empowerment and progress, and co-founded the SUMMECH Community Development Corporation to help revitalize Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods.

    Today, Janis Ware carries that mission forward as Publisher of The Atlanta Voice and Executive Director of SUMMECH. Under her leadership, The Atlanta Voice has evolved into a modern multimedia platform, and SUMMECH has built more than 1,800 affordable homes in Atlanta’s Mechanicsville community.

    Their Hall of Fame induction is more than a milestone — it’s a celebration of family, legacy, and the unwavering belief that media can uplift and transform communities.

    Together, Janis and J. Lowell Ware are the heart of Atlanta’s Black press — champions of truth, empowerment, and progress whose influence endures across generations.

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  • The Atlanta Voice and Publisher Janis Ware Honored as Legacy Business

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    The Atlanta Voice publisher Janis Ware (above) during the 2025 Salute to Legacy luncheon. Photo by Laura Nwogu/The Atlanta Voice

    Surrounded by local community members and business leaders on the rooftop of Roosevelt Hall, The Atlanta Voice publisher Janis Ware was honored at the City of Atlanta’s Salute to Legacy luncheon on Tuesday afternoon. The event recognized longstanding local businesses that have helped shape the cultural and economic fabric of Atlanta for the past 30 years. Under the helm of Ware and her dedication to innovation and community impact, The Atlanta Voice has stood the test of time in its mission to be a voice for the people, since it was co-founded by her father, J. Lowell Ware, in 1966. 

    “I’m excited and thrilled to be recognized as a legacy business. It’s not easy to make it 30 years, and it’s even more of an accomplishment to get to 60,” Ware said. 

    The event was the brainchild of Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development authority. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who also serves as chair of the Invest Atlanta board, attended the luncheon and recognized the adaptability and resilience of many of Atlanta’s small business owners. Dickens emphasized the importance of celebrating these legacy businesses that have contributed to Atlanta becoming the “city that influences everything.” 

    “Legacy businesses are pillars and economic anchors for the community, and we can’t be a city of opportunity for all if we don’t uplift our legacy businesses. You all provide consistent jobs for our residents…. These businesses have mentored generations of entrepreneurs and reinvested in our local economy, whether it is boom or bust, recession or pandemic, or any other thing — 30 years you have endured,” Dickens said. 

    “Your longevity brings economic stability to our neighborhoods, and this is especially important in times of uncertainty. Your businesses represent the living history of Atlanta, each one of you telling a story of your own and a collective, shared journey that we all have. To stay in business for 30 years or more takes resilience, innovation, and deep connection to the community.” 

    The Atlanta Local Legacy Program comprises over 400 businesses. Those who are a part of the program are included in an online registry that allows interested customers to find and patronize their establishments, and are qualified to apply for improvement grants aimed at sustaining vital businesses within the community. 

    Twenty businesses were inaugural recipients of the local legacy program celebration, including The Atlanta Voice, Busy Bee Cafe, Atlanta Human Performance Center, The Beautiful Restaurant, Georgia Justice Project and Mr. Everything Cafe, to name a few. Each business was awarded the first edition of the Atlanta Legacy Coin, a commemorative gift that Invest Atlanta President Eloisa Klementich said will continue the legacy of telling the stories of important organizations and events in the city.

    “Longevity in business is not just about profit. It’s about purpose. It’s about people. It’s about preservation,” Klementich said. “You [legacy businesses] have helped to build and inspire the foundation we all stand on, and we continue to light the way forward. Here’s to the next 30 years.”

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    Laura Nwogu

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  • ‘This is beyond party politics’: Michael Thurmond wants to be Georgia’s Next Governor

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    A former employee at The Athens Voice, a long-since closed newspaper within The Voice Network, Thurmond (above, inside the conference room at The Atlanta Voice) was hired right out of Paine College to work for The Atlanta Voice’s founder, J. Lowell Ware, the father of the paper’s current publisher, Janis Ware. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Former DeKalb County CEO and 2026 Georgia gubernatorial candidate Michael Thurmond visited The Atlanta Voice on Monday, Sept. 2, to discuss why he believes he should be the Democratic nominee next November. A former employee at The Athens Voice, a now-closed newspaper that was part of The Voice News Network, Thurmond was hired right out of Paine College to work for The Atlanta Voice’s founder and current publisher’s father, J. Lowell Ware. He calls himself a “newspaper man” and has warm memories of working in the newspaper industry for a Black-owned and operated publication.

    Thurmond, however, left the journalism field for local and statewide politics and found success as a Georgia State Representative and Georgia Commissioner of Labor. Now he wants to make a run for the state’s top spot.

    “This is beyond party politics,” Thurmond said.  

    The Atlanta Voice: Good morning, Mr. Thurmond, and welcome to WAREHOUSE Studios on the campus of The Atlanta Voice. Let’s get right to it. Why did you decide to run for governor?

    Michael Thurmond: We are at a pivotal moment in the history of our state and of our nation. At this moment in time, we need leadership that can push back against some of the more damaging aspects of the new federalization in the Big Beautiful Bill.

    AV: Can you elaborate on that?

    MT: Here in Georgia, if we have the right governor, not one Georgian will have to lose his or her Medicaid. If we have the right governor with the right type of leadership, not one Georgian who deserves it and is eligible will have to lose their SNAP benefits. If we have the right leadership, we will not go back, but I think we can achieve a level of greatness that we have dreamed about but have not been able to grasp.

    AV: And you believe you can provide the “right leadership” you’re speaking of?

    MT: I believe so. I believe my background, not my promises, but my performances have prepared me for this unprecedented challenge that we face. My entire life experience has prepared me for this historic moment.

    Thurmond said the fact that he has led successful transformations of both public and private agencies is something voters should consider an asset. “I’ve not been afraid to innovate and create new solutions to old problems,” he said.

    AV: I covered the gubernatorial forum at First Baptist Church in Warner Robins on August 20. Why do you believe it was important for you to be there?

    MT: This is more than a political campaign. If we see this through the prism of traditional politics, then I think you’re missing the moment. I think this is about the future of Georgia and the future of our nation. We now must stand in the gap to protect progress and how we define America. 

    AV: What do you believe you can bring to the office of the governor that the other candidates cannot? 

    MT: Georgia is not the worst-performing state in the nation. However, I do believe we are underperforming in many areas. I will continue to work hard to protect and advance Georgia’s ranking as the number one state to do business. Where we have fallen down is in ensuring that families have the resources and opportunities needed to fulfill their goals and ambitions.

    If we can be number one in business, we ought to be number one in terms of being a safe place for a woman to give birth to her child. We should be number one in protecting our senior citizens. We ought to have the number one best public school system in America.

    AV: You have been campaigning for several weeks now. What has that looked and felt like? 

    MT: My natural political habitat is the state of Georgia. I have done 80 different events and listening tours around the state of Georgia over the last year and a half. I wanted to go out and actually listen before I announced. 

    We had a packed house in Lumpkin County. I was thrilled that so many people came together for a common desire. 

    Before Thurmond left the office, he talked about being willing to go anywhere voters were. He said having strong ties in Atlanta and DeKalb County wouldn’t be enough to get the job done.

    “We can’t win this with just Black voters,” Thurmond said. “It has to be a coalition of the willing.” 

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Remembering Dr. Alyce M. Ware: A legacy of love, faith, and lifelong learning

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    The Atlanta community pauses to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Alyce Martin Ware, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late J. Lowell Ware, co-founder of The Atlanta Voice, and the devoted mother of Publisher Janis L. Ware and Dr. Rhonda Ware.

    Dr. Alyce Martin Ware Credit: Ware Family

    A woman of extraordinary grace, compassion, and resilience, Dr. Ware devoted her life to nurturing her family, uplifting those around her, and serving as a source of wisdom and strength to all who knew her.

    A Life Dedicated to Education

    Education was both her calling and her gift. Dr. Ware taught in DeKalb County Schools and Atlanta Public Schoolsfor more than 40 years, shaping generations of students with her patience, knowledge, and care. She served as a homebound instructor, bringing education into the homes of children who were unable to attend school due to illness or other circumstances, ensuring that every child had the opportunity to learn.

    Her academic journey reflected her lifelong commitment to excellence. She graduated from Alabama A&M University in 1951 with a degree in English, earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University, and later achieved her Doctorate in Education from Atlanta University—a testament to her determination and passion for learning.

    Leadership and Service

    Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ware was a committed leader whose service extended across civic, professional, and faith-based organizations. She held numerous offices throughout her life, including:

    • National President, National Association of Media Women
    • President, Atlanta Chapter of Media Women
    • President, Homebound/Hospital Association
    • President, Summech Development Corporation, Inc.
    • Secretary and Public Relations Chairperson, Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
    • Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)

    Her leadership in these organizations reflected her deep commitment to education, media, community development, and faith.

    A Legacy of Love and Faith

    Her warmth was matched only by her unwavering faith and lifelong devotion to community. To her children, she was a guiding light whose love shaped their paths and inspired their own leadership and service. To friends and neighbors, she was a steady presence of kindness, generosity, and encouragement—someone whose words and actions left a lasting imprint.

    Dr. Ware’s impact extends far beyond her immediate family. As the matriarch of a family devoted to truth, service, and community empowerment, her legacy of love, dignity, and perseverance will continue to live on in the many lives she touched and in the institution she helped strengthen.

    The Atlanta Voice family extends its deepest sympathies and prayers to Rhonda, Janis, and the entire Ware family. Dr. Alyce Ware’s memory will remain a blessing, and her spirit will continue to guide and inspire all who were fortunate to know her.

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