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Tag: Kasim Reed

  • ‘Soul of Atlanta’ Rally Brings City’s Mayors to Pulpit

    Crowded pews inside of Big Bethel AME Church on Auburn Avenue, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanat Voice

    The pulpit at Big Bethel AME Church has always been filled with public speakers of note. On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 30, the church welcomed all but one of Atlanta’s living Black mayors to speak on the “Soul of Atlanta.” 

    Former Atlanta Mayor’s Ambassador Andrew Young, William “Bill” Campbell, Shirley Franklin, Kasim Reed, and current Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, along with Big Bethel AME Church Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine, spoke about how to further defend Atlanta’s legacy of “equality and inclusion.” 

    “This is only the kickoff; this is not the end,” Augustine said.

    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Days before the City of Atlanta and Fulton County will elect or re-elect a mayor and a city council president, the pews inside Big Bethel were full of people looking to hear what luminaries like Young had to say about Atlanta’s legacy. 

    “This is where it all began,” said Young, a preacher in many ways. “I think we have accidentally, with the guidance of God, and the officials you all have elected, we have become one of the best cities in the world.”

    Young, the second Black mayor in the city’s history, shared stories about how Atlantans, both Black and white, got together to make the city better. Those stories included the first Black Mayor of Atlanta, the late Maynard Jackson, who broke business barriers by securing citywide contracts. Young also used the city securing the 1996 Summer Olympics bid in 1990 as an example of everyone working together for a common goal.

    “I want to thank you for believing in God’s message that was put in your heart and mine,” Young said. 

    Atlanta City Councilwoman Marci Collier Overstreet and gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves were also in attendance. 

    Dickens also spoke, as did Valerie Jackson, Mayor Jackson’s widow. Mrs. Jackson said she knows the late mayor would be proud of the direction the city has taken since the three-term mayor passed away. 

    “We will not allow the principle of fairness and justice to be blown back,” Mrs. Jackson said.

    “We will not allow the principle of fairness and justice to be blown back,” Mrs. Valerie Jackson (above) said.

    After telling a story about Mayor Jackson’s decision to steer more airport contracts to Black vendors, Mrs. Jackson said, “Maynard’s policies of inclusion became a model, not just for the state, but for the nation.” 

    Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was not in attendance.

    Donnell Suggs

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  • Disinformation targeting Black men in U.S. election cycle: Black leaders fight back

    Disinformation targeting Black men in U.S. election cycle: Black leaders fight back

    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.

    Noah Washington

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