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Decide DeKalb Hosts ‘Donuts with Dorian’ To Highlight Economic Development Week
The Gresham Park Recreation Center located in southern DeKalb County was the perfect backdrop to Decide DeKalb’s inaugural “Donuts with Dorian” during economic development week in DeKalb. President Dorian DeBarr of Decide DeKalb Development Authority shared a bright overview and update on projects his team is involved with and leading. Home buyers seeking to find […]
The post Decide DeKalb Hosts ‘Donuts with Dorian’ To Highlight Economic Development Week first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
The Gresham Park Recreation Center located in southern DeKalb County was the perfect backdrop to Decide DeKalb’s inaugural “Donuts with Dorian” during economic development week in DeKalb. President Dorian DeBarr of Decide DeKalb Development Authority shared a bright overview and update on projects his team is involved with and leading.
Home buyers seeking to find interest rate stability as well as affordability, DeBarr announced the reinstatement of the WE DeKalb Downpayment Assistance program. Established in 2018, WE DeKalb provides a down payment grant of up to 3% to qualified applicants interested in purchasing a home in DeKalb County. The return of this program will prove extremely beneficial to those seeking to make DeKalb home.
Georgia’s influx of film production has reaped its fair share of success throughout DeKalb County. Over 4 million square feet of production space is available in the county and DeKalb Entertainment Commission, a division of Decide DeKalb, continues to reign as a top location for shooting in the State. While the DEC facilitates the permitting process and provides location scouting assistance for film projects, they are also identifying an inclusive workforce ecosystem for DeKalb residents. DeBarr was eager to share Decide DeKalb’s involvement with Electric Owl Studio and Assembly Atlanta which are both opening this summer and are huge wins for DeKalb.
The South DeKalb corridor is a hot-button item on his list. The opportunity to increase neighborhood stability, improve workforce vitality, including job readiness and business attraction, are areas he is contemplating and if the idea that an improved economy will benefit all participants is true, DeBarr hopes to be a part of the solution with Decide DeKalb’s recent request for qualifications to produce a redevelopment plan that will be used in the creation of a tax allocation district (TAD), to support the area.
Decide DeKalb had programs for the business owners looking for funding and information on the importance of workforce development. The Business Resources 101 included speakers from LiftFund and WorkSource DeKalb. Over 75 attendees visited the Stonecrest Library to engage and learn. Companies in attendance included LISC Atlanta, Goodwill of North Georgia, Small Business Development Center, the Latin American Association, and the International Rescue Center. The event was in partnership with the Better Business Bureau.
How can you talk about economic development without mentioning the entertainment industry in Georgia. DeKalb Entertainment Commission hosted a special panel discussion with industry insiders who discussed opportunities for small businesses that would like to be a location for filming or a service provider in DeKalb’s booming film industry. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center was the perfect venue for the event, which was moderated by Asante Bradford, Senior Industry Engagement Manager with Georgia Department of Economic Development.
The post Decide DeKalb Hosts ‘Donuts with Dorian’ To Highlight Economic Development Week appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.
The post Decide DeKalb Hosts ‘Donuts with Dorian’ To Highlight Economic Development Week first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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