DorMiya Vance

3 weeks ago | wabe.org | DorMiya Vance

It’s an early, crisp morning as the hustle and bustle of downtown Atlanta gradually gains momentum. The cool breeze blows into Liberty Plaza, just beside the state capitol, as people trickle in with brightly colored signs. One reads “Protect Sapelo Island.”Folks gathered here are advocates and residents of Sapelo Island, home to one of the South’s last Gullah-Geechee communities.

1 month ago | wabe.org | DorMiya Vance

Residents from Atlanta’s Southside made their mark on Wednesday by hosting the first-ever “Clayton County Day” at the Georgia State Capitol. An audience of citizens and officials from the county and state gathered on the main floor of the statehouse building, where several leaders and lawmakers discussed ongoing efforts in Clayton.   State Rep. Yasmin Neal, who represents a portion of the county, informed the crowd about her recent win in securing refunds and rent reductions for seniors.

1 month ago | wabe.org | DorMiya Vance

Clayton County’s recently elected Board of Commissioners Chair, Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry, laid out her plans for the region in her first State of the County address on Wednesday. Chairwoman Anderson-Henry is the first Black woman to head the administrative body. She served as the District 1 County Commissioner in 2021 before her new role. In her address at the Georgia International Convention Center, the chairwoman talked about Clayton’s progress since she took office.

1 month ago | wabe.org | DorMiya Vance

Schools and food banks in Georgia are losing funding that goes toward buying fresh food. This comes as the Trump administration cuts programs that support purchasing from local farms. President Donald Trump has canceled several federal grants and programs, including the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, or LFS. LFS provides funds to states to help buy locally sourced for schools and child care organizations.

2 months ago | wabe.org | DorMiya Vance

The mayor of Jonesboro recently rescinded a plan to resign from her position. Mayor Donya Sartor announced her intention to step down on March 6, then reversed it soon after. Jonesboro City Council gathered last Thursday for a special meeting where Sartor expressed she would resign in April. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been elected 16th mayor of the city of Jonesboro,” Sartor said in the meeting. “I’m even more honored to be the first Black elected to this position.