The Atlanta Voice E-Edition 060526

Welcome to Atlanta: Where to watch the World Cup

By DONNELL SUGGS

The month of June has begun, and with it begins a two-week countdown to the beginning of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In Atlanta, specifically, the games will begin at noon on Monday, June 15, when the national teams of Spain and Cabo Verde will face off. Those clubs are not the only teams playing on the grass inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium this summer, as Czechia will face South Africa on June 18 (noon), and Spain returns to face Saudi Arabia on June 21 (noon).

Morocco and Haiti will play a night match on June 24 (6 p.m.), and Congo DR and Uzbekistan, who are using the Atlanta United Training Grounds as their base camp, will play on June 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Asked what he believes the atmosphere will be like inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the opening match, United States National Team captain and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream, who has played inside The Benz when the building has had 50,000-plus fans inside for a match against Atlanta United, said, “It’s going to be crazy. That’s a great atmosphere.”

For the thousands of people who will not have tickets to those matches or the round of 32 match on July 1, the round of 16 match on July 7, or the semifinal match on July 15, there are plenty of free ways to enjoy the World Cup from

across metro Atlanta.

Starting with a three-day celebration at Atlanta’s USA Kickoff Festival at Old Fourth Ward Park from June 11-13. The celebration includes a watch party for the United States National Team’s opening game against Paraguay from Los Angeles.

The FIFA Fan Fest will take place at Centennial Olympic Park from June 12-15. Hosted by the City of Atlanta and the Georgia World

Congress Center Authority, the fest will be for 18 days. General admission tickets are free, but there are general entry tickets, which include access to a viewing area, bar, private access to restrooms, and guaranteed entry, and VIP ticket packages include air-conditioned areas, drinks, and food.

Atlanta’s BeltLine will be home to another free World Cup event. The Atlanta BeltLine Fest will take place at Pittsburgh Yards on June 20 and 21. The fest will have live music, food trucks, and local vendors along the Southside Trail.

In Decatur, there will also be soccer to watch. The Decatur Watch Fest, a month-long festival, will have live music and watch parties like the other festivals, but there will also be ticketed live performances from the likes of Big Boi on June 11 and The War and Treaty on June 25.

At The Battery, home of the Atlanta Braves, and the Coca-Cola Roxy, there will be free watch parties on the Plaza Green throughout the month of June. Watch parties will take place on June 11-12, 14-27.

The World Cup final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. That match will allow a country to host the World Cup trophy,

potentially for the first time. Many of the world’s soccer fans will not be in attendance, so television screens from around the world will be tuned in to Fox at 3:30 ET. For Atlantans, Buckhead can be where they watch the final. Yeppa & Co. will be the site of the Big Match Block Party from 2-6 p.m.

Together for Downtown

On Monday, June 1, with under two weeks to go until the World Cup, more than 600 volunteers gathered outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium to get their assignments. The effort to clean up the area surrounding downtown, “Together for Downtown: Community Day”, is part of the revitalization efforts taking place around the city in preparation for the tournament.

The question is whether these efforts and many other clean-up efforts would be taking place if not, for the World Cup. Some say yes, while others say no.

South Downtown, LLC CEO Jon Birdsong said, “It’s so much more than the World Cup. Atlanta has nearly everything, but we have been lacking a sense of place in South Downtown. This downtown is being built for locals. This is for generations.”

Later that afternoon, Vine City

Civic Association member Steven Muhammad, dressed in a brown suit, approached a microphone outside Atlanta City Hall and commenced to lay out his grievance. He was part of a group of community members holding a press conference. “We are tired of interlopers. We’re sick and tired of these bloodsuckers taking advantage of Atlanta,” Muhammad said. Muhammad was joined by Rodney Mullins, who represented West Atlanta Progress. Mullins, who led the press conference, said of the upcoming World Cup and the level of attention being paid to improve roadways and exteriors around the city, “Why can’t our children be just as important as the World Cup?”

Safety First

Seth Bader, the founder and CEO of Bader Law, a Georgia-based personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm, spoke with The Atlanta Voice about safety measures during the World Cup.

On how Atlanta’s infrastructure plays into the risk of pedestrian safety during the World Cup, Bader said, “There have been a number of accidents, two not too long ago in 2026, and both of them involved pedestrians who were in the middle of crosswalks. I think that the city’s infrastructure plays a part. The city has a responsibility to ensure that the infrastructure is adequate to ensure the pedestrians can get from place to place safely, that there’s adequate visibility and lighting, that the crosswalks are designed properly, and that the traffic signals are working,” Bader said.

On any other measures that he’s hoping the city implements before and during the World Cup for pedestrians, Bader said, “Given a moment to reflect, the three biggest recommendations I’d offer the City of Atlanta on pedestrian safety during the World Cup would be to create pedestrian-priority zones around the stadium and fan areas on match days, expand temporary street closures and protected walkways to better separate cars from large crowds, and improve crossings with longer walk signals, turn restrictions, and staffed intersections in the highest-traffic areas. Those steps would do the most to move people safely during the event.”

Atlanta Unveils Mandela Sculpture at Hartsfield-Jackson

By STAN WASHINGTON

‘Mandela In The House of Maynard’ - Mayor Dickens

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is going through a FIFA World Cup transformation to welcome soccer fans arriving in the city next month.

The world’s busiest airport on Wednesday (5/27) unveiled a threefaced sculpture of the late South African President Nelson Mandela in the Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal. The sculpture was a gift to Mayor Andre Dickens during a previous visit to South Africa.

The Mandela sculpture is just a part of the “Gates to Goal” transformation of the airport in advance of the FIFA World Cup 2026 coming to Atlanta. In partnership with Atlanta United, there will be seven branded touchpoints for travelers throughout the domestic and international terminals. There will also be an Atlanta United Kit History Gallery, interactive photo opportunities, replica stadium seating, and championship memorabilia, including jerseys, trophies, and a championship ring.

One of the touchpoints is in the international arrivals lobby across

Local

from the Mandela sculpture. In the domestic terminal, the lobby clock has been replaced with a sculpture of the FIFA World Cup trophy.

“Across all of the (South African) cities, we were struck by the beauty, diversity and the resilience of hope that people also see when they visit this city of Atlanta,” Mayor Dickens said. “I am deeply honored today to accept this gift on behalf of the people of Atlanta.”

This sculpture of Mandela is here to remind us to keep building a just and peaceful world. We have a shared cultural and shared ancestral DNA and we plan to continue to build on that,” Dickens added.

Special guests included The Honorable Ricardo Mackenzie, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Western Cape Provincial Parliament and Marco Olivier, artist and sculptor.

“This sculpture belongs in a place like this where the world comes to Atlanta every day,” said Airport General Manager Ricky Smith. “Hartsfield-Jackson is the front door to the world and the world’s front door to Atlanta.”

In 2024, the City of Atlanta signed a Sister Airport agreement with the

airport management in South Africa, strengthening the cultural ties between the city and South Africa, Smith said.

New Wayfinding Signs Guide World Cup Visitors

By DONNELL SUGGS

The Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) has installed what it calls a “wayfinding” system throughout South Downtown in preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup and other national and international events downtown.

On the corner of Mitchell Street and Ted Turner Drive, Atlanta Department of Transportation Commissioner Solomon Caviness, donning an ATLDOT ball cap, green bowtie, and safety vest, explained what the new signage, some of which includes pedestrian monoliths, will provide to both guests and locals.

“We are looking forward to folks coming in and noticing our branding,” said Caviness, who said the signs were strategically placed, according to ATLDOT foot traffic data. The emonoliths, for example, are stationed on street corners, are colorful like maps, and have large print for easier reading.

The branding Caviness was referring to includes 100 utility boxes wrapped with maps, pole-mounted directional signs for the stadium, local businesses, and Centennial Olympic Park, for example, and pedestrian monoliths. There are 42 tall, flat, freestanding monoliths that provide pedestrians with information about the part of downtown they are in. One of the goals of ATLDOT is to

get people to walk around the area, said Caviness and Downtown Atlanta Inc. COO Jennifer Ball.

“We are encouraging MARTA. MARTA, MARTA,” Caviness said.

Promoting greater use of MARTA will also encourage walking around the city from the five downtown stations, such as Five Points and GWCC/Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The new signage will

help soccer fans get to and from the watch parties if they do not have tickets to the matches inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“It’s about promoting being on foot and exploring downtown Atlanta,” Ball said. “This is an opportunity to have consistently branded signage.”

Visitors can also text “JOIN” to 470-524-7673 to receive push notifications with downtown travel information.

Asked if she believes downtown Atlanta is ready to host eight FIFA World Cup matches and all that comes along with that sporting phenomenon, Ball’s face lit up.

“Downtown Atlanta is built for this kind of event. We built that legacy with the Olympics in 1996,” Ball said. We’ve been ready. We’re born ready.”

Caviness added, “We are looking forward to everyone coming into downtown and enjoying Atlanta. This is an opportunity for people in metro Atlanta to come in and take part in this wth us.”

Team Unerased Launches

Power Read 25 for America 250

By GWEN MCKINNEy

When the National Endowment for the Arts unveiled the list of 24 titles for its “Big Read” program tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, the message was unmistakable. Although five white women, three Black men, and one Native American woman and one Latina woman made the cut, the list is dominated by 14 white men.

Black women — whose labor, activism, intellect, and creativity have helped shape every chapter of this country’s democracy story — were nowhere to be found

The omission was glaring — and familiar. Rather than protest, Team Unerased has created its own bestbooks campaign centered on the pivotal role Black women have played in building this nation, before and beyond America’s Independence story.

Adversity and Justice

Storytelling by and about Black women is more than cultural preservation. It is civic education, political organizing, and historical correction. Black women’s voices are

critical to understanding America and the long quest for freedom.

As we witness the dismantling of more than 60 years of racial progress, we launch Power Read 25, an initiative celebrating change agents through the ages. Stories of Black women, both revered and under-acknowledged, remind us that the quest for justice has always been punctuated by adversity. Again and again, Black women transformed resistance into resilience and turmoil into triumph.

The initiative begins with 25 biographies that bring the past, present, and future of Black women into America’s unfolding story of democracy. The titles, geared toward both adult and young readers, enable them to engage with often overlooked narratives that reveal Black women’s resistance, organization, and the change they sparked in the face of abominable repression.

Selected by a panel of civic, literary, and cultural leaders, Power Reads will illuminate achievement, resilience, social change, and intellectual rigor during the dark days of our nation’s halting march to racial equality. The featured protagonists will include widely revered and lesser-known historical figures, as

Storytelling by and about Black women is more than cultural preservation. It is civic education, political organizing, and historical correction. Black women’s voices are critical to understanding America and the long quest for freedom.

well as contemporary voices who have shaped our past and the moments leading up to our current circumstances.

Look Deeper, Read Widely

The 2026 titles will be released in July, followed by a public convening in September and reading circles throughout the fall. We will focus on metropolitan Washington, D.C., for this initial campaign, although a nationwide Power Read will launch in early 2027.

As the country looks toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration

of Independence, Power Read 25 invites our audience to look deeper, read more widely, and examine history through the lives, labor, creativity and courage of Black women. History, after all, is not only etched in dates, monuments, or national milestones. It is found in lives. In choices. In stories.

What we read and whose lives we study shape awareness and inspire social change. Visit Unerased for more details.

Gwen McKinney is creator and campaign director of Unerased | Black Women Speak

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Arrival of Summer Brings Attention to Drowning Prevention

By JENNIFER PORTER GORE Word In Black

For most of the U.S., the Memorial Day holiday signals the opening of the swimming season.

Oceanside beaches, lakes, rivers, and swimming pools are usually teeming with water enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

Yet as millions of Americans plan to head to pools and beaches during the summer, public health experts warn that Black children remain far more likely to drown than white kids. And the Trump administration has targeted federal programs designed to track and prevent those deaths for major budget cuts.

The combination of funding cuts for water safety and the unofficial start of summer means increased risk for Black Americans.

Drowning is the single leading overall cause of death for children ages one to four in the U.S. — ahead of car crashes and cancer.

And young Black people are at particular risk: those under age 30 are 1.5 times more likely than whites to drown.

Cuts to Prevention

That data point became tragically visible last month in the ocean off the coast of Morocco.

Two Black U.S. service members, ages 19 and 27, drowned when, on a recreational hike with others, one person — unable to swim — fell into the water, prompting the other to jump in to try and rescue her.

Sharon Gilmartin, executive director of Safe States Alliance, a nonprofit injury prevention organization, said the budget cuts have eliminated a key source of information that could help keep people safe.

“When you cut the federal investments into drowning prevention at the CDC Injury Center, you don’t just lose programs,” she says. “You lose the ability to know what’s working, where the problem is getting worse and which communities need help most.”

Private funders “can [offer] piecemeal solutions, whether that’s for swim lessons or for specific communities,” she says. “But they can’t replicate a national surveillance system. They can’t replicate national expertise.”

Black Youth At Risk

Drowning disparities are highest among Black children, with those aged 5 to 9 drowning at rates 2.6 times higher than their white peers. The data are even worse for those aged 10 to 14, who are more than three times as likely to drown than white children.

While swimming pools don’t have the undertow of ocean water or the bitter cold of lakes, Black children ages 10 to 14 swimming in a pool still drown at rates that are 7.6 times higher than white children.

Even more alarming: data shows that after years of decline, drowning deaths rose in this age group by 28% between 2019 and 2022— during the COVID-19 pandemic. Black people were overrepresented in that trend, as, compared to 2019, drowning rates increased by 22.2% in 2020 and 28.3% in 2021.

A Problem Rooted in the Past

The disparities did not emerge by accident.

For generations, Black Americans were locked out of public pools and beaches by segregation, violence and discriminatory policies. That included lack of access to swim education, lifeguard programs and safe recreational spaces. The issue was compounded by the closure of pools in Black neighborhoods and private lessons that many working-class families can’t afford.

Federal agencies, state governments, and nonprofits are increasingly moving toward free swim education access, community-level action plans, and equity-centered frameworks, focused on Black American communities.

But the government recently cut more than

200 positions from the CDC Injury Center — the leading agency working to prevent overdose, suicide, and other injuries nationwide. i And Trump’s budget proposal for next year eliminates the program entirely as well as ending the annual drowning report, a valuable resource for prevention.

But more than 50 national organizations, including philanthropies, universities, and health agencies, formed the Keep America Safe Coalition and managed to keep the center funded at the previous level.

‘Deadliest Year’ for Child Drowning

On a press call about water safety last week, Rep Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, a Florida Democrat, said the need for swimming safety is urgent: “We just had the deadliest year on record for child drownings.”

The increase “is the first time that we’ve had a reversal” in drowning deaths, Wasserman-Shultz says. “One hundred nineteen children tragically lost their lives in 2025 and it’s an excruciating loss to think about. Every single person we lose to drowning is one too many.”

Tony Gomez, a public health and injury prevention official for Seattle and King County, Washington, who also was on the call, says on-the-ground coordination is important.

‘This shows unity’: Ossoff and Bottoms hold joint rally in heart of downtown Atlanta

By DONNELL SUGGS

Former Atlanta Mayor and current Democratic candidate for Georgia Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff held a rally at The Tabernacle on Sunday afternoon. This is the first joint rally by Bottoms and Ossoff.

The pair of Democratic politicians with Atlanta ties is looking ahead to the November elections, but decided the time was right to take the stage together. With five months till Election Day on November 3, the Democratic Party had two of its largest names on the same playbill. This rally can be seen as a way to unite the party on the eve of elections for statewide offices such as governor, senator, lieutenant governor, attorney general, labor commissioner, and secretary of state.

When Bottoms took the stage, chants of “Keisha, Keisha” filled the room.

“People across Georgia have made it clear, we want to elect leaders who will fight for us,” Bottoms said moments after being introduced by her daughter, Lincoln Bottoms. “This White House is making life for Georgians more stressful.”

Bottoms spoke about voters focusing on the top and bottom of the ballot. “Georgia, the power is in our hands.”

Dr. Jamal Bryant, the senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, introduced Ossoff to the stage. “Georgia is America’s promise to do better,” Bryant said.

“We need him because America needs him,” Bryant said of Ossoff. “America is waiting to see will Georgia do the right thing.”

Upon taking the stage, Ossoff received an equally loud applause.

“Atlanta, something is happening in Georgia,” Ossoff said. “Many of you are here because you recognize the importance of this election.”

Ossoff mentioned that United States President Donald Trump has spent the weekend complaining on social media and suing the government. “His administration is crumbling,” Ossoff said. “He’s trying to put his face on the money. Did you see that? He’s doing these things now because no one will honor him when he’s gone because he’s a failed president and a national disgrace.”

“This is the most corrupt administration of all time, and everybody knows it,” Ossoff said.

The first-term Senator spent more

Washington, D.C. and beyond.

Nicollette Canty arrived with a friend, and even though she didn’t vote for Bottoms in the primary election, she was now fully supporting her gubernatorial campaign.

“Because of the state of our nation right now, and the way that everything is so partisan, it’s important to rally everyone together right now,”

Canty said. “I don’t like the way our nation and our state are going, so it will be good to have Democrats in office.”

Bottoms won the Democratic nod in an election night landslide, and the momentum from that victory, mixed with Ossoff’s popularity among Democratic voters, may put immense pressure on the Georgia GOP as the party looks to have voters select a candidate on primary runoff day, Tuesday, June 16.

Yvonne Hill and Sheri Goodwyn came to the rally together and sat together. Unity was their theme for the day, and this rally was a symbol of what needs to continue through November, Hill said.

“We have to pull together, especially as Black people,” said Hill as she waved her “Keisha” campaign sign. “Now is not the time to stay home.”

Goodwyn agreed. “As Democrats, this is a sign of everybody pulling together. That’s what we need.”

time attacking the president’s war in Iraq than he did his potential opponents in November, Mike Collins and Derek Dooley. Nearly a half-hour into his speech, he mentioned his opponents. “It doesn’t matter which of them wins; we’ll beat both in November,” said Ossoff.

The Daleys posed for a selfie and found their spot on the dance floor.

The couple, engaged Democrats both, made their way downtown to support party politics.

“This shows unity and that we’re together. No matter if you like one candidate or the other,” said Dr. Jacki Daley.

“During the last election that lack of unity was used against us. This shows unity. This is the real deal,” said her husband, Dewane Daley.

With Georgia once again a battleground state, even in a non-presidential election year, having that amount of star power on stage is sure to get people’s attention in

For some supporters, despite the unification, there are apparent sides that they are on. Gloria Ward, flashing a bright smile and wearing a white “Keisha Lance Bottoms Governor” t-shirt, turned to pose for a photo. She wanted to make sure the focus was on her t-shirt and the candidate she was there to support.

“I think it’s a great idea to rally up the base,” she said. “This will let them know that we are here and we’re together and working to make Georgia better.”

Moments before any speakers took the stage, the DJ played “Swag Surf,” an Atlanta anthem that cannot be left off of any playlists at sporting events. As fans rocked side to side and waved campaign signs, the feeling was reminiscent of the energetic campaign rallies for Ossoff’s first campaign, Senator Raphael Warnock’s first campaign, the first gubernatorial campaign for Stacey Abrams, and more recently, the presidential campaign for former United States Vice President Kamala Harris. Some of those campaigns were successful, while others fell short of their ultimate goal. Time will tell how the Bottoms and Ossoff campaigns end up.

On the display of unity, Bottoms, who met with the media afterward, said, “I’m really happy to see how quickly we have consolidated. It really speaks to the power we have together.”

Building Black-owned Business Ahead of the World Cup

By LAURA NWOGU

Congresswoman Nike -

ma Williams hosted a small business fair at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) on Friday, bringing together small businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations with helpful resources to connect, network, and grow. The fair, titled Hustle and Grow, featured prizes for small businesses, a panel discussion hosted by Airbnb on opportunities for small businesses during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and networking opportunities with representatives from organizations such as PNC Bank, The Atlanta BeltLine, and the DeKalb Black Business Guide.

Justin Carter, a reporter for The Shade Room, moderated the Airbnb panel. It featured Kelsey Manor, director of business and small business engagement at Showcase Atlanta; John Moore, a leader with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta; Nia Brown, the regional government affairs representative for Airbnb; and LaNier Echols, an Airbnb host in Atlanta.

“In this city, we care about building. We care about opportunity. When we got this World Cup, I heard somebody tell me

The panel touched on how small businesses and Airbnb hosts can capitalize on the global moment and economic opportunities the World Cup presents. The panelists encouraged locals to take advantage of the resources that organizations such as Showcase Atlanta, the Urban League, and Atlanta Black Chambers provide in order to be prepared for this summer and beyond, emphasizing the lasting economic impact on local neighborhoods and businesses.

that they were getting an all-halal menu because Morocco was playing here, and so they had to find a halal meat distributor. And that’s Atlanta,” Brown said. “What’s happening in the Russell Center to make sure that you guys have

the skills and opportunities and resources and networks to optimize is unique. This is not just about this [The World Cup], this is the future.”

Williams took the podium after the panel to thank the small businesses, their owners, and people from her Small Business Advisory Council, doubling down on her commitment to uplift small businesses. She noted the hurdles Black business owners face, from a lack of startup funds, equity, and collateral to the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle programs such as the Minority Business Development Agency.

“I’m fighting for you and all small business owners in the Fighting Fifth, who are working to build wealth and capital.

I reintroduced the Minority Entrepreneurship, which will help break down those barriers and give the next generation of minority business owners a fair shot at the promise of America that we all deserve,” Williams said.

“I’m fighting for the reinstatement of the Minority Business Development Agency, because it’s through these investments in our minority-owned businesses that we will close the racial wealth gap once and for all. And I’m going to keep growing the Fighting Fifth Small Business Council because I can’t do this work alone. It takes community. We’ve got to fight in communities, we’ve got to fight in Congress, and we’ve got to fight in courts, because we have to make sure that every small business owner has a chance to thrive.”

Atlanta Cultural Exchange is City’s Cultural Platform for FIFA World Cup 2026

By NOAH WASHINGTON

In one week, the world will arrive in the international gem that is Atlanta.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 draws near, Atlanta is showcasing itself not only as a host city but as a global stage for Black culture, creativity, and community, anchored by a new initiative from the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.

The Atlanta Cultural Exchange officially kicked off a meet-andgreet on June 2 at Retreat by The Gathering Spot, where Adriane V. Jefferson, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, gathered artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, and creatives for an exclusive mixer and meetand-greet ahead of the program’s public launch.

The Atlanta Cultural Exchange is designed to serve as the city’s primary cultural platform during the World Cup, offering what Jefferson described as a long-overdue, community-driven space for Atlanta to tell its own story to an international audience.

“This is the beginning of real evolution,” Jefferson told the crowd. “This is the beginning of transformation. This is the beginning of social impact, and how we are able to take it from being just nice to absolutely necessary.”

Jefferson, who has served in the role for approximately 18 months, outlined the Office of Cultural Affairs’ broader mission, including municipal grants for artists, arts education funding, and major city facilities. But she emphasized that the World Cup represents a legacy opportunity that extends well beyond the tournament itself.

“We’re looking at permanent infrastructure, permanent programs that can last beyond FIFA,” Jefferson said.

To that end, the office has already commissioned 11 mural installations and beautified crosswalks and intersections across Atlanta as part of the city’s visual arts activation. The Atlanta Cultural Exchange, Jefferson said, was built in direct response to community requests for a larger platform to showcase arts and culture on an international level.

Angela Watts, founder of 10 Squared Agency and a key

organizer behind the Exchange, outlined the event calendar to attendees. The program launches June 14 at the Center, the downtown venue formerly known as CNN Center, with additional dates scheduled through July 14.

Planned programming includes a conversation series featuring rapper and activist Killer Mike and appearances by Trinidad James and entertainment executive Ray Daniels, alongside art gallery showcases and international partner participation.

Watts encouraged attendees to plan accordingly. “The best way to get there is MARTA,” she said, noting the high volume of traffic expected in the area during the World Cup.

The June 2 mixer also featured remarks from Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, co-founder and CEO of the Black Music Action Coalition, who tied the event to the broader significance of Black Music Month

and the long history of Black cultural organizing. “It was the entertainment industry understanding their role with civic engagement,” Stiggers said. “It was regular Black folk understanding the power and the cultural input and export that has happened with us, that if we unify and we collect our energy and understand that we could push towards something, we could actually get change.”

Keinon Johnson, a music industry professional and Clark Atlanta University graduate, credited the Office of Cultural Affairs for bringing Atlanta’s creative community together at a pivotal moment.

“With the support of everybody in this room, we’ll see even more success moving forward,” Johnson said.

Jefferson closed her remarks with a direct message to the city.

“Atlanta is ready to welcome the world. Atlanta culture is ready to welcome the world.”

TASTE 2026: Meals on Wheels Atlanta’s annual fundraiser

By NOAH WASHINGTON

Seven dollars.

That is what it costs to feed a senior one meal through Meals on Wheels Atlanta (MOWA), and on Friday evening at 1705WEST, attendees raised their paddles to ensure more of those meals are delivered.

“$7, believe it or not, feeds a senior one meal,” Meals on Wheels Atlanta CEO Charlene Crusoe-Ingram told the crowd. “We need a lot of $7 because we have a whole lot of seniors on the wait list.”

The occasion was TASTE 2026, the organization’s signature annual fundraiser, now in its fifth year. The evening brought together Atlanta’s culinary community for a night of food, entertainment, and purpose built around a single mission, ending senior hunger in the metro area.

“This year’s TASTE is especially meaningful as we celebrate five years of bringing Atlanta’s culinary community together to support our seniors,” Crusoe-Ingram said.

“While we honor how far this event has come, the need continues to grow. Every ticket purchased helps us serve more seniors waiting for meals and connection.”

Meals on Wheels Atlanta currently serves more than 550 seniors two meals a day, but

more than 800 remain on a waiting list.

Brandon Jenkins, creative director at MOWA, who created TASTE five years ago as a gateway for younger donors to connect with the organization, was honored Friday with a recognition from the state senate and a proclamation from Mayor Andre Dickens, presented by State Sen. RaShaun Kemp, whose district is where the organization’s headquarters resides. Kemp said the honor reflected something personal.

“I was raised by my great grandma, and to see so many seniors in our community in Metro Atlanta being served by this organization is truly special to me,” Kemp said. “They’re making an impact and improving the quality of life for so many seniors across Metro Atlanta.”

Jenkins received the recognition with characteristic humility.

“It feels great to know that not only am I being recognized by the city and the state of Georgia, but also that seniors are being highlighted on this platform,” Jenkins said. “Hopefully, more folks will be attracted to the organization.”

Tahj Crutch, a member of the Meals on Wheels Atlanta Young Professionals Board, said the annual event serves a purpose that extends beyond the evening itself.

“It’s about getting seniors off the wait list so we can feed our seniors in our area of Atlanta,” Crutch said. “Without them, we wouldn’t even be here.”

This year’s event carried the theme “Unbridled Flavor. Unmatched Impact,” inspired by the Year of the Horse. Guests sampled bites from a rotating lineup of Atlanta restaurants and chef-driven pop-ups, including Canoe, Lazy Betty, Kamayan ATL, Fireside Jamaican Restaurant and Nana’s Chicken and Waffles, among others. The evening also featured cocktails, live entertainment, silent and live auction packages, and immersive brand activations.

Among the vendors making an impression was Natalie B. Johnson, owner of Undnibl Catering, a full-service catering company known for delivering professional culinary experiences. Johnson brought her seafood expertise to the event, serving a lump crab and shrimp dip that drew strong reviews from guests.

“It’s a great opportunity to get exposure and also helps the community on the whole,” Johnson said. “You’re helping people who are not able to help themselves.”

Thirteen Atlanta Tastemakers, leaders across media, business, technology, food and culture, were recognized as event

ambassadors. Honorees included Imani Ellis of The Creative Collective NYC and CultureCon, Faith Jessie of NBC Atlanta/11Alive, and Taylor Carter of AMB Sports and Entertainment.

For Jenkins, Friday’s event was never just about one night.

“My hope for TASTE is that we will create a longstanding event that will continue to raise additional funds and awareness for the organization and create a legacy,” he said.

USMNT is headed to World Cup ‘In a really Good Place,’ says captain

By DONNELL SUGGS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. - United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) captain Tim Ream wore a smile as he approached the media on Wednesday morning. Standing in front of a USMNT backdrop inside the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, Ream spoke about how the team was playing leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We’re in a really good place,” Ream said of the national team following a 3-2 victory over the Senegalese National Team in Charlotte last Sunday, May 31. “It was a good first game.”

For Ream, a veteran player with more than 15 years in the USMNT program, playing well at a stadium he is quite familiar with after years with Charlotte FC isn’t as big a deal as the team gelling at the right time. The USMNT scored three goals against a good team, with two coming from goal-scorers Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, and one from defender Sergino Dest.

Dest is playing in his second World Cup, but in a much larger role

this time around than he did as an even younger player four years ago in Qatar. Scoring a goal is one way for a player to be more motivated to play well during the next on-field test, but Dest, who also spoke to the media, couldn’t stop raving about the atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It should be

an example of what is to come in Los Angeles and Seattle when Group D play begins on Friday, June 12, against Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron and Paraguay.

Of the victory over Senegal, Dest echoed Ream, “We are really starting the right way.”

Ream added, “I think it was good. From the get-go, we knew we wanted to be aggressive and intense. Nothing wavered, guys were focused.”

More Than Soccer: USMNT Represents

By DONNELL SUGGS

The United States National Team final roster includes so many players of color. At training at the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center earlier this week, the red, white, and blue was draped across the shoulders of the American players and felt like an honest representation of this country. The USMNT, win or lose, will be a complete reflection of this country.

Born in Mexico, United States forward Alejandro Zendejas was raised in El Paso, Texas, and will represent the U.S. at the World Cup for the first time. The Liga MX winger spoke to the media before training on Saturday, May 30, and said he was excited to be playing in the world’s most important soccer tournament.

This year’s roster also includes more Black American-born players

than any other before. The red, white, and blue draped over the backs of the American players is an honest representation of this country. The USMNT, win or lose, will be a complete reflection of this country.

Midfielders Tyler Adams (Upstate New York) and Weston McKennie (Texas), forwards Haji Wright (California), and Tim Weah (Upstate New York) join defenders Alex Freeman (Florida), Mark McKenzie (Delaware), Chris Richards (Alabama), and former Atlanta United star Miles Robinson (Massachusetts) on this year’s roster.

The United States will open Group D play against Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12 (9 p.m.). Then they will fly to Seattle to play Australia on Friday, June 19 (3 p.m.), before returning to Los Angeles to close group play with a match against Turkey on Saturday, June 25 (10 p.m.).

Playing at full capacity for the World Cup is the best-case scenario for the United States. Defender Chris Richards, who arrived at the training center after his teammates did last week, was on the pitch on Wednesday. At the beginning of training, Richards was off on another field, working out with the team trainers, while other players worked on passing or shooting drills. Richards, along with fellow defenders Alex Freeman, Antonee Robinson, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Ream, and wingers like Dest, will give the United States one of the most athletic backlines in world soccer.

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The USMNT went through another day of training at the national training center on Thursday, before leaving for Chicago on Friday. The USMNT and Germany have a scheduled 1:30 p.m. first kick on Saturday.

Many Faces of America

Street Lines: 2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade

By DENNIS MALCOLM ByRON AKA ALE SHARPTON

At first sight, I knew the 2026 Toyota Crown Nightshade was going to be a fun drive. I am all about bold styling, and this carmaker intentionally brings it with the Crown brand. Couple that with the luxurious interior, and I am convinced the majority of potential car buyers would think this hybrid sedan was a Lexus if they switched out the badges.

The Crown Nightshade is one of four available trims, joining the XLE, Limited, and Platinum models. Of the lineup, the Nightshade I had may be the most visually appealing. It arrived in Storm Cloud, a unique gray-blue fusion with a subtle pearl finish that gave the Crown a stealthy, yet sophisticated appearance. As many of you know, I love stealthy. Navigating through Atlanta, the sedan consistently turned heads. The Nightshade trim enhances the Crown’s captivating design with blacked-out exterior accents, black mirror caps, futurist LED lighting including a single bar extending across the entire rear and striking 21-inch black-finished wheels to seal the deal.

Engine power comes from Toyota’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain paired with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive. Together, the system flexes a more-than-adequate 236 combined horsepower. While the Crown is not designed to be a sports sedan, acceleration is smooth and responsive, so I looked forward to both street and highway trips. I love hybrids because they usually capitalize on fuel efficiency, achieving 42 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. In this turbulent time when fuel prices keep hurting our bank accounts, those numbers bring some serious value.

Inside, the Crown Nightshade continues to impress. The cabin feels upscale and carefully designed, complete with comfortable seating for up to five adults. Material and temperature control perfectly complement each other, with leather-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel elevating the comfort game regardless of the season. Add the panoramic fixed-glass roof, and this cabin further justifies the entry-level luxury Lexus sedan comparison. Technology is another flex. A large

12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen serves as the centerpiece of the dashboard, while a matching 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster keeps pertinent driver information easily visible. Wireless smartphone charging, Android Auto compatibility, WiFi connectivity, and a premium JBL audio system featuring 11 speakers, a subwoofer, and amplifier made every ride a concert. Of course, the push-button start and Smart Key System contribute to the Crown’s practicality. Safety remains a priority as well. The Crown Nightshade gets the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes a suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. Features like the pre-collision warning, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, and a backup camera with dynamic gridlines collectively help put the mind at ease.

Tagged at $48,765, the 2026 Toyota Crown makes a strong presence in its sector without costing a king’s ransom. Ultimately, Toyota continues to step their game up with this sedan, with the ideal blend I favor—luxury, efficiency, and edgy styling. I am looking forward to experiencing the other trims, along with the Signia crossover lineup.

For more information, visit Toyota.com.

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fultoncounty under “Bid Opportunities”.

Fee: N/A

Term of Contract: 1 Year with 2 Renewal Options.

Pre-Bid Conference, will be held online virtually via a Zoom Conference on Tuesday, June 09, 2026 00 A.M., to provide bidders with information regarding this project and to address any questions.

Link: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96200278391

If you have any questions regarding this project please contact: Joanna, Hernandez, APA, via Phone:(404) 612-6127 or E-mail joanna. hernandez@fultoncountyga.gov.

Fulton County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive technicalities.