The Atlanta Voice E-Edition 061926

Capitol Showdown

Georgia Special Session Draws Protests, Political Pushback at State Capitol

By DONNELL SUGGS

In the wake of high gas prices, the FIFA World Cup, and an impending framework agreement between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Georgia State Capitol was at the epicenter of the news cycle on Wednesday, June 17.

What looked like hundreds and sounded like thousands of people gathered inside and outside of the capitol to express their opposition with a special session that was called by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

On the lower level of the State Capitol, Georgia Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, held a morning press conference to express his disinterest in the special session. Warnock, a Savannah native, said he came home to Georgia from Washington, D.C. for the express purpose of standing with the people.

“I don’t like gerrymandering,” Warnock said. “There’s a reason why you can draw lines around districts full of Black voters. Today, much of the discussion will center around Black voters. This is about working-class people.”

Warnock said Kemp, who is in his second and final term as governor, called for the special session because his fellow Republicans do not want to be held accountable.

“And we intend to hold them accountable,” Warnock said. “This should not be viewed in isolation.”

Columbus and believes voter education is key to informing the people about who is running for local and statewide office. He also believes in showing up.

“Your politicians will not know what you think if they don’t see you when they deliberate,” Broadwater said. “We have to continue to protect our voting rights.”

Chants of “No new maps” filled the rotunda as people waited for signs that read, “Free & Fair Elections” Reject Racist Redistricting,” and “Protect Black Votes.”

One of the speakers during the protests was Helen Butler, a longtime advocate for voting rights in Georgia and the Executive Director of the Coalition for the People’s Agenda, a local nonprofit. Prior to the rescheduling of the special session, Butler said that too often, the people don’t get to speak out.

Today they did. “It’s time for the people to have their say,” she said. “They can tell their representatives what they don’t want.”

Apparently, that is a special session.

“When you play with the people, you always lose,” said Georgia State Representative Inga Willis. Willis attended one of the multiple press conferences held on the South Steps inside the Capitol. “We are here because we’re the voice of the people, and what’s at stake is the voice of the people. “I’m here representing thousands.”

Democratic Party of Georgia Chairman Charlie Bailey also spoke. The rise in Democrats winning local elections in Georgia, including the cities of Athens and Columbus, where the first Black mayors, Dexter Fisher and Isaiah Highley, were elected on Tuesday, gave the party momentum going into another crucial election season. Voting rights are on the table, said Bailey.

“The people of Georgia have risen up and said, ‘Not so damn fast.’ We get to decide who is going to represent us in these hallowed halls,” Bailey said.

There have been similar special sessions called in the past, most recently in 2019 and 2023. The 2019 session lasted five days, and the 2023 session lasted nine days, respectively. This year’s special session will not last long as it was rescheduled due to the pressure put on by the people of Georgia.

Many other politicians, including

State Rep. Tanya Miller, the Democratic candidate for the upcoming election for Georgia Attorney General, and potential statewide elected officials such as Judge Penny Brown Reynolds and Nikki Porcher, both of whom were successful in their primary runoff election bids for Democratic nominations for Georgia Secretary of State and Georgia Labor Commissioner on Tuesday, gathered inside the Georgia State Capitol this morning in opposition of the special session and potential gerrymandering that could take place.

“In democracy, the voters choose their leaders,” Miller said. “In a democracy, the power belongs to the people.”

The politicians weren’t alone. People like Dr. Marvin Broadwater, Sr., a community activist, organizer and military veteran drove in from Columbus, Georgia, to witness the opposition this morning.

Broadwater registers voters in

Georgia gas tax ends, prices remain high

By LAURA NWOGU

The small relief Georgians felt in their pockets when Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state’s gas tax on June 2 has ended. This marks a continuation of high gas prices following the ongoing war involving Iran and pleas for local elected officials to fight for relief at the pump.

On Monday, Georgia Democrats hosted a press conference featuring DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and State Reps. Sam Park and Stacey Evans. The three stood outside the Shell gas station across from Ansley Mall on Piedmont Avenue, where gas was nearly $4 per gallon, a dollar more than last year.

It’s the fourth leg on the “Jones and Jackson Are Out For Themselves” tour, where Georgia Democrats have been calling out Republican gubernatorial candidates Burt Jones and Rick Jackson for refusing to support suspending the gas tax.

“You are seeing rising gas prices,

you’re seeing outrageous increases in the cost of everyday consumable goods like food, and also you’re seeing health care prices increase, and I’d like to say that all of this is being done by those who claim they have our best interests at heart,” Cochran-Johnson said.

“Since February, gas prices have soared, and families across the state of Georgia are determining how they will continue to pay more than $1 more per gallon at the gas pump. But rather than stand up for hardworking people, Jones and Jackson are flat out ignoring the question.”

The impact of rising gas prices means working families must navigate one more strain on the economy, from inflation in grocery stores to household expenses. Cochran-Johnson also noted that Metro Atlanta has one of the longest commutes in the United States.

“The cost that’s incurred to travel back and forth to work to pick children up from school, just to run errands, is substantial, and it has a huge impact.

So, you’re seeing people, even during this holiday season when people are taking to the roads, rethinking their vacation travels because they plainly and simply cannot afford to travel.”

Cochran-Johnson, Park, and Evans expressed their support for Keisha Lance Bottoms in her race for Georgia governor, highlighting her willingness to expand the gas tax suspension.

“Keisha Lance Bottoms gets it. She’s calling on leaders to bring costs down. That’s why she immediately jumped into action to call for an extension of the gas tax suspension when Republicans announced they were going to snap it away,” Evans said.

“That’s the kind of people-centered, forward-thinking mindset that we need in the governor’s mansion, and that’s why we’re all so proud to support Keisha Lance Bottoms for governor. Immediately calling for an extension of the gas tax suspension shows us that Keisha Lance Bottoms would wake up every day thinking about people and their struggles.”

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Voices

New CFPB rule turns its back on fair housing

Housing

By CHARLENE CROWELL Center for Responsible Lending

For more than 50 years, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) has been an effective federal safeguard to ensure that Black, Latino, Native Americans and other economically marginalized people have fair access to safe and affordable credit. Enacted with bipartisan support in Congress and signed into law by President Gerald Ford in 1974, ECOA has been a legal backbone in the fight against financial discrimination for literally millions of qualified borrowers.

But this April, the agency created to be the nation’s consumer financial

cop on the beat issued a new rule to roll back enforcement of anti-discrimination efforts. The bureau’s proposal will end disparate impact standard for enforcement actions, allow lenders to discourage applicants by race, and limit the use of special purpose credit programs to expand access to credit for women, Blacks, Latinos, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Native-Americans, older Americans, and other economically

vulnerable families.

“The amendments represent one of the most consequential shifts in federal fair-lending policy in decades and are likely to prompt litigation challenging key aspects of the rule,” predicted a recent legal blog

That prediction proved correct.

On May 27, a federal lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the National Fair Housing Alliance and four other housing organizations that are suing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and its Acting Director Russell Vought.

“The statute did not change. The legal decisions did not change. Washington’s commitment did,” said Lisa Rice, NFHA President and CEO. “This reversal by the CFPB is a continuation of this Administration’s efforts to gut fair housing and lending protections.”

“To start, the CFPB failed to identify any concrete problem with the current regulatory regime,” states the lawsuit. “The CFPB relied on conclusory assertions and speculation, not evidence, to justify its dramatic departure from decades of settled ECOA implementation. The CFPB’s approach is at odds with the available evidence: As commenters to the proposed rule made clear, public data and research—much of it from the CFPB itself—show that the Final Rule is ill-conceived and likely to harm covered entities and consumers alike.”

The lawsuit also raises the question of Vought’s authority as an Acting CFPB Director. The law that created CFPB explicitly awarded rulemaking authority to Senate-confirmed CFPB Directors, which Vought is not.

According to the advocates, during an abbreviated public comment period, an estimated 64,500 industry participants, including a coalition of 78 civil rights organizations, other consumer advocates,

state attorneys general, and Members of Congress, registered their opposition to the reversal.

“The CFPB set an unusually short thirty-day public comment period over the Thanksgiving holiday, failed to employ a small business advocacy review panel, and made not a single material change to the rule in response to tens of thousands of comments, the overwhelming majority of which opposed the rule,” said Janell Byrd-Chichester, National Fair Housing Alliance General Counsel.

Recapping registered opposition comments, the housing plaintiffs found that more than 90 percent opposed dropping disparate impact liability, changes to discouragement protections, and the elimination of Special Purpose Credit Programs that expand credit access for communities that historically face persistent barriers.

“The CFPB needs to follow the law and return to its core mission of protecting consumers and small businesses,” said Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, CEO of Rise Economy, whose organization is also a plaintiff.

If allowed to stand, CFPB’s new rule will shift the burden of proof in cases of discrimination from the powerful to the vulnerable. It is also a misguided effort to make consumers prove intent instead of analyzing available, fact-based patterns of economic exclusion.

Equity in our nation’s housing finance system cannot be achieved until or unless families of color are afforded equal opportunities to build wealth through homeownership. Disparate impact rightly places the burden in proving marketplace discrimination on lenders and should be preserved.

“When the agency built to enforce civil rights and protect consumers walks away from the job, the rule of law remains” added NFHA’s Rice. “That is why we are in court.”

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Black Men Confront Growing Loneliness Epidemic

By LAURA ONyENEHO

James Pierre X remembers the moment his father apologized for crying. The lesson was immediate and unspoken. Men do not show emotion. Men endure.

“A man doesn’t cry,” his father told him.

He was reinforcing a belief that shaped how he navigated manhood. X learned to build what he calls “dams,” blocking emotional rivers before they surfaced. Years later, he said he realized the mask he was wearing had become too heavy. So he burned it.

His story reflects what health experts now identify as a growing male loneliness epidemic, a pattern of emotional isolation and social disconnection that is quietly affecting men across the country.

In 2023, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a national advisory declaring loneliness and social isolation a public health crisis. The report found that chronic loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, and premature death. Researchers concluded the health impact can rival smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

But what exactly is the loneliness epidemic?

The male loneliness epidemic is a growing, serious public health crisis characterized by a sharp rise in men reporting a lack of close friendships,

For Black men, loneliness is often compounded by cultural expectations and systemic barriers. iStock.com/Dragos Condrea

emotional support, and meaningful social connections.

Licensed therapist Katherine Barner explains that loneliness is not simply being alone. It is the distress that comes from feeling unseen, emotionally unsupported, or disconnected from meaningful relationships.

“Many of the Black men I work with are surrounded by people,” Barner said. “They have families, jobs, and responsibilities. But internally, they feel like no one really knows them.”

Barner said social isolation refers to having few relationships or limited contact with others. Loneliness, however, is emotional. A person can be married, employed, and active in church, yet still feel deeply disconnected.

Cultural conditioning plays a significant role for Black men.

“Black boys are often socialized to suppress vulnerability very early,” Barner said. “They are praised for being tough and corrected for being tender. Over time, that suppression becomes automatic.”

Kwesi Dreams is a Houston-based community leader who creates safe spaces for Black men and boys to explore identity, masculinity, and emotional health. Through poetry gatherings, discussion circles, and one-on-one mentorship, he works to dismantle what he calls inherited emotional silence.

“We’re taught what not to be before we’re ever taught what to be,” Dreams said. “To be a man is separate from

being human.”

He describes the phenomenon as emotional castration beginning in boyhood. Boys learn quickly that softness is punished. Isolation becomes framed as elevation, the lone provider, the stoic protector.

He experienced it firsthand after graduating from college and losing the daily brotherhood he had built on campus. That was the first time he experienced the loneliness epidemic. It felt like graduation, then real life, with no transition whatsoever.

He described struggling to adjust to the distance from close friends and the abrupt shift into adulthood.

“We gotta be real with ourselves to say, I am hurting, I am in pain,” he said. “I believe that my brothers can help me to get through this pain.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates among Black males have risen significantly over the past decade, with notable increases among Black boys and young adults. While overall suicide rates remain higher among white men, experts note that Black men are less likely to access mental health treatment.

Barner said stigma is one of the biggest barriers.

“There is still a perception that therapy is weakness,” she said. “For Black men especially, admitting emotional pain can feel like risking respect.”

She also points to structural

stressors. Systemic racism, economic inequities, and over-policing create chronic stress. When that stress is paired with emotional suppression, it can manifest as irritability, withdrawal, overworking, or substance misuse.

Barner said that phrase alone can be powerful. Validation reduces shame, which often fuels isolation. She encourages men to start with small steps: naming emotions accurately, scheduling intentional checkins with trusted friends, and seeking culturally competent counseling.

“Community can normalize vulnerability,” she said. “Therapy can help unpack trauma beneath it.”

Key Causes and Factors:

• Shrinking Social Circles: Men often rely on partners or work for social connection, leaving them vulnerable to isolation during life changes like retirement or divorce.

• Cultural Expectations: Traditional ideas of masculinity often discourage vulnerability, making it difficult for men to express emotions or seek help.

• Fewer Friendships: Men generally have fewer close friendships than women.

• Lack of Proactive Socializing: Some argue that men sometimes focus too heavily on romantic validation rather than nurturing platonic, community-based friendships.

Street Lines: 2026 Infiniti QX60 2.0T AWD SPORT

By DENNIS MALCOLM ByRON AKA ALE SHARPTON

After reviewing the 2026 QX80 Sport , Infiniti continues to bring the heat but in a smaller package—the redesigned QX60. Presented in four trims—Pure, Luxe, Autograph, and Sport—I got behind the wheel of the latter and enjoyed every minute of it. Evidently, Infiniti’s mission remains the same: appearance, comfort, technology, and sophistication without going over the top.

Presented in the “2T” two-tone exterior, which flaunted a classy tuxedo vibe—a premium paint black and white upgrade—I was all for it. The signature Infiniti curvaceous body embellished with an illuminated front emblem, exclusive

grille, black accents, lower front fascia, and 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a black gloss finish, was a captivating combination. To add, the futuristic LED lighting made me look forward to night excursions. Whether pulling up to a rooftop soiree in nearby Midtown ATL or picking up my dad for a grocery run, heads turned.

Under the hood, Infiniti boasts a 2.0-liter variable compression turbo engine flexing 268 horsepower and 286 lb.-ft. of torque paired with a smooth nine-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent AllWheel Drive (graciously available in all trims). The paddle shifters and overall responsive acceleration emphasize the Sport designation. The suspension tuning also

deserves praise, balancing comfort and handling impressively well for this three-row luxury SUV. On the fuel side, which is becoming extremely important with today’s challenges overseas, the combined 24 miles per gallon is pretty much average in this segment.

Of course, the interior further justifies the luxury designation in the QX60. The cabin has an opulent feel, largely due to the Dusk Blue TailorFit-appointed seating this version features. The heated and climate-controlled front seats, second-row captain’s chairs with a removable center console, panoramic moonroof, and leather-wrapped heated steering wheel make you look forward to the constant compliments of chauffeured

passengers. Infiniti also packed this model with tech including dual 12.3-inch displays, Google built-in navigation, a 5G WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The banging 16-speaker

Klipsch premium audio system including placement in the headrests treated the ears to some of the best fidelity I have experienced inside a cabin this year. Addressing safety, the full suite of driver-assistance features including ProPILOT Assist 1.1 and a 3D around-view monitor boosted driving confidence.

Starting around $62K and reaching $65,750 fully equipped (including the optional 2T exterior for $1,000), the 2026 QX60 Sport boasts a strong presence in today’s luxury SUV market. Stylish, comfortable, and loaded with modern technology, Infiniti will remain one of my favorite brands to review. They just get it. For more information, visit Infinitiusa.com

Atlanta producers Sean Garrett, Zaytoven, and ATL Jacob honored for their impact

By LAURA NWOGU

Music producers are often called the architects of sound. They build harmonies, arrange vocals, and bend instrumentation and beats in a way that elicits emotion and transforms the tracks we hear today. Without them, our feet wouldn’t tap, our heads wouldn’t bob, and our waists wouldn’t whine. In Atlanta, where Black music thrives, the most impactful producers have been born, bred, and celebrated.

Black Music Month in June celebrates the cultural contributions of Black musicians in every genre, from rock and pop to blues and hiphop. Atlanta-born and based producers Sean Garrett, Zaytoven, and ATL Jacob were honored in Atlanta with a dinner celebrating their contributions to the music industry.

The table was set, with a family-style dinner menu and dim lighting at the Asian-fusion restaurant LoKee. Jacob Canady, known as ATL Jacob, was the first to arrive at the honoree dinner in June. Canady has been called the leader of the next generation and is known for his Grammy-nominated work with Atlanta rapper Future, most notably the song “Wait for U.” Jacob told The Atlanta Voice that culture is key to

preserving elements of hip-hop while elevating it.

“Everything starts from the culture and goes into the music. It might be the people, the places you go,” Canady said.

Xavier Dotson, known professionally as Zaytoven, has been pivotal to the sounds of modern hip-hop, ushering in an era where Gucci Mane’s “Icy” Migos’ “Versace,”, and Future’s “Beast Mode” mixtape have become the blueprint of Atlanta trap.

Canady was later joined by Grammy-nominated and veteran producer Garrett Hamler, known professionally as Sean Garrett. Dubbed “the pen,” Garrett is a songwriting and producing wizard, with over 50 number-one records and 100 million copies sold globally, shaping the sounds of genres like crunk music and artists such as Beyoncé, Ciara, Usher, and Chris Brown, to name a few.

Together, the three of them paint a historic picture of R&B and hip-hop music throughout the years, showcasing how the creativity of producers keeps the soul of music fresh and alive.

“I want to be remembered for my innovation. Like, ‘Oh yeah, he always had an open mind, he was innovative, he did different stuff with different genres and tried new things,” Canady said.

Craig Robinson introduces ‘Toy Story 5’ to Atlanta’s youth at Atlantic Station

By NOAH WASHINGTON

Before Pixar’s latest blockbuster opened to the general public, actor and comedian Craig Robinson made sure Atlanta’s children got the first look.

On Monday, June 15, Robinson introduced “Toy Story 5” to a crowd of youth from across the metro Atlanta area at Atlantic Station 18. The special screening brought Robinson faceto-face with the young audience he hopes the film will most inspire.

“I would love to see the kids use their imagination more, as opposed to being stuck to the screens,” Robinson told The Atlanta Voice. “It’s so tempting, and it’s right there. All the colors, all the games. But there’s nothing like using your own imagination.”

Directed by Andrew Stanton and produced by Pixar Animation Studios, “Toy Story 5” is the fifth installment in one of animation’s most beloved franchises and the first in the series to carry a PG rating. The film picks up with Jessie now leading Bonnie’s room of toys after Woody departed to help abandoned toys find new owners. The central conflict arrives in the form of Lilypad, a frog-like tablet voiced by Greta Lee, who becomes Bonnie’s new obsession and forces the toys to confront what it means to stay relevant in an age of screens.

Robinson joins a star-studded ensemble that includes returning franchise veterans Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Tony Hale, Annie Potts, and Keanu Reeves, alongside newcomers Conan O’Brien, Bad Bunny,

Ernie Hudson, and Alan Cumming.

In the film, Robinson voices Atlas, a talking hippopotamus GPS toy from an earlier era of technology. He describes the character as a

bridge between the analog and digital worlds. “He’s old school tech,” Robinson said. “He’s gonna get you there, and you can count on him. He is who he says he is.”

The film’s themes of screen time and childhood imagination resonated deeply with Robinson, who acknowledged the challenge of disconnecting in his own life.

“When I go for a light jog, that’s when I’m mostly away from the world,” he said. “Or if I’m doing comedy, the phone is off. But yeah, I need to get better at just shutting it down and being silent.”

The film wrestles with a tension familiar to parents and educators alike: as tablets and touchscreens compete for children’s attention, traditional toys are losing ground. For Robinson, the project was an easy call. “They wanted to cast me, we did the first reading, and it was a no-brainer to just hop on,” he said.

The film also features an original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” contributed by Taylor Swift and produced alongside collaborator Jack Antonoff, released ahead of the film’s debut. Franchise composer Randy Newman returns to score the film, marking his 10th collaboration with Pixar.

“Toy Story 5” had its world premiere in Los Angeles on June 9. Beyond the film, Robinson said he is currently on the road performing stand-up comedy, with additional projects in development.

“Toy Story 5” opens nationwide Friday, June 19.

FAN-TASTIC: FIFA Fan Fest Atlanta is a big hit

By DONNELL SUGGS

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun, and thousands of fans in Atlanta were thrust into the tournament long before the first game took place in Atlanta on Monday, June 15. The FIFA Fan Fest, which began on Thursday, June 11, the first day of the World Cup, allowed thousands of people to watch matches on a large screen in Centennial Olympic Park.

Downtown Atlanta was the center of the soccer universe on Monday, the fifth day of the free fan festival surrounding Atlanta’s first involvement in the World Cup. Cabo Verde supporters, dressed in their country’s colors of blue and red, danced and sang along the green space inside Centennial Olympic Park after the smallest country involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup had just completed a 0-0 draw with Spain, one of the world’s soccer powers. The Cabo

Verde supporters looking on from the FIFA Fan Fest watched their country do the impossible.

On Sunday, June 14, hours before fans began gathering at the park for the Germany and Curacao match (which ended in favor of Germany with a final score of 7-1), Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens stood on a stage inside The CTR and said, “We are right here, right now as the FIFA World Cup is in Atlanta.”

The third and fourth days of the FIFA Fan Fest saw supporters of major soccer powers like Brazil and Germany stream into the park draped in their teams’ colors. The diversity of soccer fandom on display in Atlanta can only be compared to 30 years ago this summer when Atlanta was home to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

The second day of the FIFA Fan Fest had a lot to live up to after the first day, which took place on Thursday, June 11, and featured Mexican National Team fans showing up in a big way for El Tri. On

Friday, the United States National Team supporters came out in full force as well. Thousands of fans filled the park to watch the United States defeat Paraguay 4-1. The match was the first for the Red, White, and Blue, and for many of the fans, it was an opportunity to have a World Cup moment without

having to be at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

In a small sample size, just over a week so far, the FIFA Fan Fest have delivered in several ways. Not only are tickets free, but there is plenty of room for fans to set up blankets and chairs for a match-watching experience. Similar watch parties are taking place throughout Metro Atlanta, including at The Battery.

Soccer fans are experiencing the World Cup on the Plaza Green in the shadow of the Atlanta Braves’ home turf, Truist Park.

One of those fans, Michael Krack, came downtown to Centennial Olympic Park from Alpharetta to support the USA. There were plenty of bars in Alpharetta that were showing the match, but Krack wanted to be amongst soccer fans of all kinds.

“Atlanta has a lot of diversity, and it’s been great to meet so many fans,” he said.

The first day of the FIFA Fan Fest took place on Thursday, June 11, and thousands of soccer fans flocked to the park to lay down blankets and seek shade under large umbrellas in the afternoon sun, in preparation for the tournament’s opening match: Mexico vs. South Africa from Mexico City. The amount of Mexico jerseys, flags, head scarves, hats, and t-shirts in the crowd gave the watch party -the match was broadcast on a huge television screen inside the park- a pro-Mexico feel.

Not to be outdone, there were fans wearing jerseys from the United States, England, Haiti, Germany,

Colombia, Jamaica, Argentina, Ivory Coast, Brazil, France, and South Africa, too.

“I can imagine what previous city leaders must have felt like 30 years ago,” said Dickens from the stage an hour before the match between Mexico and South Africa. Dickens, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and Atlanta Sports Council President Dan Corso shared the stage during an introduction. The FIFA Fan Fest will offer thousands of fans a chance to gather for soccer matches played across North America, including at nearby Mercedes-Benz Stadium (temporarily named Atlanta Stadium during the tournament).

“We are thrilled to welcome all of our visitors to this great city,” Dickens said.

Moments before the national anthems for South Africa and Mexico were played, there was a quiet that came over the crowd inside the fan fest. After proper respect for the South African National Anthem, the Mexican National Anthem, “Himno Nacional Mexicano,” began. The largely Mexican crowd was loud enough to be heard in Suwanee. A line in the song goes as follows: “Mexicanos, Al grito de guerra.” That translates to mean, “Mexican, at the cry of war.” Day one of the FIFA World Cup saw Mexico go ahead 1-0 at halftime and up 2-0 after 90 minutes. At the cry of war, Mexico landed the first blow of the World Cup.

Atlanta’s ‘Through Our Eyes’ exhibition showcases city’s diverse fan culture

By NOAH WASHINGTON

Atlanta, a city shaped by the civil rights movement and now poised to host the world, has a new lens through which to be seen.

“Through Our Eyes,” an exhibition produced by Atlanta lensbased artist Sheila Pree Bright in collaboration with One Contemporary Gallery and sponsored by Leica Camera USA, opened June 11 on Edgewood Avenue SE, timed intentionally to coincide with the opening of the FIFA World Cup.

The show features Bright’s new series, “Where We Gather,” an exploration of sports fan culture, alongside work by three women photographers she mentored. Each artist was given access to Leica SL camera systems over several months to develop the bodies of work now on display.

For Faron Manuel, founder and director of One Contemporary, the exhibition represents both a milestone for his gallery, which opened just over a year ago, and a deliberate statement about what Atlanta looks like when viewed from within.

“You come to this show to get a glimpse of the Atlanta that’s not always reported during a time like this,” Manuel said. “You get what’s happening in the HBCU culture here; you’ve got four great HBCUs

here in the city. You also have our immigrant community here in the city.”

He said the exhibition took between eight and 10 months of planning and includes an original catalog essay on Atlanta by writer Cole Gray. A catalog that is available at the gallery.

Bright, a Leica ambassador, said her interest was in the psychology

of fan culture rather than the sport itself.

“I don’t really know a lot about Atlanta sports culture, because I’m not a sports person,” she said. “But I was inspired by the World Cup coming to Atlanta, and I wanted the global community, when they come here, to see a different perspective of Atlanta, besides celebrity culture,

Atlanta Housewives, rappers, to get the insights of the community of Atlanta, because that’s what people don’t know.”

She pointed to what she observed at tailgates and Atlanta United games as the emotional core of the project.

“For 90 minutes in the soccer at the stadiums, 60 minutes in football, we all come together, we leave all that noise behind,” Bright said. “I’m trying to go deeper in the psychology of people when it comes to fan culture and see how we can engage and talk and come together.”

Bright also said the gallery’s location in the historic district along Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy corridor was intentional.

“I thought it was very important to do this here at One Contemporary on the historical district of Martin Luther King,” she said. “Because that’s community. It started with the civil rights movement, and now in contemporary times I think the culture of fan culture is changing maybe how people look at Atlanta.”

The exhibition also honors Pelé, whose artistry on the soccer field, according to exhibition materials, “transcended sport” and helped elevate the game globally. Bright echoed that sentiment, noting Pelé’s role as a unifying figure who “brought other countries in.”

Leica Camera USA, which

celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, came aboard as a lead sponsor.

Mary-Irene Marek, vice president of marketing for Leica Camera USA, said the partnership grew out of her relationship with Bright following a three-day anniversary event in New York’s Meatpacking District last year.

“Leica is, I would say, the only camera brand that really centers its entire mission around the community and art,” Marek said. “The way that we celebrate artists and the work that the artists do is really unprecedented.”

Additional sponsors include Emory University, Canterbury Press and Color Chrome.

For Manuel, the convergence of the World Cup, Leica’s centennial and One Contemporary’s first full year in operation carries a weight he’s still processing.

“I want them to be able to celebrate the World Cup as a happening, but also to celebrate all the great things that are already here in Atlanta,” he said, “and really emphasize a lot of different communities and spotlight a lot of different communities that are a part of this moment.”

As the world converges on Atlanta for the FIFA World Cup, this exhibition offers a glimpse into the heart of the city, beyond the celebrity culture and rappers. It’s a celebration of the city’s diverse communities and their unique perspectives.

Atlanta Restaurant Roundup: Juici Patties expands to GA, first women’s sports bar opens

By LAURA NWOGU

Part of Atlanta’s charm lies in its diverse food scene, from the rich culture to the bold flavors. The saying often goes that “Atlanta isn’t a real place,” and what makes it unique is the bustling dining and drinking spots on every corner of the city’s neighborhoods, built to satisfy every palate. Lucky for locals and tourists alike, there’s never a shortage of places to visit, especially when new businesses are rolling in every month. However, the restaurant industry landscape is constantly in flux, and amid grand openings, the city is also seeing a wave of closures, from small businesses to legacy and popular restaurants.

Here is a roundup of updates on recently opened restaurants and incoming restaurants.

Recently-opened restaurants

Juici Patties

860 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy

NW

From Jamaica to Atlanta, the Caribbean island’s largest restaurant chain has landed in Atlanta with its first location in the city. Known for its patties and “serious Jamaican

food,” the beloved chain has been a staple in Jamaica, with over 60 locations across the country. Now those flavors have hit the Westside, and its highly-anticipated opening has locals lining up to get a taste

of menu items such as coco bread, ackee and saltfish, and its variety of patties. Whether it’s to see if the Atlanta location tastes like home or to get a first introduction to the brand, Juici Patties’ arrival means

that the craving for authentic Jamaican patties doesn’t always have to mean boarding a flight.

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.8 p.m; Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Terminal 26

675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Ste n 133

Since 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar opened in Atlanta, it has become a go-to for those looking for upscale yet affordable Thai cuisine. What was once one concept by sisters Niki and Tanya Pattharakositkul has now rapidly grown into a collection of Thai restaurants across the city, from multiple 26 Thai locations to the opening of Pink Lotus and Blackjack Bar Tapas in the last few years. Now, Terminal 26 at Ponce City Market has been added to that list. With a focus on Thai street food and inspired by Thailand’s floating markets, the restaurant opened on the PCM’s ground floor on June 8, bringing a new chapter of dining to the beloved restaurant group.

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday: 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m.

Jolene Jolene

1963 Hosea L Williams Dr SE Atlanta’s first and only bar dedicated to women’s sports has officially

opened in Kirkwood. After a residency at Pullman Yards, several popups, and a Kickstarter campaign, the sports bar has finally found a permanent home in the former space of seafood restaurant The Argonaut. Now, fans of women’s sports don’t have to look hard for where to go to cheer on their favorite team on a big screen and enjoy a game, a cold beer, and hot food.

Hours: Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday, noon-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Incoming restaurants

La Cueva

675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE

La Cueva, which translates to cave, is appropriately named. The new restaurant at PCM also moonlights as a speakeasy and cocktail lounge, with red hues and rugged stone passageways that greet guests upon arrival. Opening June 13, the menu features an extensive mezcal selection, creative cocktails, and Mexican-inspired dishes. La Cueva’s opening adds to the list of new arrivals at the popular food hall and shopping center.

Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.

Atlanta Cultural Exchange: Immersive showcase of art, fashion, and music

By NOAH WASHINGTON

Before the first whistle blows at any World Cup match, Atlanta is making clear to the world that the city’s culture is the main event, and that programming will follow the tournament’s rhythm, with cultural activations scheduled for the day before each of Atlanta’s matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Atlanta Cultural Exchange opened Sunday at The Center (CTR) Atlanta on Marietta Street, transforming 23,500 square feet of blank eighth-floor space into an immersive showcase of the city’s art, fashion, music, and creative community. The experience, presented by Showcase Atlanta and powered by The Gathering Spot, will run June 14 through July 14, with activations scheduled the day before each of Atlanta’s World Cup matches.

Mayor Andre Dickens, addressing an opening-day crowd, credited a broad team of collaborators for bringing the vision to life, while acknowledging the attendance of former Mayor Shirley Franklin, who was set to join Royce Bable of Sweet Auburn Stories and Deante Kyle, host of the Grits and Eggs Podcast, for a panel examining Atlanta’s journey from a center of civil rights leadership to a global hub for culture,

pieces from a newer artist depicting Abraham Lincoln alongside one of his own works.

“I just wanted to make sure that I represented the gallery’s perspective, as far as what we do as artists,” Smith said. “I wanted to have a great cohesion of Black art.”

Day one programming also included a set by DJ Kickz, a performance art session with Latryce Marie, a Soul Food Cypher hip-hop performance, a DJ battle pitting oldschool tastemakers against newer selectors, and a closing performance from music executive and choreographer Devyne Stephens.

business, sports and innovation.

“I feel great to have my predecessors be able to see this work and contribute to it,” Dickens said, noting Franklin’s role in helping make Atlanta’s 1996 Centennial Olympic Games a success.

Dickens framed the exchange as more than a cultural showcase, urging Atlantans to engage with their own city as a destination. “We want you to be a tourist in your own city,” he said. “Don’t get out-toured by somebody that’s from another country.”

Adriane V. Jefferson, director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, said the space was deliberately curated to reflect the full breadth of Atlanta’s creative community. The exchange features works from local galleries, including Zucot Gallery, Buckhead Art Gallery, and ABV by Greg Mike, alongside international contributions from artists in Mexico, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

“Atlanta deserves to be on the world stage, because there’s so much that the world has taken, has emulated that has come from Atlanta,” Jefferson said. “I hope that the world sees that a lot of the things they love was birthed here.”

Jefferson described the undertaking of transforming the space as massive. “This was a white box, a blank space with nothing in it,” she said. The 23,500-square-foot floor is now home to art installations, a music lounge with DJ activations, fashion displays, and daily programming including panel discussions, live performances, and a gaming lounge.

Producer Angela Watts, who led the creative effort as The Culture

Exchange executive producer, said the exchange fulfills a longtime vision. “I am so thankful for Mayor Andre Dickens, Office of Cultural Affairs, the City of Atlanta, for giving my team and me an opportunity to create and curate over 100 artists in one space,” Watts said. “It’s something that I have dreamed up for a very long time, where you have the convergence of fashion, art, music, and entertainment all under one particular roof.”

Among the vendors and artists filling the floor on opening day was Brandon Franklin, a custom headwear designer and founder of a hat shop he describes as one of the only full-service operations in the city. Franklin said he brought a new collection to debut at the exchange, incorporating country flags and colors from World Cup-qualifying nations, including Colombia and other South American countries. All pieces, he noted, are American-made.

“My business speaks to the culture of Atlanta because we are original,” Franklin said. “All of my pieces are original. We are trailblazers, and that’s what I do as a business.”

Tribal Eyes Eyewear founder Dr. Ona Utumama, a hospital medicine physician who launched the brand in 2020, described her company as filling a gap in the market for eyewear designed around diverse facial features. At the exchange, she positioned the brand within Atlanta’s global moment.

“We are Atlanta’s Global Citizen Highway,” Utumama said. “The typical Tribal Eyes eyewear customer is someone who wants to see the world and takes our eyewear to these

places. They’re not afraid of color, they’re not afraid of style, and they want the world to see them and their culture through their eyes.”

Anderson Smith, founder of the Anderson Smith Gallery, curated a collection of Black art for the exchange that draws on both Atlanta-based and international artists, including a South African painter and works by D.L Warfield, known for album artwork with LaFace Records artists including OutKast, Usher, and T.I. Smith also displayed

Filmmaker Christian Nolan Jones screened “A Night on the East Side,” a compilation of five years of work, as part of a session presented by On Set ATL. Jones, currently working on a new project named “Kinfolk,” said events like the World Cup offer something beyond soccer.

“I think the more time that we get to see the specificity of different communities, then people also get to see that we’re not that different from each other,” Jones said. “Things like the World Cup are dope, because you get to bring people from all different places, and we get to see the humanity in each other.”

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