Arden’s Garden Extends a Healthy Hand in Atlanta’s Black Communities
Arden’s Garden, Atlanta’s popular health food retailer, also known as the city’s first juice bar, is expanding its presence and high nutrition offerings into an economically diverse range of communities throughout metropolitan Atlanta. The 30-year-old company which began in founder Arden Zinn’s kitchen opened its 18th and 19th locations in Atlanta recently in the Cascade Heights area and in the heart of the Benteen Park neighborhood—right off Boulevard. Leslie Zinn, Arden’s Garden CEO and president said the company’s approach offsetting health and nutrition deficits in less affluent and
The Ke’nekt Founder Kiyomi Rollins Shares Insights on Southwest Atlanta’s Entrepreneurial Scene
New Partnership With Pittsburgh Yards Built on Aligned Missions Atlanta is widely regarded as fertile ground for business start-ups, supported by a robust ecosystem that actively champions minority- and women-owned enterprises. The region has become a destination for aspiring entrepreneurs and established small businesses seeking access to resources and innovative programs designed to combat financial inequities, build capacity, invest capital, and revitalize underserved communities. In an exclusive interview with Atlanta Daily World, Kiyomi Rollins, founder and CEO of The Ke’nekt Cooperative, shared insights into Atlanta’s entrepreneurial
Extraordinary Entrepreneur and Women’s Leadership Advocate Dr. Sonia Lewis Partners with epiMediaGroup
Entrepreneur, financial expert, and women’s leadership advocate Dr. Sonia Lewis is broadening her influence beyond the business world through a recently announced alliance with epiMediaGroup, one of the elite public relations and marketing firms in all of Atlanta. Dr. Sonia is the founder and CEO of Student Loan Doctor LLC, an award-winning consulting company that specializes in student loan debt repayment initiatives. Affectionately known as “The Student Loan Doctor”, she uses this platform to help individuals navigate the student loan debt process and achieve financial freedom. Dr. Sonia’s
Youth Villages Georgia Honors Mentor of the Year Timothy Richmond
Youth Villages of Georgia is pleased to announce Creekside High School teacher Timothy Richmond as its Mentor of the Year. The honor was presented at Youth Villages’ Mentor & Volunteer Dinner held at Copeland’s of New Orleans on Cobb Parkway. Richmond, an AP African American studies and U.S. history teacher who was named Creekside’s Teacher of the Year, has been a part of Youth Villages’ Chris Crye Mentoring Program since he was a student at Atlanta’s Emory University. Joining the program in 2019, Richmond has mentored eight young people ranging
Mary Sheffield Becomes the Youngest Black Woman Ever Elected to Lead a Major U.S. City
Mary Sheffield is Detroit’s new mayor-elect. For the first time in 12 years, Detroiters elected a mayor other than Mike Duggan, who announced earlier this year that he would forego a bid for a fourth term as mayor and instead run for governor of Michigan in 2026. Sheffield’s opponent in the race, Triumph Church pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., was unable to make up his 30-point deficit from the August 2025 mayoral primary and was defeated soundly, with the race being called in Sheffield’s favor just after
Seven Black women honored at Point Park University
Point Park University celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Ph.D. Community Engagement and Leadership program. Seven Black women scholars who named themselves the “Heavenly Seven” from the inaugural cohort were honored for their roles in shaping the foundation of the program. “You all were designing the plane while flying it,” said Dr. Heather Starr Fiedler, the first Vice President and Managing Director, Center for Civic and Community Engagement, Point Park University. In the Alumnae Panel the Heavenly Seven’s Dr. Atiya Abdelmalik, Dr. Sheila Beasley, Dr. Danielle Davis, Dr.
Georgia Congressional Candidate Everton Blair Challenges Old Guard Norms [Video]
Everton Blair is a Georgia native, educator, and community leader running to represent Georgia’s 13th Congressional District. He has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity, ensuring fair representation, and delivering results for working families. Blair, class of Harvard 2013, Stanford 2016 and Harvard Grad School 2025, is the first person of color, and the fiirst openly gay person elected to the Gwinettt County Board of Education. He is also the youngest-ever member of that auspicious body, where he served as county chairman and board representative. As Georgia's Democratic
Atlanta Education Innovator Dr. Lisa HerringTakes Helm as New Leaders CEO
New Leaders, a national nonprofit advancing educational excellence by preparing and supporting transformational educators, recently announced the appointment of Dr. Lisa Herring as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Herring brings more than 25 years of experience leading at every level of the education system, from classroom teacher to district superintendent to president of a national innovation hub. As Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, she led systemwide initiatives to accelerate learning recovery, expand college and career pathways, and deepen employer collaborations. Under her leadership, the district achieved the highest graduation rate in its
Black women tackle mental health-related issues head-on
FROM LEFT: DR. SARA KYLES ROYSTER, JAQUALA BIBBENS, JAMIE UPSHAW, LAMARA DENE, DR. ALEXUS BROWN, BRITTANY MAXSHURE. (PHOTO BY CHIEF IKHANA-HAL-MAKINA) Depression, anxiety are the major challenges It can be sunny and 70 degrees outside; perfect weather, not too hot, not too cold… And yet, on the inside, people are dealing with issues and challenges that make them want to not even get up in the morning. Mental health, mental illness is a real thing. Dr. Sharnay Hearn Davis, the founder and executive director of the Sisters Lifting As We Climb
InCommunity Honors Brenda Gates as 2025 Direct Support Professional of the Year
InCommunity has announced Brenda Gates as the 2025 Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Year, recognizing her dedication, compassion, and commitment to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Gates journey in caregiving began in 1986 when she worked as a housekeeper in a nursing home. Inspired by her natural ability to connect with and care for others, she earned Certified Nursing Assistant certification and transitioned into hands-on support roles. By 1988, she was working in private homes, beginning what would become a nearly four-decade career serving vulnerable