It’s back to the drawing board for the proposed Atlanta ordinance to crack down on “nuisance properties.” The Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee held the controversial piece of legislation in committee at its last meeting. This means that the ordinance cannot be voted on by the City Council until it makes it out of […]
Black Businesses
Posted inBlack Businesses, Money
Nightlife Businesses Make Presence Felt at City Hall
On 26 separate occasions since late March, Our Bar ATL reached out to the Atlanta Police Department for help. The business owners were looking to hire off-duty police officers to provide safety and security for their patrons, according to Sarah Oak Kim, co-owner of the bar on Edgewood Avenue in Downtown. As Kim addressed the […]
Posted inBlack Businesses, Money
A City Proposal to Fight Crime Could Hurt Black Business
When Johnny Mims first learned about the city of Atlanta’s current nuisance ordinance, he was reading a news article about the closure of Encore Hookah Lounge in Downtown. The nightlife entertainment venue had a two-year streak of violence that led to two shooting deaths, a reported aggravated assault and more than 170 incoming calls to […]
Posted inBlack Businesses, Money
What’s Next for Atlanta’s Black-Owned Food Trucks?
Food trucks have evolved over the past decade from a trendy culinary phenomenon to a staple of urban life across the country. Vibrant food truck scenes now surround cities such as Los Angeles and Houston. It was once thought that Atlanta would be next in line, but boundless red tape and restrictions stood in the […]
Posted inBlack Businesses, Money
Black Entrepreneurs Find Hope With New BeltLine Initiative
Ashley Carlton started his gourmet cookie and ice cream business, Not As Famous Cookie Company, seven years ago as a mobile food truck, with the mission of serving unique and decadent treats. At the time, Carlton was traveling across metro Atlanta to different festivals, catering to customers on the go. He realized that his customers […]
Posted inBlack Businesses, Money
‘What Happens to Us?’ Black Business Owners Question Future After Mall Purchase
Nzinga Williams has called the Gallery at South DeKalb home for over 20 years. Williams’ business, Light Up Your Life, was one of several that the Trinidad and Tobago native’s family owned in the mall. Today, only Light Up Your Life remains. The assortment of incense, sage, crystals and natural body care products, alongside playing […]
Posted inBlack Businesses, Money
We Took a Walk Down the New Black Wall Street. Here’s What We Learned.
Lecester “Bill” Allen said it all started with an epiphany. About four years ago, the local philanthropist was watching a television special about the Greenwood district, a business community in Tusla, Oklahoma, that thrived at the beginning of the 20th century. In its heyday, the former Native American territory was considered one of the epicenters […]