Forty-seven percent of Atlanta residents are Black, but the city commonly referred to as the Black Mecca had a homeless population in January that was 80% Black, according to the latest Point-In-Time homelessness census count released on Monday. Of equal concern, on Jan. 27, the city logged 131 homeless families, an 18% rise from the […]
Atlanta City Council
Posted inCity Politics
Atlanta’s Government Watchdog Has Resigned. Now What?
Fallout from Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault’s sudden resignation continued Wednesday, less than 48 hours after city lawmakers approved changes to her office that critics contend will undermine anti-corruption efforts for the foreseeable future. Atlanta City Council members voted 14-1 Monday evening in support of an ordinance that amends the city’s charter to further outline […]
Posted inCity Politics, Politics & Policy
She Was Hired to Root Out Corruption in Atlanta. Now, She’s Under Fire for Exceeding Her Powers.
A local security contractor and lobbyist who was the subject of an Atlanta corruption investigation last year is suing the city and its inspector general, Shannon Manigault, for allegedly subpoenaing his bank records illegally. The lawsuit filed in federal court Thursday on behalf of security contractor Bernie Tokarz argues that Manigault’s office violated Tokarz’s privacy […]
Posted inCity Politics
Atlanta City Council Set to Vote on Potential Limits to Inspector General’s Powers
Government accountability advocates are asking Atlanta residents to voice support for Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault ahead of a series of pivotal City Council votes that some fear will undermine efforts to root out corruption at City Hall. Committee on Council members downtown are set to decide during an 11 a.m. Monday meeting whether to […]
Posted inCity Politics, Elections, Politics & Policy
Eshé Collins Wins Atlanta City Council Post 3 Runoff Election
Atlanta has a new City Council member, and her name is Eshé Collins. The 44-year-old civil rights attorney and veteran Atlanta Board of Education member is projected to defeat business owner Nicole Evans Jones in their post 3 at-large runoff race on Tuesday. Collins received more than 59% of the estimated 12,400 votes cast in […]
Posted inCity Politics, Politics & Policy
Atlanta Lost Its Black Majority in 2020. Post 3 Candidates Discuss Solutions.
Battling gentrification was a key topic of discussion Tuesday night for the two runoff race candidates vying to fill Atlanta City Council’s Post 3 at-large vacancy, a race likely to impact affordability standards for Black Atlanta residents. Business owner Nicole Evans Jones, a former Atlanta Public Schools principal, and civil rights attorney Eshé Collins, who […]
Posted inCity Politics, Elections, Local Politics, Voting
Atlanta City Council Post 3 At-Large Race Headed to Runoff
The race to fill Atlanta City Council’s post-3 at-large vacancy is headed to a runoff election between civil rights attorney Eshé Collins and business owner Nicole Evans Jones. Community activist Duvwon Robinson, Black Futurists Group founder Devin Barrington-Ward, and business owner Amber Higgins-Connor were also vying to fill the remainder of former council member Keisha […]
Posted inCity Politics
Atlanta Inspector General Accuses Mayor’s Office of Obstructing Anti-Corruption Efforts
Atlanta’s inspector general defended herself on Monday against allegations that her office has been violating the legal rights of city employees as it works to root out corruption inside City Hall. Inspector General Shannon Manigault spent Monday afternoon telling members of a temporary task force organized to examine her office’s policies and procedures that the […]
Posted inCity Politics, Cop City
Activists Protest ‘Cop City’ by Dropping Thousands of Balls During City Council Meeting
Atlanta residents opposed to the public safety training center being built in South River Forest — known as “Cop City” — protested its construction by dropping 116,000 ping pong balls during a City Council meeting on Monday. Each ball was meant to symbolize one signature that organizers said they gathered for a petition to hold a ballot […]
Posted inCity Politics, Politics & Policy
Meet the Atlanta City Council Post-3 At-Large Candidates Vying for Your Vote
The presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has been dominating headlines, but there’s another important political matchup on the ballot in November that will directly impact everyone living in Atlanta. Five contenders are vying to be the newest face on Atlanta City Council this fall. Black Futurists Group founder […]
