The Update - January 25th
Welcome to my freemium newsletter by me, King Williams. A documentary filmmaker, journalist, podcast host, and author based in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a newsletter covering the hidden connections of Atlanta to everything else.
New Video Podcast Alert - An interview with Cedrick Michael of T.Dallas Smith, Davonne Reeves of The Vonne Group, and Patrick Henderson of PLH Homes
In this interview, I sit down with three movers and shakers in Atlanta real estate. The first is Davonne Reeves of The Vonne Group, Davonne is one of the youngest Black hotel owners in the country and is currently expanding. The second is Cedric Michael of T. Dallas Smith, one of the most successful Black commercial real estate firms in the country and was behind the corporate relocation of Microsoft for its east coast office here in Atlanta. Lastly, is Patrick Henderson of PLH Homes, Patrick is one of the few high-end Black residential home builders in Atlanta, creating million-dollar modern homes. The three of us talk about gentrification, Atlanta real estate, and what's next.
The interview starts at 4:30 pm, housekeeping before that. This interview is available on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, and on SoundCloud in addition to YouTube.
Red Clay News
1. Popular dance club Loca Luna has lost its lease after the second shooting in three weeks
Popular Latinx dance club and restaurant has had its lease terminated after a shooting Sunday night. The shooting did not take place inside but outside in the restaurant in the parking lot. Halpern Enterprises Inc., the property owners of Amsterdam Walk on Amsterdam Avenue near Piedmont Park. Loca Luna was also the scene of a similar incident back in October of last year, which resulted in one person being killed resulting from an argument. Loca Luna has not stated whether or not they will open again. In all cases, Loca Luna itself did not have an incident, but all occurred in the parking lot.
Gwinnett’s first Black School Chairperson is under fire for social media statements and videos
Last week Gwinnett County Public Schools made history by choosing Tarece Johnson as its first Chairperson, but now she is under immediate scrutiny for her TikTok videos and pro-Black Lives Matter videos. As well as being against a recently fired anti-critical race theory bill.
Nourish + Bloom, the first autonomous grocery store in Georgia has opened in Fayetteville
Nourish + Bloom Market, (not to be confused with Nourish Botanica), the state’s first automatic grocery store, has opened in Fayetteville at Trillith's (formerly Pinewood) planned community. The opening represents a shift towards high-end groceries in the metro area. It also is one of the first autonomous Black-owned grocery stores in the country.
Nourish + Bloom is getting ahead of the autonomous trend of retail, as Amazon has been experimenting with a similar concept in Seattle for a few years.
Niko Bistro in Buckhead held a cityhood fundraiser
Buckhead Life restaurant group (Atlanta Fish Market, Chops, Kyma) held a fundraiser at Niko Bistro with Bill White regarding Buckhead Cityhood. According to White, they raised an additional $250,000. This comes as the Wall Street Journal recently ran a piece on Buckhead cityhood. Several state lawmakers (none of whom live in Buckhead) were in attendance.
This comes as cityhood has recently fallen into unfavorable territory according to a recent AJC poll. But there is a long time in the year, the door to cityhood still has until April 4th, the end of the legislative year, to figure out if it makes the ballot in November.
The Georgia Mortgage Assistance Fund has now opened for homeowners
For those homeowners who need assistance on mortgages or utilities, the applications just opened. You can apply here.
Other red clay news:
The state GOP has filed a new bill to ban mail-order abortion pills and must force a woman to receive an exam and counseling before getting an abortion.
The state of Georgia has sued the Biden administration over a Medicaid work requirement.
A Texas man has been charged with threatening to kill Georgia election officials.
US Congressman David Scott was seen on Capitol Hill pressing the US Agriculture Secretary over the lack of distribution of emergency pandemic funds to HBCU’s and Black farmers.
Former DeKalb Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton's criminal court case has been delayed to August.
Morrow’s city council is considering implementing a homestead exemption.
New anti-development gripes are happening over the announcement of the Rivian electric vehicle plant.
Former Cobb County Chairman Mike Boyce has died.
Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid is attempting to get a mass transit on the county referendum for this year.
MARTA is launching a feasibility study to build 12 transit-oriented developments between Clayton and Fulton County.
A new organ donations bill has been approved by the Georgia State Senate committee.
Cobb County is opening a new covid-19 testing site soon.
Several Democrats are lining up for a shot at the state House 97 seat in Gwinnett.
Waste Management has stated that due to covid, there will be suspension of some services.
Ozzie, the world’s oldest male gorilla has died according to Zoo Atlanta.
The state of Georgia’s law enforcement agencies began a joint crime suppression effort over the weekend.
Cobb County is cracking down on short-term rentals like Airbnb’s. The new rules include mandatory parking standards, a 30-day maximum stay, and must comply with local occupancy laws.
APS will require covid testing for athletes and any students involved in extracurricular activities.
Alpharetta has joined the North Fulton automatic aid agreement which allows for joint responses to fire calls regardless of what city the call came from.
National News
OHSA has dropped its vaccine or test tule.
Microsoft buys video game company, Activision Blizzard, for a record $68.7b.
Google and Facebook charged with the collusion of ad tech.
The Grammys are now April 3rd after rescheduling due to covid concerns.
For the first time in 53 years, Sesame Street has a Latinx executive producer.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is converting his first paycheck into crypto.
Some Americans should expect a smaller tax refund this year
Mark Cuban has opened a low-cost online prescription drug store.
International News
The US is considering military action against Russia over its encroachment on the Ukraine border
The US is preparing 8,500 troops to be deployed if necessary to the Ukrainian border as Russia has been mounting troops in preparation for what looks to be an invitation of the country. The Biden administration is currently considering a myriad of options including sanctions and if necessary, an armed stance with Ukraine. The Biden administration will also be entering an emergency meeting with the emir of Qatar to discuss supplying natural gas to Ukraine in the event of an attack.
Venice is attempting to lure digital nomads and young professionals.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cancels her own wedding over covid concerns.