Historic Atlanta nursing home celebrates 78th anniversary
It served an important need in Atlanta's Black community that was once ignored - the Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center in northwest Atlanta celebrated its 78th anniversary Wednesday.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Channel 2′s Berndt Petersen reported how the founder pushed to provide long-term care to those in need.
Along Anderson Avenue, there's a feeling of family. Bessie Davis says it comes from the heart.
'I love people. I like to be around people,' she said.
Davis is a resident of the Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center. It was founded by Mays herself, wife of famed Atlanta educator Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, in 1947.
TRENDING STORIES:
Federal agents raid manufacturing plant in Bartow County in labor trafficking investigation
Cooking accident leaves Paulding County mom, toddler severely burned
4 Georgia soldiers have died after being reported missing in Lithuania
In those days, too many of the ill and elderly in Atlanta's Black community did not have a place to go that provided long-term care.
'She did this to make sure the African American community was very well taken care of in our community,' said Malik Hakeem, executive director.
The facility now has more than 200 beds and has cared for thousands upon thousands over its long history. Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington says for it's personal for him.
'The last time I was here I was with my father. He was receiving care at Sadie G. Mays,' he said.
'This place is very important to me,' Davis said. 'It's just things that make me feel good.'
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sickle Cell Awareness: Hampton Roads teen siblings diagnosed at birth
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Sickle Cell Disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting the lives of 100,000 people, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen siblings, Morgan Tarrer, 15, and Olivia Tarrer, 19, of Virginia Beach represent that number. Data from the CDC also shows approximately 1 in 365 Black or African American newborns are born with SCD, which is the case for Morgan and Olivia, whose parents are carriers. The two were diagnosed at birth and are left with no choice but to embrace their condition as there is still no cure. 'So I have an abnormality of my Hemoglobin,' says Khristina Reid, Virginia Sickle Cell Network founder and mother of Morgan and Olivia. 'So I carry the C-gene, and Olivia and Morgan's dad, he carries the S-gene. Together our children have both genes. The S and C-gene. So they live with Hemoglobin S-C Disease. While there have been many advances in treating sickle cell disease, the reality for the siblings and others is reduced life expectancy and the probability of health complications. 'It's something that I've found is always on your mind,' says Olivia. 'I'm in college. I'm up in New York, so I'm very far from my family. And I've realized, especially living in dorms, being around with friends, that you have to be extra, extra careful. Because with sickle cell, you're very, immunocompromised.' CDC finding reveal, more than 90% of people diagnosed with sickle cell in the US are non-Hispanic black or African American. 'So the reason is, sickle cell disease was the body's kind of defense mechanism against malaria,' says Reid. 'So you will find the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease in your, locations that are near the equator. So Nigeria right now is the, largest country, with the largest population of people living with sickle cell disease.' Those diagnosed with SCD can range in symptoms from frequent infections, anemia, episodes of pain, problems with vision and tiredness. Olivia's says she experiences a great deal of fatigue. While she remains optimistic, there's always concern about her years ahead. 'That has been a problem in school for me,' she says. 'I remember last not last year, but my senior year of high school. All through high school, it was a struggle getting to school because we had it so early. I think the most challenging part is uncertainty about the future. I'm in film. I'm a NYU film, and it's a very physical job. It's also a very, You have to be up early, go to sleep late. And that's when I do that. When I am on set, it's very strenuous, and I worry that I won't be able to be at the same caliber, as my peers.' For information on the Virginia Sickle Cell Network, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kettering Health Cyberattack: Concerns raised about alerting those impacted by sensitive data breach
Kettering Health is still working to determine what data hackers got when they invaded their systems three weeks ago. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] News Center 7's John Bedell asked Kettering Health spokespersons about how they intend to contact those impacted. We'll have their response LIVE on News Center 7 at 5:00. TRENDING STORIES: City says arbitrator ignored 'simply obvious dangers' by reinstating fired police sergeant Eligible families to receive $120 per child in food aid as schools close for summer 'Whip/Nae Nae' rapper sentenced for murder of cousin Adjunct professor Adam Dyer works for Cedarville University's cybersecurity department. He works in IT and has been in the field for 20 years. 'They have a long road ahead of them to determine if it can even find out what individual records were accessed,' Dyer said. This story will be updated. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Church hosts conference to address mental health in the Black community
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2023, suicide was the third leading cause of death among African Americans ages 15 to 34 in the U.S. Pastor Dianne Young with the Healing Center says this is why her church gathered professionals from across the country to educate people about depression and break the silence surrounding suicide in the Black community. 'We want to be able to let people talk freely about their struggles. We mention that we have them, but we don't talk about it,' said Pastor Young. Her church hosted the National Suicide and Black Church Conference at Southwest Community College. 📡 for Memphis and the Mid-South. 📧 and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. 'There was a theory that it didn't happen to Black people or African-Americans, but we found out it did from our own personal experiences,' she said. Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, Rawle Andrews Jr., says the stigma surrounding depression among Black people stems from three things: fear, shame, and discrimination. 'We were already thought to be less than human or second class, and then when I tell you I'm struggling with a mental health condition, now I'm leaning into the perception that I'm less than. I'm less than human,' said Andrews Jr. The APA says some of the common warning signs include talking or writing about death, withdrawal from friends and family, dramatic mood changes, and increased alcohol or drug use. 'If you don't see that person for a couple of days and their body language changes, get interested. Get curious,' said a workshop speaker. 'This is teaching you all to recognize, not diagnose, because when you diagnose somebody inappropriately, that can feel like a judgment or a label. Don't do that.' If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, experts encourage you to call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
