Latest news with #BlackMecca
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Black Mecca' no longer? Atlanta prices cause families to move out of the city
The City of Atlanta is not considered 'The Black Mecca' any longer, according to a national study. The reason - Black people can't afford to live in the city anymore or don't want to pay inflated prices. We spoke to several Atlanta natives and those who moved here for college and didn't want to leave. They all feel forced out of the city, like Latresa Chaney. 'I grew here – I wasn't trying to leave OK ... Hey if you ain't rich – you can't live here – you got to go somewhere,' said Latresa Chaney. She told Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes that for the first time, she had to move her family out of the city - to Decatur. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'I'm transitioning my children from school to school behind trying to have stable housing,' said Chaney. She lived in the Forest Cove Apartments until city officials condemned the complex and tore it down. She told Fernandes, elected officials promised to relocate her in the city using her Section 8 voucher, which she says never happened. 'You displaced 300 families ... I felt so let down – like I've invested my life here,' said Chaney. Civil Rights Activist Devin Barrington-Ward says people who made up the Black Mecca didn't move out to the suburbs because they wanted to. He said a lack of policy displaced them. For the past two decades, Ward says elected officials have made it easier for out-of-state investors to afford homes, rather than homegrown people. He says it's the reason why investors own 30% of single-family homes in the city. 'When we see what type of money is being given to corporate developers – as far as tax breaks from the city and the county - of course Black folks would no longer be able to afford to live in the city of Atlanta. These are policy decisions being made by people who are in elected office,' said Ward. According to data from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition - Atlanta had the second highest amount of census tracks to flip from majority Black to white between 1980 - 2020. Only Washington, D.C had more. 'Everything that I liked, everything that I could see myself in, it was just impossible,' said Clark Atlanta Graduate Jahmel Terrell. Jahmel has a different situation, but the same struggles owning a home in Atlanta. 'It makes you feel unworthy – undeserving – you can't afford this,' said Terrell. After he graduated from Clark Atlanta University, he worked as a civil servant for 25 years and still couldn't afford a home in the city. His plan is to rent outside the city until he can save enough money to buy a home. Maja Sly is an affordable housing advocate and realtor who has been helping Terrell achieve his dream. 'We have home prices that have gone up $100,000 for the same size unit since 2021. In Summerhill a 1,200 square-foot townhome is $600,000,' said Sly. Sly says the prices won't change. However, she says Atlanta is different than other cities because it offers resources people don't know about. 'We have the best programs, not just in the state of Georgia but in the city of Atlanta – to make home ownership affordable. It's gentrification on paper, but there's a bigger story that has to be told about this,' said Sly. A city spokesperson told Fernandes that programs like InvestAtlanta are designed to help legacy residents on a case-by-case basis. Many rights activists say that's not enough to solve the systemic issue of racial and wealth inequality in Atlanta. 'Until we see that the level of funding that is given to invest in people – everyday working class people matches that of what we're giving wealthy out of town developers – it is just a Band-aid on a bullet wound,' said Ward. OTHER RESOURCES: Georgia Dream Homeownership Program Atlanta Housing [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution debuts new membership tier for UATL
ATLANTA, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) today announced the next chapter of its Black culture product, UATL, with a new paid tier that will offer members expanded access to events, content and discounts designed to build community and connection. Launched in September 2024, UATL has built a community membership program and an engaged social media following through distinct journalism, unique perks and exclusive events. Today, UATL introduced a new "supporting member" program for those who want to connect more deeply with all things Black culture. For $5 a month, supporting members get unlimited access to all articles on early invites to UATL events, the ability to bring a guest to select events and access to exclusive discounts at Scotty ATL, Just Loafn, Seed Atlanta, Trap Museum, Breakfast Boys and more. This adds to UATL's existing free member benefits: a weekly newsletter, three monthly articles, and select event invitations. UATL is a key part of the AJC's plan to transform from a storied daily newspaper into a modern media company. AJC Editor-In-Chief Leroy Chapman Jr. said it's been exciting to see how Atlanta has welcomed UATL into the fold. "For the last several months, we have consistently heard from members asking: How can we help this community grow?" he said. "This is a natural next step that will help us deepen our connection to the community and expand our contribution to this culture, which continues to shape the world." Starting today, supporting members can sign up to receive: Unlimited access to every article on Enjoy all UATL has to offer from 404ward a signature series that recognizes the people and brands moving Atlanta forward to thought-leading content like "Atlanta: America's Black Mecca?" a new series exploring the reasons and justifications behind the city's moniker. Early invites to UATL events. Member events are designed to connect you with the culture, including movie nights, suite parties and happy hour connections. They sell out, so getting early access (and a plus-one) is key. Perks and discounts that help support local and Black-owned businesses. Ticket giveaways to Atlanta's top sporting events. One bonus account with a separate login to share. Membership Rates Supporting Membership is $5 a month or $49 a year Special Founding Member Offer is $39 a year for a limited time. Get the combined UATL+AJC subscription for $11.99 a month. Visit to explore available plans About The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the most essential and engaging source of information for metro Atlanta. With approximately 6 million monthly unique visitors to our digital products and platforms and a growing digital subscriber base, the AJC serves one of the most dynamic, diverse and influential cities in America. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises Inc. For more information, visit Media ContactShumuriel RatliffThe Atlanta View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution debuts new membership tier for UATL
ATLANTA, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) today announced the next chapter of its Black culture product, UATL, with a new paid tier that will offer members expanded access to events, content and discounts designed to build community and connection. Launched in September 2024, UATL has built a community membership program and an engaged social media following through distinct journalism, unique perks and exclusive events. Today, UATL introduced a new "supporting member" program for those who want to connect more deeply with all things Black culture. For $5 a month, supporting members get unlimited access to all articles on early invites to UATL events, the ability to bring a guest to select events and access to exclusive discounts at Scotty ATL, Just Loafn, Seed Atlanta, Trap Museum, Breakfast Boys and more. This adds to UATL's existing free member benefits: a weekly newsletter, three monthly articles, and select event invitations. UATL is a key part of the AJC's plan to transform from a storied daily newspaper into a modern media company. AJC Editor-In-Chief Leroy Chapman Jr. said it's been exciting to see how Atlanta has welcomed UATL into the fold. "For the last several months, we have consistently heard from members asking: How can we help this community grow?" he said. "This is a natural next step that will help us deepen our connection to the community and expand our contribution to this culture, which continues to shape the world." Starting today, supporting members can sign up to receive: Unlimited access to every article on Enjoy all UATL has to offer from 404ward a signature series that recognizes the people and brands moving Atlanta forward to thought-leading content like "Atlanta: America's Black Mecca?" a new series exploring the reasons and justifications behind the city's moniker. Early invites to UATL events. Member events are designed to connect you with the culture, including movie nights, suite parties and happy hour connections. They sell out, so getting early access (and a plus-one) is key. Perks and discounts that help support local and Black-owned businesses. Ticket giveaways to Atlanta's top sporting events. One bonus account with a separate login to share. Membership Rates Supporting Membership is $5 a month or $49 a year Special Founding Member Offer is $39 a year for a limited time. Get the combined UATL+AJC subscription for $11.99 a month. Visit to explore available plans About The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the most essential and engaging source of information for metro Atlanta. With approximately 6 million monthly unique visitors to our digital products and platforms and a growing digital subscriber base, the AJC serves one of the most dynamic, diverse and influential cities in America. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises Inc. For more information, visit Media ContactShumuriel RatliffThe Atlanta View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Sign in to access your portfolio
