Noah Washington

On Thursday, Nov. 14, in southwest Atlanta, the C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center opened its doors as the city’s 11th Good Neighbor Club, a collaboration between the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm aimed at creating safe, engaging spaces for Atlanta’s youth. This newly renovated teen center, complete with PlayStation 5s, vibrant lounge furniture, and decor celebrating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), is designed to serve as a supportive environment for young people to learn, connect, and thrive.

The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Academy and Atlanta Tipoff Club hosted the fifth annual Hawks-Naismith Tip Off Classic, presented by Adidas on Saturday. The one-day basketball showcase took place at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and featured 12 high school basketball teams in six matchups.

Raised in Los Angeles, Sierra Luchien (above) experienced the challenges of the foster care system firsthand. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta Voice

“Why can’t we impact the infrastructure? Why can’t we own everything? Because at the end of the day, the moment we say something about it, that’s when it takes off,” said William “Bam” Sparks, 40, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Culture Wireless, reflecting on Black culture’s innovation and potential.

Experience the thrill of Secret Walls live art battle, 'The Art Of Competition,' in Atlanta's ABV gallery. Witness the energy and creativity of artists collaborating on large-scale murals.

THE ATLANTA VOICE — In recent years, internet connectivity has become necessary and essential to education, professional advancement, and daily life. However, certain communities, particularly those near Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), are often excluded from reliable, high-speed internet access. Sparks, Culture Wireless’s CMO, has been actively working to address this issue. Based in Atlanta, Culture Wireless was founded during the COVID-19 pandemic to close the digital divide in underserved communities, particularly around Atlanta University Center and its surrounding areas.

Freddie Falcon trying on some skates during “Skate for a Cause.” Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice

Discover the journey of Jai Lyle, a creative who found his passion in fashion. His brand honors family, history, and culture.

Award-winning actor, comedian, and producer Anthony Anderson, best known for his role as Andre “Dre” Johnson on the hit TV show, black-ish, visited Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 10 for an urgent mission, highlighting the need for awareness and action around Type 2 diabetes. Diagnosed with the condition at age 29, Anderson has become a vocal advocate for better understanding and management of diabetes, particularly in the Black community, which faces disproportionate risks.

Herb Rhedrick III, a Charlotte, North Carolina native and graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, charted an unconventional path to entrepreneurship. With a degree in Chemical Engineering and a diverse background that spans IT startups and tech giants like Google, Rhedrick’s trajectory shifted in 2019 during a trip to Paris.