Author: Scarlet Hawk

Session: My Second Favorite Time of Year

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk

footballLegislative session will begin next week.  It is my second favorite time of year.  Clearly it’s no one’s first; but a strong second in a heated primary, if you will.  Football season is my favorite time of year.  Some may love Christmas, others Halloween, but my favorite time in Georgia is the fall in which every self-respecting Southerner picks a team and joins their friends and family in heated rivalry for a few months.  It’s a second religion here, and I’m certain the rules are written somewhere in Leviticus, right next to church starting at 11am sharp.

The two seasons are not so unlike one another.  My love of college football is because of the intense drama on the field in a strategically played game that has an extremely diverse mix of talent…Unless you’re Alabama, of course.  Then you just mark your calendar with bowl rings and trophies.  The legislative session is similar in that there is strategy of sorts, lots of drama and high spirits, and the talent is as diverse as the power.  Freshmen legislators may rise up on the rungs quickly in popular opinion even if their bills go nowhere and the mighty three are typically protected and lead from behind as much as any star quarterback.  There is also occasional Tebowing on the sidelines for dramatic effect and ingratiating oneself to the social conservative base.

However, the rumors of success and predictions for which way the score will go are as varied as the talent in the second string draft.  Yet, I will try my hand at a few suspicions I have and we shall all see where the rumors of session will fall. Continue reading “Session: My Second Favorite Time of Year” →

Red Clay and the Challenge of Equality: To Be Mired In or Molded

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk

georgiaredclayThe holiday season is drawing to a close, and soon the legislative session for the Georgia General Assembly will be upon us.  As the state closes out its year, we look to the future and what promise or plague our policy makers will bestow upon us.  I have spent an unhealthy amount of time this season pondering the fate of Georgia, as if I have any real means of addressing it.  I have not blogged in some time, as I have had little hope that the politics of the day are bearing anything other than strange fruit.  It is hard, even for an eternal optimist in these days of constant rain to see the silver lining.  Across the red hills, I see a lot of barriers that not only exist, but are perpetuated without real cognizance of their consequence.

Along with the temperature, I see the passion of Georgia’s people heating up like a kiln.  Many of us in the political sphere refer to this time as “the calm before the storm” of legislative session.  We spend time with our families, count our blessings, and prepare ourselves for the battle of will in government.  Under the surface though, there is something simmering here and in the nation that Presidential candidate Donald Trump and the Black Lives Matter movement have accentuated and possibly exploited.

It is widely assumed that the upcoming session will be brief and not much policy other than education passed.  Incumbents need time to raise money and campaign in their districts.  This abbreviated session may be a mixed bag of course, addressing a big problem, yet not the only one the state faces.  I am grateful to see the QBE funding formula finally addressed (as the last time was almost before my birth), yet I cannot shake the very real feeling I have had for the last five years or so.

The General Assembly is thinking too small. Continue reading “Red Clay and the Challenge of Equality: To Be Mired In or Molded” →

The West End: The New Atlanta Frontier

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk
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Photo provided by Historic West End Neighborhood Association (atlantawestend.com)

When the Blank Foundation and the Cathy Foundation come together in Georgia, you know it’s probably a big deal.  Or, at least I thought so and didn’t hesitate to pull up a seat at the table.  For those readers outside of Atlanta (or even for a few inside) the two foundations have come together to redevelop the West End.  Do not be confused.  This is not what is currently referred to as the “Westside”, or “West Midtown”, or even the one I love the most- “West Buckhead”.  No.  That area is chic, has a hot real estate market, and tons of young families moving into the area.  No, this is the West End- Atlanta Metropolitan Parkway, the Salvation Army College area, Adair Park.  This is where city streets converge in strange curves at Northside Drive and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard behind the World Congress Center.

While attending a fancy-schmancy dinner a while back, I ran into a high school friend, who sits on the board of a local non-profit located within the West End (bearingsbikeshop.org).  I had heard a bit of buzz about this area, and know of a few folks who’ve recently moved there as the housing prices are much more affordable.  I learned at this fancy pants dinner that the Cathy Foundation and Blank Foundation were coming together to revitalize it by investing in the already existing nonprofits and community centers there.  I was curious.  Continue reading “The West End: The New Atlanta Frontier” →

#Protip

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk

I have recently had the joy of attending a number of forums, meetings, discussions, and roundtables regarding policy in Georgia.  I recognize a lot of folks may not enjoy these, but I definitely do.  I like to build consensus, I like having multiple voices heard, new ideas vetted, and innovative solutions considered.  I attend these sort of events to learn, sometimes to share, and most importantly to connect in an area of interest I have, both for the benefit of my clients and (my aspiration) for the benefit of my state.

Unfortunately, I also attend meetings that could have been handled in an email, attend forums that are a waste of time, and discussions that are more echo chambers than actual conversation.  As a result, I thought it might be helpful for me to identify for others what makes a compelling, interesting, and well organized meeting or forum.  Consider this your free #protip.

Sidebar-Protip

Continue reading “#Protip” →

Missyllaneous

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk

Jackson Pollock Painting

Miscellaneous.  Adjective.  Consisting of a ​mixture of ​various things that are not usually ​connected with each other.

It is the miscellaneous threads that intertwine within us which makes us unique individuals.  It is these strings that allow us to blend with others from various walks of life with whom we would not normally interact.

Through following these spools of interest with my nose to the ground, sniffing out my next story like a hound dog looking for it’s next game, I find myself discovering more things about myself and my playground, Atlanta, GA.

This city captivates me on a daily basis with thriving arts and entertainment, business hubs, and a collage of people from so many walks of life I feel like I am in a living Jackson Pollock painting. Crazy, yes, but full of wonder, color and interpretation.

So I aim to capture this in my own writings. My blog Up Next ATL follows the paths and streams that I slip into and shares everything that this wonderful city has to offer. I hope that you will join me.

Legal Equalizer App Gives Breakthrough on Policing the Police

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk

Legal Equalizer

trayvon martinmike brownfreddie graysandra bland  

Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Freddie Grey, Sandra Bland, and the list goes on.  Many of us have spent days and nights contemplating the injustices that have happened to these individuals and their families; we find ourselves asking how this could have happened and in this day and age?  Some of us have gotten angry and taken to the streets in an attempt to make sure our voices are heard by our elected officials.  Others have taken to religion and prayed for those affected; trying to show compassion and support for the Black Lives Matter movement.  But one young man here in Atlanta has put his knowledge and passion to use in order to create something that would not change the past, but prevent a repeat of history with the creation of his app called Legal Equalizer set to be released to the public next week.

Continue reading “Legal Equalizer App Gives Breakthrough on Policing the Police” →

The Future of APS: Playing the Hand Dealt

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk

cardsWeek before last I shared the invitation for Atlanta Public Schools’ State of the District Address.  I attended.  It was impressive.  Not only was I psyched to be in the same halls as those that MLK Jr. and Maynard Jackson walked, I also am encouraged to see a Superintendent take such an interest in the rich history of her schools.  Atlanta has a vibrant history.  Its schools helped to foster it and, at times, have been the center of the city’s identity.  I must admit, I’ve never been to a State of the District Address, but I believe this one was truly unique.  Lots of rah-rah, lots of theatrics, and some strong sentimentality that played well for inspiring those in attendance.  I have seen more than a few dog and pony shows (put a few on myself), but what interests me always are not the circus acts, but the ringleader. Continue reading “The Future of APS: Playing the Hand Dealt” →

Warnock Hosts “Members-Only” Meeting at Ebenezer Baptist

Posted on by Scarlet Hawk

MEMBERS ONLYI have been visiting churches lately around Atlanta and Decatur.  For years I have considered visiting, yet have not attended historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.  It sits about a 10 minute drive away from my home, I’ve been to the historic site a number of times, yet until yesterday I had never set foot into a worship service.  That was my mistake.  As a girl who grew up in a Baptist church and sang in the gospel choir in college, this was closer to home for me than any of the stuffier restrained services I’ve worshipped in over the summer.  Dr. Raphael Warnock preached a strong message of goodness yet to come mixed with grace given to those who were struggling to find their path.  It was a good word to begin my week, bookended by the three part harmony of the men’s choir and their praise team.  High drama was used in the sermon, with the senior pastor at times yelling above the “Amen”s and “Hallelujah”s, yet no drama so much employed than that used in a very quiet but clear invitation for a “members-only” meeting of the church after the service.  Members of the media were told they were not welcome in the meeting and members of the church who were part of the media were told the meeting was off the record.

I left my Members Only jacket in 1985 and thus was not in attendance for the meeting. 

It is no secret Dr. Warnock has considered running for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson’s seat.  My guess is that this was the meeting in which Dr. Warnock discussed what his run might mean for his church and to ask for the congregation’s blessing. Continue reading “Warnock Hosts “Members-Only” Meeting at Ebenezer Baptist” →