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Music business veteran Courtney Stewart is giving back to Atlanta’s most vulnerable segment in a big way. He’s building homes for single mothers and taking care of their bills for a whole year.
Stewart, an Atlanta native, recently talked to AtlantaFi.com about his new Right Hand Foundation project and how it came about.
Right Hand Foundation Provides Free Housing, Resources To Atlanta Single Mothers
A home in College Park, the project’s first Right Hand Haven, is the initial step of Stewart’s plan that will give a struggling single mother what she needs: a happy home free of charge.
“It’s a duplex, where both sides have two bedrooms, one bathroom and the vision is to put a single mother in here free for a year, no bills, not anything,” Stewart tells AtlantaFi.com.
Stewart, the manager for Grammy Award-nominated artist Khalid, says that his Right Hand Foundation, is providing a fresh start for those in need.
“I purchased a duplex and we went in and completely rehabbed it,” he says. “We put in new appliances and new floors and we made it into a space where we would want to live and that was important because we wanted to bring people into a positive element, a positive environment.”
He says he was inspired by working with the needy some years ago in Atlanta.
“I started giving back about five or six years ago and I partnered with this foundation and they had these hotels that they were servicing. I would buy Christmas gifts for all the families. When I’d go in, there’d be a single mother with about four kids in a hotel room and I would literally walk out in tears. And I’d say, ‘Why are you living in a hotel?”
And they would say, ‘I don’t have employment right now’ or ‘I’ve been evicted.'” Stewart says “these women were paying about $50 a day to stay there, which is over $1,000 a month and enough to get an apartment.”
But because of their history, they weren’t able to pass the application process. The Right Hand Foundation aims to change that.
We’re going to help them get employment. I’m going to bring in partners and resources to teach them financial planning and to get tutoring for their children. The objective is we want to them to able to sustain themselves on their own.
Here’s who the Right Hand Foundation is looking for
Stewart says he’s looking to help a specific kind of person: Someone who has fallen on hard times through no fault of their own.
“I’m being very, very particular about the vetting process,” he says.
Stewart says these are the qualifications for the Right Hand Foundation:
“I want to find single mothers with a history of employment, a history of education, but life just rocked them. They’re going through something — perhaps a death in the family, or an illness that kept them from working or they might have been laid off.”
He acknowledges that his is a very niche program, but that’s exactly the point.
“The point of the program is after you’ve had all of this free for a year,” as he waves his hand around the home, “we want you to be able to sustain on your own — it’s really about sustainability.”
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There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
Read more AtlantaFi.com stories: -
Afropunk’s Carnival of Consciousness Atlanta 2019 is returning this weekend for two days of soulful music, loud and abstract art and colorful and free expression. The dates are Saturday, October 12 & Sunday, October 13.
The event has added a number of musical artists to its lineup, including Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, FKA Twigs, with additional performances by Danny Brown, Gallant and more.
Like last year, it will be held on Windsor Street near downtown Atlanta.
The annual festival pays homage to cultural cornerstones through music, film, skate, and art.
Every year, big artists come to Atlanta to perform. In recent years, major acts such as Solange, Willow Smith, Danny Brown and Alice Smith rocked the crowd.
“When we started the festival, it was meant as a platform for alternative black talent and to grow an audience we felt did not understand festival culture and therefore wouldn’t pay for it,” co-founder Matthew Morgan told Billboard.com in 2015. “We put a lot in by supporting the community for 10 years, so to have the community turn around and support the event, we were extremely happy about that.”
The festival will feature Afropunk’s renowned solutions sessions aka the people’s forum + a unique vendor marketplace, The Spinthrift Market.
Tickets to the Carnival of Consciousness are on sale now. You can also volunteer and get an earned ticket by working on site.
(Story image via Facebook.com/afropunk / Ryan Purcell)
Explore Atlanta at your own pace
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
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Night Market at The Home Depot Backyard is a new concept making its debut at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday, October 3 from 6-10 p.m.
Night Market, an artisan food and beverage experience, will take place every first Thursday for the rest of 2019.
Night Market at the Home Depot Backyard: What’s in store
The market offers attendees live music, bites from top Atlanta chefs including Nick Leahy (AIX and Tin Tin), Conner Slewitzke (Gracious Plenty), Kevin Outz (The Spotted Trotter), and Howard Hsu (Sweet Auburn BBQ).
There will also be beverages from local experts like Kellie Thorn from the Hugh Acheson Restaurant Group, and an artisan market curated by Indie Craft Experience.
Where is the Home Depot Backyard located?
The Home Depot Backyard is located at 1 Backyard Way, Atlanta, GA 30313. Here is a map to help you find it.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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Kirk and Rasheeda Frost have opened Frost Bistro, their new Atlanta restaurant in Castleberry Hill. Kirk and Rasheeda’s restaurant offers a hip alternative to the stuffy eateries scattered around downtown Atlanta. Here are more details about the establishment:
The celebrity couple, who both are reality TV stars thanks to the popular VH1 series “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” appeared at the eatery last week during a grand opening party.
Kirk & Rasheeda’s restaurant Frost Bistro now open in Atlanta
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms was also on hand for the event. This is fabulous and great for our community,” Lance-Bottoms said.
The eatery opened on Sept. 27 with 62 employees and is looking for more (more on that at the bottom).
Judging by its decor, the new Atlanta restaurant will cater to a sophisticated clientele and high-profile patrons.
Frost Bistro is helmed by Rashul York, an executive chef who honed his craft at restaurants in Virginia. The Frosts collaborated with York on the menu, which is relatively sparse but it does those few things well.
What’s on the menu at Frost Bistro?
Frost Bistro’s menu consists of tapas and other dishes on small plates. Their are also a handful of drinks available to order.
Fans on social media showed plates full of healthy portions of lamb chops, fish and other dishes.
View this post on Instagram
Reserve a table at Frost Bistro hereWhat are the hours of Frost Bistro?
Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The phone number for Frost Bistro is 404-963-5495. The eatery is among several other high-profile restaurants opened by celebrities, including 2 Chainz’s Escobar Lounge and Cam Newton’s Fellowship Cigar Bar.
Where is Frost Bistro located?
Frost Bistro is located at 281 Peters St. SW, Atlanta, GA. 30313 Here’s a map to help you find it.
Do you know someone in the food service industry looking for a job? Frost Bistro is also hiring.Here’s what it says on their website: “A range of Team Member opportunities are currently open, including front-of-house, back-of-house and leadership roles.” Apply for a job here.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene,has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years.
Up next: Atlanta’s best black-owned restaurants
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The Future and Meek Mill 2019 Legendary Nights Tour comes to Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood. The show begins at 7 PM.
Fans of Future and Meek Mill can also get to see YG, Mustard and Megan Thee Stallion, who will perform there as well.
Atlanta: Future and Meek Mill 2019 Legendary Nights Tour
Meek will perform hits from his 2018 album “Championship,” while Future will do a medley of hits from his seven albums, including the EP he released in June, “Save Me.”
Here are the remaining dates of the Legendary Nights Tour:
September 23 – Tampa, FL @ Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
September 24 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Coral Sky Amphitheatre
September 27 – Austin, TX @ Austin360 Amphitheatre+
September 29 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
October 1 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater
October 3 – Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion
October 5 – Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events CenterThere are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
Read more AtlantaFi.com stories: -
Louisiana Bistreaux opened its Buckhead location on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, AtlantaFi.com has learned. This is the restaurant’s third metro Atlanta location.
When it comes to all the wonderful Cajun dishes like et toufee, gumbo and anything with crawfish, Louisiana Bistreaux in East Point and Decatur rule the roux. Now, Louisiana Bistreaux in Buckhead does too.
Hampton Inn restaurant: Louisiana Bistreaux in Buckhead
The restaurant will open inside the Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Buckhead Place located off Piedmont Road and Peachtree Road.
Photo credit: Google Maps As Cajun cuisine goes in metro Atlanta, there have been many that have tried to master (imitate) it, but the results have fallen flat. But inside the perimeter, Louisiana Bistreaux has came the closest to authenticity.
Dishes like Cajun BBQ Shrimp, Crawfish Combo and Eggplant Atchafalaya have been standouts in the two metro Atlanta locations. As the restaurant continues to expand, Louisiana Bistreaux is poised to give seafood king Pappadeaux, which has two metro Atlanta locations, a run for its money.
Where is Louisiana Bistreaux Buckhead located?
The Louisiana Bistreaux Buckhead location is at 3312 Piedmont Road NE, 30305 Atlanta, Ga. Here is a map to help you find it.
When it comes to restaurants, Atlanta is quickly gaining ground on some of the dining capitals around the United States.The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen an explosion in recent years.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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Independent film pioneer Jessie Maple is out with her first memoir “The Maple Crew.” She’ll be doing her first Georgia interview about the work in Buford this weekend.Maple, who lives in Atlanta, will discuss and sign her new memoir on Saturday, September 21 at West Main Trade coffee shop. The business is located at 123 W. Main Street, Buford, GA 30518. The activities will kick off at 11:00 a.m.
Atlanta pioneer filmmaker Jessie Maple to discuss new book ‘The Maple Crew’
“Taking the time to tell my story was important to me. This was the first time I’ve slowed down to really think about all of the things that I’ve done,” Maple says in a press release.
Maple’s career is earmarked with a lot of “firsts,” including being the first black woman to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union as a camerawoman. She is also recognized as the first black female filmmaker to write and produce a full-length independent film {1981’s “Will”) in the modern era.
In 1989, she produced her second film, “Twice as Nice.”
Atlanta has a lot of inspirational people and AtlantaFi.com is going to introduce you to many of them as well as cool places to go, great restaurants and other ATL happenings.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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Looking for a “sweet” restaurant experience? Sugar Factory American Brasserie opened in early September in Midtown Atlanta. The restaurant is currently serving lunch and dinner.
The new Atlanta restaurant is having a grand opening celebration on Sept. 27. Actor, producer and comedian Nick Cannon is set to be on hand.
This is Sugar Factory’s first Georgia location. The establishment will be located in the space formerly occupied by Mi Cocina on Peachtree Street.
Sugar Factory Atlanta opens in Midtown: Grand opening Sept. 27
The Sugar Factory is known for some of the most decadent sweets known to man. Their Instagram account is legendary for its colorful photos of desserts, candy and more.
The building features a full-service cafe and confectionary shop, retail store and dining areas inside and out across the two-story, 8,000-square-foot restaurant.
The centerpiece is a one-of-a-kind Gummy Bears Chandelier over the main dining room.
“Sugar Factory is all about celebrating the sweetest moments in life. We want to create a fun, unforgettable dining experience for any age, at every location,” said Sugar Factory Owner Charissa Davidovici. “We are all about treasuring family fun and are looking forward to welcoming the Atlanta community to our newest restaurant.”
Where is Sugar Factory Atlanta located?
Sugar Factory Atlanta is at 1080 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30309 470-428-4395. Here’s a map to help you find it.
What are the Sugar Factory’s hours?
The Sugar Factory is open on the following operating schedule:
- Monday -11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Tuesday – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Wednesday – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Thursday – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Saturday – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Sunday – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Check out metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene.
Here are the best new restaurants in Atlanta
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Theres a new taco joint in town: Velvet Taco opened its doors on Monday, Sept. 9 in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood.Velvet Taco offers funky tacos from an all-day menu that featuring creative, playful dishes accented with mult-regional and mult-cultural influences.New Atlanta restaurant: Velvet Taco
Velvet Taco prides itself on being a “funky fast-casual” restaurant, which means that its lineage is more international than just plain Tex-Mex.
“It’s our mission to deliver a fresh take on the ubiquitous taco” says Clay Dover, Chief Executive Officer. “We’re very excited to bring our unique and quirky takes to Atlanta and can’t wait to welcome the community to dine with us soon.”
The new Atlanta restaurant will be 2,500-square-feet and set just a short walk away from the heart of Buckhead’s shopping district.What’s on the menu at Velvet Taco?
Velvet Taco offers more than 20 taco varieties that capture the creativity and innovation of the inner-city taquerias of yesteryear along with modern sensibilities. Their will be some great desserts as well.Whatever you order, including slow-roasted rotisserie chicken to housemade pickles, will be prepared from scratch by chefs.Here is what some of Velvet Taco’s mouth-watering tacos and drinks look like:
Where is Velvet Taco located in Atlanta?
Velvet Taco is located at 77 Paces Ferry Pl NW Atlanta, GA 30305. This is at Buckhead Market Place where Whole Food is and across from The St. Regis on West Paces Ferry. Here is a map to Buckhead Market Place to help you find it.Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.Fast-casual is also the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
Read more: 10+ essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories
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Actors looking to share the screen with a superhero may want to get in on this casting call for “Black Lightning.” The CW hit is looking to cast actors to film scenes in Atlanta.
In the TV series, Cress Williams stars as Jefferson Pierce, a father trying to keep his daughter out of the street life. He dons his suit and penchant for justice and re-emerges as vigilante Black Lightning.
Peep the casting call below:
Black Lightning Casting Call
(Read Carefully Please) Looking for extras to work a CRIME SCENE shoot on Black Lighting NEXT YEAR; Shooting interiors and exteriors outside our stages in Decatur, Ga.
Expecting a late morning/afternoon calltime, but there is no official call as of yet, so must have full availability for the day – Working 8-10hrs.
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SHOOT DATE: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4, 2019
*Currently booking for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 4th on our stages in Decatur,GA
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Calltime: 6:30pm; plan to be on set a minimum 6-7hours
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[PERDI] Male/Female, African-American, Ages 18-55; Looking for Natural types (dreads, beard
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[META] Male/Female; Open Ethnicity; ages 18-35; All shapes, sizes, types; Everyday people; okay with light running
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If available email recent photos, include LEGAL name, age, phone, height, weight, all clothing sizes, (including shoes) to: BLACKLIGHTNINGEXTRAS@gmail.com
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SUBJECT: “Wed-Perdi”
SUBJECT: “Wed-Meta”
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Rate $75/8; OT after 8hrs
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*IF YOU HAVE AN OUT-OF-STATE NUMBER, BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR CITY OF RESIDENCE TO BE CONSIDERED*Atlanta has become a movie mecca in recent years and Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in 2018-19 and the foreseeable future.
With more than 700 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls