• David Weekley Homes

    David Weekley Homes To Give VIPs Sneak Peak At New Community In Woodstock

    2 Min Read

    David Weekley Homes is set to open its first home community in 2024 with Cherokee County’s Havencroft.

    Situated within five miles of downtown Woodstock, the 69 homes offer homebuyers a chance at suburban life and all of its amenities.

    So prospective residents can take a look at the new single-family home community, David Weekley Homes will play host to a drive-in tour on March 9 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

    Only open to homebuyers who sign up as VIPs, the event will include a chance to meet with the designers, builders, and other team members from David Weekley Homes’ Atlanta Division, preview several available floor plans, learn about the area and community amenities, and more.

    Those interested in attending the event and receiving weekly updates about Havencroft can sign up online on the community page at DavidWeekleyHomes.com or call 404-789-3033 to be added to the VIP list.
    “We’ve had great success with our VIP drive-in events over the last few years,” said Adam
    Cornett, Atlanta Division President for David Weekley Homes. “Being a VIP is an excellent way for homebuyers to get a leg up on the competition amid a highly competitive market.”

    When Are The New David Weekley Homes Opening In Woodstock?

    The community will open to the public in mid-April. Starting prices for homes in Havencroft will be in the High $600s.

    Final Word

    Atlanta has one of the best real estate markets in the country, with affordable housing in every quadrant of the city. Large backyards, manicured parcels and strong neighborhoods with ample dining amenities make it one of the top places for transplants.

    Not to mention that the city’s dining scene is the best in the Southeast. Looking for a home? Check out our Real Estate Resource Page.

    Keep up with what’s going on in Atlanta’s real estate scene here with our Apartment Guide.

    See The Latest Atlanta Real Estate News At AtlantaFi.com.

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  • job Interview questions and how to answer

    Why Are You The Best Candidate For The Job? How To Answer

    4 Min Read

    So you’ve secured the long-sought-after interview and the hiring manager is set to fire one question after another to you to see if you’re the best one for the job.

    You’re well rehearsed on the typical questions. Finally, one of them comes at you with some intrigue: Why are you the best candidate for the job?

    Before you wrap and follow up on your job interview, you need to nail your answer. How will you answer that question? What is the hiring manager or recruiter getting at by asking it?

    How To Answer ‘Why Are You The Best Candidate For The Job?’

    The best way to achieve an answer that moves you further along in the hiring process is to lean upon your experience as well as the needs of the company as specifically mentioned in the job posting.

    Don’t Get Too Comfortable

    First of all, don’t let the question go to your head. It’s not a time to go off the rails or drop your respective guard.

    Technically speaking, you may not even be a job candidate yet. For the recruiter’s standpoint, you’re an “applicant,” or someone who simply applied for the job. If you want to take the next step to reach the status of “job candidate,” how you answer interview questions is vitally important.

    Your Reply Should Show Research

    Answering the question of why you are the best job candidate is a chance to show that you have researched the company’s values and are aligned with them.

    You should sound like you know what you’re talking about when it comes to company culture, even down to the small details. Make sure you mention only the personal things about yourself that fit well with what you know about the firm.

    Download a free resume template to get your job search kicked off right.

    Use Key Words

    Nothing says “I don’t know what I’m talking about” like not honing in on the verbiage in a job description. You should regard the company’s job posting as a script that you should stick to. The way to do that is by saying the same words you read.

    Use key words that show that you grasp the mission of the business as well as the particular position you’re applying for.

    What To Say

    To answer the question, remember to lean on your resume and marry it with what you know about the position. Here are some sample sentences that you can start with and tweak as you see fit:

    I do feel that I am qualified for the role, as my resume brings out, my (X) years of experience in my previous position has given me a unique depth of understanding for the intricacies associated with this particular job.

    As you look at my resume more closely, you’ll see that I am uniquely qualified based on my education, number of years in the industry and collaborative skills I’ve acquired along the way.

    I am confident that with my training/skills, I can learn your system in a relatively short period and begin contributing immediately to your bottom line.

    Final Word

    Finally, answering a question of how qualified you are has to be rooted in truth.  If you are not qualified for the specific role, you should not have applied for it. Questions asked by an interviewer are a way to find this out.

    Check out more of our interview tips to find employment right now.

    If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job.
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  • Crystal foote new book

    Atlanta Ad Exec Releases New Book ‘The Inclusivity Superheroes’ To Promote Diversity

    3 Min Read

    Atlanta-based advertising executive Crystal Foote recently released a new children’s book aimed at promoting inclusivity and self-esteem among the youth.

    Titled The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity, the book focuses on diversity and unity, something that children need to grasp at an early age.

    When tasked with figuring out what the next steps in her career would be, Crystal Foote was driven by the desire to create meaningful change. Recognizing the importance of speaking to younger generations, Foote brought her vision to life through storytelling. 

    “When you instill these concepts early in a child’s life, they are more embracing of diversity,” said Foote. The advertising executive strategically chose to market to children to help instill these values, using the relatable theme of superheroes.

    The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity

    The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity

    Buy the book here.

    Collaborating with the talented illustrator Olivier Chen, the book came to life with its stunning visuals. The duo made sure to visually depict superheroes of all diverse backgrounds so all children could look at the book and see themselves in the characters Aisha, Emma, and Carlos.

    In a world where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) are at the forefront of discussions, Foote uses real-world examples to convey to readers the impact diversity has and encourage children that they can make a difference regardless of age.

    The book received praise from Grammy-winning artist and star of Disney Junior’s Choo Choo Soul, Genevieve Goings-Gums as well as award-winning librarian and social media influencer, Mychal Threets

    The message doesn’t just end with the last page, but readers are invited to visit the website, where they can dive deeper into the characters’ stories, discover cultural food recipes, and even take an inclusivity quiz for a personalized certificate. 

    “The Inclusivity Superheroes: A Tale of Diversity and Unity” is not just a book, but a call to action for children, parents, and all to engage in conversations about the importance of unity. Crystal Foote’s commitment to making the world a more inclusive place for all starts with touching the hearts of readers and making every child feel seen through her pages.

    Final Read

    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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  • Spa Signia at Atlanta Hilton Signia hotel

    Signia by Hilton Atlanta Announces Grand Opening of Spa Signia

    3 Min Read

    Hot off the heels of its grand opening, Signia by Hilton Atlanta hotel’s spa just opened its doors as well.

    Signia by Hilton Atlanta, downtown Atlanta’s largest ground-up hotel development project in 40 years, recently opened Spa Signia.

    What Is Spa Signia?

    Spa Signia, led by spa and beauty veteran, Spa and Wellness Director Jaimie O. Allums, is 2,200 square foot spa focused on wellness and beauty. The attached beauty bar serves as an oasis of pampering and rejuvenation.

    The spa offers several elegant treatments and amenities from renowned wellness brands including Babor, Botanika Life, Essence One, Higher Dose and Hyperice.

    Featuring six treatment rooms, guests of Spa Signia can expect recharging experiences from detox massages with manual massage cupping therapy, recovery treatments featuring air compression massage technology and CBD pain cream to a cryo facial lift, combining cold therapy and gua sha, along with percussion therapy.

    With the entire 23,500 square foot floor dedicated to wellness, Spa Signia joins a beauty bar, state-of-the-art fitness center, seasonal pool overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and premium wellness rooms. The new 976-room hotel offers a thoughtfully curated mix of premium wellness and luxurious leisure amenities designed to help visitors and hotel guests alike be at their best – whether maintaining their self-care routine while traveling or pampering themselves for a special occasion.

    At the beauty bar, the full-service salon team will help guests look and feel their best for a gala, meeting, wedding, or even a date night. Services range from Dazzle Dry manicures and CBD pedicures to HydraFacials™.

    “The debut of Spa Signia is a significant moment for Signia by Hilton Atlanta, providing our guests and locals alike with a new destination in the city for luxurious relaxation, self-care and renewal,” said Teri Agosta, general manager, Signia by Hilton Atlanta. “With Jaimie’s extensive background, passion for health and beauty, and attention to detail, she plays a crucial leadership role in crafting exceptional experiences that are a testament to Hilton’s commitment to holistic and results-driven wellness.”

    “As Signia by Hilton Atlanta embarks on this journey to redefine wellness in downtown Atlanta, our team is thrilled to unveil Spa Signia,” said Jaimie O. Allums, director of spa and wellness, Signia by Hilton Atlanta. “On our dedicated wellness floor, our mission is to create a serene sanctuary where our hotel guests and locals alike can relax, rejuvenate, indulge and escape. Whether our guests are looking to level up their wellness game, or simply spend time winding down and recharging in between meetings, Spa Signia offers something for everyone.”

    Also on location is the hotel’s esteemed Italian eatery, Capolinea:

    Capolinea

    159 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

    Capolinea fine dining in Atlanta.
    Photo credit: Capolinea

    Using high-quality ingredients in Georgia, Capolinea offers diners an inspired taste of Italy in downtown Atlanta. Check out the menu.

    Where Is Signia by Hilton Atlanta Located?

    The Signia by Hilton Atlanta is located at 159 Northside Drive NW Atlanta, Georgia 30313 adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center. Here’s how to get there.

    Final Word

    No doubt the Signia brand will soon be one of the best hotels in Atlanta. With its many amenities, it’s just the place to enjoy a day or two or perhaps this weekend,.

    More Articles From AtlantaFi.com:

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  • Atlanta superhero

    At Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Superhero Science Night On Tap

    2 Min Read

    It’s a bird. It’s a plane. In downtown Atlanta, it’s Superhero Science Night! At least that’s what it will be on March 9 in downtown Atlanta. It’s a great thing to do with kids in Atlanta.

    Kids are invited to soar to Children’s Museum of Atlanta and discover the magical powers behind learning at Superhero Science Night on Saturday, March 9 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Kids and parents are encouraged to embrace the opportunity to don their favorite superhero attire and embark on a mission to save the world through the applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
    The event-filled evening promises exciting activities, including constructing a Batmobile, triggering Volcanic Eruptions, unraveling the mysteries of the Disappearing Face and much more.   Attendees can also look forward to hearing how special guest, Decatur Makers Space, designs and creates superhero cosplay props. Visitors can see their incredible props and learn more about 3D printing, LEDs and circuits.  
    WHAT: Superhero Science Night at Children’s Museum of Atlanta   Families are invited to blast off into the wonderful world of science
    WHEN: Saturday, March 9   5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
    WHERE: Children’s Museum of Atlanta   275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, NW   Atlanta, GA 30313

    Final Word

    We love the kids! That’s why we’re showing you all the good things happening in the city this weekend. But there’s more: Check out what’s going on in downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. Downtown Atlanta or Midtown often has something cool going on!  While it’s warm, take advantage of the outdoors. Don’t miss these awesome festivals.
    The fun is just starting. Are you a beer drinker? You also may want to visit a craft brewery in the city   
      Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:

    Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com:

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  • Freaknik history: 1992, Atlanta, Georgia

    An Unofficial History Of Freaknik

    11 Min Read

    With the making of a new Hulu documentary about Freaknik, the roving street party is getting more attention than it has in 30 years.

    Freaknik — Freaknik (/ˈfriːknɪk/; originally Freaknic) is a 1980s-90s era annual spring break party for black college students that grew into one of the largest rolling street parties in America.

    The documentary is set to be released in the coming weeks, but there’s a lot to unpack.

    Freaknik: How It Began

    This article will provide an unofficial history of Freaknik, the famous and infamous rolling party that snared Atlanta traffic and turned highways into parking lots and dance floors.

    The origins of what would become Freaknik can be traced to 1983, when dance clubs made up of students from the Atlanta University Center began throwing parties. This was the height of the pop-locking craze and a few years after aspiring filmmaker Spike Lee had left the AU Center’s Morehouse College.

    One group in particular, the D.C. Metro Club, conceived of a party coinciding with spring break in April. It’s name was “Freaknic,” a play on the words “freak” and “picnic.”

    early party flyer from 1980s

    Party flyer from the early 1980s.

    The president of the D.C. Metro Club, Schuyla Goodson, is credited with coming up with the term “Freaknik” on the grounds of Spelman College.

    There is some debate over where the inaugural Freaknic was held, but many say it was at John A. White Park near the AU Center.

    The first “Freaknic” party was attended by around 150 people and became an annual event, but the D.C. Metro Club got in trouble with Spelman College. Then-President Johnetta B. Cole banned the group for the legal risk that Freaknic posed as the parties grew larger and larger.

    Through the late 1980s, AU Center officials tried to sanitize the event, renaming it “Black College Spring Break,” with an obvious appeal to HBCUs in the MEAC, SWAC and various small black colleges and universities scattered around the South.

    As the number of visitors to Atlanta began to swell each year, the behavior of the attendees began to worsen. As does everything in the South, the discussion began to take on racial undertones and then overtones.

    “Most of the white establishment wanted Freaknik to end pronto,” said Fred Richard, a Grambling State University alumni, who now lives in suburban Atlanta after going to grad school at Clark. “We partied so hard in Atlanta because we didn’t want to go to Daytona Beach; we wanted to have fun here like they were doing in Florida.”

    Race Becomes A Factor

    Atlanta’s African-American lawmakers, all the way from council-men and -women to others in high positions around the city’s mayor, tried to balance their obligations to keep law and order by extending a welcome mat to the party-goers, which were overwhelmingly black.

    But news broadcasts would often lead with the arrests and images of rowdy behavior from the crowds of students in town for the raucous weekend. Resentment from residents in Atlanta’s top neighborhoods slowly began to boil as negative news reports about Freaknik began to circulate.

    The issue was illustrated best by then-Councilwoman Carolyn Long Banks, who told the Times, “There is a fear of the congregating of more than one or two black people in any given area. It has become a racial issue for some of the neighborhoods. These kids are the black cream of the crop, and if they are not treated well, there is little hope for the rest of us.”

    In the early 1990s, the AU Center dance clubs, fraternities and sororities all tried to milquetoast the “Freaknik” name — downplay it and rebrand it “Freedom Fest was one attempt) — but it was too late.  College officials, engaged in feeble attempts to refocus the then-highly sexualized party weekend, tried bonding it to a job fair, step shows and other collegiate events, but to no avail.

    Music And More Began To Change

    In 1990 and 1991, Freaknik was still just another black spring break function, the likes of which students at Winston-Salem and Norfolk, Virginia, were used to.
    But by the end of 1991, a wave of misogyny would sweep through rap and hip-hop music. Instead of the conscious, pro-black vibes that came to characterize much of the popular music, the tunes turned to darker themes, often fueled by weed smoke.
    “The music definitely played a role in how people started acting,” Wilson said. “Instead of bumping Public Enemy or listening to some words by Sistah Soulja, gangsta rap exploded. Everybody was on that NWA, West Coast, all that stuff.”
    But it wasn’t just gangsta rap. Florida’s Miami bass, New York’s lyrical hip-hop and the South’s own SouthernPlayalistic vibes were all contributing. You can’t have a party without the music.

    Another culprit was the mob mentality: A common scene for Freaknik was to see a jam -packed street with people on the hoods of the cars and loud music. Women would be dancing on the cars or next to one and they would be surrounded by ogling and touchy-feely men with video cameras.
    “In a lot of ways, what set Freaknik off in the early 1990s was the videotape footage. Like the videotape beating of Rodney King that set off riots, when people from all these different cities came back home and showed their friends the video footage of Freaknik, it exploded.”
    Freaknik man videotaping women in Atlanta
    According to media estimates, about 100,000 people attended Freaknik in 1993. The next year, that numbered had doubled to 200,000 although arrests were cut in half.

    As Olympics Neared, Atlanta Wrestled With Its Image

    At the crux of many civic debates, was this question: What kind of city was Atlanta trying to be? A party city or one that was brand-safe for big business?

    “You have to understand,” said Tony Robinson, a barber from Atlanta, who went to Clark Atlanta in the late 1980s. “In the early 1990s, Atlanta was in the midst of remaking itself for the Olympics.”

    In 1994 and 1995, the city was being flooded with new money and was trying to put on its best face. But this rolling black street party would churn through every year and make national headlines for all the wrong reasons.
    Freaknik 1995: Trina, Kimberly Elise, Yolanda Adams
    A New York Times article from that time says, “Young people showing off their late-model luxury cars in caravans tied up major arteries for about five miles north of downtown. But the police managed to channel most of the impromptu motorcades out of residential areas. Mayor Campbell acknowledged that “there were no streets which could contain the cars and the young people’s determination to stay in their cars and to see and be seen.”

    When visitors began to pour into Lenox Square, the mall of Atlanta’s wealthy, the affluent residents began to complain about the traffic outside the structure. Instead of a place to shop, the weekend brought thousands of people-watchers and rowdy behavior.
    Atlanta’s City Council and Mayor Bill Campbell, who was elected in 1994, began to get criticized for allowing the city to be overrun with “hoodlums” and party-goers who would go inside stores to gaze but wouldn’t shop.
    Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell on Freaknik

    Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell in 1996.

    Tug Of War: Atlanta Politics Meets Freaknik

    The city’s white business leaders began to push for an all-out ban on Freaknik, putting tremendous pressure on Atlanta’s black leadership, which was starting to feel the heat.
    In front of the microphones, Atlanta’s black leaders were politically correct when asked questions about Freaknik and public safety.

    “We welcome anybody coming to this event who is law-abiding,” said Atlanta Police Chief Beverly Harvard. “We will not tolerate the violation of this city.”

    Privately many of them wondered how long they could last as political piñatas.

    “If our event goes poorly as a result of the Freaknik crowd, it would seriously jeopardize my ability to come back,” Campbell said in March 1995, one month before the event. “So Atlanta does have a lot riding on the success of this.”

    Freaknik: Business and Residential Resistance

    One neighborhood, Inman Park, even sued the city to keep it off-limits from visitors. Spurred by Atlanta’s business elite, the City of Atlanta began to turn against Freaknik at least to some degree. Some Atlanta students said race was a major factor.
    Quoted by the Washington Post at the time, Samuel Bell Jr., who was student body president at Clark Atlanta University, said, “These students are, supposedly, the future leaders of our nation, and what are they saying, that we’re going to loot and pillage the village? It’s an atrocity.”
    The city responded by denying permits to party organizers and offering underwhelming support to the few activities that happened to be sponsored. Police officers blocked entry into whole neighborhoods and made some streets one ways around the AU Center.
    “Remember, this wasn’t Miami. This wasn’t Jacksonville or even Galveston, where there’s a beach. Atlanta is all asphault,” said Robinson. “Half of the city — and you know which half — just couldn’t understand what all these black people were doing down here.”
    Inside City Hall, leaders tried to soften the mayor’s stance, saying that the students should be welcomed by the city, but that their energy should be channeled into a more positive direction.
    C.T. Martin, an elder statesman on the city council, said then, “I understand the mayor’s predicament, but this is the home of Martin Luther King and six black institutions of higher learning, and we owe it to the parents of these young people to cradle their children while they are here.”

    Atlanta Turns On Freaknik

    “There is nothing for people to do,” Lori Dodson, a Spelman student at the time, told the Times. “We had events scheduled but we had to cancel them because of the city.”
    While there was sporadic violence connected to the event each year, Atlanta officials touted the success of letting students flock to the city, but kept them driving in circles by routing them to the highways and away from prestigious areas. Faced with no where to go, many revelers congregated in parking lots and just partied in their cars and on the streets.
    To save face, Atlanta officials stopped providing the press with crowd estimates, which would only fuel the naysayers. Still, the police would shut down around 200 blocks of city streets to curtail cruisers during the three-day weekend.
    “They tried to stop it before it got started,” Corey Griffin, a reveler from Dalton, Georgia, told the Times at the time. “I think it’s nice to come down here and spend some money. But I felt I was unwanted.”
    Soon Campbell and city officials made it ther mission to deny any permit associated with the words “Freaknik” or “Freaknic.”
    As the 1990s closed, Freaknik became a shadow of itself and all but died out except for the occasional brash party promoter.
    “Few issues in the city of Atlanta have been as divisive in the last 10 years,″ Campbell told the Associated Press in 1998.  “It is a very difficult weekend even under the best of circumstances.″
    “In Atlanta, Freaknik became a curse word,” said Monica Wilson, who traveled to the annual party each year from 1993 to 1996 as a student at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
    With no public safety support, sponsors or organizers, Freaknik, seen as a headless monster, began to unravel and die out.

    Final Word

    What began as a party for collegians quickly morphed into a weekend of unabashed street partying. Among the city’s business leaders, the sentiment was that Atlanta was built for a lot of things, but it wasn’t built for that.
    Crowds particularly gathered around city landmarks like Underground Atlanta, Piedmont Park, Old National Highway, the AU Center and Peachtree Street, the city’s main vein.
    All but dead, now the name “Freaknik” still pops up every now and then, but it’s in reference to its heyday, circa 1994 and ’95. It is the party that time forgot.
    1 Comment
  • R&B Wine, Food and Music Festival in Atlanta

    R&B Wine, Food And Music Festival: What To Know Before You Go

    2 Min Read
    Do you enjoy springtime vibes, a good meal and live music outdoors? The Atlanta R&B Wine Food & Music Festival is happening once again.
    The fest is designed to take guest on an epic journey through the ATL. Showcasing Great People, Local Wines, Amazing Bands and a variety of Vendors.

    When Is The Atlanta R&B Wine, Food & Music Festival?

    The Atlanta R&B Wine, Food and Music Festival takes place on Saturday, May 25, 2024. The event will feature live bands, wines and vendors.
    R&B Wine Food and Music Festival in Atlanta
    All you have to do is bring an appetite for great music, wines and food, enjoy the fresh air, and the amazing sounds of R&B/Neo Soul Music.  This is a 21+ event, Chairs & Blankets welcomed.

    PAID Admission Include:

     *LIVE BANDS

    * Wine Tasting 

    *Souvenir Glass

    *Wine Education

    Get tickets here.

    Where is The Atlanta R&B Wine, Food & Music Festival Taking Place?

    The event is taking place at The Center at 3951 Snapfinger Decatur, GA 30035. Here’s a map to help you find it.

    Final Word

    Want to know about more events? Check out AtlantaFi’s Atlanta Festival Guide, which features all you need to know about local festivals including the Dogwood Festival, Fried Chicken Fest, Shaky Knees, Music Midtown and more.

    Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:

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  • Georgia Aquarium

    Atlanta Jewish Life Film Festival: Info, Times, Date

    3 Min Read

    The Atlanta Jewish Life Festival is returning for a fifth year to the world-famous Georgia Aquarium. Tickets are on sale now for the March 3 event scheduled from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. entering through the Ocean’s Ballroom entrance at 246 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313.

    When Is the Atlanta Jewish Life Festival?

    The Atlanta Jewish Life Festival is March 3, 2024. It takes place this year at Georgia Aquarium™ the Ocean’s Ballroom located on the first level of the Aquarium parking deck at 246 Ivan Allen Jr.

    Here’s a map to help you find it.

    The event, founded by the Atlanta Jewish Times, is Atlanta’s largest single-day festival promoting and celebrating Jewish and Israeli arts, food, music, and culture while connecting the community to local synagogues, nonprofits, and social action groups with the hope to further strengthen the bonds and understanding of Jewish beliefs, traditions, and family.

    This year, they are adding a splash of March Mitzvah Madness. This timely event calls for a “Hoop Contest.” Got game? Prove it and compete in the Hoops Contest. They’ll be giving away cash prizes to the Star Players in each of their four age groups.

    To cheer on the March Mitzvah Madness event is the Atlanta Hawks’ dancers and “Harry the Hawk” himself. Even the Atlanta Braves will be sponsoring and providing signed baseballs and four pack tickets to be awarded to hoops and raffle winners.

    “We are excited to be back a fifth year, and I want the community to know that safety measures are in place,” said Michael Morris, owner and publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times. “We are always excited for this unique opportunity to bring thousands of Jewish families together for kosher food, entertainment and a chance to meet informally with Jewish community service organizations.”

    Festivalgoers can expect a variety of kosher foods, music, entertainment for the kids, a Purim costume contest, and the opportunity to meet the organizations and institutions that make up the Jewish community here in Atlanta.

    Tickets for the event are $22 each, and $11 for children ages 3-12 (tickets for children under 3 are free). A Family Pass for two adults and four children is also available for $75. All tickets include entry to the Georgia Aquarium for the day.

    Tickets can be purchased at atlantajewishlifefestival.com. The website is also being updated regularly with information on the schedule, vendors and partners who will be participating in the 2024 event.

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  • From left: Seán Sebastian, Kelauni Jasmyn and David Motley, General Partners at Black Tech Nation Ventures, which announced the close of its inaugural $50 million fund.

    Black Tech Nation Ventures Closes $50M Inaugural Fund To Help Startups In Atlanta and Elsewhere

    3 Min Read

    Black Tech Nation Ventures (BTN.vc), a Pittsburgh-based venture firm, recently announced the close of a $50 million inaugural fund that would help ease the disparities faced by overlooked founders and entrepreneurs.

    BTN.vc is investing in high-potential founders in Atlanta’s tech scene and other U.S. cities. At at the seed and pre-seed stage who are building companies with technology that is driving innovation in fintech, edtech, health tech, climate tech, and AI and machine learning. 

    “We set up BTN.vc to equip and train a new generation of more diverse entrepreneurs and investors,” said David Motley, one of three general partners. “We are committed to providing intellectual as well as financial capital to help our founders navigate growing a successful company and opening up opportunities for future venture capitalists who are Black or diverse to participate in the industry.”

    The firm has already invested in 10 companies in cities including Atlanta, Boston, District of Columbia, Indianapolis, New York, and Pittsburgh. These include; EMTECH, a fintech infrastructure company; Goodfynd, an enterprise solutions provider for food truckers and mobile vendors; The Folklore, an e-commerce platform connecting brands from the African continent to premium retailers in the US; and Kloopify, provider of supply chain sustainability analytics. Multiple investments have already secured up-round follow on funding.

    BTN.vc expects to back 20-30 companies from its inaugural fund, typically seeking entry at the pre-seed and seed stages with checks in the $250,000 to $1M range. The firm has led, co-led and or helped complete funding rounds. The team has built a unique deal funnel to match its investment focus, which includes diverse professional development groups, top tier research universities, and historically Black colleges and universities.

    • Kelauni Jasmyn is a former software developer and the founder and CEO of Black Tech Nation, which is building community and resources to bridge the gap between the Black community and the tech community in Pittsburgh and across the US.
    • David Motley brings extensive experience with technology and innovation driven companies having led a corporate venture fund and co-founded a prior private venture fund.  He also co-founded the African American Directors Forum (AADF), which strives to increase representation of African American executives at the public company board level.
    • Seán Sebastian previously founded Birchmere Ventures, a $300m AUM seed-stage investor that led investments in almost 100 portfolio companies attracting more than $4bn in follow-on capital and achieving over $18bn in market value.  Included in that portfolio were 25 diverse-led startups and some of the firm’s strongest performers.

    BTN.vc is backed by a range of blue chip LPs including Alphabet, First National Bank (FNB Corp), Mark Cuban, First Close Partners, and Bank of America.

    Final Word

    Atlanta is a the black tech capital of America, with several active pipelines and networks helping to create innovative solutions across many sectors. If you’re looking for a good company to work for or want to do your own thing, Atlanta is the place to be.

    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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  • 12 Hobbies To Turn Into Side Hustles

    15 Hobbies To Turn Into Side Hustles

    7 Min Read

    It’s been said that searching for jobs can be a full-time job in itself. One way to slim back much of your time and make money is to consider a side hustle.

    This article is going to break down some hobbies to turn into side hustles so that you can earn extra income. All you need is a little confidence in yourself and you can make it happen!

    How To Turn Your Hobbies Into Side Hustles

    Now I want to make this perfectly clear: Nobody’s saying you’ll get rich. And you certainly won’t get rich quick. These hobbies are just ways to earn supplemental income.

    What Is A Side Hustle?

    First of all, a side hustle is a job that is usually done in your spare time and outside of the traditional 9 to 5 working hours of corporate America.

    Many people do side hustles at night or on the weekend. Still, others do side hustles online in their spare time.

    1. Drive For Uber or Lyft

    One of the easiest ways to make some easy money on the side is to become an Uber and Lyft driver. All you need is a clean driving record and dependable car.

    Here is the Uber signup | Here is the Lyft signup

    There are other rideshare companies you can work for to like…

    2. Resell Your Clothes On Poshmark

    Poshmark is one of the best sites to resell your clothes online. Poshmark takes 20% of your cut though. Watch this Poshmark review to learn more.

    In addition to Poshmark, you can sell your items on:

    Here are some other places you can sell your clothes.

    3. Start Blogging

    One of the most popular things to do today is blog, so you might as well make some money doing it. All you need to do is come up with a domain name, register it and pick a blogging platform.

    The two best blogging platforms are:

    1. WordPress
    2. Blogger

    4. Sell Your Crafts On Etsy

    I know you’ve heard of Etsy makers pulling in $30,000 a month selling knitted monkey caps and it sounds easy, but it’s not. You’re going to have to dedicate yourself to spending a lot of time crafting things that people want to buy.

    Etsy is just a marketing platform at the end of the day. If you have great product, the sales will come.

    Here are some other places you can sell your wares.

    5. Rent Your Home On Airbnb

    I know, I know. No way, right? There are many people who rent their homes on Airbnb only when they’re going out of town. That way, they make money while they’re enjoying a getaway somewhere spending money.

    Before you begin, you’ll need to make sure of a few things like:

    • Confirm that your neighborhood allows Airbnb rentals
    • Make sure to screen the person before you agree to rent
    • Always create a set of house rules to protect your property and the peace of your neighbors

    Airbnb is easy to sign up and you can choose the available dates. What’s not to like?

    6. Start Babysitting Or Petsitting

    If you love babies, perhaps you’re the perfect person to start a small babysitting business. Child care runs into the hundreds of dollars per week for most families.

    If you like dogs or cats, you could become a petsitter on the weekends.

    Here are the best petsetting sites to get business:

    7. Become A House Sitter

    It may sound strange, but people will pay you good money for you to stay in their homes for an extended weekend. The home sitting market is ripe for more workers.

    All you need are some stellar references and some time on your hands. You can advertise on Nextdoor or at your local church.

    8. Become A Movie Extra

    If you live in a movie city like Atlanta, Charlotte or New Orleans, it’s pretty easy to show up for a casting call. All you have to do is meet the needs of certain films and TV shows and you’re in.

    Here are some national databases that hire extras:

    Here’s more on how to become a movie or TV extra in Atlanta.

    9. Rent Your Home To A Film Production

    It’s easier than ever today to rent your home to a movie or TV production. In Atlanta, they use real people’s homes and they let you negotiate what it’s worth to you.

    This can work out especially well if you plan on leaving your home for an extended period of time.

    10. Become A Virtual Assistant

    Working with small companies remotely as a virtual assistant may be the way to go for you. All the terms and payscale is up to you.

    These one-person virtual assistant companies make good money by doing clerical or administrative work on a flexible schedule.

    Here’s the ultimate guide to becoming a virtual assistant.

    11. Do Social Media For A Company

    If you’re always on IG or Twitter, you might as well get paid for it. Approach a company and see if they need any “marketing” help on social media.

    Before you know it, you could be handling thousand-dollar campaigns and making some of that money for yourself.

    Some great social media management platforms include:

    12. Open A Kitchen Pop-up

    One Saturday or Sunday, run an ad on Nextdoor or Craigslist that you’re baking pies or making your favorite recipe. This kitchen pop-up can be a one-time thing that people will come to try.

    You can charge $10 a plate and sell until you run out. Who knows? You might be the next Paula Deen!

    13. Become A Photographer

    Shooting for a living takes great training, expensive equipment and a lot of time and money. I’m not talking about shooting weddings or documentaries.

    I’m talking about approaching real estate companies and asking to shoot homes and commercial properties. These companies need great photos to advertise real estate.

    Here’s how to turn your old photos into cash money.

    14. Become An English Tutor

    One job that you can do online is to teach English to foreign students. There are many websites that facilitate this by means of education programs.

    All you really need is a computer, a firm grasp of the English language — and a lot of patience!

    Here are some of the top online companies to work for that specialize in hiring English tutors:

    1. Skooli
    2. PrePly
    3. VIPKid
    4. Cambly
    5. DaDa
    6. QKids
    7. iTutorGroup

    15. Delivery Food & Groceries

    If you have a car and a phone, you can sign up to work for Instacart, Grubhub or DoorDash to deliver food to homes and businesses.

    You can work for one of them are all three, if you have the time. The best thing about these types of jobs is that they’re flexible.


    Final Thoughts

    Making money today is perhaps easier than ever, especially if you have a computer and internet connection.
    The side hustle is as important today as the regular 9 to 5 because it offers more flexibility and tends to keep you more motivated. No matter what, don’t rest on your laurels. Think of some creative ways you can make money today.
    Metro Atlanta has a hot economy and that means employers are hiring at a rapid pace. We currently have job articles that show you high-paying jobs, those close to downtown and even side hustles you might like.
    If you’re looking to get hired in Atlanta right now, there’s a very real possibility that you can land your dream job.
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