Real Life with Nedra Rhone

RHONE: The pope is Black, maybe?

Pope Leo XIV‘s maternal grandparents are identified as Black or ‘mulatto’ in historical records.

Pope Leo XIV waives from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica overlooking St. Peter's Square where tens of thousands of faithful gathered to receive the first traditional Sunday blessing after his election May 11, 2025. (Vatican Media via AP) (AP)

3 decades after Planned Parenthood, Faye Wattleton still fights for reproductive rights

Faye Wattleton was the youngest president of Planned Parenthood and the first African American. She's the keynote speaker at a Planned Parenthood gala in Buckhead on May 17.

‘It started all right here’: Rico Wade immortalized with East Point monument

Friends, family and fans gather to celebrate a permanent dedication to the Atlanta legend.

LeBron James enters Barbie's world in history-making fashion

Shaq-backed education startup opens Atlanta hub with plans to employ 250

The online college Campus was started in 2016 by Atlanta-born entrepreneur Tade Oyerinde and offers associate degrees taught live by adjunct professors from large universities

The LineUp

FRI

SAT

Amanda Williams: We Say What Black This Is

February 7 – May 24, 2025

12:00 AM - 11:59 PM

350 Spelman Ln, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314, USA

Description

We Say What Black This Is celebrates the diversity, resilience and depth of Blackness while challenging simplistic definitions of Black identity. The exhibition features works from Williams' series What Black is this, You Say?, created in response to the ‘Blackout Tuesday’ social media moment in 2020. The exhibit will include a new abstract painting by Williams and student-written didactic labels.

Upcoming Events

APR

Sacred Spaces: The Legacy of Black Churches in Cherokee County

221 East Marietta Street, Canton, GA 30114, USA

APR

NYC By Way of EAV > The Pub @ EAV's Bodega Bar Pop-Up

469 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, USA

MAY

The Battle for the Black Mind: Dr. Karida L. Brown in Conversation with Dr. Lakeysha “Key” Hallmon

101 Auburn Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30303

MAY

Atlanta Sandwich Fest

241 20th St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30363

MAY

The Before Slavery Museum & Kennesaw State Univ. presents: Family History Conference

8109 Mall Pkwy , Stonecrest , GA 30038, USA

Full List

Food & Entertainment

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

André 3000 drops new music, but with a new instrument

To highlight his latest project, "7 Piano Sketches," André 3000 wore a grand piano on his back as part of his Met Gala look.

AJC INTERVIEW

Tina Knowles gets deep and personal ahead of Atlanta book tour stop

Tina Knowles, mother of Beyonce and Solange Knowles, talks about her new memoir and her friendship with Tyler Perry.

Mother of Atlanta rapper Takeoff helps other moms navigate their grief

Titania Davenport hosted the inaugural International Bereaved Mother's Day Brunch.

Post Malone, Robert Glasper among Atlanta concert highlights in May

Shows you should see this month include Post Malone, Xscape, Ivan Cornejo, Robert Glasper and a gospel extravaganza featuring the Manns, Karen Clark-Sheard and Tye Tribbett.

Fashion

Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

PHOTOS: Met Gala theme showcases Black Dandy

Atlanta style icons join international fashion, beauty, music, film and sports stars on the Met Gala red carpet.

OPINION

So fresh and so clean: Why the Met Gala’s Black Dandyism theme matters

Dandyism is a style of dressing for Black men that exemplifies elegance, individuality, and resistance through dress, writes Atlanta style anthropologist Darryl Lesure.

2 Atlanta designers promote Caribbean culture through festivals, fashion line

Igloo Atlanta, an outdoor Caribbean music festival returns to Lithonia for its 10th anniversary. Two of the promoters also have a Jamaican-inspired clothing line, RepJA.

After shaky social media debut, ‘404 Day!’ Adidas sneakers set to hit stores

The limited-edition Adidas Superstar shoe sparked a range of emojis in initial reactions.

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Our Team

Mike Jordan

Mike Jordan is senior editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Black culture brand, UATL.

Ernie Suggs

Ernie Suggs is an enterprise reporter covering race and culture for the AJC since 1997. A 1990 graduate of N.C.

Christopher A. Daniel

Christopher A. Daniel is a Black Culture reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Gavin Godfrey

Gavin Godfrey is a senior reporter for the AJC who covers Black culture, entertainment, and diversity.

Najja Parker

Najja Parker is a video and news correspondent for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Black culture team.

Mirtha Donastorg

Mirtha Donastorg is a reporter on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s business team focusing on Black wealth, entrepreneu

DeAsia Paige

DeAsia is a music and culture reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Brooke Leigh Howard

Brooke Leigh Howard is a reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Black culture team, UATL.

Black mecca math: How does Atlanta stack up? It’s complicated.

How do the city and metro stack up? We look at demographics, income, voting power and more.

Credit: Atlanta Journal Constitution

Life in the Black mecca: We want to hear from you

Is Atlanta truly America’s Black mecca? It’s a question worth asking and we need your feedback.

Credit: Philip Robibero / AJC illustration

Is Atlanta still America’s Black mecca? This native isn’t so sure

A new monthly content series from UATL — the AJC’s Black culture franchise — will shed light on the reality (or mirage) behind this question.

HBCU Homecoming

Credit: Courtesy

Credit: Courtesy of Salamander Resorts / The Family Reunion

UATL