The Launch Issue
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Atlanta Area
Reverend Raphael Warnock ARTICLE TABITHA ROBINSON
Pastor, Activist, and Community Leader
Rev. Raphael Warnock is a God-fearing man with a heart for his community. He has been labeled as one of the most influential leaders of his time. Picking up the torch that Martin Luther King, Jr. began to burn, he has become an active and local voice for his community as well as the lead pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church (EBC). Taking on the lead pastor role in 2005 made him the fifth lead pastor since the church was established over 130 years ago in 1886. He continues to lead the church from a noble position, holding fast to the values of the community church.
The founding of the church was intended to give the black “Sweet Auburn Community” a symbol of hope and a place of worship. They have grown to be active partners in the Martin Luther King, Sr. Resources Collaborative, which was started by King Sr. himself and brought into fruition by Rev. Warnock. The Collaborative provides much needed resources to the community, resources that are declared by the community for the community. It is a mostly faithbased, non-profit organization designed to look after the less fortunate.
Rev. Warnock is big on sharing God’s love and being an ambassador of His justice. Preaching the Gospel, to him, means sharing the Good News with the “poor who need liberation and the poor in spirit who need transformation in a sinful and broken world,” as he declares in his sermon When Prophets and Profits Collide. He mixes preaching with politics (as King did) and highlights economic issues in his sermons, which become the fuel his congregation needs to do the Lord’s work of discipleship in the community.
Rev. Warnock is not only a voice for the less fortunate in Georgia, but in the world. He is not only passionate about helping the people, he’s also an educated and driven man of God. Warnock has a Master of Divinity degree, a Doctor of Philosophy in Systematic Theology, and is a graduate of the Summer Leadership Institution of Harvard University and Leadership Atlanta. With a background like that, Warnock is well qualified to lead EBC to the throne of Christ, and the underprivileged citizens of his community to justice. By adding Senator to his list of achievements, he is even better positioned to move the people of Georgia forward.
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
Local Limelight
Rev Warnock has kept EBC active in the community as that symbol of hope, not only in their partnership with the Martin Luther King, Sr. Resources Collaborative, but also by opening the church to the homeless for shelter and food, looking to the needs of senior citizens, mentoring children, providing their own resources to the community such as clothes and vaccinations, and being an advocating voice for the underprivileged.
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Publisher's Letter
Unapologetically and Uambiguously Black What does that mean? It means that we are more than a magazine. We are culture. We are community. We are service. And we are passionately committed to celebrating, elevating, empowering, informing, educating, and advancing Black Excellence. I have to be honest. I started this magazine for me. I started this magazine because I have a love for print magazines. I love getting new magazines in the mail and can't wait to flip the pages to see what's new inside! I get excited each month to get my new publications delivered straight to my mailbox. I smell, the feel and the excitement of seeing the vibrant photos and reading the captivating content - all these feels are nostalgic to me and I absolutely love it! I especially love local magazines. They are so tied to the community and they showcase what happens on the ground level. I also started this magazine because I hate that majority of the local magazines are created by and for Black women and people of color. Nor do they focus on our issues,
or the things that matter most to our families, communities, businesses, or culture. Most local luxury lifestyle magazines do not target Black readership and they certainly don't focus on providing local Black-owned business owners with a luxury magazine platform in which to advertise and showcase their businesses to the communities they serve. After working for other publishing companies who ignored the Black and minority community, I started my own publishing company and launched Black Audacity Magazine to be the change. Please Enjoy and support.
LaWanda Morris, Esq.
DECEMBER 2022 OWNER & PUBLISHER
LaWanda Morris, Esq.
[email protected]
EDITORS
Brandyn Jack
LaWanda Morris
Tabitha Robinson
Xavier Jones-Benjamin
AD | LAYOUT | DESIGN
Ann Watts
LaWanda Morris
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Brandyn Jack
Holly Nilsson
LaWanda Morris
Tabitha Robinson
Xavier Jones-Benjamin
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPGERS
Javier Flores, LaWanda Morris
OFFICE MANAGER
Janis Riley
PUBLISHING COMPANY
Black Audacity Publishing
www.BlackAudacityPublishing.com
ON THE COVER
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock
www.BlackAudacityMagazine.com
A Morris Media & Enterprises, LLC Company
CONTENT Reverend Raphael Warnock DEPARTMENTS
Local Limelight 3
Publisher's Letter 4 Let's Get Political 8, 10
State Of Affairs 12
Calendar 14
Travel Destination 16
Culinary Corner 20
Publisher's Picks 22
Pastor, Activist,
and Community Leader...Learn all about the man behind the persona. Who is Reverend Warnock
Passing the Mantle: The Future From Looks Sermon to Bright Senate with Raphael Warnock's Journey from Senator Reverend to Georgia's First Reverend African American Warnock Democratic Senator. The Incumbent Remains Steadfast In Supporting His Constituents
I Don't Publisher’s Need A Letter Walker Meet LaWanda Morris, Esq. and find out why she decided to start Black Audacity Magazine
A Sermon On Walker Not Given By Warnock, But Given By Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, That You Must Hear
Dream Vacation Now That The world Is Opening Back Up and The U.S. Dollar and The Euro Are Nearly Trading Equally, Now Is The Best Time To Mark Europe Off Your Dream Vacation Bucket List
LET'S GET POLITICAL
The Future Looks Bright with Senator Reverend Warnock ARTICLE XAVIER BENJAMIN-JONES The Incumbent Remains Steadfast in Supporting His Constituents Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock has been a breath of fresh air for many Georgians. The pastoral heir to Dr. Marin Luther King Jr., a Morehouse alum, the first Black Democratic Senator elected in Georgia, and all the additional outstanding achievements made by Warnock since being elected make many people wonder how this run-off even came to be.
According to his website, Senator Warnock has responded to 516,000 letters, secured $54.87 billion of federal investments to Georgians, and resolved 16,504 casework issues. He is monumentally community-driven, as his legislative efforts have been focused on reducing insulin and other prescription drug costs, investing in agriculture and manufacturing, infrastructure, and prioritizing seniors, veterans, and the middle to lower class Georgians he primarily intends to serve.
He championed the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act enacted in November 2021, which has provided job-creating investments across Georgia. One noteworthy priority of the act is reconnecting historically Black communities split by the federal government’s Interstate Highway System, albeit with a meager $1 billion.
Unfortunately, much of his most impactful and community-conscious bills remain in the introduced status. The Kira Johnson Act, for example, establishes grants to improve maternal health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities. Kira Johnson, the bill’s namesake, was a Black
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December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
woman who died in April 2016 from postpartum internal bleeding, due to the hospital staff's negligence. This act would help lower the appalling Black maternal mortality rate, which is over three times higher than that of white women. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services would award grants for community-based programs to better maternal health outcomes for Black pregnant and postpartum people, training for healthcare personnel, and maternity care compliance programs.
Warnock’s proposed Down Payment Towards Equity Act would establish a grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development for states and other entities to provide qualitative assistance to specific first-time and first-generation home buyers seeking to purchase their first homes. This assistance would include assistance for mortgage down payments, mortgage closing costs, interest rate reductions, and more. This would decrease the gap between White and Black family home ownership, which has increased since 1960. According to U.S. Census Bureau data as of 2022, 74.6% of White families own their homes compared to 45.3% of Black families.
Senator Reverend Warnock is a rarity amongst Congress in how devoted he is to his constituents. The Affordable Insulin and Bipartisan Infrastructure Acts are only a few and, hopefully, the beginning of his progressive and socially conscious legislation. Concerning his opponent, Herschel Walker, he told this to a crowd in Fort Valley, Georgia, “I am running against someone who is not a serious person… Because he is not a serious person, there may be a temptation among some not to take the race seriously… this race is to be taken seriously.” We ought to heed the Reverend’s words, and make sure we are treating the electoral process with the utmost importance. If we’d like the chance for a better Georgia and America, then Senator Raphael Warnock deserves our vote.
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
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I Don't Need A Walker...
If you haven't heard this sermon or heard about this sermon, you either don't live in Georgia or you've been living in Georgia under a rock. Well, just in case your house is made of rock, let me bring you up to speed. The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner, Herschel Walker, was plucked out of his cushy life in Texas by the Republican party to come run for the United States Senate against the incumbent, Reverend Raphael Warnock. That's right, Walker was then and still is a legal resident of Texas. He was specially selected personally by former President, Donald Trump. After giving several confusing and in some cases, incoherent interviews it became very clear very fast that Walker was not only not up for the job of U.S. Senator, but he was an insult and embarrassment to the Black community and to intelligent, thinking, Black men. It was also clear that the Republican party was only looking for a "yes" man, which they found in Walker.
Pastor Bryant decided to raise this issue with his congregation in a very powerful sermon entitled, "I don't need a walker." In this sermon, Pastor Bryant points out many reasons why Georgia should not send Walker to Washington, D.C. I'll only highlight a couple here. But, after you finish reading this article promise me that after you finish reading this article, you'll go listen to the sermon in its entirety.
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December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
LET'S GET POLITICAL
ARTICLE LAWANDA MORRIS | PHOTOGRAPHY AKILI-CASUNDRIA RAMSESS/ASSOCIATED PRESS Pastor Bryant talked about how the Republican party picked Walker up out of Texas and brought him to Atlanta to run against Warnock to put a Black face on their anger for change happening too fast after Georgia sent a Black and Jewish Senator to Congress in the same election. The state had been flipped blue and there were some who were not happy about it and set out to do something about it by picking someone with a football that they thought would represent Black folks better than someone with a philosophy degree. Bryant went on to say that the Republican party thought so little of Black folks in Georgia that they thought they would vote for someone like Walker who represents the "lowest caricature of a stereotypical broken Black man" over an educated, focused Black man. Pastor Bryant explains that Walker is, and always has, been simply told what to do by White men and it would be no different if he were elected to the Senate. End summed his sermon us by saying "we don't need a Walker; we need a runner." Someone who is going to run to do the right thing instead of someone who is going to be told what to do and how to do it. The choice is clear today, Georgia. You must vote to send Reverend Warnock back to the United States Senate.
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
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ARTICLE BRANDYN JACK
State of Affairs 12
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock is a well-recognized political activist with years of fighting against injustice. Before he was elected to Congress, Warnock served as the senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, we all know the famous figure who served as senior pastor prior to Warnock taking the mantle. Growing up in a household of twelve children at a time when Georgia was represented by people who did not believe in civil rights for African Americans, Warnock still managed to make a name for himself. By winning his 2021 United States Senate campaign, Reverend Warnock became Georgia’s first African American Democratic Senator. Senator Warnock wanted change for Georgia. Influenced by previous civil rights activists, this was the basis that guided his campaign agenda to focus on stopping racial injustice and emphasizing social justice for the people of Georgia and the country.
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
Passing the Mantle: From Sermon to
Senate Raphael Warnock’s Journey from Reverend to Georgia’s first African American Democratic Senator Winning this seat for Warnock meant more than making history. As an African American man taking that specific seat meant he now held the same seat once occupied by a Confederate General who was allegedly the leader of a branch of the Ku Klux Klan. Georgia being a southern state with a vast history of racial injustice gaining a political leader that is educated and devoted to bringing change, as well as equality, during a compelling time in our lives is a milestone that should be praised.
Senator Warnock’s 2021 campaign (as well as this one) was built on faith and representation - two things that radiated, both then and now, for many Georgians. Warnock set-out to be the type of Senator who looks after the working-class because he understands that they make up the majority of our economy. The working-class continues to be a priority for Warnock and the way he legislates as a Senator. Warnock believed that his change could go well past the church's doors and fought for the rights he felt people deserved. Senator Warnock’s campaign came during a challenging time in our lives with not only COVID-19 but trying to reunite a divided state. Warnock's agenda for running focused on many liberal policies that he felt needed to be addressed; these included increased access to health care and voting, an end to mass incarceration as well as bail reform, and increased wages for a successful economy in Georgia. Warnock is currently running for reelection, but his first victory in 2021 was historic for many reasons, one being how prolific this election run was, inspiring such a record number of minorities, African Americans specifically, to come out and vote for the change they wanted to see. His journey from hardship in his early years to making a difference now and in the future as a U.S. Senator is an inspiration that many of us can look up to. Who is Raphael Warnock? The future.
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
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Today is Election
Day Today is election day. Today is the last day to vote in the Warnock, Wlaker runoff election. Go to the polls and take a friend with you.
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events Anthony Hamilton in Concert
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You're Invited Financial Literacy Training for Black Families For year no, the National Financial Literacy Campaign, along with former President Jimmy Carter, has changed over 2 million families' Financial Future. Now let them do the same for yours. This event will be held on the 10th and the 17th. Click here to learn more.
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The Atlanta Black Chambers Transportation & Logistics Committee Presents Cocktails and Logistics and Jamila Collins as Keynote Speaker for the night. Jamila is an industry leader and you won't want to miss this presentation and opportunity to Network. Click here to learn more.
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This soulful sinner will be in Atlanta at Atlanta Symphony Hall on Friday, December 9th from 8pm 10pm. Click here to learn more.
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
Since this Financial Family training takes place in Duluth, GA on multiple days this month, there is no excuse not to attend and learn how to achieve financial freedom.
CALENDAR
Also on the 10th, you can start your day with this Day Party that begins at 12:30pm - 3:30pm at Love Official ATL. Want to learn more? Click here.
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Black People Rock Honors The 5th Annual Black People Rock Honors (Atlanta) will be held in Atlanta, GA on December 17th, 2022 at 6pm - 11pm at the Hyatt Regency.
Now is the time to pull out those gorgeous gowns and handsome tuxedos, get dressed to impress for an evening of Black Excellence. The Black People Rock Honors will recognize the contributions and service of individuals in the community, entrepreneurship, politics, business, education, and public service to the community and to the world.
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The Black Gala for All Queens
This is an event that was created in order to honor and celebrate all women in business (no matter the industry) throughout the Atlanta Area. This Gala is more than a female empowerment and networking event. While you can expect an an upscale gala, this event is also unique in that it celebrates women of power and honors them in a Dynamic Awards Ceremony. The nominees will be selected, voted on and acknowledged on a national platform. Won't you come celebrate with us.
DECEMBER
Foodie? You're Invited: Tasting Black Excellence
Dream Vacation Now that the world is opening back up and the U.S. Dollar and the Euro are nearly trading equally, now is the best time to mark Europe off your dream vacation bucket list
ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPHY
LAWANDA MORRIS
I can now mark Rome, Italy off my bucket list. I took my first extended vacation since COVID this October and it did not disappoint. We started in Rome, Italy and ended in the Capital of England.
I can now mark London, England off my bucket list. Flying into London, at night, with a perfect view of the London Bridge is magical. It's something that I hope everyone gets to experience in their lifetime.
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December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
TRAVEL DESTINATION
WHEN YOU PLAN YOUR VACATION,
MY ADVISE IS TO INCLUDE AS MANY STOPS AS POSSIBLE IN ONE TRIP While London was not originally part of our travel itinerary, it has been on my dream vacation bucket list for as long as I can remember making a dream vacation bucket list. Rome has always been at the top of that same list; so to get to see both during the same trip, was something that I'll always cherish.
Italy and England in One Vaction Since we made so many stops, it was a blessing to be with such a great group of women (and one incredible dude whom we affectionately referred to as "The Muscle"). Traveling to Italy and Rome in the month of October meant high traffic. That being the case, we had a smooth flight, and amazing weather, though hot at times.
Vatican City As soon as we arrived, we hit the ground running. That meant heading straight to Vatican City. I would recommend getting a little sleep before starting your first tour, but we did not. Vatican City was Holy. It was beautiful. It was everything I'd hoped it would be. And ending the first tour with the Sistine Chapel; well, I could
not have asked for more. Before ending our first day, we visited well-known sites like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain.
Venice, The Floating City We set aside one day to visit Venice. We road the train, be prepared to take long rides to and from some destinations. We visited St. Mark's Basilica and toured the Grand Canal by Gondola. The shopping wasn't too shabby either.
Amalfi Coast, Positano & Pompeii On our final two days in Italy, we did tours of the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and Pompeii. The Amalfi Coast and Positano sceneries were picturesque and the views were spectacular - though the ride to get there was an adventure. I suggest watching a documentary on Pompeii before touring the ruins.
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
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TRAVEL DESTINATION (CONTINUED)
dream vacation
Photo
Album
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
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December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
Spaghetti
Carbonara
CULINARY CORNER
ARTICLE HOLLY NILSSON |
PHOTOGRAPHY LAWANDA MORRIS PREP TIME 5 minutes
COOK TIME 20 minutes
TOTAL TIME 25 minutes
SERVINGS 6 servings
This wonderful Spaghetti carbonara recipe (one of our favorites) is by Holly Nilsson and it features pasta in a delicious parmesan-egg sauce with savory pancetta. If you haven't had this, here's your dinner for tonight.
Ingredients:
1 pound spaghetti
6 slices pancetta or bacon, chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
3 eggs
Fresh ground black pepper
Salt to taste
1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions:
1. Whisk eggs, parmesan cheese and black pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
2. Cook pancetta over medium heat until crisp. Remove from pan and add garlic. Cook 1 minute.
3. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
4. Place hot pasta in pan with garlic and toss to coat. Quickly remove from heat and add egg mixture.
5. Using tongs, mix well adding pasta water if needed. Stir in pancetta/bacon and add parsley/parmesan for garnish.
Notes:
Have eggs out and at room temperature before beginning. Cook the pasta until it is ‘al dente’ or firm.
Do not rinse the pasta, the starch helps the consistency of the sauce. It's important that you are prepared as the heat from the pasta cooks the egg. Add a bit of pasta water if needed to get the right consistency.
Credit: Holly Nilsson, Spend With Pennies
December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
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PUBLISHER'S PICKS
Two Great Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas
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Sorry fellas, but these are two of my favorite picks for the ladies. On the other hand, you're welcome for your new gift ideas for the women in your life.
I absolutely love mented cosmetics. This is a Black owed business that was started specifically for Black women. It caters to our skin needs and we are all here for it!
I highly suggest you check out all of their products including the holiday bundles. For the newbies, start with the basics and grab the gift bundles containing lip balm and mascara.
Any woman will tell you that those are two of the most important items in any make-up bag. So, run, don't walk to get these gift sets before they are all gone.
You won't be disappointed!
Happy Holiday!
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December 2022 | Black Audacity Magazine
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