Category: Various

Clothing retailer Vivo Fashion Group is expanding its fashion and lifestyle brand to the U.S., making Atlanta its first market. 

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Vivo is East Africa’s largest ladies’ department store. Not only do they provide the region with trendy styles, they are also seeking to to create economic opportunities in the continent through fashion.

“We started the business 13 years ago and have grown quite quickly,” said Wandia Gichuru, Co-founder and CEO of Vivo. “This is our 27th store and we have 26 stores across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.” 

Gichuru and her partner Anne Marie Burugu’s goal for Vivo is to provide affordable products for women of color and curvy women. They saw that many retail companies do not accommodate the unique body shapes, sizes, silhouettes and colors that compliment melanated skin. 

Both knew that they wanted to expand the company into another country and another continent, so they selected North America to begin with. 

They first introduced its business to Americans during the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans in 2023, but now they’re establishing a permanent presence.  Gichuru decided to make Atlanta her next store’s home because of the large Black American population and the proximity to busiest airport in the world. 

Over 40 percent of Atlanta residents identify as Black or African American, a significant target audience for Vivo, a demographic similar to their markets within the African Diaspora.  

Another reason was the city’s Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, which makes it easy for them to get products to Georgia. Now, Vivo is becoming another international business service provider in the Peach State.

“We’re very much in a learning mode and understanding what the market here needs,” Gichuru said. “We can change things up based on what people in the U.S. prefer this kind of product with this kind of service and this kind of chat.”

In addition to its own products, Vivo sells other women-owned Keyan brands, including Chesi, Kambua, Safari, and Zoya. They offer clothes, housewares, and beauty products.

“I want to support entrepreneurs from across all genders but I feel like women need that extra kind of push,” Gichuru said. “We’re sometimes our worst enemy because we don’t necessarily have the confidence to take a risk.”

She also said purchasing from the boutique will impact Kenya economically, especially for women. 

The African country has reported that female unemployment is 7.6 percent, the highest in over 30 years. About 70 percent of Vivo employees are women.Gichuru said she hopes her efforts will help them ideas in action and  to reach their full potential. 

“I want people to come to our website. Take a look at our products and visit our Atlanta store,” Gichuru said. “More importantly, they should know they are not just buying from any of our brands but supporting an entire ecosystem of people.” 

Vivo is located on Market Street within Atlantic Station across from the Nike Store. 

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The new superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, Bryan Johnson, was inaugurated on the first day of the new school year and is ready to work with teachers, students, parents, and the Atlanta Board of Education to help them get off to a great start. 

Earlier this year, Johnson was announced as the sole finalist for the superintendent position and sworn in on Aug. 5.

“I deeply appreciate the Board’s unwavering focus on children and excellence throughout the search process. That same unwavering focus will be reflected in our efforts to catapult our urban school district to one of the top schools in the country, with initiatives focused on literacy, STEM, and workforce development,” Johnson said.

SaportaReport reached out to Johnson to see how he is ready to lead one of the largest school districts in the state.

SaportaReport: In the four years you led Hamilton County Schools in Tennessee, you quickly pushed the school up in the ranks in several categories. What best practices are you going to take from that time to APS?

Bryan Johnson: We were laser-focused on developing a culture of excellence. Improving student achievement was at the forefront of everything we did. Explicit instruction with clear targets, aligned assessments, and effective instructional strategies were at the core of our work. We also worked to engage the community and used the insights shared to inform our decisions.

SR: Besides K-12 leadership, you also have experience in higher education as the former vice chancellor for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. How do you plan to use your expertise in that field with the over 50,000 students?

BJ: While we know that not everyone will attend college or wants to, that is indeed the goal for many of our students. My experience at that level provides an excellent vantage point to lead the work required to prepare students for post-secondary education. 

I not only know what they need to get there, but I also know what to expect when they arrive and what it takes for them to secure their degree. I also had the privilege of working in the private sector in transportation and logistics as an executive. I look forward to leveraging these experiences to support the children of Atlanta in reaching their full potential.

SR: Under the direction of the last Superintendent, APS raised its graduation rate slightly over the state average. How will you maintain or improve that rate in the 2024-2025 school year?

I appreciate the work that’s been done with graduation rates.

BJ: We want to sustain that work, but we also want to ensure that we improve the number of graduates who walk across APS stages at commencement and are ready for their next step. Whether it’s a four-year university, technical school, military or directly to work, we want APS graduates to continue to do what so many APS graduates have done — lead. It will take all of us pulling together to ensure our children don’t just graduate but graduate ready to thrive in life.

SR: You met with students and parents during town hall meetings last month. How were your interactions with them, and what were some interesting points that they addressed with you? How would you like to facilitate relationships with parents, guardians, and students moving forward?

BJ: My interactions were very insightful. All parents want the same thing: what is best for their child and a good education. The parents of APS conveyed that they are concerned about equity, access, and literacy, and they are worried about their students with disabilities receiving the services they need to be successful. 

Moving forward, I want parents to know that this is a partnership and my staff and I are committed partners to their children’s education. I want them to know that I am here to listen. I’m not here to listen to hear; I listen to understand, and that’s key to any relationship.

SR: Data has shown that the system’s teacher retention rate has dropped in the last two years. How do you plan to keep teachers in our classrooms?

BJ: Monetary incentives can be a strong motivating factor for retention, but it’s not the only factor. Teachers or any employees will not stay where they don’t feel valued or appreciated or they are not treated with respect. Work culture is paramount to retention. 

In addition to continuing to offer competitive salaries, we’ve got to ensure every employee in Atlanta Public Schools knows and feels their worth every day they walk into their worksite. Employees must want to stay, but if they decide to leave, we need to understand why.

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When Joe Biden announced yesterday that he had decided not to run for a second term, political leaders who represent the great state of Georgia had a mixed reaction to the 46th president’s decision. 

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of the party and the country for me to stand down to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden said in his official statement.

The announcement came after calls from fellow Democrats asking him to drop out after his dubious performance during last month’s presidential debate held here in Atlanta. 

“In the midst of all the discussions the past few weeks, President Biden took time to call me a couple of days ago to tell me that he loved and appreciated me and to thank me for all I have done for him,” said former mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a statement. 

Georgian politicians from both parties have made public statements since finding out about Biden’s decision. 

“While President Biden’s decision marks a significant turn in the political landscape, it opens opportunities for new leadership and fresh ideas,” said Governor Brian Kemp. 

He added the importance of focusing on local and state-level elections to ensure the Peach State’s continued growth and prosperity.

Locally, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens reacted to Biden’s decision to endorse his running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, as the next Democratic nominee in a post on X, formally Twitter with a picture of the two that captioned “let’s go.” 

“I’ve been proud to work alongside [Biden] and our very able Vice President Kamala Harris,” Georgia Senator Raphael Warknock said in a statement endorsing Harris as the next nominee. 

Senator Jon Ossoff endorsed Harris in a post: “Vice President Harris is now absolutely the right candidate to defeat Donald Trump and unite our country.”

U.S. Congresswoman District Five Nikema Williams decided to emphasize Biden’s accomplishments during his time as President. 

“President Biden is one of the most accomplished Presidents of all time,” Williams said. “He implemented $16B in funding for HBCUs and saved Americans an average of $800 on their health insurance with the Inflation Reduction Act.”

District 14 Representative Majorie Taylor Greene vocalized the harm Biden has caused to the country, posting, “He’s been running against the destruction of America brought by Democrats and their policies.”

Other Republicans, like District 10 Representative Mike Collins, decided to react with a post saying, “It’s official. They Kneecapped Joe Biden,” and posting a meme referencing his performance at the debate last month.

Democrats will select its new presidential candidate during the Democratic National Convention next month. 

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A strategic collaboration with Clark Atlanta University (CAU), the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Legacy of Slavery Initiative is committed to increase access for professional development to fellows at the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI).

The partnership underscores a shared commitment to cultivating and empowering the next generation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) presidents. 

This weekend, the Ivy League School will host the fellows at its Harvard Seminar for New President workshop. The workshop will provide them with an orientation to college and university presidency, familiarize them with potential opportunities and hazards, connect them with peers from around the U.S., and deepen their understanding of issues that affect their institutions. 

“This collaboration will further our mission to develop highly competent and visionary leaders – each of whom will secure, protect and elevate the future of HBCUs,” said George French, president of CAU.

Recent reports have revealed a critical issue: The average tenure of HBCU presidents is two years. This, coupled with vacancies due to retirement, underscores the urgent need for a new generation of legacy leaders. 

Last week, Morehouse College announced that its president, David Thomas, will retire next year after a seven-year tenure at the historically Black institution. 

ELI recruits, develops and nurtures top-tier talent for more than 100 HBCUs nationwide, enhancing the pool of qualified candidates to fill vacant spots. The fellowship provides these new leaders with hands-on experiences in operations, budgeting, alumni relations, fundraising, and development to help hone their skills and readiness for executive positions. 

The commitment to develop enduring partnerships with HBCUs like this was recommended by the Report of the Presidental Committee on Harvard and the Legacy of Sla, which addresses systemic inequities by developing and advancing visible, lasting, and effective action and leveraging Harvard’s educational and research resources. 

“This partnership with HBCU ELI represents a significant step forward in our collaborative efforts to promote intellectual exchange between Harvard and HBCUs,” said Dr. Sara Bleich, Vice Provost for Special Projects at Harvard University. “Together, we will leverage the brilliance of these aspiring leaders and help drive positive change within their respective institutions.”

This is sponsored content.

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The city’s oldest radio station recently celebrated its 50th anniversary at Symphony Hall during the Atlanta Jazz Festival. 

For five decades, WCKL has broadcast classical and contemporary jazz and gospel music as a way to foster community engagement, artistic expression and musical education. 

The concert series, called WCLK@50, saluted the NPR affiliate with a retrospective of music they aired through the years. 

“WCLK is my favorite station in the world, and I don’t say that because I am affiliated with this show. said John “Lil’ John” Roberts, musician, professor at the Berklee College of Music and musical director for WCLK@50. “[WCLK] is my second home.” 

Roberts directed the concert’s all-star band of Atlanta’s finest jazz musicians like Phil Davis, Rodney Edge and Tres Gilbert with performances by Kathleen Bertrand, Cleveland Jones, Rhonda Thomas, and Iman Grace-Cooper. 

The concert was also a homecoming, as it was part of this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival, which WCLK participates in every year.

Kathleen Bertrand, Rhonda Thomas and Tony Hightower singing “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” (Image provided by John Stephens)

Roberts said that he and others approached Camille Russell Love, Director of the City of Atlanta’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the director of the jazz festival, about adding the station’s 50th anniversary concert to the festivities and she thought it was a great idea. 

“They said we would like to take this to the city of Atlanta for the jazz festival and see if they would mind having the stage where we would have a WCLK@50 tribute and I said ‘yeah, let’s see what comes out of it,’” Williams said. 

Roberts said the concert had a “magical vibe” and everyone was smiling cheek-to-cheek hearing some of their favorite songs and danced in their seats and even in the isles. 

“The show was mesmerizing,” said Wendy Williams, General Manager for WCLK. “WCLK was blessed by each and every performance that covered five decades of music that you can only get from our station.”

For over five decades, WCLK has served the Atlanta metro area, with its mission to develop and provide high-quality multimedia and broadcast programming that uplifts, educates, and informs its listeners globally.  

On April 10, 1974, WCLK took to the airwaves for the first time with a small 54-watt transmitter housed at the McPhetters-Dennis Hall on the campus of Clark College,now Clark Atlanta University. “Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock was the first song played, which became a historical moment for the capital city. 

“It started out as a student training ground laying the groundwork for WCLK along the Mass Media Arts department, instructors and others in the community,” Williams said.  

She added that they wanted to convey community when they gathered the jazz luminaries of the Atlanta metro area. 

Williams said that WCLK@50 was the a continuation of a series of more events in the months ahead making the celebration far from over. 

One of its firsts was inspired by the 1958 “Great Day in Harlem” photo op. The station organized the “Great Day in Atlanta,”  featuring jazz musicians, WCLK alumni and staff, and CAU President Dr. George French. 

Former mayors Shirley Franklin, Bill Campbell and former Atlanta First Lady Valerie Jackson, representing the late Mayor Maynard Jackson, joined current Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens seated in front of the steps at the school’s Harkness Hall.

The next installment of the WCLK@50 concert series will be Jul. 6 at the Stockbridge Amphitheatre featuring violinist Karen Briggs with performances by Regina Belle, Phil Perry, Oleta Adams, and Tommy Davidson and hosted by Kerry Gordy.

Tickets are on sale now.

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