Atlanta's Top 100 Black Women of Influence

Congratulations to the Atlanta Business League's 2021 “Atlanta's Top 100 Black Women of Influence” honorees. I am extremely honored to be recognized with talented trailblazers who are making a positive impact in our communities. Attend the 37th Super Tuesday Conference on October 5, 2021 to view extraordinary women who are change agents in their prospective fields. 

Register here: https://bit.ly/3B6xmDV

Support a Comprehensive Smoke-Free South Fulton

I know firsthand that long-term smoking and secondhand smoke kills.

My maternal grandfather became addicted to nicotine at an early age and died at 62 years old from lung cancer. As a City of South Fulton resident and parent of two sons, I believe it is time to strengthen the current ordinance to support a smoke-free city. The measure will make all workplaces, restaurants, and bars smoke-free to protect residents, workers, and visitors from the proven significant dangers of secondhand smoke.

Exposure to secondhand smoke is a public health and social justice issue. The fact is certain communities and populations in the City of South Fulton are more severely affected by secondhand smoke exposure than others, and many of those individuals are more likely to suffer from health disparities and less likely to be able to access health care. Secondhand smoke causes nearly 41,000 early deaths from coronary heart disease each year in the United States among nonsmokers. Twenty-eight percent of residents living in Fulton County report they are exposed in public places and 14% in their workplaces.

Here are additional reasons why making the City of South Fulton 100% smoke-free is so important:

• Smoking is still allowed in many City of South Fulton workplaces, restaurants and bars.
• Breathing secondhand smoke can have immediate adverse effects on your blood and blood vessels, increasing the risk of having a heart attack.
• Most employees that work in establishments which allow smoking, don’t often have a choice.
• Smoke-free ordinances do not harm business.

Other destination southern cities are 100% smoke-free including: Atlanta, Savannah, and New Orleans. I am appreciative of Councilmember Gumbs, Councilmember Rowell, and Councilmember Reeves for championing this effort and urge all council members to support. In a time when protection of health is of utmost importance, strengthening smoke-free makes sense. Text COSF to 46839 to join me in urging council to make all workplaces, restaurants, and bars smoke-free in the City of South Fulton!

Sojourner Marable Grimmett is a wife, mother, and  South Fulton community advocate.

Free COVID-19 Testing for the Public at the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA

ATLANTA – Free walk-up and drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be available to the public at the Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA for individuals with or without common virus symptoms. National Church Residences is partnering with The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc. and Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA in collaboration with Georgia State Senator Nikema Williams, Atlanta City Councilmember Marci Overstreet, Fulton County Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington, Jr., Royal Roots Barber Shop, The Black Man Lab, I'm A Father F1rst, and WellCare to offer this public service.

Testing will take place in the YMCA parking lot located at 2220 Campbellton Road, SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. To register, visit covid.fhcga.org or call 1-800-935-6721. Pre-registration is not required, but encouraged.

"We're thankful to collaborate with community partners to help spread the word about the importance of COVID-19 testing and knowing your status," said Director of Population Health, Jacque Thornton. "This is our second public testing event in Southwest Atlanta. This specific site was selected to not only test local residents, but also to raise awareness on measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc. is offering free COVID-19 testing at various locations throughout metro Atlanta. Additional testing sites can be found at http://fhcga.org.

Free COVID-19 Testing Event

Wednesday, July 29, 2020 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA

2220 Campbellton Road, SW

Atlanta, GA 30311

National Church Residences remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of its staff and raising the awareness about the importance of COVID-19 testing to the public.

About National Church Residences

National Church Residences serves more than 42,000 seniors through its array of housing and health care services. The not-for-profit organization is driven by a vision of advancing better living for all seniors, enabling them to remain home for life. With 340 communities in 25 states and Puerto Rico, it is the nation's largest not-for-profit provider of affordable senior housing and the largest manager of service coordinators. The organization also offers residential senior communities, home and community-based services, as well as permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless and disabled. For more information, visit us at NationalChurchResidences.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.