From the Hearts of Black Moms: A Conversation on Race Featured in Atlanta Parent

https://www.atlantaparent.com/julyissue

"The choice isn’t between protest and politics. We have to do both." - Barack Obama

I’m the proud mother of two remarkable Black children. My oldest son, Roland turned 13 in June. My youngest son, Joshua is 10, and both boys are friendly, kindhearted, athletic, and smart.

For as long as I can remember, I have been an advocate for social justice. As a young adult in Boulder, Colorado, I advocated to dismantle a nearby nuclear facility, marched in the 2017 Women’s March, and most recently joined thousands of supporters for “Black Lives Matter” both here in Atlanta.

As a community, we all have a responsibility to build a strong and accepting society in which no child has to grid himself or herself  against prejudice, hatred, and mistreatment. The nation is crying for change and I continuously reflect on how to become more of an agent of healing as we prepare for the days ahead.

Steps to continue growing:

• Engage in conversations around race.
• Support local and online Black businesses.
• Learn about other cultures and work towards being advocates and allies for historically minoritized groups.

I think the best thing we can do for each other and ourselves, is to come together as a community. Listening with open hearts and minds and being willing to engage in self-reflective work - even when it's difficult or uncomfortable.

I stay prayerful for my sons and other Black boys and men. We are seeking justice, safety, and peace.

Read Atlanta Parent's July 2020 issue here: https://www.atlantaparent.com/julyissue.

National Church Residences Partners with Fulton County Board of Health to Offer Free COVID-19 Testing in Southwest Atlanta

ATLANTA – In partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health and in collaboration with Fulton County Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington, Jr. and Atlanta City Councilmember Joyce Sheperd, National Church Residences will open a walk-up and drive-thru COVID-19 testing site to the public. Testing will take place in the parking lot at Lakewood Christian Manor, an affordable housing senior living community located at 2141 Springdale Road, SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30315 on Monday, July 6, 2020 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Neither a doctor’s note for referral is required for testing.

“Testing is critically important to stopping the spread of the disease,” said Director of Population Health, Jacque Thornton. “This site was selected to enhance neighborhood access to testing in the southwest Atlanta area.”

Residents may be tested whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not. COVID-19 testing is now available to all residents regardless of symptoms. Fulton County and community partners are offering FREE COVID-19 testing at locations throughout the county. Additional Fulton County testing sites can be found here.

Free COVID-19 Testing Events

Monday, July 6, 2020 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Lakewood Christian Manor

2141 Springdale Road, SW

Atlanta, GA 30315

This free COVID-19 testing event is in partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health. It is open to the public and for Lakewood Christian Manor residents and staff.

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

Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA

2220 Campbellton Road, SW

Atlanta, GA 30311

This free COVID-19 testing event is in partnership with The Family Health Centers of Georgia, Inc. This event is open to the public and for Baptist Towers and Baptist Gardens residents and staff.

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.

Our Juneteenth Story

Happy Juneteenth! Amplifying my sister, Malaika Marable Serrano's LinkedIn post about our great-great grandfather, Morris Marable.

Our Juneteenth story:

Morris Robinson was born around 1839 and had sandy blond hair, blue-green eyes and fair skin. His father was a plantation owner in West Georgia and his bi-racial mother worked in the house.

Morris was a slave.

When Morris was about 8 years old, his own father sold him to an Alabama planter named Marable for $500. That day, Morris Robinson became Morris Marable and he never saw his mother again.

During the Civil War, he ran away with his sweetheart and about $40 worth of gold. Together, Morris and his wife created a new life for themselves and raised their children to be compassionate, God-fearing, entrepreneurial, and civic-minded members of society.

I'm proud to be the great-great granddaughter of slaves. On this special day in U.S. history, I encourage all of us to celebrate the creativity, innovation, and contributions of African-Americans throughout U.S. history and around the world.