Category: Community

The Road to Los Angeles: How Soul Country Music Star Is Showcasing the Next Generation of Black Country Artists

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | July 26, 2026

The stage in Atlanta will introduce only one new regional champion, but the story of Soul Country Music Star stretches far beyond a single performance or a single city.

Across the country, artists are stepping onto stages with different voices, different life experiences, and different reasons for making music. Some are seasoned performers. Others are chasing opportunities they have spent years praying for. All share a belief that country music has room for stories that have too often gone unheard.

Three artists have already secured their places in the Soul Country Music Star Finals, scheduled for October 31 in Los Angeles. Brenda Guy earned her victory in the Fort Worth-Dallas Regional. Silas Reed captured the Memphis Regional title. Glenn Stanton advanced by winning the Los Angeles Regional. Their journeys through the competition are complete, at least for now, as they wait for the remaining regional champions to join them on the national stage.

The spotlight now turns to Atlanta.

On August 1, at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, five artists will compete for the chance to become the next regional champion and earn a coveted spot in the Los Angeles finals and Festival. The competition is part of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo’s Soul Country Rodeo Experience.

OG NARD, Angela Roundtree, Da’Rell Sims Jr., Reggie Stacy, and Jacqueline Merrill each bring distinct musical styles, backgrounds, and aspirations. Yet, after speaking with each of them, one thing became remarkably clear.

This competition is about far more than selecting the next winner.

It is about discovering artists who are redefining what Soul country music can be.

Some draw from gospel traditions that first shaped their voices in church pews. Others blend country with Southern soul, hip-hop, Americana, or contemporary storytelling. Some speak openly about grief, redemption, and perseverance. Others see music as a bridge connecting generations, cultures, and communities.

Together, they represent a movement that is steadily expanding both the sound and the story of country music.

As the road to Los Angeles continues, The Truth Seekers Journal spoke with three regional winners from Memphis, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Los Angeles who have already secured their places in the finals, as well as the five Atlanta regional contestants preparing for their opportunity. Their conversations reveal not only why they sing, but also what they hope their music will leave behind long after the final note fades.

More than a competition, Soul Country Music Star has become a window into the next generation of Black Soul Country artists, each carrying a unique story to the stage.

More Than a Singing Competition

For more than four decades, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) has celebrated the often overlooked history and legacy of Black cowboys and cowgirls, preserving a chapter of the American West that many people never learned in school. Alongside the excitement of rodeo competition, the organization has steadily expanded its cultural programming to showcase the music, traditions, and creative voices that have long been part of that heritage.

One of its newest and fastest growing programs is Soul Country Music Star.

Far more than a traditional talent competition, Soul Country Music Star provides emerging performers with a national platform to showcase their artistry before live audiences while introducing new voices to one of America’s oldest musical traditions. Regional competitions are held across the country, with each winner advancing to the national finals and festival, where one artist will ultimately earn the title of Soul Country Music Star, a $10,000 cash prize and a chance to tour with the BPIR in 2027.

This year’s journey has already produced regional winners in Memphis, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Los Angeles. Atlanta will select its finalist on August 1, followed by the final regional competition on September 19 at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The four out of state regional winners will then travel to Los Angeles for the Soul Country Music Festival & National Finals, taking place October 31 and November 1 at the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park.

The competition is also helping reshape public perceptions of country music.

For generations, Black artists have played a foundational role in the evolution of country music, from its earliest influences rooted in gospel, blues, and folk traditions to today’s expanding blend of Southern Soul, Americana, and contemporary country. Yet many of those contributions have remained underrecognized.

The artists participating in Soul Country Music Star are helping change that narrative.

Some arrive with decades of performing experience. Others are taking their first major step onto a national stage. Their musical styles differ widely, but each brings an authentic perspective shaped by family, faith, hardship, perseverance, and community.

After speaking individually with the three regional winners, and the five Atlanta Regional contestants, one theme surfaced again and again.

None of them spoke first about winning.

Instead, they spoke about purpose.

For some, music became a way to preserve family traditions. For others, it offered healing after personal loss, redemption after difficult seasons, or the freedom to express themselves without being confined by expectations. Nearly every conversation returned to faith, perseverance, and the belief that music could touch lives beyond the stage.

That may be the competition’s greatest achievement.

Before judges score a single performance, audiences are introduced to artists whose stories are every bit as compelling as the songs they perform.

The Road Already Traveled

Long before the Atlanta Regional contestants step onto the stage, three artists have already secured their places in the Soul Country Music Star Finals. Their victories came hundreds of miles apart, in different cities and before different audiences, yet their stories reveal that there is no single path to success.

Brenda Guy earned top honors in the Fort Worth-Dallas Regional by doing what she has always believed music should do: bring people together.

Her performances are rooted in connection. Whether singing before longtime country music fans or audiences experiencing Soul Country for the first time, Guy believes every performance should create a relationship between the artist and the listener. That ability to connect has become one of her greatest strengths and helped carry her to a regional championship.

In Memphis, Silas Reed took a different road.

A musician, educator, and student of Black musical history, Reed views every performance as an opportunity to preserve a legacy that stretches across generations. His appreciation for country music is grounded in research, faith, and a deep understanding of the Black artists whose influence helped shape the genre long before many of them received recognition. Rather than simply entertaining audiences, Reed hopes every performance encourages listeners to better understand the music’s history while inspiring the next generation of artists to carry that tradition forward.

Thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, Glenn Stanton emerged from a very talented pool of Soul Country artists at the California Regional with yet another perspective.

An actor, Americana artist, and storyteller, Stanton speaks openly about music as a source of healing. His songs often reflect life’s difficult seasons, reconciliation, and hope. Rather than separating country music from personal experience, Stanton embraces both, believing that authentic storytelling has the power to comfort people who may be carrying struggles of their own.

Although their musical styles differ, Guy, Reed, and Stanton share something larger than a regional title.

“Promotional Artwork Courtesy of Soul Country Music Star”

Each views music as a calling rather than simply a career.

Each spoke about faith, purpose, and service before discussing trophies or recognition.

And each now waits for October 31, when regional champions from across the country will gather in California to compete for the Soul Country Music Star national title.

Their journeys have reached the next chapter.

Atlanta’s is just beginning.

A New Stage. Five New Dreams.

When the Soul Country Music Star competition arrives in Atlanta on August 1, five artists will step onto the stage carrying very different stories, but sharing one common goal: to become the next regional champion and earn a place alongside Brenda Guy, Silas Reed, Glenn Stanton, and the other regional winners awaiting the national finals in California.

For some, the competition represents the culmination of decades spent performing before live audiences. For others, it is an opportunity to introduce audiences to a new sound or to share deeply personal stories through music. Together, they represent a cross-section of today’s Black country music landscape, where gospel harmonies, Southern Soul, Americana, traditional country, and contemporary influences exist side by side.

Their names are Bernard Stephens aka OG NARD, Angela Roundtree, Da’Rell Sims Jr., Reggie Stacy, and Jacqueline Merrill.

Over the course of several conversations with The Truth Seekers Journal, each answered the same basic questions about music, inspiration, and purpose.

None gave the same answers.

And that may be what makes this year’s Atlanta Regional one of the most compelling stops on the Road to Los Angeles.

Five Artists. Five Different Dreams.

By the time the Soul Country Music Star competition reaches Atlanta on August 1, the judges will already know what a regional champion looks like.

What they will not know is whose story will emerge next.

The five artists preparing to compete in Atlanta come from different backgrounds, different musical traditions, and different walks of life. Some have spent years performing before live audiences. Others have built loyal followings while waiting for an opportunity to introduce themselves to a larger stage.

What unites them is not a common sound.

It is a common belief that country music still has room for voices that reflect their own experiences.

OG Nard (Bernard Stephens): A Story of Redemption

For OG Nard (Bernard Stephens), music represents something larger than entertainment.

It represents another chance.

The Atlanta artist openly acknowledges that life has included difficult chapters, but he refuses to allow those experiences to define his future. Instead, they have become the foundation of his music and his desire to encourage others facing similar struggles.

OG describes his music as “Trapp Kountry,” a style that blends country storytelling with the sounds and experiences of contemporary urban life. Rather than trying to fit into someone else’s definition of country music, he has created a style that reflects where he comes from, what he has lived through, and people he hopes to reach.

His music carries a message of perseverance.

During our conversation, OG spoke repeatedly about giving back to young people, helping others avoid mistakes he has already made, and using music to demonstrate that redemption remains possible regardless of a person’s past.

For him, the Atlanta Regional is more than another performance.

It is another opportunity to prove that second chances can become new beginnings.

Angela Roundtree: Singing from the Heart

If OG’s music speaks through redemption, Angela Roundtree’s begins with authenticity.

Raised in a family where gospel music was part of everyday life, Roundtree says she has been singing for as long as she can remember. Yet despite her remarkable voice and growing audience, she remains remarkably humble, often describing herself as someone who simply wants listeners to feel what she feels.

Her songwriting rarely begins with commercial trends or radio formats.

Instead, it begins with life.

Sometimes the inspiration arrives while driving alone.

Sometimes it grows from personal experiences that eventually become songs capable of touching complete strangers.

Roundtree admits she has battled self-doubt and even describes herself as someone who occasionally gets in her own way. That honesty may be one of her greatest strengths. Rather than presenting herself as a polished celebrity, she allows audiences to see both her confidence and her vulnerability.

When she steps onto the stage in Atlanta, she is not trying to become someone else.

She is simply trying to be herself.

And for many artists, that may be the hardest performance of all.

Da’Rell Sims Jr.: Building an Atlanta Sound

While some artists spend years trying to fit comfortably inside an established genre, Da’Rell Sims Jr. is focused on creating space for something new.

He calls it Atlanta Country.

Growing up in Atlanta with family roots that stretch into rural Georgia, Sims believes country music should reflect the places and experiences that shaped him. Rather than choosing between country, hip-hop, Southern Soul, or gospel influences, he embraces all of them, creating a sound that reflects the city he calls home.

“I’m the bridge,” he said during our conversation, explaining that his music connects traditions that many people mistakenly view as separate.

For Sims, authenticity matters more than stereotypes.

He has little interest in performing a version of country music that doesn’t feel genuine. His songs are built on real experiences, real people, and real emotions. Whether writing about relationships, everyday life, or personal growth, he believes audiences recognize honesty long before they recognize polish.

That same philosophy extends beyond the stage.

An entrepreneur as well as a musician, Sims thinks about music as part of a larger vision that includes education, branding, film, television, and community impact. He has even developed music designed to help children learn reading, mathematics, history, and life skills, demonstrating that entertainment and education can exist together.

His long-term vision reaches well beyond recording songs.

He wants to build something lasting.

If Atlanta Country becomes part of the national conversation, Sims hopes it will not simply introduce audiences to another musical style. He hopes it will encourage listeners to recognize that country music continues to grow because artists are willing to bring their own communities, cultures, and experiences into the genre.

For Da’Rell Sims Jr., the Atlanta Regional represents more than a competition.

It is an opportunity to introduce audiences to a new way of thinking about country music.

Reggie Stacy: Prepared for the Moment

If Da’Rell Sims Jr. is introducing something new, Reggie Stacy is building upon a foundation that has taken decades to establish.

Long before arriving at the Soul Country Music Star competition, Stacy had already built a reputation as a polished performer. He has appeared in singing competitions across the country, performed the National Anthem at sporting events, entertained audiences in restaurants and live music venues, and earned recognition as both Country Vocalist of the Year and Country Entertainer of the Year at a major competition in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Yet despite those accomplishments, he speaks less about success than preparation.

Every performance begins with prayer.

Every rehearsal is approached with purpose.

Every appearance is treated as an opportunity to represent himself, his band, and his faith with professionalism.

“It’s not on my timing,” he explained while discussing his career. “It’s on God’s time.”

That quiet confidence runs throughout his story.

Rather than measuring progress by trophies alone, Star believes every performance is another step toward the larger stage he has envisioned since childhood. He speaks openly about trusting the process, remaining patient, and continuing to improve while waiting for the next opportunity.

His musical influences reflect that same respect for tradition.

Inspired by artists including Charlie Pride and Chris Stapleton, Stacy embraces the soulful storytelling that has long defined country music while adding his own warmth and vocal style. His original song, Livin Life, celebrates the balance between hard work and enjoying the moments that make life meaningful.

As he prepares for the Atlanta Regional, Stacy is not trying to reinvent country music.

He simply wants to honor it through excellence.

For him, the greatest performance is not measured by applause alone.

It is measured by leaving the stage knowing he gave audiences everything he had.

Jacqueline Merrill: Music Without Boundaries

If there is one artist in the Atlanta Regional who refuses to be confined by labels, it is Jacqueline Merrill.

Singer.

Songwriter.

Rapper.

Performer.

Those titles describe what she does.

They do not fully explain who she is.

Merrill describes herself as an artist who refuses to be placed in a box. During our conversation, she spoke passionately about studying vocal techniques, listening carefully to the phrasing and breathing of legendary performers, and challenging herself to master different musical styles. That curiosity has made her one of the competition’s most versatile performers, comfortable moving between gospel, soul, country, and contemporary music without losing her own identity.

Her introduction to music began in church.

At just five years old, she led her first song in the Church of God in Christ, discovering both her voice and her confidence before a congregation that recognized her gift almost immediately. That early foundation continues to shape every performance today.

Faith remains at the center of everything she does.

Throughout our conversation, Merrill repeatedly described moments in her life that she believes were guided by God, from opportunities that appeared unexpectedly to doors that opened at precisely the right time. She views the Soul Country Music Star competition not as coincidence, but as confirmation that she is walking the path prepared for her.

For Merrill, Soul Country represents freedom.

Freedom to sing.

Freedom to rap.

Freedom to tell stories.

Freedom to express herself without allowing traditional genre boundaries to define her artistry.

She believes audiences should leave every performance feeling something.

Sometimes that feeling is joy.

Sometimes it is laughter.

Sometimes it is reflection.

The emotion matters less than the connection.

“If I made you feel something,” she said, “then I’ve done my job.”

That perspective has been shaped by life’s deepest challenges.

Merrill spoke openly about personal loss, health struggles, and the responsibilities of motherhood. Rather than allowing those experiences to silence her, she has transformed them into purpose. Her children remain her greatest motivation, inspiring her to keep moving forward and demonstrating through her own life that perseverance can outlast disappointment.

As she prepares for the Atlanta Regional, Merrill carries more than songs to the stage.

She carries a testimony.

One built on faith, resilience, and the belief that music has the power to change lives.

More Than Eight Voices

After conversations with three regional winners and five Atlanta Regional contestants, one conclusion became impossible to ignore.

No two artists described country music in exactly the same way.

Brenda Guy spoke about creating connections.

Silas Reed viewed every performance as an opportunity to preserve history.

Glenn Stanton found healing through storytelling.

OG embraced redemption through what he proudly calls Trapp Kountry.

Angela Roundtree sang with disarming honesty and vulnerability.

Da’Rell Sims Jr. envisioned a future shaped by Atlanta Country.

Reggie Stacy built his career on preparation, professionalism, and faith.

Jacqueline Merrill celebrated artistic freedom without boundaries.

Their musical styles differ.

Their life experiences differ.

Even their reasons for standing on stage differ.

Yet every conversation returned to the same foundation.

Family.

Faith.

Perseverance.

Purpose.

None of the artists spoke first about trophies, prize money, or recognition.

Instead, they spoke about making meaningful music, encouraging others, honoring those who came before them, and leaving audiences better than they found them.

Perhaps that is what makes Soul Country Music Star different.

The competition may crown one regional winner in Atlanta.

But before the judges make their decision, audiences will have the opportunity to hear five artists who represent five distinct visions of where Soul country music is headed.

And beyond Atlanta, three regional champions already await them in California, each carrying a different story but sharing the same dream of becoming the next Soul Country Music Star.

The Road Continues

When the lights come up in Atlanta on August 1, one performer will move one step closer to the national title.

But regardless of who advances, the competition is accomplishing something that reaches far beyond a single evening of music.

It is introducing audiences to artists whose stories challenge long-held assumptions about country music while celebrating the Black traditions that helped shape the genre from its earliest beginnings.

The Road to Los Angeles is about more than selecting a champion.

It is about discovering voices that deserve to be heard.

On October 31, another chapter in that journey will be written when regional winners from across the country gather in California for the Soul Country Music Star Finals.

By then, Atlanta will have added another name to that growing list.

Until then, the music continues.

The Road to Los Angeles

Regional Winners

Already qualified for the Soul Country Music Star Finals

Fort Worth-Dallas Regional
Brenda Guy

Memphis Regional
Silas Reed

Los Angeles
Glenn Stanton

Upcoming Regional Competitions

Atlanta, Georgia
August 1, 2026

Washington, DC/Maryland
September 19, 2026
The Show Place Arena
Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Soul Country Music Festival & National Finals

Saturday, October 31, 2026
Los Angeles, California

Sunday, November 1, 2026
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Autry Museum of the American West
Griffith Park

National Finals & Soul Country Music Festival
October 31-Novemebr 1
California

Eight Conversations. One Discovery.

After speaking individually with each artist, one thing became increasingly clear. Although every conversation began with music, none remained there for long. Discussions quickly turned toward faith, family, perseverance, loss, healing, service, and purpose. The artists differed in style, personality, and performance, but they shared a common belief that music should leave people better than it found them.

That may ultimately become the lasting impression of this year’s Soul Country Music Star competition. While audiences will remember the performances, they may remember the stories behind those performances even more.

The Road to Los Angeles Continues

On August 1, one more artist will earn the right to continue the Road to Los Angeles. But regardless of who advances, every performer who steps onto the Atlanta stage will bring something that cannot be measured by judges’ scores alone: a story shaped by faith, family, perseverance, and a belief that music still has the power to connect people. In the end, that may be Soul Country Music Star’s greatest accomplishment.

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Ask the Archivist: Obama Presidential Center Opens Door to Presidential Research Through New Public Program

The Obama Presidential Center’s new “Ask the Archivist” program gives visitors direct access to National Archives experts, expanding public engagement with the Obama Administration’s digital presidential records.

By Milton Kirby | Chicago, IL | July 26, 2026

For many visitors, a trip to the Obama Presidential Center is an opportunity to experience the story of the nation’s first Black president through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. Beginning this summer, it also offers something far less common: the chance to sit down face-to-face with the people responsible for preserving that history.

The Obama Foundation and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) have launched “Ask the Archivist,” a new public program that gives visitors direct access to professional presidential archivists inside the Obama Presidential Center.

The initiative reflects the continuing partnership between the Obama Foundation and NARA to make the records of the Obama Administration more accessible to researchers, students, historians, and the general public.

Bringing History Within Reach

Under the new program, a NARA archivist will be available every Thursday from July 23 through October 8, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time, at the Obama Presidential Center Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

Visitors can ask questions about presidential records, learn how to conduct research using the Barack Obama Presidential Library’s digital collections, and better understand how presidential archives are preserved and made available to the public.

Rather than simply viewing history behind glass, guests will have an opportunity to learn directly from the professionals who manage one of the nation’s largest presidential archives.

A Different Kind of Presidential Library

Unlike earlier presidential libraries built primarily around paper documents, the Obama Presidential Library represents a new chapter in presidential recordkeeping.

Approximately **95 percent of the Obama Administration’s records were created digitally**, making it one of the first presidential libraries designed around a predominantly digital archive.

That distinction has required an unprecedented effort to preserve millions of electronic records while also digitizing the remaining physical documents.

The Obama Foundation has committed more than $4.5 million to support NARA’s work digitizing those remaining materials, allowing more of the collection to become accessible online.

The result is a library model that extends far beyond a single building, enabling researchers across the country to explore presidential records through digital collections while still preserving original historical materials.

Continuing a Historic Partnership

Foundation leaders say the new program builds naturally on an already successful collaboration between the two organizations.

“The National Archives have been a tremendous partner to us as we work to illuminate the work of the Obama Administration at the Obama Presidential Center, particularly in the artifact lending program and digitization of records,” said Valerie Jarrett, Chief Executive Officer of the Obama Foundation.

Jarrett said “Ask the Archivist” represents another step toward making President Barack Obama’s administration accessible and transparent for the public.

Dr. Kenvi Phillips, Director of the Barack Obama Presidential Library, said the partnership gives visitors a richer understanding of the presidential collection.

“We are excited to partner with the Obama Foundation to provide another avenue for public awareness and access to the records of the Obama Administration,” Phillips said.

He noted that visitors can now experience both museum artifacts and personal conversations with archivists who can explain how the Library’s digital holdings are organized and accessed.

Beyond Museum Exhibits

The new program expands the educational mission of the Obama Presidential Center beyond traditional museum experiences.

Numerous artifacts and historical records owned by NARA are already on loan and displayed throughout the Center’s museum, allowing visitors to encounter original presidential materials while learning about the policies, decisions, and events that shaped the Obama presidency.

The addition of on-site archivists transforms that experience into an interactive one, helping visitors understand not only what they are seeing but also how presidential history is documented, preserved, and researched.

For students beginning research projects, educators seeking classroom resources, genealogists, journalists, and historians, the opportunity to speak directly with a presidential archivist offers practical guidance that is rarely available outside the National Archives.

Preserving a Digital Presidency

As government increasingly conducts its work electronically, preserving digital records has become one of the greatest challenges facing modern archivists.

Emails, digital photographs, electronic memoranda, social media content, and other born-digital records require preservation methods very different from traditional paper archives.

The Obama Presidential Library has become one of the nation’s leading examples of how those records can be organized, protected, and eventually made available to the public while meeting legal requirements governing presidential records.

Programs such as “Ask the Archivist” help explain that work to visitors while encouraging greater public engagement with one of the country’s most significant historical collections.

A Living Institution

The program also reflects the broader vision behind the Obama Presidential Center itself.

Rather than functioning solely as a traditional presidential museum, the Center was designed to be an active civic institution that encourages public participation, lifelong learning, and community engagement.

Adding direct access to presidential archivists reinforces that mission by inviting visitors not only to reflect on history but also to explore it firsthand.

For anyone curious about how presidential history is preserved, or how to begin researching one of the most consequential administrations of the 21st century, the answer may now be as simple as asking the archivist.

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Warnock’s $35 Insulin Cap Bill Clears Senate Committee, Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law

By Milton Kirby | Washington, D.C. | July 24, 2026

A bipartisan effort to make insulin more affordable for millions of Americans moved one step closer to becoming law this week as legislation led by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock of Georgia cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act of 2026 would cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 per month for Americans with private health insurance while helping uninsured patients obtain insulin for $35 or less..

The committee approved the measure with bipartisan support, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

For Georgia, where more than 12 percent of residents have diabetes and thousands more remain undiagnosed, the legislation could provide significant financial relief for families struggling with the rising cost of one of the nation’s most essential medications.

Expanding Affordable Insulin Beyond Medicare

The legislation builds on a major healthcare victory achieved in 2022, when Congress capped monthly insulin costs at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Warnock has since worked to extend those protections to every American who depends on insulin, regardless of age or insurance status.

“After years of effort, my bill to cap insulin at $35 a month for everyone is one step closer to becoming law,” Warnock said after the committee vote.

“No one should be forced to put their health or life in danger because they can’t afford insulin or don’t know where to get it.”

If enacted, the INSULIN Act would apply the same $35 monthly out-of-pocket limit to Americans covered by private insurance, closing one of the largest remaining gaps in insulin affordability.

New Resources for Uninsured Patients

The legislation also addresses the needs of Americans without health insurance.

A provision negotiated by Warnock would establish a 10-state pilot grant program that provides funding to community health centers to supply affordable insulin while connecting uninsured patients with ongoing medical care.

The bill would also create a nationalinsulin resource center and hotline to help uninsured individuals locate affordable insulin programs, financial assistance, and healthcare providers.

Supporters say the additional resources recognize that affordability alone is not enough. Many patients also need help finding available programs and navigating the healthcare system.

Rising Costs Continue to Burden Families

The legislation comes as insulin prices remain a significant financial challenge for many Americans.

According to the Health Care Cost Institute, the average price of a 30-day insulin supply nearly doubled between 2012 and 2021, increasing from $271 to $499.

The American Diabetes Association estimates that diabetes-related medical expenses and lost productivity total$412.9 billion each year, with diabetes accounting for one out of every four healthcare dollars spent in the United States.

For patients with Type 1 diabetes and many living with Type 2 diabetes, insulin is not optional. Without consistent access, missed doses can quickly lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications.

Years of Legislative Effort

Making insulin more affordable has been one of Warnock’s signature healthcare priorities since joining the Senate.

In 2023, Warnock partnered with Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana to introduce legislation extending the $35 monthly cap to all Americans. The two senators also released a report identifying what they called “Insulin Deserts,” counties where high diabetes rates overlap with large uninsured populations, making affordable insulin especially difficult to obtain.

The current legislation represents the latest step in that continuing effort.

Bipartisan Support Gives Bill Momentum

The INSULIN Act is co-led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, John Kennedy of Louisiana, and Susan Collins of Maine and has attracted support from more than two dozen Democratic, Republican, and Independent senators.

At a time when healthcare legislation often divides Congress, supporters say the broad bipartisan coalition reflects growing agreement that access to lifesaving insulin should not depend on a family’s financial circumstances.

What Comes Next

The INSULIN Act now advances to the full Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether to send the measure to the House of Representatives.

If ultimately approved by Congress and signed into law, the legislation would represent the most significant expansion of federal insulin affordability protections since the Medicare cap took effect in 2022.

For millions of Americans living with diabetes, supporters say the bill is about more than lowering prescription costs.

It is about ensuring that no one is forced to choose between paying their bills and obtaining the medication they need to stay alive.

Six Blocks That Changed the Conversation About Lung Health

A walk through Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood reveals personal stories of lung disease, caregiving and fear, showing why community conversations about screening matter.

A walk through Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood revealed stories of resilience, fear and hope before a community lung cancer screening event even begins.

By Milton Kirby | Philadelphia, PA | July 12, 2026

Six blocks.

That was all it took to remind me why community journalism still matters.

On a warm Friday afternoon, I walked the neighborhood surrounding Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, where residents will gather on Saturday, July 25th 10:00am – 12:30pm, for the Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0: A Community Conversation.

I wasn’t conducting a formal survey. I wasn’t knocking on doors.

I simply walked.

Two blocks along Ogontz Avenue. A turn onto 18th Street. Two more blocks through a neighborhood where families relaxed on front porches, neighbors washed garbage bins after a delayed pickup, and others returned home from work or afternoon errands.

Nothing about the neighborhood immediately suggested that conversations about lung health would soon unfold.

Yet before I completed my walk, I had heard stories about a punctured lung, years of asthma, fear of cancer screening, and the quiet burden carried by caregivers who often neglect their own health while caring for others.

Those conversations reminded me that every neighborhood has stories waiting to be heard. Sometimes all it takes is slowing down long enough to listen.

Looking Beyond Statistics

Public health reports can tell us how many people develop lung cancer each year. Researchers can identify risk factors and explain who qualifies for screening.

But statistics rarely introduce you to the people behind those numbers.

That afternoon, the people of Mt. Airy did.

Each conversation revealed a different path to lung disease and a different reason why community education matters.

No two stories were alike.

RB’s Journey Through Trauma and Recovery

One of the first residents I met was RB.

His lung problems did not begin with smoking.

Years ago, he survived a gunshot wound that pierced one of his lungs. Later, exposure to mold triggered asthma complications and recurring respiratory infections that led to repeated hospitalizations.

“There were times I was in the hospital every month,” he told me as he reflected on years of treatment and recovery.

Today, he continues receiving regular medical care and says he is doing much better than he once was. His story serves as a reminder that lung disease can develop for many reasons. Trauma, environmental exposure, chronic illness and other health conditions can all leave lasting effects on the lungs.

His experience challenged a common assumption that every conversation about lung health begins and ends with smoking.

It doesn’t.

A Conversation About Caregivers

As our conversation continued, another topic emerged.

Sitting next to RB was his companion, who has accepted responsibility for managing RB’s care.

Watching the two of them together reminded me of another caregiver who has shaped my own life.

I shared the story of my cousin, who devoted years to caring for my mother until she passed away on June 19 at the age of 95.

I gently encouraged the caregiver not to make the mistake of neglecting her own health while ensuring that RB gets all of his health needs cared for.

People who care for loved ones often remind others to see a doctor.

Sometimes they need someone to remind them to do the same.

Fear Can Become Another Risk Factor

A few houses down the block, I met Andre.

He told me he has smoked for about 20 years.

He also shared something healthcare professionals hear every day.

He has never been screened for lung cancer.

As we talked, the reason slowly emerged.

It wasn’t because he didn’t know screening existed.

It wasn’t because he couldn’t find a hospital.

Like many people, he was afraid of what screening might reveal.

Fear has a way of postponing difficult conversations.

Sometimes it postpones doctor visits as well.

Rather than criticize his hesitation, I invited him to attend the July 25 community conversation.

“Just come and listen,” I told him. “Nobody is going to make you do anything.”

Community health events give people an opportunity to ask questions without the pressure that sometimes comes with a medical appointment. Physicians, survivors and healthcare advocates can explain who qualifies for screening, how the process works and why finding lung cancer early often provides more treatment options.

Whether Andre attends remains his decision.

But our conversation reflected something many healthcare providers understand.

People cannot benefit from screening if fear prevents them from taking the first step.

Every Porch Has a Story

By the end of my walk, I realized I hadn’t interviewed dozens of residents.

I had only spoken with the people who happened to be outside enjoying the afternoon.

Their stories cannot represent an entire neighborhood.

Nor should they.

But together they painted a picture that statistics alone cannot provide.

One resident was living with the lasting effects of trauma and respiratory illness.

Another admitted avoiding screening because of fear.

A caregiver quietly balanced another person’s health while risking her own.

Three conversations.

Three different experiences.

Three reminders that every family encounters health challenges differently.

Why July 25 Matters

Those conversations help explain why HEAL Collaborative, in partnership with Amgen, is bringing Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0 directly into the Mt. Airy community. Together, the organizations are working to remove barriers to information by connecting residents with physicians, survivors, patient advocates and healthcare professionals in a welcoming community setting.

The free event will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ, 6401 Ogontz Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19126.

Participants will learn about lung cancer risk factors, who qualifies for screening, the importance of early detection, available treatment options and local resources that can help people navigate their healthcare journey.

Shenika Bond, Regional Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy Engagement for HEAL Collaborative, said the goal is for participants to leave with more than information.

“We want people to leave with the confidence to talk with their personal physicians, request screening if they qualify, and become strong advocates for their own healthcare,” Bond said.

That confidence begins with asking questions.

It grows through understanding personal risk factors, learning when screening is appropriate, and having informed conversations with family members and healthcare providers.

The message shared throughout the initiative is straightforward: Anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer.

While smoking remains the leading risk factor, environmental exposures, occupational hazards, family history and certain medical conditions can also increase a person’s risk. Understanding those risks and knowing when to seek screening can lead to earlier detection, more treatment options and better outcomes.

More Than an Event

As journalists, we often measure success by stories published, photographs taken or events covered.

Walking through Mt. Airy reminded me to measure something else.

Not how many interviews I completed.

But how many conversations had begun.

Through partnerships like the one between HEAL Collaborative and Amgen, organizers hope those conversations that begin on neighborhood sidewalks will continue inside churches, doctors’ offices and family living rooms, where informed decisions about lung health can ultimately save lives.

If even one resident decides to ask a physician about lung cancer screening because of a conversation that started on a neighborhood sidewalk or outside a local church, then that walk accomplished far more than filling seats on July 25.

It demonstrated what community journalism is meant to do.

Connect people with information that can improve lives.

Sometimes, it may even help save one.

Related video

Philadelphia – Mt Airy Residents – Believe in lung cancer screening

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II- “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

A Celebration of Hope Inspires Birmingham’s Community Conversation on Lung Cancer

Unapologetically Influential

Atlanta’s most influential Black women in television, radio, print, and digital media reflected on leadership, legacy, and mentorship during the “Unapologetally Influential” panel discussion.

The Women Who Built Atlanta’s Black Media Legacy

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | July 7, 2026

Atlanta’s rise as the nation’s capital of Black culture did not happen by chance. While the city’s influence is often measured through politics, business, music, film, and professional sports, another force quietly helped shape its identity for generations: Black women in media.

Long before podcasts, livestreams, and social media influencers, pioneering women walked into television stations, radio studios, and newspaper offices where few people looked like them and even fewer expected them to succeed. They earned the public’s trust one broadcast, one headline, and one interview at a time. In doing so, they helped transform not only Atlanta’s media landscape but also the way an entire city saw itself.

That extraordinary legacy came into focus during the Atlanta Cultural Exchange’s “Unapologetically Influential” panel discussion, a gathering that celebrated the women whose careers helped define Atlanta’s media culture while inspiring those who will carry it into the future.

The panel brought together legendary broadcaster Monica Kaufman Pearson, veteran radio personality Joyce Littel, multimedia journalist Rashan Ali, Atlanta Voice Publisher Janis L. Ware, media strategist and journalist Dawn Montgomery, and award-winning broadcaster Liz Smith, who served as moderator.

Although each woman followed a different professional path, together they represented more than two centuries of journalism, broadcasting, publishing, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.

The conversation quickly became about something much larger than careers.

It became a conversation about legacy.

Building Atlanta’s Media Legacy

Throughout the afternoon, panelists reflected on how dramatically Atlanta has changed during their careers.

Today’s Atlanta is home to nationally recognized news organizations, influential Black-owned media companies, syndicated radio personalities, digital content creators, filmmakers, and cultural commentators whose work reaches audiences across the country.

But those opportunities were built by pioneers who entered an industry where few opportunities existed for women, particularly Black women.

Rather than focusing on personal accomplishments, the discussion repeatedly returned to a common theme: every generation has a responsibility to leave the profession stronger than it found it.

Atlanta’s Media Trailblazers

Monica Kaufman Pearson – Broke barriers in 1975 as the first woman and first African American to anchor the evening news at WSB-TV, becoming one of Georgia’s most trusted journalists over a 37-year career.

Jocelyn Dorsey – One of Atlanta television’s pioneering Black journalists whose work helped open newsroom doors for future generations while setting a standard for public affairs reporting and community engagement.

Joyce Littel – A respected Atlanta radio personality whose decades behind the microphone have informed, entertained, and mentored aspiring broadcasters.

Janis L. Ware – Publisher of The Atlanta Voice, preserving one of the nation’s historic Black-owned newspapers while leading its transformation into the digital age and championing community development throughout Atlanta.

Rashan Ali – A multimedia journalist whose career spans sports broadcasting, television, radio, acting, and digital media, reflecting the versatility of today’s media professionals.

Dawn Montgomery – A journalist, strategist, and cultural commentator whose work demonstrates the expanding role of storytelling across journalism, marketing, podcasting, and social commentary.

Liz Smith – An award-winning multimedia journalist and executive producer representing Atlanta’s next generation of influential media leadership across radio, television, streaming, and live events.

Jovita Moore – Remembered as one of Atlanta’s most beloved television anchors, whose professionalism, compassion, and community commitment inspired viewers and young journalists alike.

Remembering Those Who Opened the Door

One of the afternoon’s most meaningful moments came when Monica Kaufman Pearson reminded the audience that history is never created by one person alone.

She acknowledged veteran journalist Jocelyn Dorsey as the first Black news anchor in the Atlanta television market, recognizing one of the women whose groundbreaking work helped expand opportunities for those who followed.

It was a fitting reminder that Atlanta’s media story has always been one of shared progress rather than individual achievement.

The recognition also underscored an important truth often overlooked in conversations about success: every trailblazer once followed another pioneer.

“When I Started, I Didn’t See Black Anchors”

Following the panel discussion, The Truth Seekers Journal spoke with Pearson about the remarkable gathering of women whose careers collectively span nearly every chapter of modern Black media in Atlanta.

Reflecting on the beginning of her own career, Pearson recalled entering an industry where representation was almost nonexistent.

“When I started, I didn’t see Black anchors,” she said.

Rather than accepting those limitations, she chose to become the example she never had.

In 1975, Pearson made history when she became the first woman and the first African American to anchor the evening news at WSB-TV, beginning a remarkable 37-year career that would earn the trust of viewers throughout Georgia.

Her success demonstrated that excellence has the power to change institutions.

Knowing When to Go

Pearson also shared one of the most profound lessons she learned during her decades behind the anchor desk.

“Know when to go.”

The audience grew quiet.

Her advice was not about retirement.

It was about leadership.

Pearson explained that truly effective leaders understand that their responsibility extends beyond personal success. They must also create opportunities for those who follow.

By recognizing when it was time to leave the anchor desk, Pearson helped create space for another respected journalist to become a familiar face in Atlanta homes.

That opportunity allowed viewers to embrace the late Emmy Award-winning anchor Jovita Moore, whose warmth, professionalism, and deep commitment to community made her one of Atlanta’s most beloved broadcasters before her passing in 2021.

Pearson’s lesson extended far beyond journalism.

Leadership is measured not only by the barriers we break, but by the doors we leave open for others.

Every Platform, One Purpose

Although their careers developed in different decades and across different media, each panelist illustrated how journalism continues evolving while remaining grounded in the same core values.

Joyce Littel built one of Atlanta’s most respected careers in radio, using her voice to entertain audiences while encouraging and mentoring young broadcasters.

Janis L. Ware demonstrated that community journalism remains one of democracy’s most important institutions. Under her leadership, The Atlanta Voice has successfully evolved from a traditional newspaper into a modern multimedia news organization while remaining deeply rooted in serving Atlanta’s Black community. Her work in affordable housing, economic development, healthcare, and civic leadership reflects the belief that publishers should help strengthen the communities they cover.

Rashan Ali showed how modern journalists successfully move between television, sports broadcasting, acting, podcasting, and digital media without sacrificing credibility. Her career reflects the versatility demanded of today’s media professionals.

Dawn Montgomery offered another example of journalism’s evolution. Her career has crossed modeling, sports journalism, marketing, strategic communications, podcasting, and cultural commentary. Throughout those transitions, she has remained committed to authentic storytelling and using media as a vehicle for meaningful conversation.

Moderating the discussion was Liz Smith, whose own career represents the next chapter of Atlanta media. As an executive producer, radio personality, television host, and multimedia journalist, Smith embodies an industry where storytellers increasingly move seamlessly across radio, television, streaming platforms, podcasts, and live events.

Together, the women demonstrated that while technology changes, the mission of journalism remains remarkably consistent.

Serve the audience.

Tell the truth.

Earn trust.

More Than Media Personalities

One of the strongest themes to emerge from the discussion was that influence is not measured solely by ratings, readership, or followers.

Each woman described careers deeply connected to community service, mentorship, nonprofit leadership, civic engagement, and advocacy.

Their influence extends well beyond the newsroom.

Collectively, they have served on nonprofit boards, supported educational initiatives, championed healthcare awareness, mentored aspiring journalists, promoted economic development, strengthened neighborhoods, and used their platforms to elevate voices often overlooked by mainstream media.

For these women, journalism has never been simply a profession.

It has been public service.

The Legacy Reached Beyond the Stage

The conversation resonated just as strongly among those seated in the audience.

As attendees gathered following the discussion, many reflected on lessons that reached beyond media careers.

Taylor Dunn summed up the afternoon simply.

“It was an amazing panel, and I really enjoyed it.”

For Atlanta licensed esthetician Tasha, one lesson stood above all the others.

“Know when it’s time to go. Know when it’s your time to leave.”

Moments earlier, Pearson had offered nearly identical advice while describing her own career.

For Tasha, the message applied as much to business and life as it did to broadcasting.

Great leaders do not simply achieve success.

They prepare others to succeed after them.

A Legacy Still Being Written

Looking across the stage, it became clear that this was far more than another panel discussion.

These were not simply accomplished broadcasters, publishers, radio personalities, journalists, and media strategists.

They were women who helped shape how Atlanta tells its own story.

Individually, each forged a unique path through television, newspapers, radio, and digital media.

Collectively, they built something much larger than themselves.

They helped establish Atlanta as one of America’s most influential centers of Black journalism and media excellence.

The applause that filled the room at the close of “Unapologetically Influential” was not merely recognition of distinguished careers.

It was gratitude for doors opened.

Barriers broken.

Communities served.

And generations inspired.

As Atlanta’s media landscape continues to evolve, the technology will change. New platforms will emerge. Different voices will capture public attention.

But the standard established by these pioneering women remains unchanged.

Tell the truth.

Serve the community.

And never forget to leave the door open for the woman coming behind you.

Truth Seekers Journal thrives because of readers like you. Join us in sustaining independent voices.

Kaiser Permanente Expands ‘Building for Impact’ in Atlanta, Connecting Minority Contractors to Growing Healthcare Projects

Kaiser Permanente’s “Building for Impact” initiative is reshaping Georgia’s construction market, signaling major healthcare expansion and new opportunities. Industry leaders stress that strategic preparation, strong relationships, and operational excellence will determine which contractors are ready to compete as demand and investment accelerate across the region. themselves for long term success.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | July 6, 2026

Earlier this spring, at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta, Kaiser Permanente convened contractors, developers, business leaders, and community partners to discuss what it will take to compete for more than $70 million in current and projected investments across Georgia. Although the meeting has ended, the message remains timely as healthcare construction and supplier opportunities continue to expand across the state.

As Kaiser Permanente grows its footprint in Georgia, its Building for Impact initiative is preparing businesses for more than the next construction project. It is challenging contractors to think strategically, strengthen their operations and position themselves for long-term success in one of the state’s fastest-growing sectors.

The central question echoed throughout the program was straightforward: Who will be ready when opportunity arrives?

According to speakers, the answer depends less on access and more on preparation.

A Growing Market with Real Stakes

Marc A. Love, Vice President of National Contracting Strategy for Kaiser Permanente, outlined more than $70 million in active and projected investments tied to construction, supplier development and facility expansion throughout the Atlanta region.

With more than 466,000 members in Georgia and continued growth expected, Kaiser Permanente signaled a steady pipeline of work tied to healthcare infrastructure and modernization. The organization is now serving the largest membership base in its Georgia history, driven by continued demand for its integrated model of care.

But speakers emphasized that access to those opportunities is not automatic.

“People buy from people,” consultant Reggie Williams told attendees. “They buy from those who bring value and meet performance expectations.”

Strategy, Not Just Survival

Earnest Ellis – Todd Gray – Jamila Veasley

Keynote speaker Earnest Ellis, president of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) and CEO of FS360, challenged attendees to rethink how they approach the construction business.

Ellis grounded his message in personal experience -growing up in an entrepreneurial family shaped by resilience and work ethic. His father, who lost his right arm in a farming accident and could not read or write, still outworked everyone around him. That example, Ellis said, removed any excuse to avoid hard challenges.

After careers at IBM, Verizon, and MCI, Ellis founded FS360 in 2008, his sixth entrepreneurial venture. Today, the firm operates in Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX, generating $35 million in net revenue in 2025 and delivering more than $270 million in completed work.

“Too many small businesses think tactically, just chasing the next contract,” Ellis said. “You have to think strategically. Pick your markets. Build expertise. Develop relationships that last.”

He underscored the urgency with industry realities:

  • 50% of businesses fail within five years
  • 65% fail within ten years
  • Underrepresented firms account for just 21% of construction companies despite representing 42% of the population

Still, Ellis framed the moment as one of opportunity.

“This is a $1.3 trillion industry,” he said. “And right now, it’s short more than 500,000 workers. There is more work than people to do it.”

He also emphasized purpose over pay, sharing that his Yale-educated son turned down a high-paying corporate career in favor of work he found meaningful.

“Excellence is what keeps us in business,” Ellis said.

Healthcare Construction Requires Precision

Elise Webster, Preconstruction Manager, WEBMyers Construction emphasized that healthcare construction carries a higher level of complexity than traditional projects.

“You’re building while people are being treated,” she explained. “That changes everything your schedule, your safety protocols, your coordination.”

Firms that can manage phased construction, infection control standards, and off-hour work schedules are better positioned for long-term opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Relationships Still Drive Opportunity

Despite formal initiatives like Building for Impact, speakers repeatedly stressed that relationships remain the foundation of the industry.

“It takes seven interactions to make an impression,” Ellis said. “One meeting won’t do it.”

Contractors were encouraged to stay engaged, complete Kaiser’s prequalification process, and remain visible even when contracts are not immediately awarded.

Persistence, not proximity, often determines success.

Community Impact Beyond Contracts

Kaiser leaders emphasized that the initiative extends beyond construction projects to broader community outcomes.

Jamila Veasley, Senior Director of Program Management and Strategy Execution, reinforced that vision.

“Who we build with and who we work with matters,” Veasley said. “What we do with Building for Impact supports more than individual projects – it supports economic empowerment, workforce development, and stronger communities.”

One example highlighted a project where a construction team used a local church as its operations base, renovating the space and paying above-market rent, leaving lasting value behind.

“This is what building for impact means,” Todd Gray said. “Not just projects, but community investment.”

Be Ready or Be Left Behind

The closing message was consistent across speakers: opportunity is expanding, but readiness will determine who benefits.

Contractors were urged to:

  • Strengthen internal systems and financial controls
  • Focus on specific market segments
  • Build relationships intentionally
  • Deliver consistent, high-quality work

Kaiser’s long-standing partnership with NAMC—spanning more than 15 years reflects a continued commitment to building capacity among minority contractors through training, networking, and strategic development.

As Georgia’s healthcare sector continues to grow, speakers agreed that success will belong to contractors who invest in relationships, build strong internal systems, and prepare long before opportunities arrive. For minority-owned businesses, the message was clear: the next major project may already be on the horizon, but readiness begins today.

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A Celebration of Hope Inspires Birmingham’s Community Conversation on Lung Cancer

By Milton Kirby | Birmingham, AL | July 4, 2026

When Francina Morales rang the celebration bell at Birmingham’s Kirkland Clinic, the sound marked more than the end of her final chemotherapy treatment. It celebrated another milestone in an ongoing fight against lung cancer and offered hope to others facing the same uncertain road.

Surrounded by members of her medical team, family and friends, Morales celebrated completing chemotherapy just four months after surgeons removed most of her right lung because of lung cancer. While her treatment journey continues with twelve months of immunotherapy, she chose to share her experience publicly to encourage others to recognize symptoms early, seek medical attention and never lose hope.

Since recording that message, Morales has completed her immunotherapy, marking another significant milestone in her cancer journey.

“This is me at Kirkland Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, ringing the Celebration Bell,” Morales said in a video shared following her final chemotherapy treatment. “I just finished my last round of chemo, and it is cause for celebration.”

Her story reflects the message organizers hope will resonate throughout Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0: A Community Conversation on Lung Cancer, a free educational forum scheduled for Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at The Purpose Center at Dannon, 2324 Fifth Avenue North in Birmingham.

Hosted by HEAL Collaborative in partnership with Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and supported by Amgen, the event will bring together physicians, researchers, patients, caregivers and community advocates to discuss lung cancer screening, advances in treatment and resources available to families throughout Alabama.

A Diagnosis She Never Expected

Morales says one of the biggest misconceptions about lung cancer is that it only affects smokers.

She never smoked.

Yet she found herself confronting a diagnosis that required major surgery, chemotherapy and ongoing immunotherapy.

Before doctors discovered the cancer, Morales experienced several symptoms that she now encourages others not to ignore, including extreme shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, pain in her leg, loss of appetite and pain in her side.

“I was never a smoker,” she said. “I am sharing this now to encourage smokers to stop smoking because your odds are greater than a non-smoker like me. Believe me. You do not want this.”

Her experience reinforces one of the central messages physicians and patient advocates have emphasized throughout HEAL Collaborative’s educational campaign: anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer.

Although smoking remains the leading risk factor, doctors say lung cancer can also occur in people who have never smoked, making awareness of symptoms and appropriate screening critically important.

Turning Experience Into Education

Howard Mosby, chief operating officer of HEAL Collaborative, said community conversations like the July 18 forum are designed to connect medical expertise with the real-life experiences of patients and families.

“Far too many lives are lost because lung cancer is diagnosed too late,” Mosby said. “This community conversation is about bringing trusted experts and lived experiences together to help people understand their risk, navigate available resources and ultimately save lives.”

Throughout the morning, nationally recognized physicians, researchers and patient advocates will discuss lung cancer screening, biomarker testing, precision medicine, artificial intelligence, mental health, veterans’ lung health and financial resources available to patients and families.

Organizers hope participants leave with practical information, greater confidence and a better understanding of how early detection and informed decision-making can improve outcomes.

Finding Strength in the Journey

Morales acknowledges that cancer affects far more than the body.

“It is the master of stress, anxiety and depression,” she said. “Knowing that there is something inside your body trying to kill you.”

Even so, her message remains one of gratitude and hope.

She thanked God for guiding her surgeons through a successful operation and expressed appreciation for the healthcare professionals, friends and family members who have supported her throughout treatment, including her son, Joseph Bryant, her sister Carolyn Bailey-Fain, cousin Willie Fedrick, Cynthia Davis-Lockhart and Dorothy Baxter.

Having completed immunotherapy and rung the bell, Morales hopes others will listen carefully when their bodies signal that something may be wrong.

“Early detection can make all the difference,” she said.

Stories That Save Lives

Joseph Bryant, Morales’ son and one of the community leaders participating in the July 18 forum, believes personal experiences often reach people more deeply than statistics alone.

“You can talk about clinical facts all day, but nothing reaches people like hearing from those who’ve actually lived through cancer and found a way to overcome it,” Bryant said. “Seeing real people who’ve been touched by cancer and are still living their lives to the fullest is the strongest message we can give the community.”

For Morales, ringing the celebration bell marked the completion of one important chapter.

The next chapter of Morales’ journey has already begun. Having completed surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, she now hopes her experience will encourage others to pay attention to their health, seek medical care when symptoms appear, and remember that a lung cancer diagnosis is not the end of the story.

The July 18 Community Conversation on Lung Cancer is free and open to the public. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., and lunch will be provided. Organizers encourage residents, caregivers and families to attend, ask questions and learn more about the resources available to help prevent, detect and treat lung cancer.

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II – “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

Truth Seekers Journal thrives because of readers like you. Join us in sustaining independent voices.

Warnock’s Private Equity Housing Ban Clears Congress, Offering Working Families Long-Awaited Relief

Congress approves a housing package limiting large corporate purchases of single-family homes, a move supporters say could help working families achieve homeownership.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | June 23, 2026

For years, many Georgia families have felt as though the dream of homeownership has been slipping further out of reach.

They worked overtime, paid down debt, improved their credit scores, and saved for down payments. Yet when they finally found a home they could afford, they often discovered they were not competing against another family. Instead, they were competing against corporations with billions of dollars in capital and the ability to make immediate cash offers.

The result was a growing sense of frustration among working-class families who believed the housing market had become stacked against them.

Now, supporters say Congress has taken a significant step toward changing that reality.

The U.S. Congress has approved Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock’s proposal to restrict large corporate investors from purchasing additional single-family homes. The measure is included in the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a sweeping housing package that now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk.

If signed into law, the legislation would mark one of the most significant federal housing reforms in decades and could have a particularly large impact in Georgia, where corporate ownership of single-family homes has reached some of the highest levels in the nation.

A Housing Market That Changed Rapidly

The transformation did not happen overnight.

Following the Great Recession, large investment firms increasingly viewed single-family homes as attractive assets. Companies purchased thousands of homes, often in growing Sun Belt markets such as Atlanta, and converted them into rental properties.

Over time, the practice expanded.

Entire neighborhoods that once consisted primarily of owner-occupied homes began to see an increasing number of investor-owned properties. Families searching for starter homes found themselves competing against buyers capable of purchasing multiple homes at a time.

For many would-be homeowners, the experience became familiar: find a home, submit an offer, and lose to a corporate bidder willing to pay more and close faster.

Supporters of the legislation argue that those conditions have contributed to rising home prices and declining opportunities for first-time buyers.

“For years, dreams have been deferred because too many are finding themselves in fierce competition with private equity,” Warnock said after Congress approved the measure. “This bill will give families, not Wall Street investors, a fair shot at homeownership.”

The Metro Atlanta Effect

Few places illustrate the issue more clearly than metro Atlanta.

According to statistics cited by Warnock’s office, more than one in four single-family rental homes in the region is owned by large corporations. Those investors collectively control more than 70,000 homes.

That concentration has made metro Atlanta a national case study in the debate over corporate ownership of residential housing.

Residents across the region have reported concerns about rising rents, absentee landlords, and fewer opportunities to purchase homes in the communities where they live and work.

The issue has attracted attention from local leaders as well. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has endorsed efforts to address excessive corporate ownership, particularly in neighborhoods where investors have acquired large numbers of properties.

What the Ban Would Do

The legislation targets the largest corporate landlords.

Under Warnock’s provision, companies that own more than 350 single-family homes would be prohibited from purchasing additional single-family properties.

Violations would trigger substantial penalties. Companies could be fined the greater of either $1 million or three times the purchase price of the property acquired.

Supporters say the goal is not to eliminate rental housing or punish responsible landlords. Instead, they argue the measure prevents the largest investors from continuing to expand their already significant share of the housing market.

The proposal seeks to preserve opportunities for families attempting to purchase homes while slowing the concentration of ownership among a relatively small number of corporate entities.

Turning Penalties Into Opportunity

One of the bill’s most notable features is what happens to the penalty money.

Rather than simply flowing into general government accounts, fines collected under the legislation would be directed toward housing-related initiatives.

The funds would help finance new housing construction, support local housing innovation efforts, and provide financial assistance to first-time homebuyers.

For working families struggling to save for a down payment, those programs could provide meaningful support.

Housing advocates have long argued that increasing supply and helping first-time buyers enter the market are essential pieces of any long-term affordability strategy.

The Broader Housing Package

The private equity ban has generated the most headlines, but it is only one component of the larger housing package.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes several provisions championed by Warnock over the years.

Among them are appraisal modernization reforms intended to improve fairness and consistency in the home valuation process. The package also encourages local governments to increase housing production and includes reforms to federal housing programs that supporters say have become outdated.

Additional provisions would establish grants and forgivable loans to help homeowners repair aging homes, complete weatherization improvements, and lower energy costs.

The legislation also contains reforms aimed at strengthening housing opportunities in rural communities, where affordable housing shortages often receive less attention than those in major metropolitan areas.

Taken together, supporters describe the package as a comprehensive effort to address housing affordability from multiple angles.

The View From Georgia Communities

Earlier this year, Warnock traveled to Paulding County to highlight the growing impact of institutional investors.

According to his office, investors now own nearly 4,000 single-family rental homes in the county.

Residents described concerns that have become increasingly common across fast-growing Georgia communities. Some spoke about rising rents. Others expressed frustration with absentee ownership and the difficulty of finding homes available for purchase.

Their experiences mirror concerns voiced throughout the state.

For many families, the debate is not simply about economics. It is about stability, community investment, and the ability to build wealth through homeownership.

For generations, owning a home has represented one of the primary ways American families create financial security and pass wealth to future generations.

When fewer homes are available for purchase, many families worry those opportunities become more difficult to achieve.

A First Step Toward a Larger Solution

Even supporters acknowledge that the legislation alone will not solve America’s housing affordability crisis.

Housing experts point to a nationwide shortage of homes, rising construction costs, restrictive zoning regulations, labor shortages, and population growth as factors contributing to today’s market conditions.

Most agree that increasing the overall housing supply remains essential.

Still, many advocates view congressional approval of the legislation as an important milestone.

Rather than accepting the growing dominance of institutional investors as inevitable, lawmakers have chosen to intervene on behalf of prospective homeowners.

Warnock described the legislation as “a major win for ordinary Americans” and “a great first step toward addressing the housing crisis that plagues our country.”

For Georgia families who have spent years losing bidding wars to investors and watching starter homes disappear from the market, that first step may feel significant.

The bill’s ultimate impact will depend on implementation, enforcement, and broader efforts to increase housing supply. Yet for thousands of working families across Georgia, the legislation represents something they have not seen in years: the possibility that the next home listed for sale might actually be within reach.

Whether that possibility becomes reality now rests with the President’s signature and the policies that follow.

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How a Town of 5,000 Stopped a 10,000-Bed Detention Center

Sen. Raphael Warnock celebrates the Trump administration’s decision to abandon planned ICE detention centers in Social Circle and Oakwood after months of local opposition.

By Milton Kirby | Social Circle, GA | June 20, 2026

For months, residents of Social Circle feared their small town would become home to one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the nation.

Now, after a sustained campaign by local officials, community members, and U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, those plans appear to be dead.

The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly abandoned plans to convert warehouses in Social Circle and Oakwood into massive immigration detention centers and instead plans to sell or give away the properties. The decision marks the end of a months-long battle that pitted two small Georgia communities against a federal proposal they believed would overwhelm local infrastructure, strain public services, and fundamentally change the character of their towns.

For Social Circle, a city of roughly 5,000 residents, the stakes could hardly have been higher. Federal officials had planned to convert a one million square foot warehouse on East Hightower Trail into a detention center capable of housing as many as 10,000 detainees, effectively creating a population larger than the town itself.

“Today is a victory for the people of Georgia,” Warnock said following reports that DHS had reversed course. “When we stand up and speak out, the power of the people is more powerful than the people in power.”

The victory did not come easily.

A Plan Discovered After the Fact

One of the most controversial aspects of the proposal was how local leaders learned about it.

According to Warnock, even Social Circle’s mayor first learned of the project through a newspaper article rather than direct communication from federal officials.

“They tried to do this quietly,” Warnock said during a Friday press conference. “Imagine being the mayor of a city of 5,000 and learning the federal government is about to double the size of your town without telling you.”

The proposal immediately raised concerns among residents and local officials who questioned how a small community could absorb a detention center of such magnitude.

Those concerns intensified when ICE purchased the warehouse and surrounding 235 acres for $128 million.

Warnock said the federal government paid approximately twice the property’s market value.

“The Trump-Vance administration likes to talk about waste, fraud and abuse,” Warnock said. “Well, they paid twice the market rate for this facility. They wasted $128 million of taxpayers’ dollars. And now they have an empty building. This is what I call waste, fraud and abuse.”

Infrastructure Concerns Spark Resistance

As details of the project emerged, city officials began sounding alarms about Social Circle’s limited infrastructure capacity.

In March, Warnock traveled to Social Circle to meet with Mayor David Keener, City Manager Eric Taylor, school officials, and concerned residents. During the visit, local leaders outlined the challenges the city would face if the detention center became operational.

According to city officials, Social Circle is permitted to use one million gallons of water per day. During the hottest months of the year, residents already consume between 80 and 90 percent of that capacity.

The city’s wastewater system also operates near its limits, processing about 660,000 gallons per day. Officials estimated that the proposed detention center could require an additional one million gallons daily.

Local leaders warned that the project could lead to boil-water advisories, sewer overflows, and costly infrastructure upgrades that the city was not prepared to fund.

The location of the proposed facility also raised concerns among parents because the warehouse sits near Social Circle Elementary School.

“Folks in Social Circle voted for this president overwhelmingly,” Warnock said during his March visit. “But they didn’t vote for a 10,000-person detention center that will triple the size of their town. They didn’t vote for potential boil-water advisories or sewer overflows because this administration has overstrained their city’s resources.”

Local Voices Reach Washington

As opposition grew, Warnock brought the concerns of Social Circle and Oakwood to Washington.

In February, he filed an amendment that would have prohibited federal funds from being used to acquire, construct, renovate, or expand detention facilities in the two communities. He also sent letters to DHS officials, publicly challenged the proposal, and met with local leaders to highlight their concerns.

At Friday’s press conference, Warnock said he would continue pushing for safeguards to prevent similar situations in the future.

“I offered an amendment during the continuing resolution that would have halted this kind of construction,” he said. “And I’ll continue to make that case.”

The senator repeatedly emphasized that his opposition was driven by the concerns of local residents rather than partisan politics.

“The people of Georgia want secure borders; they do not want massive immigration detention centers in their backyards,” Warnock said earlier this year.

“The Trump-Vance administration likes to talk about waste, fraud and abuse,” Warnock said. “Well, they paid twice the market rate for this facility. They wasted $128 million of taxpayers’ dollars. And now they have an empty building. This is what I call waste, fraud and abuse.”

Relief for Social Circle and Oakwood

The reported DHS decision to dispose of the warehouses effectively ends plans for both detention centers.

For Social Circle, the reversal also preserves future economic opportunities. Local officials had worried that dedicating the property to a detention center would remove valuable commercial land from future development and reduce potential tax revenue for the city.

“This would have taken a whole lot of opportunity off of a potential tax revenue for that very small town,” Warnock said.

Questions remain about what DHS will ultimately do with the properties, but local leaders have expressed hope that the sites can now return to productive commercial use.

For many residents, however, the larger significance lies in the outcome itself.

The battle over the detention center became a test of whether a small community could influence decisions being made hundreds of miles away in Washington.

In the end, Social Circle’s residents proved that they could.

“The people of Social Circle and Oakwood didn’t vote for me,” Warnock said. “But I still fought for them because I was elected to serve all Georgians.”

As the controversy comes to a close, the outcome stands as a reminder that local voices can still shape national decisions, even when those decisions originate at the highest levels of government.

As Warnock put it, “When the people raised their voices, the administration backed down.”

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Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

The St. Louis Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0 symposium will connect residents with experts, survivors, and resources focused on early detection and care.

By Milton Kirby | St. Louis, MO | June 16, 2026

Series: Lungs, Lives, and Lessons – Part III

For many families, lung cancer conversations do not begin in a doctor’s office. They begin at home after months of unexplained coughing, fatigue, chest pain, or shortness of breath that slowly becomes impossible to ignore. Sometimes the symptoms are dismissed. Sometimes fear delays action. And sometimes people simply do not know where to begin.

Organizers behind the upcoming “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0: A Community Conversation” symposium in St. Louis say that uncertainty is exactly what they hope to change. The June 27 event, hosted by Five Star Center, Inc. in partnership with the HEAL Collaborative and supported by AMGEN, is designed to bring physicians, advocates, survivors, and residents together for one purpose: helping communities move from awareness to action.

After weeks of public education surrounding risk factors, symptoms, and stigma, organizers say the next step is empowering residents with information, support, and clear pathways toward care. Their message has remained consistent throughout planning: “Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.”

More Than a Health Event

The symposium is intentionally structured as more than a traditional medical seminar. It is a community conversation, one designed to meet residents where they are, especially in neighborhoods where access to healthcare information and preventive services has historically been uneven.

Attendance is expected to reach 120 residents. The free event will include lunch, educational resources, survivor perspectives, interactive discussions, and opportunities for attendees to speak directly with healthcare professionals about lung cancer risks and screening eligibility.

While low-dose CT scans will not be performed onsite, clinicians will help residents determine whether they may qualify for screening and how to begin conversations with their medical providers. For many people, that first step can be life changing. Countless individuals who qualify for screening never pursue it because they do not realize they are eligible, lack consistent healthcare access, or fear what a diagnosis might reveal.

The Importance of Survivor Voices

One of the most powerful elements of the symposium may come not from physicians, but from survivors themselves. Two to three speakers are expected to share personal stories of diagnosis, treatment, fear, uncertainty, and survival.

Their voices matter because statistics alone cannot capture the emotional reality of the disease. Survivor testimony also helps dismantle one of the most persistent misconceptions surrounding lung cancer the belief that patients somehow deserve blame for their illness.

Too often, people diagnosed with lung cancer are asked whether they smoked before they are asked how they are feeling. That question can deepen shame at the very moment patients need support most. Organizers hope survivor stories will humanize the disease and encourage residents to seek medical guidance earlier rather than later.

Why Community Conversations Matter

Improving lung cancer outcomes requires more than medicine — it requires trust. Communities must feel safe enough to ask questions, discuss symptoms honestly, and pursue preventive care before emergencies develop.

That process can be especially difficult in communities that have experienced longstanding disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. St. Louis was selected intentionally because Black and Brown residents continue to face disproportionately low screening rates and lower survival outcomes tied to lung cancer. Economic barriers, insurance limitations, environmental exposure, transportation challenges, and delayed access to care all contribute to those disparities.

The symposium acknowledges that health challenges rarely exist in isolation. In addition to discussions about pulmonology care and screening eligibility, the event will include conversations about:

  • navigation support
  • medical debt
  • stigma in healthcare
  • the future role of artificial intelligence in lung cancer care

These topics matter because families often struggle with far more than the disease itself. Navigating appointments, insurance systems, treatment decisions, transportation, and financial pressures can quickly become overwhelming.

Education as Prevention

Throughout this three-part series, one theme has remained constant: early detection saves lives. Lung cancer survival rates improve dramatically when the disease is identified before it spreads. Yet many diagnoses still occur at later stages because symptoms were dismissed, misunderstood, or never evaluated.

Organizers believe education itself can become a form of prevention. Helping residents understand warning signs, risk factors, and screening conversations may encourage earlier medical attention long before symptoms become severe.

This educational focus is especially important because many people still incorrectly believe lung cancer only affects smokers. In reality, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, hazardous chemicals, pollution, genetics, and occupational environments can also increase risk. Public understanding has not fully caught up with that reality, leaving many individuals unaware of their own vulnerability.

A Different Kind of Public Health Conversation

At its core, the St. Louis symposium reflects a broader shift in public health: awareness campaigns must do more than distribute information — they must create environments where people feel safe enough to engage with difficult topics honestly. That includes acknowledging fear, confronting stigma, and recognizing that many families have lost loved ones after symptoms were discovered too late.

The goal of “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0” is not to alarm residents, but to encourage earlier conversations that could ultimately improve outcomes. For some attendees, the event may offer reassurance. For others, it may be the first step toward asking a doctor about symptoms they have ignored. And for some families, organizers hope it may ultimately help save lives.

The Conversation Continues

Across this series, the discussion surrounding lung cancer has moved from misconception, to medical understanding, to community response.
Part I challenged the stigma and silence surrounding the disease.
Part II focused on symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of early detection.
Part III brings the conversation back to the community, where awareness becomes action and education becomes empowerment.

Organizers hope residents leave the symposium understanding one thing above all else:
Lung cancer is not someone else’s issue. It is a public health issue, a community issue, and a human issue.
And conversations that begin with awareness today may help create survival stories tomorrow.

To Register

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part II- “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

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Part II – “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Learn how your lungs work, the early warning signs of lung cancer, and who should get screened. Understanding your respiratory system can save lives.

By Milton Kirby | St. Louis, MO | June 9, 2026

Series: Lungs, Lives, and Lessons – Part II

Part I of this series explored the misconceptions surrounding lung cancer, Part II turns inward, to the lungs themselves. Understanding how the respiratory system works is not just a biology lesson. It’s a form of self‑protection. When you know how your lungs function, you can recognize when something isn’t right.

How Your Lungs Keep You Alive

Every cell in the body needs oxygen. The lungs deliver it. When you inhale, air travels through the nose or mouth, down the throat, and into the windpipe. From there, it branches into the bronchial tubes, which divide again and again until they reach the bronchioles, tiny passageways that end in clusters of air sacs called alveoli.

Inside these microscopic sacs, oxygen enters the bloodstream while carbon dioxide leaves it. This exchange happens thousands of times a day, without conscious effort. The diaphragm, a strong muscle beneath the lungs, contracts and relaxes to pull air in and push it out.

The lungs also filter harmful substances, regulate air temperature, and support the sense of smell. They are constantly working, and constantly exposed to the outside world.

How Lung Cancer Develops

Lung cancer begins when cells in the lung mutate. These mutations can be caused by smoking, secondhand smoke, hazardous chemicals, or genetic factors. Once mutated, cells grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that damage healthy tissue and interfere with breathing.

The challenge is that early lung cancer often causes no symptoms. By the time people notice something is wrong, the disease may already be advanced.

The Warning Signs We Ignore

The body sends signals long before a crisis. But many people dismiss them as aging, allergies, or the remnants of a cold.

Warning signs include:

  • A cough lasting more than eight weeks
  • Shortness of breath after little or no exertion
  • Chronic mucus or phlegm production
  • Wheezing or noisy breathing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain lasting a month or more

These symptoms do not automatically mean lung cancer, but they do mean something is wrong. Early detection is key to successful treatment, and recognizing these signs can save lives.

Who Should Be Screened?

Low‑dose CT scans are the gold standard for early lung cancer detection. Screening is recommended for people who meet certain criteria, including age, smoking history, and risk factors. But many people who qualify have never been screened, often because they don’t know they’re eligible.

The upcoming symposium will offer onsite screening eligibility assessments, giving residents a chance to learn whether they qualify and how to access screening.

Knowledge Is Power

Part II of this series is about empowerment. When people understand how their lungs work, they can better protect them. When they know the warning signs, they can seek help sooner. And when they understand screening, they can take the first step toward early detection.

In Part III, we turn to the community and to the event bringing these lessons to life.

Related articles

Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

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Warnock Challenges Americans to Imagine What $70 Billion Could Buy Beyond Immigration Enforcement

Sen. Raphael Warnock is challenging Americans to consider what $70 billion could fund in education, housing, health care, and food assistance.

By Milton Kirby | Washington, D.C. | June 4, 2026

How much is $70 billion?

For most Americans, the number is so large that it is difficult to comprehend. U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock is attempting to make that figure more tangible as Congress debates a Republican-backed proposal to provide an additional $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Rather than focusing solely on the immigration debate itself, Warnock is asking Americans to consider an alternative question: What else could that money accomplish?

“The $70 billion that Senate Republicans will force through this week could fund universal pre-K for all 3-and 4-year-olds in this country for two years,” Warnock said in a statement released Thursday. “It represents the annual cost of groceries for nearly 11 million American households. Our government doesn’t suffer from a lack of resources. We suffer from a lack of imagination.”

The Georgia Democrat has emerged as one of the Senate’s most vocal critics of expanding ICE and CBP funding under the Trump administration. According to Warnock’s office, Congress approved approximately $75 billion for the agencies in July 2025. If the additional funding package passes, total funding would reach roughly $145 billion.

To illustrate the scale of the proposed spending, Warnock’s office released a series of comparisons spanning education, food security, health care, and housing.

Education and Child Care

According to the senator’s analysis, $70 billion could fund universal pre-kindergarten programs for all 3- and 4-year-old children in the United States for two years.

The same amount could provide free childcare for approximately 1.3 million children through September 2028 or cover two years of community college tuition for roughly 2.2 million students through September 2029.

Warnock’s office also estimates the funding could be used to double Pell Grants for undergraduate students, potentially expanding college affordability for millions of families.

Food Security

The comparisons extend beyond education.

The senator’s office estimates that $70 billion could cover the annual cost of groceries for approximately 10.7 million American households.

The funding could also provide free school lunches to an additional 22.7 million children through fiscal year 2029 or fund one year of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for approximately 31 million Americans.

For rural communities, the office notes the same amount could provide more than two years of direct payments to American farm producers.

Health Care Implications

Health care is another area highlighted in Warnock’s proposal.

According to the analysis, $70 billion could extend Medicaid coverage to approximately 2.2 million additional Americans through September 2029. The funding could also support an extension of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for at least one year.

Perhaps most striking, the senator’s office estimates that the same amount would cover all annual insulin expenditures in the United States three times over.

The analysis further suggests $70 billion could address nearly one-third of Americans’ outstanding medical debt.

Housing and Homelessness

Housing affordability remains a growing concern across much of the nation, including Georgia.

Warnock’s office estimates that $70 billion could cover one year of rent for approximately 4.25 million Americans.

The same funding could provide $40,000 in down-payment assistance to every first-time homebuyer this year or support housing assistance for 2.4 million additional Americans through the Section 8 program through September 2029.

Perhaps the most ambitious comparison offered by the senator’s office is that the funding could support efforts sufficient to end homelessness nationwide for nearly eight years.

A Debate Over Priorities

The release comes as Congress continues debating immigration enforcement, border security, and federal spending priorities.

Supporters of increased ICE and CBP funding argue that additional resources are necessary to strengthen border security, enforce immigration laws, and support federal law enforcement operations.

Critics, including Warnock, contend that the proposed spending reflects misplaced priorities at a time when many Americans continue to struggle with rising housing costs, health care expenses, childcare costs, and food insecurity.

While lawmakers remain divided on the policy question, Warnock’s comparisons underscore a broader debate unfolding in Washington: not simply how much government should spend, but where those resources should be directed.

For voters trying to understand the implications of trillion-dollar budgets and billion-dollar appropriations, the senator’s challenge may be the most relevant question of all.

If $70 billion is available, what should America buy?

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Part I – “Anyone With Lungs”: Understanding the Hidden Realities of Lung Cancer

By Milton Kirby | St. Louis, MO | June 5, 2026

Series: Lungs, Lives, and Lessons — Part I

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in America, yet many people still struggle to talk about it openly.

For decades, public understanding of lung cancer has been shaped by silence, stigma, and a persistent misconception: that only smokers get the disease. Physicians, survivors, and community health advocates preparing for a St. Louis symposium say that belief has delayed diagnoses and prevented too many people from recognizing their own risk.

As the HEAL Collaborative prepares for the June 27 community symposium, “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0,” local partners Five Star Center, Inc. and Southside Wellness Center are helping connect residents to the conversation. The event will be held at the International Institute of St. Louis and is supported by Amgen. Together, those efforts are focused on one message above all others:

“Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.”

It is a simple statement, but one that challenges decades of misunderstanding surrounding one of America’s most lethal diseases.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, claiming more lives each year than breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined. Yet despite its impact, awareness surrounding lung cancer risk, symptoms, and screening remains dangerously uneven, particularly in underserved communities.

Many people still believe they are not at risk.

Others delay seeking care because they fear what a diagnosis might mean.

And some never discuss symptoms at all until the disease has already advanced.

For those involved in the St. Louis symposium, changing that reality begins with changing the conversation itself.

More Than One Cause

Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 90 percent of cases. But medical experts stress that smoking is not the only risk factor, and not the only story.

Exposure to radon gas, secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and certain petroleum products can all increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Genetic history can also play a role, even for individuals who have never smoked a cigarette.

In many cases, exposure may have occurred decades earlier through industrial work environments, household conditions, or long-term environmental exposure.

For some families, the danger was never fully understood at the time.

That complexity is one reason health advocates say public education remains critical.

“Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer” is not simply a slogan for the symposium. It is a direct challenge to the misconception that only one type of person develops the disease.

The reality, health advocates say, is far broader and far more personal.

The Disease That Often Hides

One of the greatest dangers of lung cancer is that symptoms frequently appear late.

By the time warning signs become impossible to ignore, the disease may already have spread beyond the lungs, making treatment more difficult and survival rates lower.

Early symptoms can also resemble ordinary health problems people routinely dismiss:

• a lingering cough
• shortness of breath
• chest tightness
• chronic mucus production
• wheezing
• unexplained chest pain
• coughing up blood

Sometimes people assume breathing difficulties are simply part of aging. Others attribute persistent coughing to allergies, smoking history, or seasonal illness.

But health advocates warn that ignoring those symptoms can carry serious consequences.

That is one reason the St. Louis symposium will focus heavily on education, awareness, and screening eligibility conversations designed to help residents better understand when medical evaluation may be necessary.

While low-dose CT screenings themselves will not be conducted onsite, health professionals will be available to help attendees understand screening eligibility and connect attendees with additional healthcare resources and follow-up pathways.

“The goal is not to frighten people,” said Rachael Jones, Regional Director of Community Outreach and Advocacy Engagement for the HEAL Collaborative. “The goal is to make people aware of the resources available to help them access screening, understand their risk, and seek treatment early if needed.”

It is to encourage earlier conversations before symptoms become life threatening.

The Weight of Stigma

Early detection results in better outcomes.

Lung cancer carries a unique stigma that many survivors and families say separates it from other major diseases.

Patients are often asked one question almost immediately after revealing their diagnosis:

“Did you smoke?”

For some families, that question can feel less like concern and more like blame.

Advocates say that stigma has real consequences. It can discourage people from seeking screening, delay medical appointments, and isolate patients emotionally during treatment.

Some individuals avoid discussing symptoms because they fear judgment.

Others incorrectly assume that if they never smoked, they are automatically safe.

The result is that misinformation and silence continue to shape public understanding of the disease.

Health advocates behind the St. Louis symposium hope to confront those misconceptions directly by creating a space where residents can ask questions openly, hear from survivors, and receive information without shame or fear.

The event is expected to bring together physicians, advocates, survivors, and approximately 150 community members for discussions focused on screening awareness, navigation support, treatment conversations, and the future of lung cancer care.

Two to three survivor speakers are also expected to participate, helping personalize a disease that statistics alone often fail to fully explain.

Why St. Louis Matters

According to the HEAL Collaborative, St. Louis was selected intentionally.

St Louis faces significant healthcare disparities

The June 27 symposium marks the collaborative’s second visit to St. Louis. At the previous event, 87 community members attended and seven were identified as eligible for lung cancer screening. Health advocates say those figures demonstrate both the value and the challenge of community outreach: every person connected to potentially life-saving information matters, yet many residents who could benefit from screening information and healthcare navigation services may still remain unreached.

Like many American cities, St. Louis continues to face significant healthcare disparities tied to access, economics, environmental exposure, and long-standing inequities in medical outcomes.

Black and Brown communities in particular often experience lower screening rates and poorer lung cancer survival outcomes.

Those disparities are part of the reason health advocates believe community-based education efforts remain so important.

Events like “Lung Cancer Screening to Treatment 2.0” are designed not only to raise awareness, but also to help close gaps in information and access before diagnoses become more severe.

The symposium will include conversations on pulmonology care, navigation support, medical debt, the role of artificial intelligence in future lung cancer treatment, and the impact stigma can have on care and outcomes.

Lunch will be provided, and organizers say the free event is intended to be welcoming, accessible, and community centered.

At its core, the symposium is built around a belief that education itself can become a form of prevention.

A Conversation That Cannot Wait

For many Americans, lung cancer remains something that happens to “other people.”

But advocates say that perception continues to cost lives.

Part I of this three-part series begins with the misconceptions because health advocates believe understanding risk is the first step toward improving outcomes.

In Part II, we will look deeper inside the lungs themselves, exploring how lung cancer develops, how symptoms are often overlooked, and why early detection can dramatically improve survival chances.

For now, the message symposium leaders hope residents carry with them is straightforward:

Lung cancer is not simply a smoker’s disease.

It is a human disease.

And it is one communities can no longer afford to ignore.

For more information HEAL Collaborative

To Register

Related articles

Part II- “Your Lungs Are Talking”: How the Respiratory System Works – and What It Tells Us

Part III – “From Awareness to Action”: Communities Confront Lung Cancer Together

Global Grub Alley to Turn Walton Street Into a World Cup Food Haven

Atlanta’s Global Grub Alley turns Walton Street into a vibrant food truck corridor for FIFA World Cup 2026™, spotlighting local flavors and small business culture.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | May 31, 2026

When the FIFA World Cup 2026™ arrives in Atlanta, the city’s streets will serve up more than soccer fever. They’ll serve food — and plenty of it.

Showcase Atlanta and the Food Truck Association of Georgia (FTAG) have announced Global Grub Alley, a pedestrian‑only food truck corridor that will transform Walton Street into a culinary destination for every match day and the day before each game. The activation will feature 20 to 30 Atlanta‑area food trucks operating daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., stretching a quarter‑mile between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Broad Street.

The corridor, just steps from the official FIFA Fan Festival at Centennial Olympic Park, will be free and open to the public — no ticket required. Fans walking between the park and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium will pass directly through the food truck zone, creating a seamless connection between the city’s global celebration and its local flavor.

“Atlanta food trucks have been asking for this kind of moment for years,” said Kelsey Maynor, Director of Small Business Engagement for Showcase Atlanta. “Global Grub Alley puts our small business owners and our food culture on the street, next to the biggest stage in the world. You will not need a ticket to be a part of it. You will just need to be hungry.”

Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches, meaning sixteen days of Global Grub Alley activity spread across the tournament. The initiative is part of Showcase Atlanta’s broader strategy to ensure that major global events — including the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Super Bowl — leave lasting opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

FTAG will manage vendor selection and compliance through Street Food Finder, the industry‑standard scheduling platform.

“Our members are some of the most resilient small business owners in this state,” said Montrella Rhodes, FTAG Administrator. “A truck on Walton Street in front of a global audience is a truck whose phone keeps ringing in 2027 and 2028.”

Among the early participants is Wing Kingh Food Truck, whose owner Sherman Gartrell sees the event as more than a business opportunity.

“For us, this is about bringing people together through great flavors, culture, and hospitality,” Gartrell said. “Global Grub Alley helps food truck businesses gain valuable exposure and build lasting relationships.”

Vendor applications are now open, with priority given to FTAG members. Trucks must meet Georgia permitting and compliance requirements. A full lineup will be released closer to match dates at streetfoodfinder.com/global-grub-alley.

If You Go

  • Location: Walton Street between Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Broad Street
  • Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., all match days and the day before each match
  • Cost: Free entry; pay per item at each truck
  • Accessibility: Street‑level access, portable restrooms on site
  • Transit: MARTA’s GWCC/CNN Center and Five Points stations within walking distance

Global Grub Alley promises to be more than a food event — it’s a statement of Atlanta’s identity: a city where global celebration meets local flavor, and where small businesses stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the world’s biggest stage.

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