Dear Shadow Ball: I have a feeling that I am going to learn some things. Is third baseman Judy Johnson (a 1975 Hall of Fame inductee) a male or female? David Nivens, parts unknown … I should note that Mr. Nivens has supplied two questions thus far and I very much appreciate both … this column exists for only one purpose and that is to answer your questions on Negro League baseball history. To that end, I need your help … if you are reading this column and enjoy it and want it to continue and you don’t already know everything about Negro League history … then please submit a question on any aspect of Negro League history.
– players, teams, events, and more – Your questions are the lifeblood of Shadow Ball—they shape where we go next. Your participation is important and appreciated. Submit your questions to shadowball@truthseekersjournal.com.
Dear David: I have a feeling that I am going to learn some things also. Judy Johnson, like Dolly King, Connie Johnson, Bunny Downs, Bonnie Serrell, Beverly Boanes and Judy Gans, was very much a man. All these fellows were Negro League baseball players. William Julius Johnson was nicknamed “Judy” due to a resemblance to another player with that nickname – “Judy.” Why that player, Robert Edward Gans, was called “Judy” is a question for another day when I figure it out.
Last week’s Shadow Ball Significa question What was the name of Atlanta’s most prolific franchise (in terms of years in the league) in the Negro Leagues? Since this question has stood unanswered for a month, I am going to provide the answer – the Atlanta Black Crackers.
The Atlanta Black Crackers were founded in 1919 as the Atlanta Cubs and lasted, active most years, until their demise in 1943. They were members of the Negro Southern League, later the Negro American League and played as an independent. They never won a pennant.
The Shadow Ball Significa Question of the Week: What Georgia native was the first African American to hit a home run in Yankee Stadium?
Ted Knorr
Ted Knorr is a Negro League baseball historian, longtime member of the Society for American Baseball Research’s Negro League Committee, and founder of the Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference and several local Negro League Commemorative Nights in central Pennsylvania. You can send questions for Knorr on Negro League topics as well as your answers to the week’s Significa question to shadowball@truthseekersjournal.com or Shadow Ball, 3904 N Druid Hills Rd, Ste 179, Decatur, GA 30033
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Devin Haney becomes a three-division world champion with a disciplined win over Brian Norman Jr. in Riyadh, using a sharp jab, movement, and a Round 2 knockdown
By Milton Kirby | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | November 23, 2025
Devin Haney added a major chapter to his legacy Saturday night in Riyadh, defeating previously unbeaten Brian Norman Jr. by unanimous decision to claim the WBO welterweight title. This victory makes Haney a three-division world champion and positions him among a select group of fighters with titles at lightweight, super lightweight, and welterweight, highlighting its importance in boxing history.
Norman came out strong in the first round landing punches that got Haney’s attention. In the second round Haney (33-0, 16 KOs) gained his composure and then controlled the tempo of fight with sharp footwork, a steady jab, and a clean knockdown in Round 2 that shifted momentum.
Judges scored it 114-113, 117-110, and 116-111. The decision brought cheers, debate, and a new wave of conversation about Haney’s style and place in boxing.
After the fight, Haney reflected on how much the moment meant. “In 2024, I lost everything. Tonight I showed I’m back, stronger than ever.”
The victory also answered doubts about whether he could thrive at 147 pounds. His last outing at a 144-pound catchweight was steady but raised questions after the knockdowns he suffered against Ryan Garcia in 2024. Against Norman, he looked composed and in control.
Norman Jr. (28-1, 22 KOs) came in with a reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous punchers. His knockout of Jin Sasaki in June was still being called one of the year’s best. Many analysts predicted the outcome before the bell: if it went long, the edge would be with Haney; if someone got stopped, it would be Norman doing the stopping.
Norman pushed forward all night. He forced exchanges, targeted the body, and tried to trap Haney on the ropes. But Haney used angles, clinches, and precise counters to slow Norman’s attack. His discipline allowed him to take control of the middle rounds and build a lead.
Round 1 saw Norman pressing with heavy shots, though Haney stayed calm behind the jab. In Round 2, Haney dropped him with a sharp right hand and opened a cut, giving him the edge.
Norman rallied in Rounds 3 and 5 with strong body work and a right hand that shook Haney. Haney responded with steady jabs, clean counters, and footwork that made Norman miss more as the rounds went on, creating a dynamic back-and-forth that kept viewers on edge.
By Round 8, Haney was in full control, landing jabs and uppercuts while Norman showed frustration. Norman tried to force the action again in Rounds 10 and 12, hoping for a late knockout, but Haney stayed disciplined and sealed the win.
The scorecards fueled the night’s biggest debate. Supporters said Haney’s clean punching and defense were decisive, while critics argued Norman’s pressure and power should have been more rewarded. Many fans questioned the wide 117-110 card, and talk of a rematch began almost immediately, keeping the discussion alive among boxing fans and analysts.
Norman voiced his frustration after the fight, saying Haney “didn’t want to fight — he wanted to survive,” echoing the view of fans who criticize Haney’s safety-first tactics. Haney’s supporters countered that neutralizing a knockout artist is part of the sport’s craft.
The night reflected a wider tension in modern boxing: technical skill versus punishing aggression. Haney’s discipline muted much of Norman’s offense, while Norman’s pressure gave the fight its edge.
Media reaction captured that divide. Yahoo Sports framed the event as part of Haney’s redemption arc. DAZN highlighted his knockdown and steady jab. Boxing News Online praised his ability to neutralize a dangerous puncher. ESPN’s Timothy Bradley Jr. said Haney answered questions about whether he could handle welterweight power. Boxing247 contrasted Norman’s promise of a “violent reality check” with Haney’s calm execution.
With the win, Haney joins a small list of fighters to win titles at lightweight, super lightweight, and welterweight. Norman, who loses for the first time, remains one of the most dangerous young contenders in the division.
Devin Haney:
“In 2024, I lost everything. Everything came crashing on me. Tonight I showed I’m back, and I’m stronger than ever.”
He added that becoming a three-division champion proved his resilience: “They doubted me, but I keep proving them wrong.”
Brian Norman Jr.:
Before the fight, he promised, “No matter what, that boy is going to sleep.”
After the loss, he said Haney’s style stopped him from fighting his fight, arguing that Haney “didn’t want to fight — he wanted to survive.”
Haney now holds titles at lightweight, super lightweight, and welterweight — a rare achievement in modern boxing. He also improved to33-0 with 16 KOs.
Norman falls to 28-1 with 22 KOs, but at only 25 years old, he remains a major threat at welterweight and a contender to watch in future matchups.
Further, the win was clear to some, controversial to others. Supporters say Haney’s clean punching, defense, and control earned the victory. Critics argue Norman’s pressure and heavier shots were undervalued.
As Riyadh’s lights dim and the dust settles, the boxing world is left debating not only the scorecards but the broader question of what defines victory in the sport: technical brilliance or punishing dominance.
Haney walked in with questions hanging over him — and walked out a three-weight world champion.
Haney’s win forces boxing to confront its eternal question: is greatness defined by dominance or by discipline? In Riyadh, the judges chose discipline.
Ntumba blends spiritual insight, heartfelt storytelling, and empowering performance to inspire young women nationwide, guiding them toward inner strength, emotional clarity, and a deeper sense of self-worth.
By Milton Kirby | Truth Seekers Journal | Artist Profiles Series
A Voice of Spirit, Strength, and Transformation
When Ntumba steps onto a stage, she carries more than a message — she embodies a presence rooted in global perspective, spiritual depth, and grounded wisdom that reaches young women wherever they are in life. Whether speaking to a packed auditorium or guiding a small workshop circle, she builds space where women can breathe, heal, and rise.
Biography: A Journey Rooted in Purpose
Born with a natural calling to uplift others, Ntumba has spent years shaping a voice that is part teacher, part storyteller, and part healer. She holds a master’s degree in spiritual professional counseling, grounding her work in both academic training and deep personal insight. This background informs her signature approach: integrating spirituality, emotional wellness, and practical tools for growth.
Her influence spans coast to coast. She has led or collaborated on empowerment programs for young women at major institutions and organizations—including New York University (NYU), the New York State Senate, Teachers College at Columbia University, and the McSilver Institute—earning a reputation for clarity, authenticity, and heartfelt connection that inspires supporters to engage with her work.
Creative Journey: From Personal Transformation to Public Impact
Every chapter of Ntumba’s career reflects intentional evolution. But her most profound shift came through what she describes as a “dark night of the soul” — a period of deep spiritual wrestling that ultimately transformed her understanding of love, identity, and personal wholeness.
From this season emerged her defining epiphany:
You can experience being love — not just “doing” loving things — through the splitting of soul from spirit.
This revelation continues to shape her writing, her curriculum, her stage presence, and the way she mentors young women navigating their own transitions.
Signature Work Spotlight: “Love Savvy Jewel”
Her popular book, Love Savvy Jewel, offers practical and spiritual guidance to women seeking clarity, joy, and groundedness in their love lives. The book’s central message mirrors her own evolution: meaningful relationships begin within. Through stories, meditations, and heartfelt lessons, she helps readers see themselves with compassion and step into relationships with confidence.
Community Connection: A Mission Rooted in Healing
nTumba’s work is not solely for the stage — it is for the world.
Her core mission is to uplift women ages 13 and older who have been shaped, and often wounded, by the messages of modern media and the visual culture surrounding youth, beauty, and identity. She challenges those narratives by:
teaching spiritual concepts that highlight inner beauty
encouraging mental and emotional resilience
creating apparel designs that celebrate the spirit
offering tools to nurture self-worth independent of appearance
Through conferences, workshops, books, clothing, and community programming, she brings women back to themselves — reminding them of the beauty they carry beyond the surface.
Quotes & Voice
“When young women learn to see their worth beyond what the world shows them, everything changes. That’s where healing begins — in the spirit.”
Ntumba & Natacha
Visual Performance
Ntumba brings her work to life through a powerful monologue performance that portrays the journeys of five women featured in her book Love Savvy Jewel. She also performs alongside artist Natacha “Cha~cha” Martin, adding movement, depth, and emotional resonance to the storytelling experience.
Future Outlook: Expanding the Vision
As her platform grows, nTumba is developing new programs that blend spiritual teaching with modern wellness practices. Her upcoming work includes:
expanded national speaking tours
new curriculum for youth empowerment
digital content designed to reach global audiences
additional books and creative projects in the spirit-centered lifestyle space
Her goal remains steady: to help women everywhere experience inner beauty, spiritual grounding, and the freedom to live authentically.
DeKalb County approved a five-year, $78 million ambulance contract that expands coverage to 600 daily unit hours and continues cutting EMS response times across all emergencies.
By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | November 20, 2025
DeKalb County leaders have approved a five-year, nearly $78 million contract to strengthen ambulance coverage, boost emergency medical staffing, and continue lowering EMS response times across the county.
The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the new contract with American Medical Response (AMR), setting a maximum value of $77,773,900 based on performance. County officials say the agreement will support long-term growth, expand coverage, and build on the measurable improvements achieved over the past year.
Daily Ambulance Coverage to Reach 600 Unit Hours
The new contract increases daily unit hours—the number of hours ambulances are staffed and in service—to 600 per day, the highest in county history. The agreement also launches several major upgrades, including:
More ambulances in service daily
Improved response-time compliance through additional units and resources
A supplemental ambulance provider during peak call times
Expansion of the Nurse Navigator program and social-services outreach
A whole-blood program for trauma care
A third ambulance deployment center
AI-based analytics to improve ambulance posting and enhance patient care
County officials said these investments will help stabilize the system, especially during peak call periods and high-demand events.
County Leaders Say the System Is Moving in the Right Direction
CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said the new contract continues the county’s push to build a modern, high-performing EMS system.
“As we continue to reimagine how EMS is provided in DeKalb County, I am excited at the progress we have made and expect this contract will allow us to better serve our residents,” Cochran-Johnson said. “We will have a world-class emergency medical service.”
Fire Chief Darnell Fullum also praised the results from earlier investments and said the new agreement positions the county for long-term success.
“I am excited about the positive outcomes we’ve achieved since the beginning of the year,” Fullum said. “This contract is a roadmap for success.”
Commissioner LaDena Bolton, who chairs the Employee Relations and Public Safety (ERPS) Committee, said the final agreement reflects community concerns raised during last year’s debate over an extension.
“Earlier this year I voted against an 18-month extension with AMR to push for a competitive RFP process that would secure a long-term contract meeting the service delivery our community deserves,” Bolton said. “Tuesday’s agreement not only ensures improved emergency response, but also provides real-time support for non-emergency calls and alternative ambulatory options. Through deliberation and compromise, we have positioned DeKalb County to deliver excellence in emergency medical services for the next five years.”
Improvements in 2025: Faster Response Times and More Unit Hours
In 2025, the county implemented an AMR contract extension that included a $4.9 million subsidy to increase ambulance availability. The investment immediately raised average daily unit hours from 456 in 2024 to 583 in the third quarter of 2025—a 28 percent increase.
According to county officials:
Response times for critical emergencies, such as heart attacks, are now 23 percent lower than at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
All major emergency call types recorded their fastest response times since early 2020 through September 2025.
County leaders credit the gains to more ambulances, the Nurse Navigator system, additional county-funded EMS staff, and improved deployment strategies.
Audit Showed the System Was Underfunded
In 2024, DeKalb County hired Fitch and Associates to conduct a full review of EMS operations. The assessment found that the system was underfunded and recommended an investment between $12.6 million and $16.5 million, depending on the preferred design.
Key recommendations included:
Ensuring long-term financial and operational sustainability
Improving response-time performance
Reducing hospital offload delays
Expanding unit availability during peak hours
Updating EMS unit deployment locations
County officials say these findings guided both the 2025 contract extension and the new competitive RFP process that shaped the five-year agreement approved this week.
Years of Concerns Led to System Overhaul
DeKalb has spent years working to resolve concerns about slow ambulance response times. In 2024, leaders in Brookhaven and Dunwoody raised alarms after emergencies sometimes exceeded 20 minutes—well above the 12-minute benchmark for high-priority calls. Some residents reported waits of more than 25 minutes.
Earlier issues date back to 2018, when the county negotiated staffing and reporting reforms with AMR following service-related complaints.
But by mid-2025, county reports showed major improvement. A June 2025 update documented ambulances arriving nearly three minutes faster on average than before February 2024.
What’s Next
County officials say a press conference is planned for next week to outline the implementation timeline, explain upcoming deployment changes, and discuss additional components of the AMR contract.
The new agreement takes effect in 2026 and is expected to guide the county’s emergency medical services strategy for the next five years.
DeKalb County approves Sky Harbour’s PDK expansion proposal amid debate over airport safety, runway limits, environmental impacts, and rising community concerns about operations and development.
By Milton Kirby | Chamblee, GA | November 19, 2025
When the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted 6–1 on Tuesday, November 18, to authorize Sky Harbour’s proposal for new hangar development at DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK), the decision marked a major turning point in a years-long debate about the airport’s growth, economic footprint, and impact on surrounding neighborhoods.
The vote does not approve construction itself. Instead, it allows the Sky Harbour proposal to move forward under the county’s procurement process, clearing the way for a finalized ground lease and future site development. But inside the chambers—and in the neighborhoods ringing PDK—the decision landed with mixed emotions.
District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears cast the lone “no” vote, arguing that DeKalb County should wait for the results of an ongoing air-quality and noise study before greenlighting any expansion of aviation operations.
“The District 2 office has heard from over 700 people in the area surrounding PDK Airport,” Long Spears wrote in a message to her constituents after the vote. “The vast majority of people have expressed opposition to expansion of airport operations. There has been much concern about the health effects of the noise and jet fuel emissions into the environment. We pledge to work for the health and safety of residents impacted by this decision.”
Supporters of the project, including CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Airport Director Hunter Hines, noted that the proposal falls squarely within long-established development limits and does not permit larger aircraft than those already authorized at PDK today.
What “Operations” Mean at PDK
Much of the community discussion revolves around “airport operations,” a term that can sound technical but has a straightforward meaning.
An operation is either a takeoff or a landing.
One takeoff = one operation One landing = one operation
Touch-and-go training flights count as two operations each time the wheels contact the runway and lift off again.
Why this matters:
PDK averages between 150,000 and 200,000 operations per year.
Many are training flights or flight-school activity.
Business jets represent a smaller—though more visible and louder—portion of total operations.
Sky Harbour’s project focuses specifically on based aircraft, not transient traffic, meaning it would not directly increase flight-school training or unrelated jet activity.
But residents fear that added hangars could indirectly increase operations by attracting more business aviation activity to the airport.
PDK Residents Stand in opposition to PDK development
Runway Incursions at PDK
DeKalb–Peachtree Airport also carries another distinction that shapes community concern: its record on runway incursions. Between 2021 and 2024, PDK ranked at or near the top in the United States for the number of incursions reported to the FAA, including one study that placed it first with 103 incidents. Most of these events were classified as lower-risk, meaning they did not involve an imminent collision, but the frequency underscores the challenges of a busy general aviation airport with heavy training traffic. Residents often point to these numbers when raising questions about safety, oversight, and whether adding new development on the airfield could place additional pressure on the system. Airport officials have noted that high operations volume—especially from flight schools and private pilots—contributes to this ranking, but the raw numbers remain a major point in ongoing community debates.
FAA Runway Safety Upgrades
In March 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration announced a nationwide rollout of new runway-safety technology to reduce these incidents. The Runway Incursion Device (RID), set for installation at 74 air traffic control towers, alerts controllers in real time when a runway is occupied, closed, or at risk. RID can monitor up to eight runways at once and replaces older, inconsistent systems now used across the country. Industry estimates place installation costs between $5 million and $15 million per airport, depending on integration with radar-based systems like ASDE-X or existing runway-status lights. The deployment is part of the FAA’s “Safety Call to Action,” aimed at reducing runway conflicts after a rise in national incidents. The FAA has confirmed the number of airports (74), but no published list identifying those airports could be located, and officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Environmental Impact of Newer Aircraft
Another part of the airport conversation focuses on the environmental footprint of the planes that fly in and out of PDK. Newer business aircraft generate less noise and burn less fuel than earlier generations. Manufacturers have pushed quieter engine designs, cleaner combustion technology, and more aerodynamic airframes, reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions by roughly 15 to 20 percent with each generation. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) can further cut lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent, and both Gulfstream and other jet makers now certify their newer aircraft to run on blends of SAF. While aviation remains difficult to fully decarbonize, modern engines produce fewer particulates, lower nitrogen oxide emissions, and noticeably smaller noise footprints around airports compared to the aircraft they replace. Supporters of PDK modernization say these improvements soften the environmental impact of future operations.
Understanding Repositioning Flights
One of the most misunderstood parts of business aviation is the concept of “repositioning.” A repositioning flight occurs when a jet flies without passengers or cargo so it can be in the correct location for its next trip. These non-revenue flights include “empty legs,” where an aircraft drops passengers at one airport and then must fly empty to another to collect its next set of travelers. At PDK, repositioning also happens when aircraft are based at other airports but use PDK for pickup or drop-off because of convenience or availability. Each repositioning flight counts as an “operation,” adding to both noise and emissions even though no passengers are on board. For communities around PDK, this has become a major concern because empty-leg flights increase total operations without offering any local economic benefit.
The RFP: Why a Gulfstream G650 Sets the Limit
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners issued RFP No. 22-500625 in August 2022 for the Eastside Aviation Development project—15 to 20 acres of unimproved airfield property. One requirement in that RFP has become central to the debate: any hangar development must be designed to house aircraft no larger than a Gulfstream G650, with a wingspan of 99.7 feet and a height of 25.8 feet.
This restriction means:
PDK is not authorizing larger aircraft than those already operating there.
Runway and taxiway limitations prevent heavier or larger jets.
The Sky Harbour project cannot exceed current aircraft-size limits.
PDK’s Runways: What the Airport Can—and Cannot—Handle
DeKalb–Peachtree Airport spans 745 acres and has three runways. The primary runway, 3R/21L, measures 6,001 feet in length with a weight-bearing capacity of 75,000 pounds for dual-wheel aircraft. This capacity is below the maximum takeoff and landing weights of the G650, meaning aircraft of that class must operate with weight restrictions when using PDK. The remaining runways are shorter and primarily serve smaller general aviation aircraft.
Is There Room to Lengthen the Runway?
A recurring question among residents is whether PDK could one day extend its primary runway. The answer is effectively no. The airport is surrounded by residential, commercial, and county-owned property, with major roadways and airspace constraints preventing any practical expansion.
Peachtree DeKalb Airport Map
Planning Document Confirmation
Long-term expansion fears are often linked to runway length, but PDK’s own planning documents make clear that the airfield cannot grow beyond its current footprint. In the airport’s 2018 Master Plan Update, the county states plainly: “There are no plans to lengthen any runways at PDK.” This appears in Chapter 4, the Facility Requirements section, page 4-24. The document cites physical constraints, nearby roadways, and residential development as reasons why expansion is not feasible.
What the Sky Harbour Project Actually Proposes
Sky Harbour, a publicly traded aviation infrastructure company, plans to develop a Home Base Operator (HBO) campus on roughly 13 acres of PDK’s eastside property. Their development includes modern hangars built for G650-class aircraft, dedicated office and operational space, new ramp and taxiway access, additional vehicle parking, and potential fuel facilities authorized under the RFP.
Sky Harbour markets its campuses as offering:
“The shortest time to wheels-up in business aviation”
Dedicated line service for based tenants
A premium environment for corporate and private aviation users
With national locations from Miami to San Jose and Denver to Nashville, PDK represents their 20th site. CEO Tal Keinan has praised the county’s decision, calling it a “triple win” for DeKalb residents, business aviation users, and the company.
Reducing Repositioning Flights
One of the stated goals in the county’s approval of the Sky Harbour proposal is to cut repositioning flights by nearly half. Sky Harbour’s model centers on creating premium home-base hangars on the airfield, allowing aircraft that frequently use PDK to remain on-site instead of flying in from other airports. When an aircraft is based where its flights originate, there is no need for empty positioning legs to bring the jet into place. Supporters argue that this reduction in unnecessary flights would lower noise, emissions, and congestion. Critics counter that total operations may still rise if more planes choose to base at PDK, but the county’s conditions attempt to balance these effects.
Economic Impact and Jobs
The Sky Harbour project is also expected to generate substantial long-term economic benefits for DeKalb County. Structured as a 50-year ground lease, the development requires no county-funded construction or financial contribution; instead, DeKalb collects steady lease payments and related tax revenue over the life of the agreement. County officials estimate the project could generate roughly $500 million in combined revenue and taxes during the lease term, benefiting DeKalb County government, local schools, and the City of Chamblee. The development is also projected to create approximately 600 jobs, including construction roles, aviation line-service positions, maintenance work, and administrative jobs tied to aircraft operations. Supporters say the economic impact positions PDK as an even stronger hub for corporate and private aviation in metro Atlanta, with growth tied directly to based aircraft rather than transient training flights.
The Airport Authority’s Role
The DeKalb Airport Authority advises the CEO and Board of Commissioners on long-term management and planning for PDK. Its statutory purpose includes maintaining a coordinated airport system, ensuring responsible growth, maximizing public benefit, and aligning local operations with national aviation standards.
A Century of History at PDK
From Camp Gordon in World War I to Naval Air Station Atlanta in World War II, and its transition to civilian use in the late 1950s, PDK has played a major role in Georgia’s military and aviation history. Brief commercial service operated between 2017 and 2020 before being suspended due to the pandemic. Today, it is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the Southeast.
What Comes Next
Sky Harbour’s proposal moves into the negotiation and execution phase for a long-term ground lease. Construction will require FAA review, environmental assessments, and continued community engagement. With public opinion divided, the future of PDK development remains a closely watched issue in DeKalb County.
Chit Chat Atlanta Tours celebrates a breakthrough month with national and international visitors, new cultural experiences, and rising demand as the company opens bookings for the holiday season.
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | November 19, 2025
October was a breakthrough month for Chit Chat Atlanta Tours. Visitors from London, Ireland, North Carolina, California, Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas spent the month exploring Atlanta’s rich history, food, and culture through the company’s signature guided experiences. The wave of national and international guests signals significant momentum for the fast-growing tour company as the holiday season approaches.
A Powerful Journey Through Black History
One of the month’s most memorable moments came during the Black History & Civil Rights Tour. Guests learned about the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre and then met Fabian, the visual artist behind the striking mural honoring the massacre’s victims. For a group visiting from London, the encounter offered a rare, personal connection to the people who continue to preserve Atlanta’s story through art.
Holiday Bookings Now Open
With demand rising, Chit Chat Atlanta Tours is now welcoming groups, families, organizations, and solo travelers to reserve holiday experiences. Tours are available throughout:
Thanksgiving Week
Christmas and Winter Break
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
The company offers options for history lovers, foodies, students, corporate groups, birthday travelers, and visitors from around the world.
Chit Chat Atlanta Tours says its mission is simple: share the stories, culture, landmarks, and hidden gems that make Atlanta one of the most influential cities in the nation.
MARTA launches its 2025 holiday season with free rides, festive bus wraps, vendor markets, surprise giveaways, and community events across Atlanta, DeKalb, and Clayton County.
By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | November 19, 2025
If you’re riding MARTA this season, expect more than your usual commute. Expect music drifting through station corridors, small businesses setting up tables full of handmade goods, and a flash of color when one of MARTA’s holiday buses pulls to the curb. The agency is rolling out six weeks of holiday cheer, complete with free rides, surprise giveaways, and a few visits from Santa — the real one.
The celebration starts Thursday at West End Station, where MARTA is hosting its third annual Holiday Market + Bus Reveal. It’s become one of those events people circle on the calendar: hot cocoa, local makers, DIY craft stations, and that moment everyone leans in together waiting for the holiday buses to roll out in fresh wraps. This year’s theme — “Wrapping Up the Year” — sits across three custom buses made possible by Tulsa Welding School Atlanta, which is opening its new campus in the metro area.
MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt said the event reflects the agency’s bigger goal: bringing people together. “From free holiday rides to local vendor markets and festive surprises, we’re excited to spread cheer across the system all season long,” he said.
And the gifts don’t stop at the station. From Nov. 21 through New Year’s Eve, anyone who happens to step onto one of the wrapped buses rides free. The buses will be moving throughout Atlanta, DeKalb, and Clayton County — bright, loud, unmistakably festive.
There’s also something special planned for Dec. 2 through Dec. 4. MARTA teams — joined by The Real Black Santa and a handful of local influencers — will pop up around the system to hand out free Breeze Cards. No schedule, no announcement. Just a little joy, delivered in the moment.
The next big stop on the holiday tour is Dec. 11 at Kensington Station. In partnership with Decide DeKalb, MARTA is hosting a customer appreciation celebration with DeKalb-based vendors, holiday karaoke, music, story time, refreshments, giveaways, and a photo booth. The holiday buses will be parked onsite so families can climb aboard, take pictures, and see the designs up close.
Six weeks, systemwide. Free rides. Markets. Santa. And plenty of chances for people to meet the community around them. MARTA is keeping the holidays accessible — and bringing the season directly to the riders who keep the system moving.
Full details are available at itsmarta.com/holidayevents
Victor Hart Sr., longtime NAACP leader and Gifford advocate, devoted his life to dignity, justice, and community progress. His decades of service transformed opportunities for generations.
By Milton Kirby | Vero Beach, FL | November 17, 2025
A Life of Service Remembered
In Gifford, the measure of a person’s life is often found in the work they leave behind. It’s written in the stories people tell, the hands a leader lifts, and the ground a man helps steady when everything around him feels like it might shake loose. That is the kind of life Victor Hart Sr. lived — steady, humble, unbending in his love for people.
Hart, the longtime president of the Indian River County NAACP chapter, is remembered for walking with humility but speaking with a purposeful voice to provide opportunities for others. He died on November 13 at the age of 94.
From Cat Island to Gifford
Victor Hart, Sr.’s journey from his birthplace in 1931 in Old Bight Settlement on Cat Island in the Bahamas to Gifford in 1953 is a testament to his resilience and determination. He arrived in Florida with a fifth-grade education and a fruit picker’s job but quickly came to understand the hard lines of segregation in his new home.
He remembered an early trip to Orlando, when he wanted a sandwich and was told he wasn’t allowed to go through the front door.
“Well, I didn’t know there were two kinds of people,” he said. “So I just went on through that door. And I kept doing that.”
“Where I come from in the Bahamas, all people needed to know was that my name is Victor Hart,” he explained. “That’s who I was. In the Bahamas, we had lived as one.”
Challenging Barriers, Opening Doors
Those experiences pushed Hart toward a life of challenge and service. Though he did not first see himself as a civil rights figure, he later reflected, “I had never thought of myself as a civil rights worker — but I guess that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.”
Back in 1961, he recalled, “I got a crew together and I said, ‘Fellas, I don’t know what the law is all about in this country, but I’m not going to go around to the back.’”
From that determination came the Progressive Civic League in Gifford and the county’s NAACP chapter. Hart was the first to organize both.
“It was tough in those days,” he said. “You couldn’t just ride around — you had to go in groups.” Organizing offered some measure of safety and a collective voice.
Over the years, Victor Hart Sr.’s humble yet unflinching leadership was instrumental in bringing significant improvements to Gifford. His efforts led to the delivery of clean water, paved roads, streetlights, medical and community centers, the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, and the park that now bears his name.
A Father Who Lived His Values Out Loud
Hart’s public work was matched by the example he set at home.
“My father was a warrior. He was a fighter. He was a fighter to the end,” said his daughter, Vickie Hart-Brant. “My daddy was my hero. Daddy just understood so much.”
She described him as well-read and highly intellectual, noting that he kept up with the issues by reading five newspapers. Education, she said, was very important to him.
Hart instilled his values in his children. Hart-Brant remembers riding with him as he used a loudspeaker to remind people to vote. The family helped give rides to polling locations, joined parades, and took part in events to promote the community.
He taught them the art of negotiation and the importance of respecting others, regardless of their disagreement. His motto, she said, was simple: “I can disagree with you, but I don’t have to be disagreeable.”
He also insisted on integrity in his civic work. Hart-Brant recalled that he never took a penny from anyone. “My daddy financed his own work. His integrity was intact. He sacrificed to help promote and advocate for the people of Gifford. He loved the people of Gifford,” she said. “He was a God-fearing man. Faith and his family were the two most important things in his life.”
A Calming Presence in Difficult Times
County Commissioner Deryl Loar, a former sheriff, worked closely with Hart during difficult moments and witnessed his influence firsthand. Everyone called him “Chief.” “That was the respect that he commanded,” Loar said.
Hart had a calming effect on the community, even during times of racial tension. After the murder of George Floyd, when emotions and frustration ran high, Hart’s voice and presence helped steady Gifford.
“There were several instances when there could have been unrest, absent Victor Hart, Sr. calming the community,” Loar said.
A Legacy Etched Into a Park and a Community
The community’s respect and gratitude for Victor Hart, Sr.’s work were formally recognized in 2017, when Gifford Park on 43rd Avenue was renamed the Victor Hart Sr. Community Enhancement Complex. The well-attended ceremony made history: it was the first Indian River County-owned facility to be named for a person of color. This recognition is a source of pride for the entire community.
Victor Hart, Sr. Community Enhancement Complex.
The well-attended ceremony made history: it was the first Indian River County-owned facility to be named for a person of color.
The people of Gifford had long considered Hart an icon. Now there is a permanent and very visible testament to the esteem he earned through decades of work.
Tony Brown, Hart’s hand-picked successor as NAACP president, put it plainly: “When you mention an accomplishment in Gifford, you cannot get too far away from Victor Hart.”
According to County Commissioner Bob Solari, who made the motion to rename the park, “Few people have done so much for the community with so little personal benefit. He’s been working at it daily for almost 60 years.”
Today, the 39-acre Victor Hart, Sr. Community Enhancement Complex includes athletic fields, a large playground, the Gifford Aquatic Center, the Gifford Youth Achievement Center, basketball and tennis courts, a football field, a lighted Little League field, picnic pavilions with grills, restrooms, walking trails, fitness equipment, and parking areas. It operates daily from 7 a.m. until sunset and provides a safe and engaging environment for families and children.
Victor Hart Sr Community Enhancement Complex – Courtesy Indian River County
Pets, alcohol, open fires, and camping are not allowed within the park, underscoring its role as a community space focused on recreation, safety, and connection.
‘It Feels Good… Now Somebody Says Thank You’
In 2013, Hart was honored with a living memorial at Historic Macedonia Church in Gifford. At age 82, he sat on a bench engraved with his name, alongside County Commissioner Bob Solari. The bench and accompanying plaque were placed outside the church at 2800 45th Street, across from Gifford Middle School.
“It feels good; people don’t usually do anything for me,” Hart said at the time. “Now somebody says thank you; at least they let me know they appreciate me.”
For the people of Gifford, the appreciation had been there all along — in clean water, paved roads, streetlights, community centers, youth programs, and a park that carries his name. For nearly 60 years, whenever something significant changed for the better in Gifford, it was almost always the result of Victor Hart’s work.
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WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. meets Devin Haney in Riyadh on Nov. 22, a high-stakes matchup between two young stars chasing legacy and supremacy.
By Milton Kirby | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | November 17, 2025
A Rising Champion Steps Onto Boxing’s Biggest Stage
At just 24 years old, Brian Norman Jr. enters the most significant fight of his career — a November 22 welterweight showdown against former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Standing 5’8” and fighting at 147 pounds, Norman arrives as the reigning WBO world champion, unbeaten at 28-0, with one of the division’s most feared left hooks. His last two bouts turned heads worldwide, especially his June 19, 2025 demolition of Jin Sasaki in Tokyo.
In the first minute of that fight, Norman floored Sasaki with a sharp left hook. By round five, he delivered a knockout so brutal that Sasaki remained on the canvas for several minutes — a finish many analysts immediately labeled a Knockout of the Year contender.
Two undefeated champions
The Road to the WBO Throne
Norman’s ascent began with a breakthrough win in 2024, when he claimed the WBO interim title by stopping the undefeated and highly ranked Giovanni Santillan. When Terence Crawford later vacated the welterweight belt, Norman was elevated to full champion and has defended his position with steady, disciplined dominance.
Like his upcoming opponent, Norman turned professional at just 17. He fought his earliest bouts in Mexico, sharpened his technique across smaller U.S. shows, and built a highlight reel filled with stoppages. In 2022, Top Rank — the promotional home of Muhammad Ali, Manny Pacquiao, and Oscar De La Hoya — signed him, providing the platform that accelerated his rise.
Today, Norman has earned an estimated $1 million in career purses, including a $650,000 payday in his bout against Cuevas.
His record now stands at 30 fights, 28 wins, and no losses, including22 knockouts, six unanimous decision victories, and two no-contests due to accidental injuries.
The Haney Equation
Devin Haney enters the ring with his own immaculate resume: 32-0, multiple world titles across divisions, and wins over some of the sport’s most accomplished fighters. His resume includes:
Vasiliy Lomachenko
Regis Prograis
Joseph “JoJo” Diaz
Joseph Ramirez
Haney’s lone scare came against Ryan Garcia, who knocked him down multiple times. Though Haney lost that night, the bout was later ruled a no-contest after Garcia failed a drug test.
Since then, Haney has taken a cautious path — even opting for a catch-weight bout against Jose Ramirez in Times Square — but now steps into the welterweight arena with every intention of reclaiming dominance.
Styles Make Fights
Haney has openly dismissed Norman’s résumé, suggesting the young champion has not yet faced an elite lineup. But analysts see a more complicated picture.
Norman is a physical fighter on the inside, willing to lean on strength and timing to break down opponents. He sets his feet before launching power shots, particularly that devastating left hook. For Haney, the assignment will be to keep Norman off balance, force him to reset his stance, and make him walk into straight counters.
Haney’s defensive skills and ring generalship could frustrate a power puncher. Norman’s explosiveness could overwhelm a boxer who sometimes gets drawn into exchanges.
A Fight for Legacy — and Leverage
With Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in global boxing, the November 22nd card represents far more than a payday. Both fighters are in the early chapters of what could be long, defining careers. A victory here positions the winner for:
Multidivisional supremacy
Major unification bouts
Global pay-per-view standing
Seven-figure purses
But only one man leaves Riyadh with momentum, leverage, and the power to dictate what comes next.
On one side: a polished technician with championship pedigree. On the other: a young knockout artist with one of the sport’s most feared weapons.
On November 22nd, the welterweight division gets answers.
More than 150 residents logged in on November 10 for a virtual town hall hosted by DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick, with District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry serving as co-sponsor. The discussion centered on the future of DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) and a major proposed expansion by Sky Harbour, LLC.
The meeting brought together residents, business owners, and aviation leaders to talk through growth, environmental impact, aircraft noise, and the long-term vision for one of the county’s most important assets.
“PDK is one of DeKalb County’s greatest economic assets, but progress must always be guided by responsibility and community input,” Cochran-Johnson said.
Understanding PDK: A Busy Airport with Growing Pressure
PDK is a county-owned general aviation airport in Chamblee, roughly 11.5 miles from downtown Atlanta. It operates 24 hours a day and has averaged more than 230,000 annual takeoffs and landings since 1988.
With three asphalt runways in an H-shape—its longest stretching 6,000 feet—PDK is Georgia’s second busiest airport and ranks seventh nationwide among general aviation fields.
The airport generates most of its revenue through more than 250 ground leases for offices, hangars, and corporate tenants.
“Revenue from ground leases, along with fuel flowage fees, supports the airport’s enterprise fund and covers our annual operating and maintenance expenses,” Airport Director Hunter Hines explained.
But PDK has seen limited modernization in recent decades.
“This is something we are committed to changing,” Hines said, noting plans for transient landing fees and long-term infrastructure improvements.
Inside the Sky Harbour Proposal
Sky Harbour wants to build eight hangars on 12.8 acres on PDK’s east side at an estimated cost of $45 million. The project would include corporate hangars, an access road, aircraft support facilities, and the ability to add solar panels and electric ground-support equipment.
Over 50 years, the project is projected to generate $576 million in local revenue:
$66 million for the airport
$211 million for DeKalb County
$230 million for DeKalb County Schools
$67 million for the City of Chamblee
County officials say the development could reduce the need for aircraft repositioning flights and help more planes use PDK as their home base. Sky Harbour estimates 600 jobs would be created through construction, operations, and workforce development.
“We’re talking about 15 or 16 aircraft based with us,” said Sky Harbour Senior Vice President Neil Szymczak. “Only a handful of operations compared to the airport’s total. We won’t be driving up traffic.”
Szymczak also said Sky Harbour would contractually commit to housing no aircraft larger than what PDK already allows.
Growing Community Concerns: Noise, Safety, and Pollution
Local residents voiced concerns about added noise, environmental impact, and larger jets coming into their neighborhoods.
PDK Watch Inc. communications director Larry Foster wrote that the project could “significantly increase the number of flights and the noise disruption” already affecting more than 100,000 residents near the airport. “That disruption will only get worse in the future if the Sky Harbour project is allowed to go forward,” he said.
Noise remains a sensitive subject at PDK. Cochran-Johnson noted that more than 16,000 noise complaints were filed with the FAA in 2024—but most came from a small group of residents.
Environmental questions also loomed large.
The county confirmed that an environmental study is underway and is expected to be completed by June 2026. Cochran-Johnson said the county can stop the project if the review shows significant hazards.
How the Project Reached This Point
PDK issued a request for proposals in 2023 to explore east-side development. Only one company responded.
“This was not a sole-source solicitation,” Hines said. “We received one response from Sky Harbour, and based on evaluation of the criteria, the RFP was awarded.”
Sky Harbour currently holds 19 ground leases nationwide, with nine in operation and nine under development.
The project cleared the Operations Committee on November 4, but the full DeKalb County Commission deferred its vote until November 18, citing the need for more review.
Commissioner Patrick said county leaders want full transparency before moving forward.
Leaders Promise Continued Public Input
Despite the differing viewpoints, officials closed the town hall by agreeing on one point: community input will guide the process.
“We are committed to engaging the public as these plans move forward,” Cochran-Johnson said.
County leaders emphasized that the expansion will not increase the size or weight limit of jets allowed to use PDK. Any future development, they said, must balance economic benefits with environmental protection and neighborhood quality of life.
The debate is now set to continue as the county approaches its November 18 vote—and as the environmental review moves toward its 2026 deadline.
