Georgia City Leader Says He Was Forced To Resign After Exposing City’s Spending Violations
The Atlanta suburb of College Park enforces strict spending policies, but some former employees say officials failed to follow them.
A former College Park (GA) city employee says he was forced to resign after exposing widespread violations of the city’s spending rules.
Former Procurement Manager Jerrel Jones notes that his job responsibilities included overseeing contracts, purchase orders, and solicitations to ensure the city was compliant. After starting the job nine months ago, he quickly encountered tension. “One of the reasons it was rocky in the beginning because I’m dealing with a city now that did not abide by policies at all,” Jones told WSB-TV.
About two weeks ago Interim City Manager Michael Hicks forced him to resign, Jones said.
Jones said he was asked to step down because he did not allow Hicks to approve large contracts without the council’s approval, which would have broken the city’s policies. According to College Park’s purchasing policy, the mayor and council must approve all contracts totaling $10,000 or more.
He added that th ecity manager who hired him, Lindell Miller, was fired during a city council meeting.
“If they did it to the city manager on live TV, then the chief quits, your finance director walks up out of here, those are like your four, these are your positions of power,” he said. “I was waiting my turn.”
Miller, who held the position for only two months, accused the council of terminating her for refusing to participate in “illegal activity.”
In a statement to WSB-TV, College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom described the allegations as “deeply troubling.”
“This is the second grievance brought by a former employee in recent weeks, and it comes on top of the concerns raised by former City Manager Lindell Miller. Given the pattern and seriousness of all of these allegations, I again stress the need for an independent agency to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation…,” the mayor wrote.
Officials have not confirmed whether they will proceed with an independent investigation.
Ex-SF Homeless Nonprofit CEO, Accused Of Stealing $1.2M In Public Funds, Allegedly Had ‘Trunk Full of High-Priced Jewelry’
The year prior to the suit, UCHS faced an audit after prosecutors alleged Westbrook misappropriated over $1.2 million between 2019 and 2023 and stole $91,000 from the organization.
The former CEO of a San Francisco nonprofit working with the homeless community is accused of misappropriating $1.2 million in public funds and thousands of dollars from the organization for her personal gain, The San Francisco Standard reports.
Former CEO of the United Council of Human Services (UCHS), Gwendolyn Westbrook, is facing nine felony charges including grand theft and filing four years of fraudulent tax returns after being booked into county jail on Feb. 20. Her downfall came after ex-employee Noel Robinson filed a lawsuit against Westbrook in February 2023 accusing her of misusing funds and “living a lifestyle inconsistent with her reported salary,” listed as $155,000 a year in 2015.
Robinson claimed Westbrook atold staff about purchasing and paying off high-end vehicles for personal usage, including a Tesla for herself, a Jeep Renegade for a close family friend, two vehicles for cousins, and an Infiniti SUV for a niece. The suit also alleges she drove around with “a trunk full of high-priced jewelry” in addition to using organizational funds to pay for family members’ weddings and in vitro fertilization procedures for a relative.
The year prior to the suit, UCHS faced an audit after prosecutors alleged Westbrook misappropriated over $1.2 million between 2019 and 2023 and stole $91,000 from the San Francisco-based nonprofit. In a letter to the FBI and The District Attorney’s office, City Attorney David Chiu requested a criminal investigation into UCHS.
“Gwendolyn Westbrook enriched herself and misappropriated millions of dollars in public funding meant to benefit the community,” Chiu said. “We are grateful the district attorney accepted our referral, and the White Collar Crime Division conducted a thorough investigation leading to these charges.”
The audit by the city controller’s office revealed troubling issues throughout the nonprofit outside of mishandled funds. According to the New York Post, UCHS managed RV sites and shelters for homeless people were billed as “supportive” to help people get back on their feet.
The organization was also accused of improper placement of tenants in supportive housing, including a man found dead, identified as Westbrook’s nephew, Darrin Douglas, in an RV outside of a temporary city trailer park for unhoused people. When Robinson’s lawsuit claimed that the nephew’s presence was jeopardizing other residents’ and staff’s safety, Westbrook intervened on her nephew’s behalf.
Concerns over Westbrook’s leadership date back to 2017. A former controller once made 28 improvement recommendations toward internal policies and financial oversight after the city withdrew contracts for the organization in 2009 amid issues with the organization’s bookkeeping.
Eviction Crisis In The ATL: Metro Atlanta Records Highest Eviction Rates In 2025
A study suggests that the conditions that once fueled Metro Atlanta's reputation as the “Black Mecca” for its low housing costs and strong job market, may now be a thing of the past.
The Princeton University-based research firm analyzed 572,679 rental units across Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties, with an average rent of $1,739 per month.
“The numbers are mind-blowing in Atlanta‚” Princeton’s Grace Hartley told WSBTV News.
Atlanta landlords have more evictions than all of New York City. Hartley notes that New York City has roughly four times as many renters as Georgia’s capital city.
Matthew Nursey has firsthand experience with eviction. After losing his job, he was unable to cover rent costs. The incident, which he describes as “humiliating,” led him to become a housing advocate to help others facing similar circumstances.
“Sixty percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. A lot of us are just one emergency away from being in a precarious housing situation,” he told WSBTV News.
The study also found that several complexes in Atlanta became frequent evictors, and six of them alone evicted more than 300 people in the past year. The evictions stay on record for seven years, which makes it more difficult for potential renters to find new homes and may subject them to higher rents and upfront fees.
Eviction Lab reports that Atlanta’s legal framework favors landlords much more than in cities like New York or Philadelphia. Landlords in Atlanta pay lower filing fees for eviction cases and must give tenants less notice. Additionally, some major cities, including New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, have landmark Right to Counsel (RTC) programs for low-income tenants that help reduce evictions. Georgia does not offer RTC protections for tenants, making it more expensive for them to contest evictions.
Sarah Johnson, a research specialist for the Eviction Lab who was involved in processing data for the metro Atlanta region, notes that Black renters are disproportionately affected by evictions. Johnson points out that Black renters make up 53% of all renters, but they account for 71% of eviction filings. “I think that it does deserve more investigation and studies, and I’m hoping that us bringing this data to life will help encourage people to look more into why are eviction filings in Atlanta are so high,” Johnson told WABE.
Chris Bosh Takes To Instagram To Discuss Latest Health Scare
"There was no warning. I didn’t have any time to prepare for it."
NBA Hall of Famer Chris Bosh in a video post on his Instagram account told his followers he was “lucky to be alive.” after a health scare.
“So I woke up covered in my own blood. It was crazy. It was fast. It was instant,” the former Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors star said. “There was no warning. I didn’t have any time to prepare for it. I was getting ready to go on a date with my wife, and the next thing you know, I was on the ground. I won’t get into specifics, but you can kind of see I’m still recovering.”
Bosh felt it was important to share the experience, revealing he was “lucky” to have come back.
He added that the incident was scary and it came fast, and that he had no recollection or memory except that he knew he was back. He then told people, “Don’t wait,” seemingly urging them to act in life.
He also wrote about the experience in more detail on his Substack page, “The Last Chip.” He titled the piece, “Return From the Darkness.”
He left readers with a suggestion:
“Pay attention to yourself and those around you,” Bosh wrote. “Think critically about where your time is going, and why. Good or bad, bring attention to it. The ordinary parts of life don’t feel meaningful until they’re taken away. And by then, it’s too late.”
Bosh’s NBA career was cut short when it was discovered he had a blood clot in his lung. After being hospitalized in 2015, he retired two years later after continuing to have blood clots.
He never disclosed what the diagnosis was for what took place recently.
Rep. Al Green Stands On Business Behind Viral SOTU Sign, Saying Trump Needed To Be Confronted
Green felt it was time for Trump to be held accountable, saying he should have known better (re: sharing the meme that had images of the Obamas as apes) and the country has gotten to a point where “we excuse his every action.”
Texas Democratic Rep. Al Green is standing behind his viral “Black People Aren’t Apes” sign that had him tossed out of the Feb. 24 State of the Union address, stating that it was time for President Donald Trump to be confronted.
The signage refers to an offensive video meme that Trump posted on his Truth Social account of the Obama family depicted as apes. The White House defended the post, claiming it was a staffer’s responsibility, but when asked if he would apologize, the president declined.
It’s incidents like this that lead Green to feel it’s time for Trump to be held accountable, saying he should have known better, and the country has gotten to a point where “we excuse his every action.”
“If we allow this to continue, we are in fact perpetuating what he is perpetrating. I refuse to be a part of the perpetuation of racism emanating from the presidency,” he said.
Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas held up a sign that read, "Black people aren't apes!" as President Trump entered the chamber for his State of the Union address. Greene was soon escorted out as the president began his speech.
Green continued to talk about what actually went down once he held up the sign, claiming it was all about Trump seeing it. “I wanted him to see it, and I wanted him to see me.”
He then said that Trump’s facial expressions made him feel as if his plan had worked, highlighting how the president was immediately steered in a different direction.
Trump wasn’t the only one who saw the sign. Louisiana GOP Rep. Steve Scalise tried to take it down while walking in behind the president.
Here is Rep. Al Green holding up a sign that according to CNN's Manu Raju said "Black people are not apes” before Steve Scalise pulled it down pic.twitter.com/chrxydRYIw
Then there was Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who was seen trying to get physical while approaching Green.
WATCH: At last night’s State of the Union, GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin attempted to snatch Rep. Al Green’s “Black People Aren’t Apes” sign. pic.twitter.com/kdHQHGRImv
Kentucky Rep. James Comer seemingly took a jab at Green’s tenure, claiming he won’t be in Congress much longer, as data reveals Green is trailing in the polls behind his opponent, Rep. Christian Menefee, ahead of the March 3 primary. “I get frustrated. Everybody calls on everybody to be censured,” Comer said. “That’s the good thing about two-year terms. If the people back home don’t like it, they can get rid of you real quick.”
However, Green’s Democratic colleagues are standing behind him, as some know firsthand what it’s like to get into a scuffle with Trump and his loyal leaders. On X, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar wrote: “It’s a dark day in America when a sitting Member of Congress has to remind the president that Black people are not apes.”
Louisiana Governor Asks DOE To ‘Expand’ DEI Investigation At State Universities
“Let me be clear: Louisiana is done with woke DEI policies. Discrimination against ANY student will not be tolerated,” Gov. Jeff Landry said Monday.
Governor Jeff Landry is asking the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to expand its current investigation into the Louisiana Board of Regents over its DEI targets to include all universities in the state.
Landry said the request is to ensure that all schools are in full compliance with federal laws.
“Let me be clear: Louisiana is done with woke DEI policies. Discrimination against ANY student will not be tolerated,” Landry said Monday.“This issue began under the previous administration, and we are fixing it.”
According to Landry’s letter, the Office for Civil Rights informed the Board of Regents that it has initiated an investigation to “determine whether the Board discriminates against white and Asian students in recruitment and enrollment” in its Master plan for Higher Education. The investigation will determine if the master plan violates a portion of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by allowing racially exclusionary practices and initiatives, according to WBRZ.
While Landry is calling for the Office for Civil Rights to expand its investigation to include all public universities, he doesn’t specify which higher learning institutions to include. The Louisiana Board of Regents oversees the four primary public university systems in the state: Louisiana State University, Southern University, the University of Louisiana, and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
Reports of Alleged Discrimination at Louisiana Universities From DEI Policies
In the Board of Regents’ budgets for the 2021-2022 and 2025-2026 fiscal years, the board reportedly included performance objectives requiring schools to prioritize students of “all races other than white [and] Asian,” according to public records. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, however, prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in education programs and activities that receive federal funding.
“It is vital to discover if any institution in this state is engaged in practices contrary to federal law and policies,” Landry wrote. “My administration stands ready to assist you in any way possible to ensure all Louisiana citizens have access to higher education, in accordance with all applicable laws and policies.”
In 2025, legislation advanced through the Louisiana House of Representatives that would ban DEI programs in state agencies and prohibit universities from teaching critical race theory, white fragility, white guilt, systemic racism, allyship, and more, The Advocate reported. Members of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus called the legislation the “most racially offensive piece of legislation” that they’ve had to debate.
University of Georgia Professor Accused Of Soliciting A Minor, Removed From Campus
The TikTok video shows a group confronting the professor on campus while displaying printed screenshots of what they claim were online exchanges.
University of Georgia officials confirmed that a faculty member has been removed from campus after a social media video circulated online alleging inappropriate online communication involving a minor.
In a statement to 11 Alive, the university described the material shown in the video as “deeply disturbing” and said campus police are gathering information. The school said it has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and is working to obtain materials from individuals who posted the video.
The TikTok video shows a group confronting the professor on campus while displaying printed screenshots of what they claim were online exchanges between the professor and someone he believed to be a 14-year-old boy. The group involved in the confrontation identified itself as Street Sweeperz.
A social media news anchor known as Hood Anchor Ye accompanied Street Sweeperz and documented the encounter.
During the encounter captured on video and posted to TikTok by Hood Anchor Ye, the man identified as the professor is heard saying, “I made a mistake,” and added that “I got carried away by the conversation.”
In addition to its public statement, the University of Georgia also sent communication to students and staff alerting them to the situation, according to 11 Alive.
“We are writing to share information about a situation that occurred yesterday and what we are doing in response. Shortly before noon Tuesday, the UGA Police Department was made aware that social media influencers had confronted an instructor in class with accusations of inappropriate predatory texting with a minor and posted a video of the incident. The rest of the class was canceled. The video exchange was posted online, and by last night, the incident had gone viral.
University officials said the faculty member has not been charged with a crime and did not release his name. The school confirmed that another instructor will assume teaching responsibilities for the remainder of the semester.
Long Time Hip-Hop Journalist Elliot Wilson Reveals Having Cardiac Surgery
The editorial director of UPROXX, HipHopDX, and Dime magazine has a new leash on life
Esteemed hip-hop journalist and former XXL Editor-In-Chief, Elliot Wilson, has revealed on social media that he recently had cardiac surgery and is on the road to recovery, stating that he has “way more life to live.”
The writer, who had led his own blog, Rap Radar, and is currently the editorial director of UPROXX, HipHopDX, and Dime, showed a picture of himself, bare-chested, showing off the scar he received from the surgery. He disclosed that he just underwent the operation three weeks ago and will be recovering for the next three weeks.
“Cardiac surgery three weeks ago. Three more to full recovery. Got way more life to live. My next chapter might f**k around and be my best one.”
Cardiac surgery three weeks ago. Three more to full recovery. Got way more life to live. My next chapter might fuck around and be my best one. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ua0R3Jb8s0
Wilson has been at the forefront of hip-hop journalism for over 30 years, writing during the early days of commercial hip-hop for publications like The Source, where he served as music editor for two years. When he became the editor-in-chief of XXL magazine, the publication was The Source’s main competitor in the hip-hop publishing game for many years, setting the tone for future blogs and publications. Many magazines and websites learned from his methods and tried to emulate his path to success in the genre.
The writer was also the co-founder of Ego Trip, a hip-hop publication, which he started with Sasha Jenkins (who died last May) and later worked at JAY-Z’s Tidal platform, where he rose to become the chief content officer, years after starting his own property, Rap Radar.
Wilson’s strong, outspoken personality and controversial takes as a hip-hop journalist always kept him on the radar. He continues to have discussions and interviews with the heavyweights of hip-hop, from top-tier superstars to behind-the-scenes executives who have made their own strides in the industry.
Metro Atlanta School District Opens ‘The Arena’ To Bridge Academics With Economic Growth
The Arena at Southlake is reportedly the first "purpose-built" mid-size arena in Metro Atlanta.
A Metro Atlanta School District has great plans for “The Arena,” a new multi-purpose venue that bridges academic success with economic opportunity.
Properly titled “The Arena at Southlake,” the $100 million space inside Southlake Mall offers top-of-the-line amenities similar to franchise-owned arenas. Owned by Clayton County Public Schools with day-to-day operations managed by The Right Productions (TRP Now, Inc.), The Arena has widespread potential, all geared toward serving students in its district.
The 8,000-seat mid-size arena, nicknamed “The Bowl,” has bookings from Floetry concerts to sports tournaments in the works. Funded by local taxpayers through an E-SPLOST investment, The Arena hopes to rival pre-established venues in Atlanta, so long as the schedule remains blocked out for high school graduations.
Surrounding this center, however, lies its immersive facilities for career development. On its ground floor, the Junior Achievement Delta Discovery Center feels like the ultimate playground for pretend-adulthood. The learning hub features miniature versions of Atlanta-based companies from Chick-fil-A to Delta, offering kids the opportunity to visualize themselves in these roles.
Right next door is the JA Dream Accelerator, the first of its kind in Georgia. Allowing students to explore and envision different career paths, this interactive program will extend to all Clayton County grade schools.
For older students, the second level boasts a Career Academy, which will feature state-of-the-art technology. From broadcast labs to podcasting studios and evergreen spaces, each component will encourage student leadership and innovation as they prepare for life after graduation.
Wanting to further integrate event operations with this “purpose-built” mindset, student participants have developed their own marketing agency. When able, they will develop campaigns and marketing strategies to promote events held at The Arena, earning hands-on experience in this lucrative industry.
At its core, The Arena is a community-led venture to propel Clayton County and its students to the global stage. While the venue expects to bring world-class events to the city of Morrow, student opportunity remains the organizers’ mission.
Forging new opportunities in sports and entertainment is another focus. These events seek to grow the economic impact of Clayton County and its public schools to the Greater Atlanta community, further amplified by its partnership with TRP.
“At TRP Now, our commitment is to serve the students and broader stakeholders of the community while delivering excellent experiences—every event, every time,” said Shahida Mausi, president and CEO of The Right Productions (TRP Now, Inc.). “By innovating and collaborating with best-in-class partners, our goal is to create exceptional cultural moments that attract audiences near and far. Premium execution is our foundation: from seamless logistics to premium guest services, we deliver the highest standards because this community deserves it. Looking ahead, we’re focused on growth, both as a company and as a catalyst for Clayton County. This arena shows what’s possible with forward-thinking leadership and a dedication to service.”
This facility holds even more importance given Clayton County’s status as a primarily Black and Brown school district. Black students make up a vast majority of its classrooms: 67.9%, according to U.S. News & World Report. Hispanic students account for 24.5% of that population.
With these demographics in mind, county educators and administrators established these career readiness programs to prepare students once they leave their hallways.
“For many years, people in our community didn’t get there first, and when that happens, we tend to work from behind. We built this vision based off of giving our children a head start,” District 8 Board Chairman Benjamin Stracker tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “That’s what we’re all about, teaching our children how to conduct business and make profits as they leave our high schools.”
With The Arena’s grand opening set for March, the county’s next cohort of graduates will walk across the stage of their future.
“The Arena at Southlake reflects disciplined leadership and responsible stewardship on behalf of Clayton County’s taxpayers,” CCPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Douglas Hendrix Sr. said in a news release. “As a Clayton County Public Schools facility, it was secured to serve our students, families, and community. We acknowledge the collective leadership that helped bring it to fruition. Our commitment is to operate it with unity, integrity, and focus on the people it was built to serve.”
With the county’s motto of “Rooted in Clayton. Built for the World,” The Arena at Southlake will reimagine student engagement and achievement when granted ample opportunity and resources to succeed.
Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Nominates Lauryn Hill, Sade, Wu Tang
Inductees are expected to be announced in April.
Nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 have been announced. Among the Black icons on the ballot: Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, Sade, Luther Vandross, New Edition, and Wu-Tang Clan.
Seventeen total nominees across multiple genres were announced.
To be eligible, artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year of nomination. More than 1,200 artists, historians, and music professionals will vote on the 2026 class. Inductees are expected to be announced in April. The ceremony is usually held in the fall.
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill first gained influence as a member of The Fugees. Then her solo 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, became the first hip-hop album to win the Grammy Award for album of the year in 1999. Hill’s fusion of hip-hop, soul, and reggae continues to shape contemporary music.
Mimi received a nomination for the third consecutive year. Carey has 19 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, the most of any solo artist. Carey is a singer-songwriter whose music has made an indelible impact. Yearly, her most enduring hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You”dominates the charts every December.
Mariah Carey is a nominee for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a third consecutive year. pic.twitter.com/b54fCLbFmU
British singer Sade Adu, known professionally as Sade, is also on the 2026 ballot. Her band’s blend of soul, jazz, and pop has produced global hits including “Smooth Operator”and “The Sweetest Taboo.” The siren is not keen on publicity, but she pops up at least once a decade to bless her fans with a tune or two. Sade has previously been nominated.
Sade is nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the second time. pic.twitter.com/U3ch887Owm
The R&B group was nominated for the first time. The Boston-based group, known for hits such as “Cool It Now” and “Candy Girl,” helped shape the sound and performance style of modern groups. Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Johnny Gill, Bobby Brown, Ronnie Devoe, and Michael Bivins have led impressive careers outside of the group. Together, they are the blueprint for the contemporary boyband.
5 young Black boys from the Orchard Park Projects in the Roxbury neighborhood in Boston formed a group in 1978 that would change history and lay a foundation for American Boy Bands. New Edition was just nominated for the 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class. 🌼🌸🌻🌹🏵 pic.twitter.com/ntDAD46otc
The hip-hop collective’s 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is widely regarded as a landmark release in East Coast rap, brought to life by the different flows and personalities of the 10-man group. RZA. GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna. They stepped outside of the box and changed the landscape of Hhp-hop.
The 2026 ballot reflects the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s continued recognition of hip-hop, R&B, and soul artists.
Nominees must receive votes from a majority of the voting body to be inducted. Fan voting is also expected to contribute to the overall ballot count, though final decisions are made by the voting panel.
