Join Stacey Abrams & The Historic Race To Turn Georgia Blue
In the past year, one could not talk about midterm elections, without uttering the name Stacey Abrams. From CNN to TIME Magazine, Stacey has been taking the nation by storm with her plans to turn Georgia's radical red to a tranquil blue.
The race to be the next governor of Georgia has heated up since the primaries earlier this year, and some of the country's biggest stars made their way down south to campaign. Rapper Ludacris and producer Will Packer helped raise over $300,000 when they threw a supporter party at Packer's home. Those in attendance included Chris Tucker, Tiffany Haddish, Kelly Rowland, Marlon Wayans, LeToya Luckett, Marsai Martin, and Tyrese Gibson.
This past Thursday (November 1), Oprah Winfrey hosted two town hall events in Decatur and and Marietta. This is a considered a rare endorsement as the media icon has mostly avoided politics. Her two most recent endorsements were Obama in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
And Stacey isn't without her own presidential star power, arguably her biggest endorsement to date, former President Barack Obama went to Georgia and held a rally in her name at Morehouse College on Friday (November 2).
With a deadlock race for governor -- Stacey is currently polling 46.9% and Brian Kemp polling 46.7% -- Stacey has a chance of becoming the first black female governor in U.S History. If she can earn 50% plus one vote that is. Otherwise, Georgia is headed for a runoff election—meaning the race would drag on into December, which is not desirable for either candidate.
So, with this knowledge and all that is at stake, it's no wonder that voters are looking towards Stacey's background and vision to further solidify which candidate gets their votes on November 6. With the hope this political season is a little less strenuous for all, learn some things about Stacey Abrams that you might not have known before.
Her Background
TIME Magazine
Stacey Abrams and her five siblings grew up in a lower middle-class household in Gulfport, Mississippi. Despite struggling to make ends meet, her parents had an indefatigable commitment to providing educational opportunity for their children, which led the family to Georgia.
Stacey and her younger siblings attended DeKalb County Schools, and she graduated from Avondale High School. She went on to receive degrees from Spelman College, the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, and Yale Law School.
Putting her education to work, Stacey became the first woman to lead either party in the Georgia General Assembly and the first African American to lead in the House of Representatives. As House Minority Leader, Stacey fought to better the lives of Georgians through government, nonprofit, and business sectors.
For her staunch support of working families, Stacey has received the Friend of Labor award and also earned an A-rating from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in the same year. She is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and she is the proud 2012 Grand Champion of the Georgia National Fair Legislative Livestock Roundup. Stacey has received recognition from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Georgia), the National Urban League, EMILY's List, and Planned Parenthood.
"Like most who are underestimated, I have learned to over-perform and find soft but key ways to take credit," she said. "Because ultimately, leadership and power require the confidence to effectively wield both."
Her Vision
Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP
Like Stacey has stated in the past, "We must cease being participants in our own oppression."
With a vision like no other, Stacey Abrams plans to rise up and has 12 main issues she intends to fight while in office. Here are the top six:
Affordable Housing
Affordable housing is essential to ensuring that every family has the freedom and opportunity to thrive. Stacey Abrams understands that the challenges impacting access to affordable housing are different across communities; particularly in the city of Atlanta, where the income inequality rate is the highest in the country. As a result, Stacey is committed to partnering with local governments to develop solutions that will ensure the success of every community in Georgia.
Education
According to U.S. News & World, Georgia ranks #31 in Education overall, and #35 in PreK-12 Education. With the knowledge that education is a key to economic mobility and future success, Stacey is committed to investing in increasing Georgia's national ranking by addressing the needs of the whole child, from cradle to career. This will begin with high quality, affordable childcare and pre-kindergarten programs, continue through fully-funded public schools, and on to post-secondary opportunities in actions that ensure success.
Energy and Environment
Stacey has strived to protect Georgia's natural resources and communities from hazardous waste that often is left unchecked. Supporting greater oversight of petroleum pipelines, sponsored legislation to ensure funds for hazardous waste clean-up, and advocating for policies that address climate change, Abrams plans to strengthen environmental protection for all Georgians.
Equal Rights
Full inclusive equal rights ensure that Georgia is building on a strong economy that works for everyone. Stacey Abrams intends to advocate for all communities and believes in treating every person with basic human dignity and respect.
Gun Safety
The number of mass shootings in the US this year has already reached 297. In the city of Atlanta, at least 50 police shootings have occurred. It is beyond time for sensible gun policies that enable responsible ownership but also keep firearms away from people who would use them to harm others or themselves. Stacey is committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement, community partners, the legislature, and the criminal justice system to protect Georgia's communities.
Health Care
Stacey believes it is essential for every Georgian to be able to access affordable healthcare. With plans to expand Medicaid, she intends to provide access to healthcare for all Georgians, create more than 50,000 jobs, expand mental health support groups and resources, and protect rural hospitals from closure.
To find out more about Stacey Abrams's vision, click here and get to reading.
Now the most important question, will you rock your vote on Election Day?
Featured image by AP Photo/John Bazemore
Taysha Robinson is a writer and high school English teacher, based in metro-Atlanta. A self described philomath, you can find her reading books and articles of every genre, attending educational conferences, and hiking wherever the terrain will allow.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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The Power Of Your Big 3: Understanding The Astrological Significance You Hold
Explore your sign’s 2024 horoscope predictions to learn what is in store for you this year in love, career, and more. Check out the love compatibility of each sign to learn more about zodiac pairings and all things compatibility.
Astrology has become even more mainstream and a phenomenon than it ever has in the past. We have gone beyond the, “What’s your sign?” and have moved into “What’s your big 3?” seemingly overnight, and rightly so due to the significance of knowing these important details. Your Big 3 in Astrology represents your sun sign, your moon sign, and your rising sign.
This trifecta is thought to be one of the most significant details of your birth chart and gives you and others more of a full-picture look at who you are beyond just your sun sign.
What Does Your Big 3 In Astrology Say About You?
Knowing your big 3 is important, especially if you are someone who has never really resonated with your sun sign. You read about what it means to be an Aries, but may not align with what you see or your experience with other Aries. Meanwhile, the whole time, you have a Libra rising, the complete opposite sign of Aries, and this is why you have always seen yourself as a more laid-back and less confrontational Aries.
Elements hold a key role in your birth chart and having a big 3 where the elements are all compatible or the same often signifies someone who knows who they are and is comfortable in their skin. Whereas someone with a different element for each part of their big 3 may have challenges with identity or defining who they are or how they want to present themselves. It’s a different type of perspective when looking into your big 3, and it helps you see where your strengths and needs are in life, and how to tap more into this potential.
Your Big 3 In Astrology Explained
Your big 3 can help you navigate life by understanding which part of you comes out more in different circumstances. At home, you are most like your moon sign, when you are out and about, you are most like your rising sign. Whether you are at home or out and about, your goals, purpose, and interests are most like your sun sign.
You can find out what your big 3 is by looking up a ‘Birth Chart Calculator’ on your search engine, typing in your birthday details (you will need to know your birth date, location, and the exact time you were born), and generating your birth chart.
Read below for your sun, moon, and rising signs.
YOUR SUN SIGN
Your sun sign represents the core of you and what motivates you to shine and be your best self. This is your personality, goals, purpose, identity, ego, interests, direction, and where you light up in life.
FIRE SUN (Aries Sun, Leo Sun, Sagittarius Sun)
If you are an Aries sun, a Leo sun, or a Sagittarius sun, you are outgoing, confident, fearless, and in tune with yourself and your personal goals and desires in life. You go after the things you want, and you are not afraid to take up space. You are someone who prefers to be more independent, and you are often in more leadership roles in life.
EARTH SUN (Taurus Sun, Virgo Sun, Capricorn Sun)
If you are a Taurus sun, a Virgo sun, or a Capricorn sun, you are grounded, dependable, loyal, hard-working, and logical. You prefer the finer things in life but also work hard to get where you are. You are someone others feel they can rely on, and you are often a support for other people in your life. You are very connected to the material sides of life, and have a gift for manifesting.
AIR SUN (Gemini Sun, Libra Sun, Aquarius Sun)
If you are a Gemini sun, a Libra sun, or an Aquarius sun, you are light-hearted, free-flowing, intelligent, and communicative. You speak what is on your mind, and you love to connect and communicate with others. People know you for the things you say and your out-of-the-box ideas, and you are someone who is open-minded and provides a safe space for people to be authentically themselves.
WATER SUN (Cancer Sun, Scorpio Sun, Pisces Sun)
If you are a Cancer sun, a Scorpio sun, or a Pisces sun, you are thoughtful, generous, emotional, loving, and compassionate. You care deeply about the people you love, and you are always there for others. You may be more emotional than most, and this is due to your strong intuition and open heart. You are creative, inspiring, and motivated towards connection in life.
YOUR MOON SIGN
Your moon sign represents your emotions. This is the way you express yourself emotionally, how you process your emotions, what you need in love, what makes you feel safe and nurtured, your desires, intuition, your inner world, and what’s going on beneath the surface.
FIRE MOON (Aries Moon, Leo Moon, Sagittarius Moon)
If you are an Aries moon, a Leo moon, or a Sagittarius moon, you are someone who is not afraid to communicate your emotions or how you are feeling, and you can feel your emotions from a mile away. You are confident in yourself and are someone who stands up for what you feel is right. You have a strong need to be seen and heard in your relationships, and a certain type of understanding is needed for you to emotionally thrive. You may have some challenges with anger or high energy and are working through emotional impulses in this lifetime.
EARTH MOON (Taurus Moon, Virgo Moon, Capricorn Moon)
If you are a Taurus moon, a Virgo moon, or a Capricorn moon, you are someone who is emotionally grounded, safe, comforting, and logical. You aren’t overly emotional and may not show your emotions to people much at all, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have them. You think before you speak, and you process your emotions before acting on them, and you tend to be more down-to-earth and understanding when it comes to other people’s emotional worlds as well. You are someone people go to when they need someone to talk to you as you are a very good listener.
AIR MOON (Gemini Moon, Libra Moon, Aquarius Moon)
If you are a Gemini moon, a Libra moon, or an Aquarius moon, you are someone who is fun, outgoing, and emotionally open-minded. You don’t like heavy emotions or too much emotional drama, and you tend to be more go-with-the-flow in this area of your life. Good conversation and mutual understanding are very important to you in your relationships and you want funny banter and inspiration in your connections with others.
WATER MOON (Cancer Moon, Scorpio Moon, Pisces Moon)
If you are a Cancer moon, a Scorpio moon, or a Pisces moon, you are someone who lives by their heart and values your emotional world deeply. You crave a deep type of intimacy in your partnerships and you need a partner who is going to give you that type of emotional connection. You are more private with your emotional world and you tend to hold a lot in, but this can often lead to sudden outbursts as well. Overall, you are the definition of emotion and others learn a lot from you on what it means to love and to feel.
YOUR ASCENDANT (RISING SIGN)
Your ascendant sign represents your perception and the energy you put out into the world. This is the way you come across to others, the way you express yourself, your physical traits and aesthetics, how you manifest, society, and what you expect from the world around you.
FIRE ASCENDANT (Aries Rising, Leo Rising, Sagittarius Rising)
If you are an Aries rising, a Leo rising, or a Sagittarius rising, you come across to others as confident, bold, and stylish. You are known for the way you look or the way you present yourself, and you are usually adorned in bright colors or wearing something that others take a lot of notice of. You are someone who walks into a room, and all eyes are on you, and you love that. You want to be on the move and on the go, and you love to show up in the world exactly as you are today. You see the world with a lot of possibilities and like it's yours to have fun and enjoy yourself in.
EARTH ASCENDANT (Taurus Rising, Virgo Rising, Capricorn Rising)
If you are a Taurus rising, a Virgo rising, or a Capricorn rising, you come across to others as responsible, beautiful, natural, and dependable. You are a hard worker, and you may be known for your career or the work that you do. You are someone who walks into a room and people feel an immediate sense of comfort and like you are someone they can trust. You have strong values and goals, and you are someone who knows what they want. People love to be around your down-to-earth energy, and you make others feel safe and grounded.
AIR ASCENDANT (Gemini Rising, Libra Rising, Aquarius Rising)
If you are a Gemini rising, a Libra rising, or an Aquarius rising, you come across to others as outgoing, friendly, and talkative. You see the world as a place to learn, connect, and be inspired, and you are on a quest for knowledge and understanding. You connect with people from all walks of life, and you tend to have a pretty open-minded and unique friend group. You care a lot about your style and aesthetic and always strive to be authentically you wherever you are. You can talk to people for hours and are often meeting new people and making new friends wherever you go.
WATER ASCENDANT (Cancer Rising, Scorpio Rising, Pisces Rising)
If you are a Cancer rising, a Scorpio rising, or a Pisces rising, you navigate life through the lens of your emotions, and you are deeply connected to the undercurrents of life. You are ruled by your emotions, and this side of you is not something you can keep hidden away easily. You get emotional when you think about society and others at large, and you want to be known for the kind and sincere person you are. When you walk into a room, you feel other people's energy right away and are highly empathic and intuitive.
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Featured image by We Are/Getty Images