In October, my family and I celebrated one of our favorite holidays—Halloween! Dressed as characters from Across the Spider-Verse, we joined #TeamNikema and swung into the festivities, sharing candy, goodies, and fall updates with youth and families in the #FightingFifth. Bringing our community together for some spooky fun was a true joy! | With the election behind us, I know many may feel hopeless, anxious, or scared—and those feelings are valid. But let me assure you: this is not the end. As your Congresswoman, I will keep fighting relentlessly for reproductive freedom, quality care, and voting rights. This moment is not the end; it's just the beginning of our fight. | As always, I am proud to be your Congresswoman and here to serve. You can reach my District office at 404-659-0116 or my Washington D.C. office at 202-225-3801. Yours for the People, | Nikema Williams Member of Congress | The Art, Essay and Verbal Expression Contest | The Atlanta Citizen Review Board (ACRB) invites citizens of all ages to participate in this year’s Art, Essay, and Verbal Expression (AEVE) Contest themed “My Dream for a Just World: One City, One Team… Citizens & Police, Working Together…”. The contest, open to talents in art, writing, poetry, and rap, encourages community expression on policing. The deadline is January 13, 2025, with a celebratory reception for participants at Atlanta City Hall, where entries will be displayed. Organizations with the most entries will receive a Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council. To learn more, click here | FEMA Individual Assistance Program | Fulton County have been APPROVED for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, which offers funding for individuals who incur costs for housing, food, & other vital supplies. Please note: Individual Assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. Families, individuals, or businesses with insurance should still file claims with their insurance company as soon as possible My office will share more updates as we receive more information. | New Property Tax Service Website | The City of Forest Park is excited to announce the launch of their brand-new customer service site to pay your property taxes online! You can find your tax bill by using your name, parcel number or address. REMINDER: All tax bills are due by Friday, December 20, 2024. For questions or more information, contact the city's Finance Department at (404) 366-4720. | Pushing for Greater LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Finance | The Promoting Responsive Inclusion and Diverse Engagement (PRIDE) Act, cosponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Madeleine Dean, Mark Takano, and Raul Grijalva, and endorsed by major LGBTQ+ organizations, calls for federal banking and finance agencies to expand their inclusion efforts to support LGBTQ+ individuals. Currently, financial services have made strides in gender and racial diversity, but LGBTQ+ representation remains minimal, with only 0.4% of Fortune 500 board seats held by openly LGBTQ+ individuals. This bill aims to address these gaps, ensuring fair access and representation for LGBTQ+ individuals in finance and fostering a more inclusive industry culture. To read the press release, click here To see the one-pager, click here | Supporting Childcare Providers with SBA Resources | The Convening Operations Assistance for Childcare Heroes (COACH) Act, led by Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), aims to support childcare providers by requiring the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to maintain an updated resource guide for starting and growing childcare businesses. Endorsed by organizations like the First Five Years Fund, Georgia Child Care Association, and Save the Children, the COACH Act would also have SBA partners reach out to childcare providers to ensure they’re aware of these resources. Childcare providers, especially those running small operations, often need additional help with business challenges despite their expertise in child health and safety. With childcare sector employment still below pre-pandemic levels, this legislation would ensure providers receive essential support, helping to keep childcare accessible for working families across the country. To read the press release, click here To see a one-pager on the COACH Act, click here | Calling for Safe Elections after Hurricanes Helene & Milton | I led a letter calling for immediate federal action to ensure elections remain safe and accessible after Hurricanes Helene & Milton. We urged USPS & the Biden-Harris Admin to provide resources & support for impacted states. Read the full article in Democracy Docket, here | Combating Misinformation during Hurricane Recovery Efforts | Misinformation has hurt recovery efforts across the Southeast in detrimental ways. That's why Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Congresswoman Deborah Ross, Congressman Wiley Nickel, and I are urged social media companies to address widespread misinformation following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Read the full article in Axios, here | Touring Dominium’s Briar Park and The Paramount | Stable communities begin with affordable housing. I had the pleasure of touring Dominium’s Briar Park and The Paramount, in SW Atlanta. These developments will provide much-needed housing for seniors and families, made possible through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. | Receiving the AMAC Women in Aviation Leadership Award | Thank you to the American Minority Advisory Council for the AMAC Women in Aviation Leadership Award! I'm committed to expanding opportunities for Black Americans in aviation. Together, we can ensure Black excellence thrives in the skies and on the ground! | The 4th Annual Sno Ball Gala | I attended Jeezy’s 4th Annual Sno Ball Gala supporting the Street Dreamz Foundation and their mission to empower at-risk youth. Proud to join T.I., The Real Mike Epps, Mayor Andre Dickens, and former State Rep. Calvin Smyre in supporting leadership and independence for the next generation. | Racing on the runway for a good cause! | Celebrating the Work of the Carter's at Habitat for Humanity | Celebrating President Jimmy Carter & Rosalynn Carter's work with Habitat for Humanity by welcoming SIX new homeowners to the #FightingFifth! I’m grateful for partners like Wells Fargo in the fight for affordable housing—one new home at a time. | Attended the 100 Honors Gala, celebrating the impact of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.'s Project Success scholars. We’re shaping a bright future for our youth, our city, and our community. Congratulations to Zoe, the young entrepreneur behind Beautiful Curly Me, who won the John Lewis Emerging Leader Award! | Civic Engagement with KIPP Atlanta | Saw firsthand the voter registration efforts of KIPP Atlanta Collegiate scholars while discussing the importance of civic engagement and the legacy of my mentor, Congressman John Lewis. The future is bright with leaders like them. | Child Care Week of Action | I welcomed House Democrats’ Child Care Week of Action at Our House, Inc. with Congresswoman Katherine Clark. I read The Magical Yet and recognized Our House Inc's $20 million Head Start funding with a special letter to CEO Tyese Lawyer. Proud to support early childhood education! | Honored Trailblazer Maxine Waters in Atlanta | Supporting the Fight for Contraception Access | I welcomed Freeda, a 20-foot inflatable IUD, to support access to contraception. Trump’s Project 2025 would end free emergency contraception for 1.66M women in GA. We must protect reproductive freedom! | U.S.S. Atlanta Naming Ceremony | Team Nikema (featuring Goshar and the unicorn) had a great time during the Atlanta Martial Arts Academy’s annual Trunk or Treat. Sharing fall updates for youth and families in the #FightingFifth! | Helping Ms. Marcia get Her Medicare Reinstated | Ms. Marcia, a retired community member, reached out to our office after unexpectedly losing access to Medicare. For someone on a fixed income, a loss of affordable healthcare coverage is not just an inconvenience—it can lead to significant financial strain and jeopardize access to essential medical care. Our office was able to get Ms. Marcia's Medicare Part B reinstated. Said Ms. Marcia: “It's been a long, drawn-out ordeal, but I appreciate you [The Congresswoman]. I just want to thank you and your office so much for handling this for me." | Do you need assistance with a federal agency? Call my office at (404) 659-0116 | | Washington, D.C. 1406 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-3801 | Atlanta 100 Peachtree Street NW | Suite 1920 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: (404) 659-0116 | |