As another Black History Month comes to a close, I am reminded of the importance of preserving our rich legacy to educate and inspire future generations. | I was proud to present $4 million in community project funds to the Ralph David Abernathy Foundation for the preservation of the historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church. The funding will help transform the building into a living, active community space. A place where people can not only learn more about the life of Reverend Abernathy, but gather to carry on his work. | But that’s not all: I started Black History Month by introducing legislation to add the historic sanctuary to the National Register of Historic Places. As conservatives across the country attempt to erase Black History altogether, preserving Black History has never been more urgent. | I also had the honor of recognizing another Fighting Fifth giant, Mr. Thomas “Tommy” Dortch, Jr. I led members of the Georgia Delegation to introduce legislation to award Mr. Dortch a Congressional Gold Medal for his lifelong work to advance equity and strengthen our HBCUs. Sadly, Mr. Dortch passed away this month. I am grateful that prior to his passing he was able to witness the introduction of the Gold Medal resolution. | For me, preserving and celebrating Black History doesn’t end on February 28th - we celebrate Black History 365 days a year! Keep reading to learn about my work this month #ForThePeople. | Nikema Williams Member of Congress | Get Help Filing Your Taxes | File your taxes early if you can! And if you need face-to-face help with your taxes, the Atlanta IRS office will meet taxpayers on March 11, from 9 AM to 4 PM. More information is available here. Don’t fall victim to tax-related scams. Your best source of information is the IRS website irs.gov or calling the local IRS office at (404) 338-7962. | Honoring Congressman John Lewis | My friend, mentor, and predecessor Congressman John Lewis passed away in 2020, but his spirit and legacy live on. In celebration of what would have been his 83rd birthday, I honored his life’s work with two pieces of legislation. Along with introducing a resolution to honor Congressman Lewis’ life and career, I also re-introduced the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Act to create a new fellowship program, helping students travel overseas to study nonviolent civil rights movements and carry on Mr. Lewis’ legacy. | Expanding Internet Access for All | People rely on high-speed Internet access for work, learning, and connecting with the community. I’m committed to closing the digital divide, but that starts with finding people who’ve been left behind. I re-introduced the Home Internet Accessibility Act to gather information on all federally-assisted housing that lacks broadband capacity, then task the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development with creating an action plan (including retrofitting homes) to close service gaps across the country. | Honoring Black Aviation Trailblazers | Georgia’s Fighting Fifth is proudly home to the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International. It’s past time to honor the Black pioneers who helped not only build modern aviation, but also make Atlanta a global leader in air travel. I introduced a resolution recognizing Black pioneers in the industry and the continued contributions of Black aviation professionals with a day of recognition during Black History Month | Protecting the U.S. Capitol from Insurrectionists | Three days after I was sworn into office, violent insurrectionists stormed the People’s House and flew a Confederate flag in the Capitol rotunda. I refuse to forget that day, and I will always seek accountability. I introduced a new resolution to prohibit Donald Trump and others who tried to overturn the 2020 election from entering the Capitol, the seat of the democracy that they attempted to end. | Supporting Black Entrepreneurs with the Biden-Harris Administration | The young entrepreneurs at the Atlanta University Center heard from some of the best business experts on February 16. Spelman College and the Center for Black Entrepreneurship hosted U.S. Department of the Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo and SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman. Deputy Secretary Adeyemo and Administrator Guzman encourage the entrepreneurs to keep striving toward their goals. | $30 Million to Keep Our Streets Safe for Everyone | Whether you walk, drive, bike, or take MARTA, safe roads are essential. I secured a $30 million Safe Streets for All grant to make Southwest Atlanta’s streets safer for everyone. The money will go to implement proven safety upgrades in a community that has needed this investment for years. | Helping My New Constituents in Sandy Springs | On Feb. 10, my Constituent Services team went to Sandy Springs–the newest part of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District–for Congress in Your Community. The staff helped my constituents get the help they need from the federal government and hear about the issues that matter to them. Welcome to the Fighting Fifth, Sandy Springs! | I Joined the AKA Day at the Georgia Capitol | I celebrated 30 years of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated's Day at the Capitol in Atlanta, and speaking up to preserve the promise of democracy. It's wonderful to welcome all my sisters to the halls of power where we belong. | Helping the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Support Small Businesses | Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. I brought home $150,000 for the Urban League of Greater Atlanta’s Small Business Accelerator Program. Thousands of people have gone through the program to help grow their small businesses. With the money I secured, there will be even more successful business owners like Waleed Shamsid-Deen who fed me at his business, Supreme Burger. | The Next Generation of Leaders Are Getting into Good Trouble | The students competing in Emory University’s John R. Lewis Racial Justice Case Competition are figuring out how corporations and businesses can get into good trouble. It was great to speak to the competitors and Mr. Lewis’ nephew Jerrick. | Speaking During Atlanta Public Schools’ Career Day | Even though I work for the people in Congress, my number one job is still being Carter's Mom! I had a wonderful time talking to second (including my Carter Cakes) at Deerwood Academy's Career Day. After hearing from my young constituents let me tell you: our future's in great hands. | Helping Jen V. of Atlanta | Jen’s father served in the Navy for 23 years and passed away. The family had to wait 18 months for a burial at Arlington National Ceremony and the week of the funeral the family was told an in-ground burial was not possible due to a complicated paperwork issue. After contacting my office, I was able to secure the proper, in-ground burial requested by Jen that her father was due–not the columbarium interment the Pentagon offered. The funeral was able to proceed on time, despite the family’s fears of a last-minute cancellation. Jen’s father was laid to rest on what would have been his 67rd birthday. “The funeral proceeded on a beautiful, sunny day,” Jen told me. “Truly a miracle.” | 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 | |
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