Middle Georgia Informer

Statewide initiative brings business, government and community leaders together to turn conversation into coordinated action Georgia has earned national recognition as one of the best states in America for doing business. Now, the Georgia Coalition of Black Chambers is asking an important question: How do we ensure that Black businesses, communities and families are fully positioned to participate in Georgia’s continued economic growth?

by Beedee Clay Thirty-five years ago, when Alex Habersham launched the Middle Georgia Black Pages, there were plenty of people who questioned whether such an ambitious undertaking could survive. There was doubt about whether an African American business directory could attract enough businesses, generate sufficient support, or remain viable in a changing marketplace.

by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr. MGI Contributor Using their mantra of “Balancing the Scales of Justice” as a guiding professional principle, Attorney Nefertara Clark Miller of Clark and Clark Law Group LLC is making a difference, one case at a time. Miller makes up one half of the practice. The other half is her father John Clark, a seasoned practitioner of law with over forty years of experience. His daughter has another almost twenty years in law to her credit.

George Washington was born on August 23, 1949, in Macon, Georgia, to Annabelle Hampton Washington and Raymond Washington, Sr. He graduated from Ballard Hudson High School in 1968, then went on to earn a business degree from Fort Valley State College, which became Fort Valley State University in 1973. While at Fort Valley, he became a member of the Esquire XIII Fraternity Inc., an affiliation he remained actively involved in throughout his life.

William T. Dumas, Sr., peacefully transitioned from this earthly life, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, hard work, and love. He was born to the late Wilkin Dumas, Sr. and Julia Pearl Card Dumas and was educated in the Jones County Grammar School. A man of deep faith, William loved the Lord and dedicated his life to serving God and his church family. He first attended St. Paul AME Church in Jones County.

by Rena Canady-Laster, Actor, Life Coach, Speaker, Author As I began to reflect and meditate on what to share this month, time and intentionality were at the top of my list. Why? Because, if you are like me, you are asking, “Where did the time go?” School is out. Summer will soon be here. And we are looking at your lives trying to figure out how we spent our time. The Bible tells us to “See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ambassador Andrew Young Inspires Community at Mercer University Event by Herbert Dennard, Special to The Middle Georgia Informer On Monday, May 18, 2026, Hawkins Arena at Mercer University became the gathering place for an evening centered around leadership, service, education, and community impact as 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia hosted its Sam Hart Sr. Community Impact Award program honoring Charlie Cantrell of Five Star Automotive Group, with special guest Ambassador Andrew Young.

by Charles E. Richardson Did you know there is another city that sits inside the downtown area of Macon-Bibb County? The Bibb County Law Enforcement Center Sheriff’s Office, otherwise known as “The Jail,” has sat at this location on Oglethorpe Street for almost 50 years and has more problems than other structures of similar age. Why? “The average house does not get used 24/7/365 like a jail does” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. According to the new jail administrator Col.

by Clarence W. Thomas, Jr. MGI Contributor If you don’t know who Lisa Golphin is, you should. Especially, considering her impressive resume and hearing her express her obvious mastery of the jobs she’s held as a water industry professional in water, wastewater, and the infrastructure sector for twenty-six years. Throughout her distinguished career, she has led major projects and strategic initiatives that have transformed the economic and environmental landscape of the communities she has served.

Macon’s own Charles Gaines is a recent 2026 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut where President Donald Trump was the commencement speaker. Charles is the son of proud parents Kimberly Lane and Jeffrey Gaines, and on May 20th he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the United States Coast Guard Academy. On Sunday June 14th at 10:45 a.m., Charles will be the graduation speaker at his home church, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church where Dr. Henry C.