So, whew…. There’s much to tell. I shall update properly Monday or Tuesday. For now, here’s a picture from Friday night. ‘Til I can tell you more… nite nite.

Last week, city hall woke up….

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Tuesday, June 30th
6 pm – 7 pm

Location:
Ralph David Abernathy Square
(RDA Blvd between Formwalt & Cooper Streets)

Recently, there’s been a lot of press and a lot of it has focused on me.  I’m about half comfortable with that. On the one hand, I know it’s great for the group.  It helps keep the name out there, more people are hearing about our efforts, and with each exposure ATAC’s name is carved a little deeper into city politics and the city’s history.  That’s essential to keeping it alive.

On the other, this movement isn’t about me.  Yeah, I survived a pretty horrible experience having been mugged and all, but there are many others like me and others, even, who aren’t here to talk about it anymore.  I’m doing this for them as much as me.  I don’t want to hear about another crime story because we all deserve to be safe in the city that we live.  The unfortunate truth, however, is that we always aren’t.

So why do it?  Why fight it?  Why stand up and ask the city to meet the damn-hard-and-nearly-impossible? The answer is because with a little bit of effort from everyone involved, we really can change things.  It just means stepping up a little bit and meeting the challenge.

And that brings me to something I find curious… in the pieces that have been written about me, there are fairly common questions.  People are interested in knowing me as someone who decided to stand up and do something just as much, at least recently, as about the group itself.  It’s interesting.  As if my actions were so rare or valiant.  Were they?  Really?  I don’t think so.  I find it hard to believe that it’s not what anyone would do.  When I start to think that maybe it’s not, I begin to understand where this interest might be coming from. 

So let me say this, if there’s one commonality to most things I do, it’s not being afraid to put something major out there and see what happens. Whether it’s picking up and making a movie, or putting everything I’ve got into a TV show idea I know is viable, or starting a group aimed at making my city safer… they’re all risks that enrich my life because I take them, successful or not.  Big risks mean big rewards.  Not everything works out but everything really does work out.

When The Sunday Paper calls me an “unsung hero” or the AJC calls me an “accidental activist,” there’s really nothing heroic about either.  It’s flattering, mind you, and I’m grateful for it but this is just livin’.  It’s what everyone should be doing… living out loud.  If that’s all you have to do to be a hero then, shit, be a hero!

I think it’s safe to assume the “Kyle as Founder” press phase of ATAC is soon to pass.  The hard work to maintain it is not, however, and I’m all too happy to get back behind the scenes to accomplish it.  I also have jobs to get, mortgages to pay, and major networks to entice.  Heh.

In the meantime, do me a favor… help keep people like me off the covers of major newspapers.  Live big and live loud.  Roll the dice.  Make some noise.  Buy your own megaphone.  Do whatever the hell it is you want.  Do it because you know you just might not be here tomorrow, even though I’m trying my damnest to make sure that you are.

My work on Atlantans Together Against Crime has been very fruitful.  There’s so, so, so much to do but we’re making progress.  We’ve held one rally, are holding another, have made the local news, have made NATIONAL news, and the hits just keep on coming.  I’ve just written an open letter to the Mayor and City Council in response to an op-ed the Mayor wrote last week and we’re hand delivering it on Monday.  Like I say in the letter, fewer cops equal higher crime and now is not the time to reduce public safety forces.

Here’s a video that was sent to us from the last rally.  Check it out.

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I look forward to growing the organization and plan to be a big voice throughout the election year.

In other news, last week I threw a pretty big party that required a bit of coordination.  I called it “A Pink Slip Valentine’s” party and it served the purpose of both helping pay my mortgage and community helping community.  I asked friends and local businesses to donate items to give-away throughout the night. Everybody is hurting; why not make helping each other out an excuse to throw down?

Here’s a list of what we gave away:

Helmet East Atlanta – Free cut by Tony D.
Dames a’Flame – Gift Bag (includes pink rhinestone pasties, pink gloves, a pink slip (how appropriate), a Dames a’Flame t-shirt, and a pink ponytail fall.
Cosmetics for the ladies: free make-up from (a high end) cosmetic line
Paul Mitchell School – Free cut/color by Rami
Figo – Free Dinner! ($15 gift cert)
Crimpers Hair Salon – 2 product bags (worth $60 ea.)
Crimpers Hair Salon – 4 gift certs for free haircuts
Whole Foods – 2 Aromatherapy Travel Kits
ARGE Art – An original ARGE piece (worth $200+)
Kamay Etsy Store – $25 online store credit
Sweetgrass Spa L5P – Free 30 minute massage
Libertine L5P – Free (hella stylish) bag
Criminal Records – $50 gift cert
Le Giverney – Dinner! ($25 gift cert)
Dragonfly Salon, West Side – Free haircut by Kyoko
Eddie’s Attic – $20 gift certificate
Eddie’s Attic – $30 gift certificate 

It turned out to be a great night.  DJ Vicki Powell threw down, lots of people showed up, and everybody won (in one way or the other).