BlacIntellec, The Black Atlanta Think Tank, has released a case study that examines the far-reaching effects of election interference actions against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The report, informed by a series of focus groups, reveals that these efforts are not just an attack on Willis, but also represent a broader assault on the Atlanta Black community. Executive Summary The case study, titled “A Modern-Day Throwback: The Strategic Discrediting of Black Leadership in Atlanta,” explores how the attempts to remove or replace Willis in the ongoing election interference case against former President Donald Trump are perceived by the Black community.
The study uncovers a strong sentiment that these actions are a direct attack on the progress and leadership of Black communities in Atlanta and beyond. Background The study highlights how Ms. Willis, the first Black woman to serve as Fulton County’s District Attorney, is being targeted.
The report contextualizes the current actions against Ms. Willis within a broader pattern of undermining Black elected officials across the country, including those in New York City and Missouri. These patterns are reminiscent of tactics historically used to disenfranchise and marginalize Black leaders. Approach BlacIntellec conducted a series of focus groups with community leaders, activists, and residents across Atlanta’s metropolitan area. The discussions focused on the community’s perceptions of the actions against Ms. Willis and how these actions impact the broader community.
The insights gathered provide a compelling narrative about the intersection of race, power, and justice in modern America. Results and Impact The findings reveal that the Black community in Atlanta views the attempts to discredit Ms. Willis as part of a larger, racially motivated strategy to undermine the success of Black leaders who are effectively using existing systems to promote justice and equity. Participants in the study expressed concerns that these actions are not only intended to remove a strong Black leader but also to send a message that progress made by Black communities will not be tolerated.
The report concludes with a call to action for communities to support Black leaders like Fanni Willis and to resist efforts that seek to reverse the progress made in the fight for justice and equality. BlacIntellec emphasizes the importance of standing together against these modern-day tactics that echo the suppression of Black voices from the Jim Crow era.
BlacIntellec – The Black Atlanta Think Tank is dedicated to advancing the interests of the Black community through research, advocacy, and leadership development. Our mission is To utilize the intellect and wisdom of the Black community to empower and advance Black businesses and the Black community in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area through independent research, community engagement, and effective advocacy, driving economic growth and sustainable development.”