<b>Email: </b>Janita.Poe@Patch.com<b> <br>Phone: </b>404-434-8908<b><br>Hometown: </b>Atlanta, GA<b><br>Birthday: </b>August 28th<br><b>Bio: </b>I am a veteran journalist with more than 16 years experience at four major metropolitan newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Chicago Tribune. I have a Master's Degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor's in Communication from Florida State University. I also have worked as a media consultant and owned several small businesses.
When I am not writing, I am running... and swimming... and biking... and taking a pilates or yoga class. I am an active member of the South Fulton Running Partners and a former member of the Atlanta Triathlon Club. I have won several top Master's Female and age group awards in area 5k road races and I have completed one triathlon; I love individual sports and fitness.
I enjoy foreign languages and travel, too. I am semi-fluent in Spanish, read and understand French and know a little German.
<b>My Beliefs:</b><br>At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.<br><br><b>Politics: </b>I am conservative on some issues and liberal on others. I am a registered Democrat but do identify with some concerns expressed by members of The National Black Republican Association and am an admirer of famous Republicans such as Jackie Robinson, Colin Powell and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
<b>Religion: </b>I am an observant Anglican and active member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church (whose senior choir is feature in my Welcome Video). I love my church and my congregation. We are the second largest predominantly African-American and Afro-Caribbean Episcopal church in the United States and extremely involved in serving our community.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues:</b><br><strong>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? </strong>I believe education, the reunification of the family and what I like to call "black anti-gayism" are the biggest issues right now in my community.
The Fulton County Citizen Sense Town Hall meeting will utilize Twitter, e-mail and conference calling during a broadcast tonight on Fulton County Government television (FGTV).
FBI issues new warrant for Crittenton in the shooting death of a 22-year-old woman earlier this month.
Annette Samuels shares her photo of the sunset over the 2011 Atlanta Jazz Festival in our "How I Spent My Summer" photo contest.
Chick-fil-A execs considering Morris Brown for a Truett Cathy legacy center, according to a report in The Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Dunbar Elementary, Bunche Middle and Sylvan Hills Middle have earned 21st Community Center Learning Centers grants.
Jonathan Mason, a Beecher Hills resident, began a 16-day ride Friday with a dozen other Atlanta firefighters to the site of Ground Zero in New York City.
Hurricane Irene may have stopped the planned tribute to the Martin Luther King, Jr., memorial in Washington, D.C., but it has not halted the celebration of King's dream—and my 48th birthday.
Two running clubs with members from the greater Cascade area—Black Girls Run and the South Fulton Running Partners—bring home iron in South Dekalb Striders Annual 5k For Hope road race.
ATL CEO Mixer raised $1,000 recently for the landmark southwest Atlanta non-profit organization.
Kwanza Fisher, founder of Neighborhood Mathematica, a supplemental math education program for Atlanta students, is one of 11 national youth entrepreneurs honored by the Obama Administration.
Firefighters raising money today for Muscular Dystrophy Association in Camp Creek Marketplace area and other intersections in South Fulton.
Jonathan Mason, a Beecher Hills resident, will embark on a 16-day ride Friday with 20 other Atlanta firefighters to the site of Ground Zero in New York City.
Friends, family and the Professional Black Barbers Association celebrated the legacy and 87th birthday of George Axam Thursday evening.
"Steve Jobs Retirement the Buzz Among Southwest Atlantans on Facebook" originally ran Aug. 25, when Steve Jobs announced his resignation. This repost is in honor of the man and his technology.
Harpo was last seen near Campbelton Road and Pinehurst Drive on Aug. 10.
Youthful and kind, George Axam has owned his shop on McDaniel Street since 1956. Friends, family and the Professional Black Barbers Association will celebrate his legacy Thursday evening.
Fulton County Housing and Community Development will present another Information session on "How to Prevent Foreclosure" at the Adamsville Collier Heights Branch Library.
According to Hollywood news reports Will Smith and Jada Pickett are splitting after 13 years of marriage.
He was solid as a rock in his 38-year marriage to Valerie Simpson and his legacy as a Motown singer and co-writer of Motown classics like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By" and "I'm Every Woman."
Southwest Atlanta commentators Shelley Wynter and Kelley Bass-Jackson are among those heading to Washington, D.C., this week for celebrations leading up to the unveiling of the King Memorial on Aug. 28.
