<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.
At-Large Districts 1 and 2 Board Member Courtney English will meet with parents and community members from 6 to 8 p.m. Interim Superintendent Erroll Davis is expected to attend.
Former City Councilman and WAOK-1380 AM radio personality Derrick Boazman is organizing a "Call to Action" meeting Thursday evening.
Home Style Foods, a southwest Atlanta-based business, is scheduled for a 7:30 a.m. appearance on the "CNN American Morning" show.
Why were were so many poor, disenfranchised youth "denied access to America's promise?" and "who, in the end, benefited?" El asked in a tearful address at Monday evening's school board meeting.
Several Cascade Heights residents and friends respond to my post about my upcoming column, "10 reasons why I am a never-married, childless black woman in America."
Donell Underdue Jr., principal of Brown Middle, will become area superintendent over many southwest Atlanta schools, according to local news reports late Monday.
The work of the Benjamin Mays High graduate and celebrated artist is featured at the High Museum through Sept. 11.
This photo of Mrs. Watts first grade class in 1973 is just one of many posted on Facebook pages of southwest Atlanta Public Schools graduates. Do you have pictures to share? Post them
The singer, songwriter, pianist is just one of many artists offering their talents to the 2011 National Black Arts Festival this week in Atlanta.
On a Facebook page, Dr. Hall says she is "shocked" by what she has learned but, in the end, "accountable" for the Atlanta Public Schools cheating scandal.
A member of the internationally-recognized AfriCOBRA artists' movement, author, painter, history professor Michael D. Harris will meet with art lovers to share his new work entitled "Equal Rites."
The second annual 'America Is Your Park' campaign runs to September 6.
Fulton County is inviting residents of unincorporated South Fulton to attend a series of upcoming public hearings regarding a proposed revenue-neutral millage rate increase for the South Fulton Tax District.
After a three-year hiatus, the fine art market that combines work that is visual, wearable and decorative returns to Greenbriar Mall as part of the National Black Arts Festival, July 14-17.
First of series of personnel changes "will be put in place Monday," according to local news reports.
Davis, who became interim superintendent July 1, is now set to serve in the position until June 30, 2012.
On Facebook and radio, WAOK1380-AM radio personality Derrick Boazman is giving Atlanta Public Schools students and graduates a reason to feel proud with his "I Am APS" campaign.
It's easy to review ratings of any of the 58 Atlanta public schools investigated by state; here are the guidelines and links.
"Our local leaders and the Chamber of Commerce care more about the perception of student achievement than the reality."
Parks Middle School "led state" in classes flagged for cheating, followed closely by Peyton Forest Elementary and Gideons Elementary, report states.
