Rep. Kim Schofield (Georgia)
National Corresponding Secretary
- New financial center opens to support Atlanta’s Westside community (2021)
- Atlanta’s Westside neighborhoods lack banking resources, but business leaders hope the latest opening of a new financial center will provide support for the underserved community.
- Elected officials joined leaders from Equifax last week to celebrate the official debut of the On the Rise Financial Center and Quest Westside Impact Center.
- Located near the corner of Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard, the center will offer residents free one-on-one financial coaching, including preparation for buying a home or starting a new business.
- Residents can also visit the center for access to credit union products, including banking services. It is funded through the credit reporting agency Equifax, as well as Invest Atlanta and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation.
- Equifax officials call the Westside one of the most “underbanked” communities nationwide. The median household income in Vine City in 2018 was about $30,000 — which was half the citywide median at the time, according to U.S. Census data. And nearly 40% of residents in English Avenue live in poverty, about double the citywide rate.
- City Councilman Andre Dickens lauded the center as an opportunity to cultivate financial literacy. State Rep. Mesha Mainor, an Atlanta Democrat, said the center’s mission “is near and dear to my heart” because she grew up in the Westside area. Fellow Democratic State Rep. Kim Schofield, of Atlanta, called the center “amazing.”
- https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/new-financial-center-opens-to-support-atlantas-westside-community/DYDRXMPNRBBRLAPELRRHOLLI2E/
Categories: State Issues
Tags: Economic Growth, Digital Divide, Equality
- Georgia Dignity Act, protecting incarcerated women, is now the law in Georgia (2019)
- In Georgia, State Rep. Kim Schofield (D-60) coauthored House Bill 345, signed into law May 8 and in effect as of Oct. 1.
- A custodian shall not use handcuffs, waist shackles, leg irons or restraints of any kind on a pregnant woman who is in her second or third trimester, in labor, in delivery or in the immediate postpartum period;
- In the first six weeks after delivery, a woman may only be cuffed in front “and only if there are compelling grounds to believe” she presents “an immediate and serious threat of harm to herself, staff or others” or “a substantial flight risk and cannot be reasonably contained by other means.”
- If a woman suffers complications and a doctor extends the postpartum period, the cuffed-in-front law applies.
- A custodian must document such cuffing within two days, noting the nature of the circumstances and how long the woman was in restraints. The officer in charge shall review the documentation and the penal institution shall retain it for reporting purposes;
- Medical restraints by a licensed health care professional are allowed for a pregnant woman’s medical safety;
- Pregnant or postpartum women shall not be placed in solitary confinement, administrative segregation or medical observation in solitary confinement. However, she can be placed by herself in a hospital room or cell.
- https://www.news-daily.com/news/georgia-dignity-act-protecting-incarcerated-women-is-now-the-law-in-georgia/article_b4c1b85e-e470-11e9-aebe-e70a58721b8e.html
Categories: State Issues
Tags: Civil Rights/Social Justice, Equality, Crime Prevention
- REP. SCHOFIELD SEEKS 100% CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY IN GEORGIA (2021)
- The State of Georgia has finally joined the national conversation around transitioning to a one hundred percent clean, renewable energy portfolio, with the introduction of House Resolution 70 by State Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta).
- HR 70 is co-sponsored by some 29 House Members.
- If adopted, the resolution would set Georgia on a path to an economy powered by one hundred percent clean and renewable energy by mid-century.
- “I’m proud to bring this critical clean energy vision to the Georgia General Assembly,” State Rep. Schofield said in a press release.
- “Georgia does not have time to waste, we need to reduce our climate footprint, clean up our communities, and put our people to work with good green jobs today. An equitable clean energy transition gives our kids and communities a chance at the future. We must commit to one hundred percent clean energy.”
- “From increased flooding to record high temperatures and more intense storms, Georgians across the political spectrum are already experiencing the terrifying impacts of global warming,” Jennette Gayer, Director of Environment Georgia, said in a statement.
- “We applaud Rep. Schofield for setting this visionary resolution in motion and starting a statewide push for one hundred percent clean and renewable energy.”
- https://atlantaprogressivenews.com/2021/02/13/rep-schofield-seeks-100-clean-renewable-energy-in-georgia/
Categories: State Issues, National Issues
Tags: Economic Growth, Digital Divide,
- African Achievers awards honourees announced (2020)
- The 10th African Achievers Awards recipients were announced on Saturday, December 5, 2020 via an exclusive broadcast under the theme, “Harnessing Technology for Africa’s advancement.”
- The ceremony commenced with an opening remark by the AAA Chairperson Susan Fajana Thomas, former Civic Mayor of London Borough of Hackney.
- Other Speakers include the Vice President of Liberia Her Excellency, Senator Jewel C. Taylor; Rt. Hon. Diane Abbott MP – The first black woman to be elected into the British parliament; Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya , the current Governor of Kakamega County in Kenya; Rep. Kim Schofield, member of the Georgia House of Representatives representing the 60th district and Ms. Regina Amadi-Njoku founder of ‘Other Half.’ She served as an Assistant Director General, Regional Director for Africa at the International Labour Organization I.L.O) Hon. Habsana Jallow (former ECOWAS Parliamentarian) and Dr. Rex Idaminabo, CEO African Achievers Awards.
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/12/african-achievers-awards-honourees-announced/
Categories: Awards/Appointments
Tags: Equality, Economic Growth, Civil Rights/Social Justice
- State rep. introduces legislation to prohibit discrimination based on hair style, texture
- State Rep. Kim Schofield (D-Atlanta) recently introduced legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on hair style and hair texture in Georgia.
- “During this legislative session, we are working to enact the CROWN Act in Georgia,” said Rep. Schofield. “The Official Code of Georgia does not currently provide protection against discrimination for persons based on race as a protected class. Similar to other CROWN Acts that have been introduced and passed around the country, we are seeking to provide race-based protections against discrimination in the employment, housing and education sectors.”
- The CROWN Act would update the Georgia Fair Employment and Housing Act and other current laws regarding education to help ensure protection against hair discrimination in the workplace and in K-12 schools. Rep. Schofield’s legislation is a companion bill to Senate Bill 286, which is sponsored by state Sens. Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia) and Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta).
Categories: State Issues, National Issues
Tags: Civil Rights/Social Justice, Equality,