The Atlanta Formula Got Something to Say
Drop in here for expanded narratives or random musings of the mind between episodes. You are a moving parade, not a standing army.Che
Book Review: Red Hot City: Housing, Race and Exclusion in Twenty-First Century Atlanta
by Zettler Clay IV
"Red Hot City" by Dan Immergluck is about how changes in Atlanta, like the building of the BeltLine around the city, have made life harder for people who don't, relatively speaking, have a lot of assets. This hardship is particularly acute in melanated communities. The book details with copious statistics how the city has grown rapidly, yet exclusively toward private lenders. Equally as striking, he outlines the myriad ways decisions made by elected city leaders and private-public partnerships contribute to the affordability crisis in homeownership.
Immergluck is a professor of Urban Studies at Georgia State, having studied and written extensively on housing markets, race, gentrification and urban policy for over 25 years. Witnessing the effects of 2008 subprime crisis, the origin of Beltline and the city's destruction of public projects, he talks about how Atlanta redeveloped itself into a city that excluded lower-income families from benefitting from the growth incurred through large-scale private investment (Wall Street, Beltline, most notably).
As he stated in the preface, this book is "an effort to tell the story of the choices that have contributed to and shaped the racially and economically exclusionary patterns of development in the region over the last twenty-five years."
He does this through four themes:
1) the intentional racial and economic restructuring of Atlanta's residential geography
2) the failure of the city to capture a significant share of the tremendous growth in local land values
3) the crucial role of state government in constraining and enabling how development and redevelopment occur
4) the political economy of urban change in Atlanta
A glaring point to me, as mentioned in the first episode (go check it out as soon as you finish this post ), is his critique of the city's development policies and tax systems, highlighting their role in perpetuating inequality. He also examines the broader political culture and its impact on policy-making, emphasizing Atlanta's challenges in balancing growth with social justice.
The ramifications of this book are profound, offering insights into the complexities of urban development and its impact on communities, and calling for more equitable and inclusive approaches to city planning and policy-making. The book is particularly relevant for those interested in understanding the dynamics of urban development and its social implications.
Immergluck is not an Atlanta urban development fatalist, at least that's not what I gathered. But he is clear-eyed and unsparing, with loads of data and contextual analysis. He was asked in a later interview if it was too late for Atlanta to get it right. No, he said, but it is a warning to other cities .
"I don’t know if it’s fair to say it’s ever too late because that implies it’s time to give up and go home. But the longer poor decisions are made, the more frequently they’re made, the more costly it is to reverse or slow exclusion. By costly, I don’t mean just in terms of dollars; politically, it’s going to be harder to fix things. If we don’t fix the tax problems in the city and get a lot more money for affordable housing and deal with our zoning issues and tenant protections, it’s going to be really hard to do it 10 years from now. It gets harder all the time."
In the concluding words of his book, he writes: "The changes in Atlanta over the last twenty-five years, much like the changes throughout the twentieth century, are not the result of apolitical, impersonal, anonymized market forces. The city is a politically and socially constructed space, and its trajectories are the products of policy decisions.
"There is always an opportunity to do substantially better the next time."
Engage with the Atlanta Formula's GPT page for more about this and any other story or topic involving Atlanta. Tune into all episodes of the Atlanta Formula podcast through Apple, Spotify, or iHeart.
Skyline Shadows and the Search for Affordable Living in Atlanta
by Zettler Clay IV
Atlanta shines as the South’s jewel, bursting with culture and ambition. Yet beneath the glitz, folks grapple with housing inequality and the fight for a fair living. The city’s real estate isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the deep stories residents from all walks face.
The Federal Reserve Bank already declared the city unaffordable for the current residents living there. A ride around the city and a look into Zillow yields the same notion.
The Atlanta Formula podcast, just released this morning, drops some real tips for surviving the crunch. Episode 1 talks about using aid programs, smart loan moves, and how to make your money work for you. Treamon Andrews, a local financial whiz and son of SWATs banking legend George G. Andrews, makes an appearance to offer a lifeline (in the form of information) on stacking cash and keeping wealth in the family.
Before this point in the show, however, the disparities and discrepancies are outlined.
Townhouses under $300,000 in places like Avondale Estates and throughout the city are rare, showing the harsh lack of affordable homes. As the market serves the wealthy, especially tech folks, middle-class and long-time locals often get pushed out or stuck in a place where moving up is just a dream.
And this is on top of the city already dealing with a crisis of poverty in certain communities, challenging the notion of the city as a Black Mecca.
Yet the Atlanta’s vibe stays alive. The city’s culture — educational institutions, hip hop, entrepreneurial eateries, professional sports, prodigious night spots — add to the fabric that dubs Atlanta an entertainment capital. Yet, this richness often sits in the shadow of a tough housing market, stirring worries about the fate of the city’s historic working-class and black neighborhoods.
The podcast episode continues to look at how rising costs hit social life and community vibes. Folks working more means less time and cash for fun, leading to some real talk about crime and pressure (even though trends for now seem to be favorable for the crime-averse).
But Atlanta’s spirit ain’t dimming. Local spots and businesses are teaming up to keep the city’s heart beating strong despite the money tightness.
Wrapping up, the show stresses the value of smart intentional investing, whether in things or experiences. Making money moves that feel right tempered with money moves that won’t put you in the poor house. This episode paints a picture of change, financial grit and connection in Atlanta, where each citizen’s tale and hardship is a chance to learn and rise together. Amidst a wild housing scene, this podcast shines a light, helping to guide folks through the maze of property, culture, and community in the A.
Zettler Clay IV is a STEM educator and creator of the Atlanta Formula podcast, a show that explores the city’s rich culture, history, and vibrant energy of its people. This piece was originally written on Medium.
01.01.24: Reloaded
Welcome to the evolution of The Atlanta Formula Podcast. This rebrand is not just a change in visuals, but a deliberate journey to enhance and creatively tell Atlanta's story, intertwining the host's commitment to higher education while integrating mathematical symbols, representing the perfect “formula” of characteristics the city of Atlanta embodies.
The meticulously crafted logo, cover art and typography are more than design choices; they're statements. And as listeners immerse themselves into each episode, the set design promises a memorable experience. In addition, our merchandise offers the true (Truuuu!) a tangible piece of their connection to the podcast, allowing them to wear Atlanta sweat and blood on their sleeve.
The tone of The Atlanta Formula Podcast is a blend of reverence for the past, excitement for the present, and anticipation for the future. It's conversational and engaging, ensuring listeners feel like they're part of a dialogue rather than mere spectators.
Guided by our host and Atlanta native, Zettler Clay, IV, each episode unfolds with precision.
Setting the tone with an engaging and interactive introduction to the show and our guests, we then navigate through segments where Zettler addresses popular opinions with "The Math Ain't Mathin" and “Subtract The Noise,” then show some love with "Multiply the Vibes," where he spotlights the city's hidden gems and cultural highlights, and “Divide and Conquer,” where we end with a plan to elevate our lives based off the story presented.
Our mission is to provide listeners with a mix of deep insights, lively debates, and unique stories, all while staying true to our mathematical theme. By the end of each episode, our aim is for listeners to laugh, learn, and most importantly, feel a deeper connection to da A.
12.31.23: Atlanta's Arc Of Storytelling
by Zettler Clay IV
Before we dive into the Atlanta Formula, let's pause for a bit of prelude, shall we?
Storytelling is the heartbeat of humanity. From ancient cave walls to the latest binge-worthy series, stories are the old, wrinkled maps of our culture. They're how we make sense of the world and, occasionally, how we confuse ourselves even more.
Now, stories spring from folks like you and me — from our dreams, fears, late-night snacks, and the occasional run-ins with squirrels. And while humans do love to yak about themselves, let's not forget that stories can be about anything. Like that heroic ant you watched struggling with a crumb, or the ever-entertaining saga of losing and finding remotes.
So, here's a toast to storytelling, to the ancient art of gossip and grandeur, to the whispers of history and the roars of myth. Through a little something called "griotism" (just roll with it), we’ve been making each other roar with laughter, think in visions, snort, sob, and scratch our heads in wonder for eons. It's a constantly accessible time machine, but without the pesky paradoxes.
Now, let me tell you a story about stories — it's a bit of a family affair. About a century after Bill Pyromancer Sherman decided to redecorate Atlanta with a rather aggressive flame motif, my folks rolled into town. This was about the same time the Braves, Falcons, and Hawks decided to build their nests here.
My grandfolks had their share of adventures too. My mom's dad, James Hutten Costen, left the integrated vibe of Omaha (also birthplace of the Brother Minister Shabazz and the Berkshire Oracle) for the segregated boulevards of Charlotte. There, he met my grandma, a force of nature with a name as grand as her spirit: Melva Ruby Wilson. Together, they spun stories of literary and scholarly triumphs to break myriad generation curses.
On the other side, my dad's dad boogied from the rhythm and blues of Macon to Augusta, then Rome, and eventually to the city I now call home. Along the way, he became a music extraordinaire while rubbing elbows with the likes of James Brown, Otis Redding and Richard Penniman. Then, of course, he met my grandma, a lady of such grace and fortitude she could’ve taught dragons a thing or two about poise.
And here I am, a couple of generations down the line, sitting and scribbling this ode to the tale-spinning tradition.
So, what's the big deal about Atlanta, you ask? Well, let me tell you, it's as rich a muse as any that has ever existed.
Floats of hope, debauchery, piety, intellectual strivings, dysfunctional mischief in all age ranges, diverse restaurants-for-your-palate galore, protean vibes, folks making their best life come true, spiritual depths, terrestrial mayhem…it’s all here.
Tangibly and intangibly, it’s rich. Atlanta is a chameleon city, basking in myth, named after either a titan (Atlas) or a fleet-footed heroine (Atalanta) — your pick. It's a place straddling the heavenly and the hectic, always chasing lofty dreams but a tad shy when it comes to true love.
In this upstart railroad city, the happenings here are certainly a formula worth dynamic reconciliation.
The Atlanta Formula is back.
10.24.23: Outkast On Top, Bravehearted by Philly, APS Blues, Georgia Prisons
Good people of this planetary blue and green rock, this is official notice that The Atlanta Formula will be back on podcast platforms within a couple weeks months.
The last time the Formula came at you with some fresh content, we were heralding the dawn of a historic Atlanta Braves squad. Since then, July 11, 2023, the 10 following events has happened:
The Atlanta Braves, the record setting squad that a MLB-best 104 games, got thrashed by the Philadelphia Phillies for the second year in a row. The season ended on a *Vaughn Grissom check swing third strike.
It's been discovered that Georgia prisons are a hotbed for illicit drug activity (ya don't say?) and that drug-influenced deaths are woefully underreported.
Legendary auteur Martin Scorcese dropped his 27th feature film, his 11th with Robert De Niro and 7th with Leonardo DiCaprio. It's 3.5 hours long, continuing on a trend of the times.
At least 73% of the nation's wealth are in the hands of college graduates.
A record-high 39% of US adults say they have no trust at all in the mass media.
The Orange State, Florida, continues to dwindle in its production of oranges, while seeing a skyrocket in its real estate, currently sitting only behind New York as the second-most valuable market.
Over half of US teenagers use social media for at least 4 hours a day; meanwhile teenagers are reading less than 15 minutes per day.
Atlanta Public Schools are sitting in the thick of another, um, controversy.
The 85 acre, $90 million public safety training center in the Gresham Park area, also known as Cop City, also known as the setting of a future HBO episodic drama, is still on track for building construction in January. still polarizes the crowd.
Outkast now has the best selling rap album of all time.
I'm almost certainly we will revisit these tales soon. Stay funky.
*Grissom was traded to the Boston Red Sox for 7-time All Star Chris Sale.