AJC Her+Story: Atlanta's Source for Women in Business

Author Bessie Akuba Winn poses with her photographs from her book, “Our Kind of Women,” at her home on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Lilburn. (Jason Getz/AJC)

AJC HER+STORY

Atlanta photographer captures 107 Black women’s ‘becoming era’ in new book

Bessie Akuba Winn was born in Ghana to a Ghanaian mother and a Black American father, who had a passion for street-style photography.

AJC HER+STORY

She turned a side hustle fixing cars into a nearly million-dollar business

AJC HER+STORY

From 4-H to the Fed: How raising steers led to the central bank for this exec

AJC HER+STORY

She started as a clerk at Norfolk Southern. Now she’s a top executive.

Tamekia Morris at the Tulsa Welding School's residential and commercial wiring lab on the Decatur campus on Aug. 13, 2026. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Welding school leader seeks more women in trades as modern Rosie the Riveters

Tamekia Morris has become an outspoken advocate for getting more women into skilled trades, which she says could help close a growing labor shortage.

Need help building something complex in Georgia? That’s her team’s specialty.

From runways to highways, her Atlanta construction firm has blazed paths

Former Turner manager is now leading Georgia Works through transformation

Got an event for women in business to list on the AJC Her+Story page? Email herstory@ajc.com with the details.

Events

1

THU

Women's Small Business Month Kick Off Event

October 1, 2026

09:30 AM - 12:30 PM

55 Trinity Atlanta 30303

Website Link

Description

WHO: Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet

Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project (WEOP)

WHAT: Women’s Small Business Month Kick Off Event “State of City Support: Accelerating Business Growth & Economic Opportunity”

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Marvin S. Arrington, Sr. Council Chamber, 55 Trinity Ave. SW

BACKGROUND: Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet will host the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project’s (WEOP) Women’s Small Business Month Kick Off Event for 2026. This year’s theme is “State of City Support: Accelerating Business Growth & Economic Opportunity.”

Council President Overstreet will deliver opening remarks to set the tone of the forum exploring how small businesses have contributed to Atlanta’s economic growth and how City resources, relationships, and emerging opportunities can help shape the future of small businesses. WEOP’s forum celebrates Women’s Small Business Month by bringing together industry and government leaders, entrepreneurs, partners, and community stakeholders around issues and opportunities shaping women’s economic progress.

Description

WHO: Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet

Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project (WEOP)

WHAT: Women’s Small Business Month Kick Off Event “State of City Support: Accelerating Business Growth & Economic Opportunity”

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Marvin S. Arrington, Sr. Council Chamber, 55 Trinity Ave. SW

BACKGROUND: Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet will host the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project’s (WEOP) Women’s Small Business Month Kick Off Event for 2026. This year’s theme is “State of City Support: Accelerating Business Growth & Economic Opportunity.”

Council President Overstreet will deliver opening remarks to set the tone of the forum exploring how small businesses have contributed to Atlanta’s economic growth and how City resources, relationships, and emerging opportunities can help shape the future of small businesses. WEOP’s forum celebrates Women’s Small Business Month by bringing together industry and government leaders, entrepreneurs, partners, and community stakeholders around issues and opportunities shaping women’s economic progress.