Photo credit: The Breakfast club
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has responded to Earn Your Leisure’s recent comments about the lack of city support for Invest Fest, addressing the issue during a public event while highlighting Atlanta’s commitment to community organizations.
The response comes days after Earn Your Leisure appeared on The Breakfast Club, where the financial education platform discussed difficulties it faced securing support from the city for its annual festival.
The interview sparked debate online. Some viewers supported Earn Your Leisure for sharing its experience, while others believed the discussion should have happened privately.
Mayor Andre Dickens defends Atlanta
Mayor Dickens addressed the controversy while accepting the Courageous Leadership Award at the TS Foundation Benefit Dinner.
The award was presented by civil rights leader Andrew Young and Pastor Jamal H. Bryant.
Without mentioning Earn Your Leisure by name, Dickens referred to comments made “on radio in New York” about Atlanta’s support for businesses and community events.
He praised Atlanta’s influence and described the city as an important center for Black leadership, business, and opportunity.
During his remarks, Dickens also announced that the City of Atlanta would invest $50,000 in the TS Foundation to help support its mission of sending students to college.
Earn Your Leisure says the comments came from experience
During the Breakfast Club discussion, Earn Your Leisure founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings answered questions about Invest Fest and their relationship with the city.
The hosts noted that the entrepreneurs did not bring up the issue on their own. Instead, they responded after being asked directly about the challenges they faced.
Following the interview, members of the mayor’s office reportedly reached out to continue discussions with the Earn Your Leisure team.
According to the Breakfast Club hosts, Earn Your Leisure later said they had already started conversations with the mayor’s staff to find solutions before Dickens made his public remarks.
Charlamagne Tha God questions the mayor’s response
Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne Tha God criticized the mayor’s comments.
He argued that Earn Your Leisure had not attacked Atlanta. Instead, the group simply explained its experience while seeking greater collaboration for an event that attracts thousands of attendees each year.
Charlamagne said Invest Fest benefits the community by promoting financial literacy and economic empowerment. He questioned why the mayor chose to respond publicly instead of continuing private discussions.
He also suggested the issue could become an educational conversation during this year’s Invest Fest, allowing city officials and organizers to explain how public funding decisions are made.
Both sides hope to move forward
The Breakfast Club hosts agreed that Atlanta and Earn Your Leisure both play important roles in supporting Black communities.
They expressed hope that the disagreement would not damage future partnerships between Invest Fest and the city.
The hosts also emphasized that open communication could help both sides work together to expand opportunities for residents, entrepreneurs, and young people.
As conversations continue, many supporters hope the city and Earn Your Leisure can find common ground ahead of future Invest Fest events.
Source: The Breakfast Club
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