Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1488524
72 maconmagazine.com | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023 as a community that works together. That's growth in our neighborhoods. That's economic development growth as we bring new jobs together. That's growth in our state and national profile as we become, more and more, an example of what a great city looks like. Tracie Revis: We are hopeful that we have a new designation of a National Park and Preserve with Macon serving as the gateway. It will bring more people to the area, and it serves as an opportunity to share kindness and experiences that make Macon so special. Andrea Cooke: I hope that we can solve some of the issues associated with the social construct of race. We are so much more than what separates us. I think Macon will be a city that celebrates differences and that continues to lead by taking care of the least of us. Justice Verda Colvin: Over the next century, I am hopeful and prayerful that we will become a community that other communities look to in their quest to become fully inclusive in every area, including housing, education, employment, and financial prosperity. When we can ensure that every demographic in our community prospers, we will actually be reflective of a true democracy. Elijah Hanson: I would like Macon's diverse culture to be noticed more in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. Please offer a challenge to the city via the bicentennial. Mayor Lester Miller: This is a huge milestone for our entire city, both in the number of years we have been a community and the potential for our future by what we are doing right now. I challenge every person to learn more about our history, where we came from, and what made us who we are today … and use that to help move us forward together. I challenge every person in this city to find something about this city they are passionate about and get involved. Volunteer, become a mentor, join a board, shop at our local restaurants and stores, attend government meetings, and enjoy all the events of the Bicentennial! Andrea Cooke: I challenge us all to join in and to attend at least one of the many events we will have during this bicentennial year! I promise you that this city will be so much more connected after that. Connection is the cure to so many ills … I challenge you to connect. Justice Verda Colvin: My challenge to every Maconite is to consistently and constantly ask yourself, "What can I do to make our community better?" and then do it. Every little effort counts toward the whole. Elijah Hanson: I would like to see citizens of Macon find a way to help rid the streets of trash as much as possible. A WORD ABOUT THE ART We asked the shoe artists to share their perspective on what it means to put on for our city and how their art accomplishes that notion. Read more about the shoes and the artists at maconmagazine.com. "Putting on for my city is beautifying my city through murals while empowering people and young scholars to reflect and express their emotions through art. I give my city my He(ART)! My artwork is a robust representation of love and positivity … The call of action is love and friendships. What better way to promote this than wear it? Obviously the goal is love. Love through community. Through better education. Love through collaboration. Let's build together!" — RANDY H! @CLOUDTALKN "To me, putting on for your city means to express yourself, and in doing so, show off where you're from. Show people that you're proud of where you came from. I want my art to inspire people. I want others to look at my art and be encouraged to put their art out as well." — ZI'YIER HAYES @MISSIZ___ "Putting on for my city means to embrace both the positives and negatives with pride and an effort to make things better for your community. I embrace the positives through my art, showcasing both my feelings and experiences with the city. Wearing my art is a reflection of my pride for where I'm from." — BRITTANY HILL @BRTTNY101 "To put on for your city is to do something positive and show the people a new lane to success. Save Yo Sole [my business] … it's giving the people confidence they need when wearing an older pair of sneakers, refurbished back to its new look. Growing up in Macon, I have witnessed people being bullied and tormented because of the way their shoes looked. Save Yo Sole's mission is to save people money while looking fly doing it." — TRAY SHELLEY @LILTRAY_DG2 "To put on for my city means to be a proud artist who embodies what this city is trying to represent. What you create matters…I want my art to inspire the little Poncé's and any creative who is unsure whether or not they can create for a living. I want them to know that they can." — TIARA PONCE @IAMTIARAPONCE NOT QUOTED: ELIJAH AVERY @ELVV.JAH FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: RANDY HEART, TRAY SHELLEY, TIARA PONCE