Author

Sophia Qureshi

Sophia is the founder of 285 South, Metro Atlanta’s only English language news publication dedicated to the region’s immigrant and refugee communities. Before launching 285 South in 2021, she worked for over 15 years in media and communications, including at Al Jazeera Media Network, CNN, the United Nations Development Programme, and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT).

Her writing has been published in Atlanta Magazine, Canopy Atlanta, the Atlanta Civic Circle, the Atlanta History Center, and The Local Palate. She won the Atlanta Press Club award for Narrative Nonfiction in 2023 and 2024; and was a recipient of the Raksha Community Change award in 2023 and was a fellow of Ohio University’s Kiplinger Public Affairs Journalism Program in 2024.

Contact her at sophia@285south.com and learn more about her here.

Sophia's Latest Articles

Election Day is here.

Plus: catch up on 285 South's election coverage.

With no end to the Gaza war in sight, many of Georgia’s Muslim voters—and their allies—aren’t sure what to do

“Prior to this, I was solidly Democrat . . . I don’t know what’s the right thing to do. I’m greatly disheartened. It’s painful.”

‘I’ll Just Have to Close My Eyes and Choose’: Atlanta’s Immigrant Voters on the Presidential Election

From now through November 5, 285 South is interviewing a cross-section of first- and second-generation immigrant voters to learn what they’re most concerned about as they head to the polls.

Good news at 285 South
“They told me, ‘it was stolen. There’s nothing we can do.’”

Afghan families speak out over food stamp thefts.

“I had never seen so many ambulances.”

Metro Atlanta resident describes being in Beirut during attacks, worries for her family and friends in Lebanon.

Huracán Helene: consejos de seguridad de un representante de la Cruz Roja de Georgia

Seguridad ante huracanes: Preguntas y respuestas de la Cruz Roja de Georgia sobre lo que podemos hacer para mantenernos seguros (lo más possible)

Hurricane Helene: safety tips from a representative of the Red Cross of Georgia

Q and A with the Red Cross of Georgia on what we can do to stay safe (as possible). [Article available in Spanish]

On the frontlines of the drive to sign up new voters at citizenship ceremonies

Voter engagement groups in GA say they've registered over 9,000 people after their citizenship ceremonies this year. That’s a huge increase.

The Third Country: watch the full film here.

A 15-minute short documentary about the lives of young Burmese Americans in Georgia.