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

At a megachurch Christmas Eve service in Stonecrest, a call for a ceasefire.

"That’s what we want for Christmas” says senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to hundreds of congregants.

As 2023 comes to a close, a look back at the year.

Yes this is an end of the year highlights email :)

“Your life doesn’t start in the U.S. until you have reliable transportation”

Driving lessons are hard to come by. These nonprofits are working to give immigrants and refugees mobility in car-dependent metro Atlanta.

As fighting in Burma escalates, Burmese in GA brace themselves

PLUS: A preview of “The Third Country” - documentary about Georgia’s growing Burmese community.

December Calendar: artisan holiday markets, food drives, and solidarity events.

Happenings around town this month.

Atlanta City Council calls for ceasefire, new findings on Latinos’ health in Georgia, and school calendars in Gwinnett.

Your 285 South News roundup.

Atlanta City Council Resolution Supporting Carter Center’s Call for Ceasefire in Israel and Gaza
Eid and other religious holidays don’t make it into Gwinnett County school calendar

GCPS Board of Education announced on Thursday it would stick with similar calendar to previous ones for the next two academic years

“This has been a wakeup call.”

Muslim community leaders in Georgia are responding to the violence in Gaza, saying they feel “betrayed” and “disappointed” by Biden Admin, and determined to make their voices heard.

November Events Calendar

Plus: Catch up on 285 South stories you may have missed.