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. In 2026, she won an Atlanta Press Club award for Reporting on Civil and Human Rights.

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

Sophia's Latest Articles

These Atlanta eateries are saying “Paga Lo Que Puedas”: Pay What You Can

Kamayan ATL and Vinny’s Mutual Aid Bakery are joining over 100 restaurants in 13 countries for a day dedicated to putting food access—and people—first.

“Are you concerned about yourself and your neighbors?”

As food insecurity grows among Georgia’s immigrant and refugee communities, one mutual aid group is operating under the radar to support their neighbors

UPDATED: Free or low-cost mental health services in Metro Atlanta, many offering counseling in multiple languages 

Finding mental health support isn’t always easy – especially for residents in Metro Atlanta who may face barriers like cost, language, and cultural sensitivity.

In Avondale, culinary inspiration from the streets of Mumbai

Newly opened Bun & Bombay offers homestyle Indian classics, snacks, and outdoor seating.

“We believe that God will make a way for us, whether here in America or somewhere else”

As Temporary Protected Status for Haiti expires, a Lawrenceville pastor is comforting his community, amid reports of self deportations and job cuts

“I didn’t expect it to happen in my family.”

A flurry of homemade videos points to a summer uptick in immigration arrests in the Atlanta area

For Egypt, a historic match in Atlanta, despite a 3-2 loss

An afternoon of high and lows for Egypt fans who traveled to the Benz for Tuesday’s match against football soccer giant Argentina

IN PHOTOS: Communities around the Metro tune into the ‘Beautiful Game’
For this Congolese fan, the DRC match is about more than just soccer

Excitement in Atlanta’s Congolese community as the DRC takes on Uzbekistan

“I woke up in a different world”: Decatur family torn apart after ICE encounter

Marina and Igor were living a comfortable life with their four children. Now Igor, originally from Moldova, is in immigration detention, and the family is trying to stay afloat.