Atlanta, GA
Emerald United Foundation to Bond Out Nonviolent Fathers from Fulton County Jail Ahead of Father’s Day
As Atlanta welcomes the world this summer, a coalition of community organizations is working to make sure some of the city’s fathers are home in time for Father’s Day.
On Tuesday, June 16, the Emerald United Foundation, in partnership with Atlanta City Councilmembers Antonio Lewis and Byron Amos, will lead the Father’s Day Freedom Initiative — a citywide effort to bond out low-level, nonviolent fathers currently detained at Fulton County Jail. The action begins at 4 p.m. at the jail, located at 901 Rice Street in northwest Atlanta.
Nearly 77% of the individuals currently held in Fulton County Jail have not been convicted of a crime. Many remain incarcerated pretrial — separated from their children and households for weeks or months at a time — not because they pose a danger, but because they cannot afford to post bond.
“A family is not whole without its father,” said Brittany Brewster, founder and chair of the Emerald United Foundation. “Thousands of fathers remain detained for minor, nonviolent offenses — not because they are dangerous, but because they cannot afford to come home. As Atlanta welcomes the world this summer, we have a chance to show what this city’s values truly are. That starts with bringing fathers home.”
Building on the Mother’s Day Freedom Initiative
The June 16 effort builds on the momentum of EUF’s inaugural Mother’s Day Freedom Initiative, held May 7, which freed nonviolent mothers from Fulton County Jail and connected them to long-term wraparound support.
This time, coalition partner A Seat at the Table is making a landmark contribution, bonding out 11 fathers in coordination with EUF and the broader coalition — a demonstration, organizers say, of what becomes possible when community partners move together.
The timing carries added weight. The initiative unfolds as FIFA World Cup activities are underway at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Juneteenth observances approach — a moment of unprecedented national and global attention on Atlanta.
More Than a Bailout
Organizers stress that the initiative is designed not only to secure release, but to support full restoration, with onsite services available to participating fathers the moment they walk free.
Those services include emergency healthcare and transportation through Healthcare & Emergency Solutions; housing support through PAD Atlanta; additional housing and realty resources through Head of Household Realty; workforce placement through First Step Staffing; opioid recovery and treatment referrals through Men and Women of Excellence; mental health and therapeutic care through Mindful Discovery Therapeutic Solutions; violence prevention through the Emory Hillandale Hospital Violence Prevention Program; family reunification and reentry support through Motherhood Behind Bars; bonding services through AAA Assured Bonding Co.; and additional community support through A Seat at the Table, 11th and Co., and Mothers Against Gang Violence.
“The household is only as strong as the man that leads it. How can he lead behind bars?” Brewster said. “Every father returned home is a household made whole again — and that is what restoration looks like.”
Pain Transformed into Purpose
Brewster founded the Emerald United Foundation following the personal loss of her mother and brother. Built on the belief that pain can be transformed into purpose, the Atlanta-based nonprofit is dedicated to empowering youth, strengthening families, and restoring hope in underserved communities through strategic partnerships, direct services, and community-led programming.
A community engagement and economic development professional with more than a decade of experience, Brewster currently serves as Community Engagement Manager at Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., and has held leadership roles within three offices of the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office. Over the course of her career, she has raised more than $1.5 million in funding and launched citywide initiatives in partnership with organizations including Amazon, Coca-Cola, and UNCF.
How to Get Involved
Community members interested in supporting or participating in the Father’s Day Freedom Initiative are encouraged to register at EmeraldUnited.org or by contacting [email protected]. Space is limited, and confirmed participants will receive additional event details upon registration.
What: Father’s Day Freedom Initiative
When: Tuesday, June 16, 2026 — 4 p.m.
Where: Fulton County Jail, 901 Rice Street, Atlanta
The Atlanta Voice is a media partner of the Father’s Day Freedom Initiative.
Related
STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA – JUNE 19: Radio personality Big Tigger speaks onstage during Juneteenth At The Bridge With Common at VyStar Amphitheater at The Bridge on June 19, 2026 in Stockbridge, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA – Atlanta radio host Big Tigger is stepping away from the microphone to focus on his family following his arrest on domestic violence charges, according to his Instagram.
Public statement defense
What we know:
Darian Morgan, known professionally as Big Tigger, released a statement confirming his decision to step away from his show to give his legal team room to work.
The full statement is below:
“For as long as I’ve been in this industry, my focus has always been to keep the spotlight on the culture and the incredible people I get to interview. But right now, my personal life is in the public eye and has become the subject of overwhelming speculation and misinformation. Through all of this, what hurts the most is being away from my son. Nothing is more important to me than being a great father. So I’ve decided to step away from the mic for a while to focus on my family and give my legal team the room they need. As I previously said, I unequivocally deny every allegation, and I am looking forward to clearing my name. Thank you so much all for the love and support.”
Sandy Springs arrest
The backstory:
It comes after Sandy Springs police arrested Morgan on charges of aggravated battery, battery and third-degree cruelty to children.
According to an arrest affidavit, Morgan’s wife, Alicia Brown, told investigators that he shoved her into an office door during an argument at their home in May.
The impact caused a deep cut above her left eye that required medical stitches.
Police stated that the couple’s 13-year-old son was upstairs during the physical altercation and heard the incident.
Brown was later granted a temporary protective order that legally requires Morgan to stay away from her, their home and their children.
What we don’t know:
It remains unclear how long Morgan will remain away from his broadcasting duties or if his employer plans to take further disciplinary action.
Related coverage
The Source: Information in this article comes from an Instagram post made by Big Tigger and prior FOX 5 reporting.
If you will allow me to put my armchair meteorologist hat on, I read an article somewhere about how this heat dome that’s been causing temperatures to skyrocket in recent days has been collapsing since Thursday. As such, that’s been causing enough of a disruption in the atmosphere to where thunderstorms are even more likely to pop up than usual.
So with that being said, it’s not particularly surprising that the weather is a bit spotty over Truist Park in Cobb County and as of right now, the tarp is reportedly on the field and has been since around noon.
While the starting pitchers did both continue their warmups as if the game would start on time, the forecast worsened a bit and now Mark Bowman is reporting that a delay is possible.
We’ll have more updates as they come in, so stay tuned.
[UPDATE 1:30 p.m. ET]: Assuming there’s no more atmospheric instability, the game will begin at 2:15 p.m. ET. Lock in, folks!
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