Ciara L. Walker
Daughter. Sister. Friend. Writer.

-Magazines-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Atlanta Magazine

Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
August 2008
"Funnel Cake Emporium"

Started in 1985 by William Volmary, the Funnel Cake Emporium & Ice Cream Parlor began as the first funnel cake stand at Six Flags over Georgia..."The cakes are delicious - which is what I attribute my extra twenty pounds to," says Stone Mountain resident Marcia Richardson, who admits to stopping in every weekend for the Belgian chocolate funnel cake. But first, she looks to see if Fred is outside. He's the big, gray teddy bear wearing a floppy black hat and a blue apron that reads, "Gimmie a funnel cake and nobody gets hurt!"... click here to read entire article


Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
September 2008
"Kettlebell Workout"

At Condition Kettlebell Gym, owner/trainer Delaine Ross guarantees a strength, flexibility, and cardio workout via traditional Russian kettlebells. The moves sound simple enough - swings, cleans, snatches, squats - but put them together and add a cast-iron cannonball with a handle, and you've got something powerful on your hands... Forty-five minutes with Ross had my biceps, abs, and hamstrings doing triple time... click here to read entire article


Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
January 2009
"Left Eye's Legacy"

In April 2002, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - who rose to stardom in the early nineties after moving to Atlanta and forming TLC with Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas - died in a car accident in Honduras. Known for her uninhibited attitude and provocative rhymes, Lopes's voyage was short lived; her legacy, however, continues. On January 27, Eye-Legacy, a posthumous collection of Lopes's recordings, will be released... click here to read entire article


Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
February 2009
"Flirt & Flutter Lash Loft"

I don't wear makeup - putting stuff on and washing stuff off is a bit much for me - so getting false eyelashes was a leap. But when a sparkling new eyelash salon, Flirt & Flutter Lash Loft, opened on the westside, I thought I'd give it a try...After fifteen minutes and a $14 brow wax to "open" my eyes, I was ready for batting practice - so I thought. Initially I kept thinking something was in my eyes, and my lids felt sticky when I'd blink...click here to read entire article


Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
March 2009
"B.o.B. on the J.O.B."

It's been three years since twenty-year-old Bobby Ray Simmons sneaked into T.I.'s Club Crucial, taking the stage to perform "Cloud 9," an ode to his favorite herb. On the strength of that appearance, the Columbia High student landed a deal with Atlantic Records and T.I.'s Grand Hustle label. Simmons's anticipated debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, is expected this summer...click here to read entire article


Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
April 2009
"Personal Histories"

Remembrances of everyday stories and lives may seem mundane, but the millions of National Public Radio listeners entranced by the tales shared through StoryCorps - a national, nonprofit oral history project that is bringing a permanent StoryBooth recording studio to Atlanta - might disagree... click here to read entire article


Atlanta Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
May 2009
"Bee Well Wishes"

"No matter what you go through, you can find positive in it - if you're open to it." One may think this is an unusual statement from someone diagnosed with a brain tumor eight months into her first pregnancy... click here to read entire article


Georgia College Guide

Georgia College Guide 2009 (Atlanta, GA)
Supplement to Atlanta Magazine
"Two-Year Alternative"

Starting at a two-year school is a good alternative for high school students who lack the grades or standardized test scores to attend the university of their choice... click here to read entire article


Upscale Magazine

Upscale Magazine (Atlanta, GA)
June/July 2009
"Do-right man"

A common date ad might list qualifications like, "He must open doors, pull out chairs and love his mama." While these are good qualities for a man to have, Pastor Will Owens of New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church in Oxford, Miss., believes there's more to being a good man - a good Christian man...Edward Keyton, senior minister of Bouldercrest Church of Christ in Atlanta, says a good man has to be a leader for his family... click here to read entire article

-Blogs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My contributions to Atlanta magazine's Dining, Shopping, and Nightlife blogs:

Party report: Ludacris's Straits Restaurant Opens in Midtown
Posted 5/14/2008

...Being a small-town girl from Mississippi, it’s not every day that I get to see A-list celebrities in an intimate setting. So you can imagine my surprise and delight when Jennifer asked me to attend last night’s grand opening of Straits, the new Midtown restaurant from hip-hop artist/actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges (who lives in College Park) and chef Chris Yeo... click here to read entire blog

Guest blog: Diddy's Sean John celebrates ten years with Macy's fashion show and bash
Posted 10/13/2008

...As I waited for Diddy's arrival, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. Just three days prior, I was watching the finale of I Want to Work for Diddy with my mom (over the phone), and we were discussing how he comes off so arrogant on the show. Now, in a few minutes, I would be interviewing him... click here to read entire blog

Lenox Nike store puts you in charge
Posted 11/3/2008

...It was no surprise to me when the second full-customization Nike store in the U.S. opened at Lenox Square two weeks ago. Simply put—Atlanta is a hub for great fashion.

To celebrate the opening, Mychael Knight showed up to unveil his shoe design... Mychael was nice enough to take me through the NIKEiD experience, helping me design a pair of my own. Unfortunately, I was unable to take them with me... click here to read entire blog

Guest Blogger: Left Eye's legacy lives on
Posted 1/30/2009

... I often find myself reminiscing on my younger days –days of sitting on bus fourteen with my friend LaTeisha ("Muffin" to her friends), listening to and singing songs by one of our favorite groups, TLC, as they played on the CD players we'd sneak to school.

Tuesday night, I relived those days as the family of deceased TLC member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes celebrated the release of her solo album Eye Legacy –the first to be released in the U.S. Family, friends, and fellow artists filled Atlantic Station’s Ten Pin Alley to show support and as DJ Nabs played TLC hits and songs from Lisa’s new album, I couldn’t help but sing along and think of my dear friend... click here to read entire blog

The Adventures of Bobby Ray: An extended interview with B.o.B.
Online Extra: March 2009

When you got your break at fourteen, you said you spent your money irresponsibly. How do you plan to spend it now?
I plan to spend as [little] as possible 'cause through all of this I’ve learned to be a very simple man. And because I know who I am, I know that my outside environment doesn’t make me who I am...

What’s it like working with well-known artists such as fellow Atlantans T.I. and Ludacris?
One thing you learn is how humble a lot of people are. Now I admit, some people do have egos—none of the people you just mentioned—but you’ll be surprised how humble and down to earth and understanding and relatable these people are, and of course you've got to be that way to maintain that level...

What advice would you give to teens who have the same dream?
It sounds so overused and elementary, but if you follow the line, "Don’t be afraid to be yourself and be comfortable in your own skin," you’ll be fine and what you want in life will migrate towards you... click here to read entire blog

-TV Segments-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Me representing Atlanta magazine on CBS Atlanta Better Mornings segments:

November 20, 2008: Ciara Walker shows off vegan desserts from Southern Sweets. Video

January 28, 2009: Ciara Walker visits Candler Park's The Mercantile. Video

February 12, 2009: Ciara Walker takes viewers inside the Chocolate Room at Alon's Bakery. Video

-Newspapers-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Mississippi Link

The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"DJ Hova spins a new mix"

Whether he's the DJ at a party on Saturday, the host of a gospel station on Sunday, or the host of a jazz station on Monday, he's doing what he loves to do, and that's making music..."I like being a DJ because I can make the people happy. I also like the spontaneous creativity that comes with it," he said. "While doing a party I'll vibe with the people and think of a new mixture for music that I've never used before."... click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"New system aims to break 'code of silence' in schools"

There is a 'code of silence' between students that prevents them from talking about certain issues. Breaking this 'code of silence' is currently a major concern of teachers and administrators... "Students feel like they'll get rejected by teachers or that teachers will tell them to forget about the situation and let it pass," McCree said. "Maybe that's because they've been rejected by their parents or people in their family, and they think that teachers will do the same."... click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"Ekklesia Christian Academy 'calls out' to new students"

On Monday, July 10, Headmaster Karl Twyner stood in a room full of smiling faces and gave thanks as his dream of 15 years came true. The ribbons were cut, and Ekklesia Christian Academy is now open... "For several years, I've had the idea of owning a school for children who really couldn't afford the opportunity for a Christian education," he said. "I hope and pray that you can feel the spirit of what's happening on this campus."... click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"Local library offers time for teens"

...Webb recalls one of the teens saying that he had never had anyone to tell him that they believe in him. Webb tells the teens that it doesn't matter where they are from or who they are; if nothing else, they should have self respect and learn how to treat others... click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"Ole MIss student recalls life after Katrina"

Hard. That's how 19-year-old Najah McCall describes this past year after Hurrican Katrina destroyed her hometown New Orleans..."We had a lot of friends and people that we knew who died in the storm."... click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"Local businessman believes in growth of south Jackson"

"This is a story about the people, not the business." That is what businessman Antonio Pope, 31, said while making himself comfortable in the office of the first Fanatics Bar and Grill franchise... Speaking of the community, Pope hopes that what he does encourages others to try. "What hurts us is fear. Once you get rid of fear, the possiblities are endless," he said. "I've been knocked down five or six times, and I got up. Success is just getting up one more time than you fell."... click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"Madison's Keith Smith hooked on thinking outside of the box"

At the age of five, his father and grandfather introduced him to fishing. By seven or eight, he was in "full stride" fishing in various lakes across the state as well as smaller lakes and ponds on family land. Today, more than 25 years later, 36-year-old Keith Smith holds the second place title of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League All-American tournament..."If I sold all of the fishing rods I have today, I have accomplished more than some have in 30 years. I'm doing it to make a difference..."... click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
June 2006 - August 2006
"Nigerian reggae band brings 'One Love' to Jackson for one night"

...Essiet describes his music as being conscious music, "We're dealing with things that uplift people's spirit and also give people hope. We're dealing with day-to-day issues, which are affecting humankind. The necessity of love is a very vital instrument for survival and universal unity..."click here to read entire article


The Mississippi Link (Jackson, MS)
October 2006
"The University of Mississippi honors James Meredith"

On Oct.1, 1962 he was welcomed with harsh words and hateful stares as he walked onto the University of Mississippi's campus. Forty-four years later on Oct. 1, 2006 he was welcomed with kind words and looks of admiration... click here to read entire article


The Daily Mississippian


The Daily Mississippian (University of Mississippi)
August 2005 - August 2006
"Plenty of fun can be found on campus"

Starting the first week of school, students can enjoy a number of activities organized by the Department of Campus Programming and the Student Programming Board... click here to read entire article


The Daily Mississippian (University of Mississippi)
August 2005 - August 2006
"Students react to monument"

Another delay in the construction of the civil rights monument on campus has sparked interest in some students...According to Haggard, a civil rights monument would create balance. "We have a Confederate monument and an American monument. Why not build a Civil Rights monument?" "We call ourselves a diverse university, and a monument would represent that. Don't just say it, show it..." click here to read entire article


The Daily Mississippian (University of Mississippi)
August 2005 - August 2006
"M magazine launched, more issues to come"

This semester South Africa is coming to the University of Mississippi through the Journalism Department's first issue of M, the j-department magazine...click here to read entire article


Our Voice


Our Voice (UMABJ Newspaper)
Fall 2005
"Student loses home, gains love"

..."It's like one week you're at school by yourself, and the next week you're looking for a house for you and your family..." "I'm trying to be strong for my entire family because for a minute my mom shut down, and she was in a state of serious depression... click here to read entire article


Our Voice (UMABJ Newspaper)
Spring 2006
"Ending modern-day slavery is priority for professor"

After years of learning that slavery was abolished in 1865, many people fail to realize that slavery still exists today. For this reason, a current professor at Ole Miss has dedicated his time and energy to making people aware of modern-day slavery and ways to end it... click here to read entire article


The Oxford Eagle


The Oxford Eagle (Oxford, MS)
December 2005 - January 2006
"Christmas trees become work of art"

Instead of the brightly colored, shiny round ornaments that dangle fromt the branches of more traditionally decorated Christmas trees, Jerri Bolen has stuffed monkeys clinging to the limbs of her tree..."When I was a child, my mom took nothing and made Christmas because of its meaning - Christ. That's the reason for the season." "She would go cut down a cedar tree to decorate, and it didn't matter what it looked like. She had Christmas in her heart year-round, and she was the most giving person that ever lived"... click here to read entire article


The Oxford Eagle (Oxford, MS)
December 2005 - January 2006
"Blood Donor Month raises awareness of needs for life-saving gift"

Some 38,000 units of blood are needed in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities each day. During the winter months, the need for blood increases. So, for the past 36 years January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month... click here to read entire article

-News Releases-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Retired Army Officer to Share Insights on Global War on Terror, Faith

Ole Miss professor to conduct NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture workshop