Susan Percy is an award-winning Metro Atlanta-based journalist and columnist, who has covered Georgia business, politics, and government. She was executive editor and editor of Georgia Trend Magazine from 2001 through 2013 and a regular contributor for another 11 years.
Learn MoreChosen for their impact, insight, or personal significance, each item offers a glimpse into the moments and stories that have defined her work and voice as a journalist.
When Jimmy Carter was inaugurated in 1971 as Georgia’s 76th governor, he famously announced, “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over. No poor, rural, weak or Black person should ever again have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity of an education, a job or simple justice.”
Over the course of her career, Susan Percy has interviewed a wide range of influential figures—from elected officials and business leaders to artists, educators, and advocates shaping life in Georgia and beyond. Her conversations go beyond headlines, offering thoughtful, well-researched questions and space for reflection.
View All Interviews >Drawn from Susan Percy’s personal collection, this section features scanned articles originally published in print outlets that are no longer available online. Each scan is presented as it first appeared—part of a living archive that honors both the journalism and the era it captured.
View the Archived Items >This collection features Susan Percy’s published work that remains accessible online, spanning topics from politics and public policy to culture, health, and leadership. Each article reflects her clear-eyed reporting and thoughtful analysis, offering a window into the issues and individuals shaping Georgia and the region.
View All Digital Articles >Sitting at the lunch counter replica, you are invited to place your hands palms-down on the surface and close your eyes. You hear voices – some whispery, some loud, all ominous, questioning your right to be where you are. You feel your seat being jolted.
During the 2008 presidential campaign, I heard a report from an NPR correspondent who ventured into a Midwestern bar to ask workers from a nearby healthcare facility how they saw the upcoming election. Nobody seemed especially enthusiastic. One woman said she wasn’t sure she would vote, but if she did it probably would not be for “that guy with the funny name.”
On a hot Sunday afternoon this summer, a family – a father with three children, including a toddler having a meltdown – was parked in a grocery store lot, with the hood of their ancient station wagon propped up. A young woman with a baby and I, at the same time, approached the family. She asked if they needed help. Maybe some water? The dad indicated yes, then said the car was running hot and they needed gas for the hour-long drive ahead of them.
If you are a disciple of the “Let’s-do-something-even-if-it’s-wrongheaded-and-causes-problems-we-didn’t-think-through” school of legislation, you’ll probably like a couple of bills that were prefiled in the weeks prior to the General Assembly session.
Over the course of her career, Susan Percy has been honored by peers and professional organizations for her journalism, commentary, and contributions to the field. These awards reflect her commitment to clear-eyed reporting, fearless commentary, and a deep respect for the role of journalism in public life. From national press associations to regional honors, each recognition marks a chapter in her legacy.
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