Journalist. Editor.
A Trusted Voice.

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.

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"I’m fortunate that I’ve had a long, interesting, and varied career, doing work that I care about. It hasn’t always been easy, but I have loved just about every minute of it."

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Highlights

Chosen 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.

Georgia Trend

The Apostle of Democracy

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.”

Photo courtesy of
The Carter Center
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Interviews & Profiles

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.

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From the archives

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.

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America West Magazine

Manuel’s Tavern

October 0994
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From the Archives
Schoolbook: A Journal of Education

Empty Nester Blues

January 1999
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From the Archives
Atlanta Magazine

Second Time Around

October 1988
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Digital Articles

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.

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Business Casual

The Fear Factor

August 1, 2018

It’s been a while, but I recall sitting in the food court of a local mall with my husband and daughter and a friend of hers one evening when a group of 11- or 12-year-old African-American boys showed up. They were noisy, even a bit rowdy, but not threatening. I probably wondered if they were there by themselves and maybe even wished they’d turn the volume down.

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Business Casual

The Grownups’ Table

February 1, 2016

I’m not quite sure when I realized I was officially an adult – a grownup, a responsible person expected to behave appropriately, no matter how tedious that might be, and fairly comfortable with that charge.

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Business Casual

Keep Them Safe

April 1, 2019

Twenty years ago this month, the meaning of “school safety” changed forever the day that two troubled Colorado high school seniors killed 13 people and injured 23 more at Columbine High School in Littleton, a Denver suburb, then took their own lives.

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Business Casual

The High-water Mark

February 1, 2019

The high-drama moment of the Great Decatur Condominium Flood of December 2018, for me, came at 6:00 a.m. on a dark, rainy Saturday just made for sleeping in.

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Awards & Recognition

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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2016

Green Eyeshade Award

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – Green Eyeshade Awards
2021

Green Eyeshade Public Service Gold Award

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – Green Eyeshade Awards
2015

Best Magazine Feature-Writing

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – Green Eyeshade Awards
2013

Commentary Award (Finalist)

Atlanta Press Club
2018

Best Bylined Commentary

Alliance of Area Business Publications (AABP)
2010

Best Column

Magazine Association of the South (MAGS)
2015

Best Body of Work, Single Writer

Alliance of Area Business Publications (AABP)
2017

Green Eyeshade Award

Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) – Green Eyeshade Awards
2023

Grady Fellowship Induction

University of Georgia, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication