ATLANTA — The presidential election is over, but millions of Americans and Georgians still feel its impacts.
While some are celebrating, others worry, and many wonder what a new administration might mean for their lives.
That's why The Georgia Vote continues its monthslong Voice of the Voter segment to make sure everyday Georgians remain at the center of the political conversation.
Meet coffee shop owner Kayla Bellman
She owns FiNCA to FiLTER coffee shop in Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward neighborhood.
"One of the things that Finca is for, grounded on, is a mission statement, if you will: 'queer and caffeinated,'" said Bellman. "For us, that has meant centering the LGBTQ community because we feel like if our needs are centered, as a result everyone feels like home, right? When you lead with love and you lead with inclusion, then anyone from any walk of life feels like this space was built with them in mind."
What she was thinking about when she cast her presidential ballot
"My biggest priority was my community, environmental justice, and social justice," said Bellman.
"I am very much fearful for the EPA and the regulations that the Trump administration intends to cut back," she continued. "I think that it is very troubling and I worry greatly for the future of the future generations."
Pointing to prominent pro-Trump ads that frequently aired in the closing weeks of the election, Bellman said she worried about transgender and LGBTQ Americans.
The ads ended with the tagline: "Kamala is for they/them; President Trump is for you."
"The policies that the Trump administration gets to or wants to lead with are incredibly dangerous towards queer folks and trans folks in particular," said the coffee shop owner.
"My community, the LGBTQ community, is so strong and so united against these next steps and here at FiNCA we're so proud to be part of the coalition building that will happen at the local level to ensure knowledge sharing [and] ensure access to care," she added.
What she's optimistic about
"I'm optimistic that the groundswell of local advocacy will work diligently to preserve rights, to ensure access to care, and I hope that the local leaders will work to continue to fight for our rights, continue to work to make our city better [and] healthier," said Bellman. "I'm optimistic that we can dull the impact of the next four years."
11Alive's Voice of the Voter series features diverse viewpoints from Georgians across Metro Atlanta and airs weekly during The Georgia Vote at 11 a.m. on Sundays.