Atlanta photographer offering free headshots for laid-off CDC workers
Courtesy of Michele Noma
ATLANTA - An Atlanta-area photographer is stepping up to support recently laid-off Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees by offering free professional headshots.
What we know:
Michele Noma, owner of Michele Noma and Company Photography, is providing complimentary 10-minute portrait sessions to help former CDC workers update their professional images as they apply for new jobs and network in the workforce.
Each session includes light retouching and access to a downloadable gallery of images. Noma says she launched the initiative to help those impacted by the layoffs put their best foot forward during a difficult time.
According to Noma, more than 120 former employees have already signed up for the headshots. Noma has also established a GoFundMe to help cover the costs.
The backstory:
It was originally announced that approximately 2,400 CDC employees would lose their jobs after an overhaul of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was announced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and backed by President Donald Trump.
However, a few of the employees were brought back after it was determined that they were essential to the continued operation of specific programs or departments within the CDC. At this time, it is unknown exactly how many employees ultimately lost their jobs. Additionally, several senior officials with the CDC also resigned.
Regardless, there have been several protests by former employees and others since the layoffs and Democratic senators Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock have been outspoken in their opposition to the job cuts.
RELATED STORIES
- Reactions to mass layoffs underway at Atlanta-based CDC
- CDC job cut protests continue; Rep. Williams joins demonstration
- CDC Leadership Shake-Up: 5 senior officials reportedly resign unexpectedly
- CDC job cuts spark protest outside Atlanta headquarters
- Gov. Brian Kemp weighs in on firing of 1,300 CDC employees; Protesters rally in Atlanta
- CDC lab leadership program, which trains scientists, hit hard by federal layoffs
- Fired CDC worker turns to food stamps, unemployment
- CDC to lose nearly 1,300 probationary employees under Trump's job cuts
- Trump Administration freezes CDC, other federal health agencies' communications
- Rep. McCormick faces heated town hall over Trump's budget cuts and CDC layoffs
- Some fired CDC employees told to come back to work via e-mail
- Sen. Warnock, Rep. Johnson attend CDC rally in Atlanta on Tuesday
What you can do:
Those interested in scheduling a session can message Noma directly on Facebook. More information about the headshot project and ways to support it can be found on her website.