‘It’s UATL’ podcast: Her grandfather is Augusta National’s first Black member. Now, she’s changing the game.

Yes, Black folks play golf, too. In fact, a 2025 United States Golf Association study found that people of color, women and youth are driving the sport’s current participation boom.

As the world descends upon Augusta National Golf Club, we wanted to rap with a local voice who has deep ties to the game. Enter Bria Janelle.

Janelle’s grandfather, Robert Townsend, became the first Black member of Augusta National in 1990.

Today, Janelle, a Snellville native, sports fanatic and entertainment multi-hyphenate is the CEO of Her Shot Golf. The nonprofit offers a free, six-week, summer golf program for young women of color ages 11-18.

Janelle spoke with “It’s UATL” co-hosts Najja Parker and DeAsia Paige, who were joined by UATL reporter Brooke Howard, about the mission behind Her Shot.

“To see young women of color just be out there playing golf, to me, this is what I envision. Our goal is to grow it to 25,000 girls by 2030,″ Janelle told the hosts.

The game is growing in that direction, especially with Black brands on the rise such as Eastside Golf and Trap Golf.

“I feel like with golf, we’re about to see an uptick over the next couple of years because y’all know how it goes when a culture gets a hold of anything,” Janelle said.

This week’s episode

TLC Nov. 26, 2016 at Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. (Mark Derricutt/Courtesy of Ambient Light blog)

Off the greens, the episode finds the hosts sharing their thoughts on a report that TLC’s Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas made several controversial donations to President Donald Trump’s campaign.

Chilli wasn’t the only ATL entertainer in a giving mood. The ladies also dig into Tyler Perry donating $250,000 in gift cards to Atlanta TSA workers.

Before Georgia lawmakers voted on whether to switch the state to Atlantic Standard Time, co-host and Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Nedra Rhone broke down the bill’s history and future implications.

Lastly, we close things out with singer and actress Brandy getting her Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Co-host and music reporter Paige explains why Brandy is one of her favorite all-time artists. Co-host and AJC video producer Parker talks about a doll from the entertainer’s ‘90s hit show, “Moesha,” that still holds up.

Related reads from UATL and AJC

Follow the stories that inspired this week’s episode.

• Atlanta golf program gives Black girls a shot on the green
• Tyler Perry donates $250,000 in gift cards to Atlanta TSA workers
• Georgia won’t switch to Atlantic Standard Time after all