A Georgia mother’s dream of opening a child care center to serve working families went up in flames this week, literally.
Authorities have confirmed that a late-night fire that gutted Starr Kidz Academy 2 in Conyers, Georgia, was intentionally set, marking the second targeted attack on the small business in less than a year.
The owner, Keisha Archer, a longtime community member and small-business entrepreneur, had spent months preparing for the grand opening of her new day care facility. But just days before the ribbon-cutting, surveillance footage captured a man pouring gasoline inside the building before setting it ablaze.
“They broke in, they set the hallway down and just set the building on fire,” Archer told CBS News Atlanta. “And you’re telling me that this is not the first time. This is not the first time — this is the second vandalism that we’ve had to this building within the last eight months.”
A Pattern of Targeting
The February vandalism already set Archer back thousands of dollars in repairs and delayed her initial plans to open. This time, the damage was catastrophic. Fire officials say the blaze spread rapidly through the structure, leaving little behind but charred walls and melted toys.
Archer has owned the building since 2017 but only recently began converting it into a day care facility. She said tensions with former tenants might be behind the attacks, though investigators have not confirmed a motive.
“We’ve been in this community and owned this building since 2017,” she explained. “We decided to take over the business in the building eight years later. And someone’s upset — I’m not sure exactly who it is, but they don’t want to see us opening.”
‘This Money Isn’t Given to Us’
For Archer, the loss isn’t just financial, but it’s deeply personal. She had invested her savings and countless hours of work to transform the property into a safe, welcoming space for local children.
“This is a small, Black-owned business,” she said, her voice breaking. “This money isn’t given to us. This is from our hard work and our pockets.”
The emotional toll of the fire is compounded by the timing. Interviews for new staff were set to begin the very next day, and the grand opening was planned for later in the week. Instead, Archer now faces the devastating task of cleaning up what’s left.
“This has definitely been a challenging night,” she said. “We’re not going to be able to open due to this fire.”
Community Shock and Outrage
News of the arson has rattled residents of Rockdale County, a largely quiet suburban area about 25 miles east of Atlanta. For many, Starr Kidz Academy 2 symbolized opportunity, both for parents in need of affordable care and for those inspired by Archer’s determination to build something lasting in her own community.
Several neighbors have already begun organizing cleanup efforts and offering moral and financial support.
“She’s worked too hard for this,” one community member said. “We’re not going to let hate or jealousy stop her.”
No Arrests Yet, But Hope Remains
As of Thursday, no arrests have been made. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and appealing to the public for any information about the suspect.
For Archer, whether she rebuilds remains uncertain. But what is certain is her resilience — and her unwavering belief in the community she’s served for years.
“Right now, I don’t know if we’ll rebuild here,” she admitted. “But I’m not done. I still want to help our families — that’s what this was all about.”
The Larger Picture
Crimes like this, targeted attacks on small Black-owned businesses, often strike deeper than property loss. They threaten not only economic independence but also the sense of belonging and progress in communities striving for self-reliance.
As investigators work to find the person responsible, one truth remains clear: resilience burns brighter than the flames meant to destroy it.
