ATL UNGUIDED
CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Aubree Dumas
Jaylon Griffith
Sheretha Bell
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Artie De Los Santos
Aubree Dumas
Discover Atlanta Editorial Team
Elijah Megginson
Jailen Moore
Jermaine Jackson
Mike Jordan
Shanita Miller
Sheretha Bell
Tailor Payton
MANAGING EDITOR
Daniela Cintron
CONTRIBUTING COPY EDITORS
Carol Carter
Jo Ann Haden-Miller
Lisa Werneck
Taylor Boser
DESIGNER
So Jin Lee
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Julie Minear
Lisa Werneck
ABOUT THE COVER
Front:
André 3000
Shirley Franklin
Xernona Clayton
Zak Wallace
Back: Fish Scales
Hank Aaron
Karcheik Sims-Alvarado
Skinny DeVille
SCAN
Atlanta’s that place–with rich heritage that is deep, progressive and continuously evolving. Atlanta supports a bold expression of Black heritage and contemporary aspirations that spark Black excellence and pride. It is the heartbeat of the Civil Rights Movement. It is home to Atlanta University Center (AUC), the largest collection of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), a number of historic churches, popular Black-owned restaurants, trendy lounges and legendary art galleries. Discover ATL Unguided, where legacy meets evolution.
This curation of key cultural experiences amplifies Black voices.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to our city. Atlanta is rich in Black history and heritage, which is why the city remains one of the top U.S. destinations for Black travelers. With the world’s oldest and largest consortium of historically Black colleges and universities, Atlanta-based events such as the National Black Arts Festival and several historic sites such as Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Atlanta is positioned as a leader in the celebration and advancement of Black art and culture across the globe.
ATL Unguided showcases Atlanta’s rich heritage and influence on arts, culture, food, music, technology and civil rights. This curation of key cultural experiences amplifies Black voices, stories and businesses while helping Black travelers, along with those interested in supporting the Black community, see and explore the beauty of Atlanta. Once again, we extend a warm welcome and hope ATL Unguided serves as an invaluable resource to you while visiting our city. For a quick and easy approach to finding Black experiences in Atlanta, visit ATLUnguided.com.
William Pate Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO
Sweet Auburn Street // Gene Phillips
ATL Unguided where legacy meets evolution
From the 1940s to the mid-1960s, Victor Hugo Green’s “The Negro Motorist Green Book” gave Black travelers a nationwide road map of the safest establishments, entertainment venues, meeting and vacation spots during Jim Crow-era segregation. With racism, discrimination and sundown towns across the entire country, it wasn’t just a travel guide, it was an essential resource. The past still informs the present.
In the late 1990s, we developed Atlanta’s original Heritage Guide with cultural events and things to do. Now, we’re still looking for places to learn more about our history, find community, support Black-owned businesses and, at times, just be ourselves.
In 2020, ATL Unguided was developed to provide a reference while honoring the past, showcasing Atlanta’s growth and spotlighting what’s coming next. Each issue celebrates the milestones of Atlanta’s fearless icons alongside the progress and influence of Atlantans tasked with creating stories today. This is where legacy meets evolution. This is Atlanta.
We Shall Always March Ahead // Christopher Watkins
THIS ATL GUIDE
BLACK GIRLS GUIDE TO
ATL
By
Shanita Miller Page 13
Find a black business option for anything your heart could desire: tea rooms, restaurants, spas or art galleries.
HOMETOWN HEROES
By Discover Atlanta Editorial Team Page 14
HBCUs IN THE A
By Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Jailen Moore, Elijah Megginson, Sheretha Bell
Page 6
To its alumni and students, the Atlanta University Center is the epicenter of Black culture and academic excellence.
ATLIENS: CREATORS, MOVERS & SHAKERS
By Mike Jordan
Page 8
We honor civil rights icons, trailblazers and sports Hall of Famers for their pioneering leadership legacies.
CULINARY CLASSICS
By Tailor Payton, Hungry Homegirl, Page 20
Known for its food scene, Atlanta is home to iconic restaurants that are staples in the city.
(404) NIGHTS
By Jermaine Jackson Page 24
This city's creative thinkers thrives in the arts and entertainment industry. Discover a kaleidoscope of experiences sure to captivate every after-hours adventurer.
BLACK IN FILM
By Aubree Dumas
Page 12
Atlanta has done more than just establish itself as a notable hub for film, it has consistently shown the world that the “South got something to say.”
AFRO-LATINO COMMUNITY
By Artie De Los Santos
Page 26
Indulge in ATL’s melanated oasis where a rich tapestry of cultures shines.
HBCUs IN THE A
By Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Jailen Moore, Elijah Megginson, Sheretha Bell
The largest body of private Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the nation
For many who travel to Atlanta, the magnetic pull is the Atlanta University Center, commonly known as the AUC. It is the largest body of private HBCUs in the nation, comprising highly recognizable and respected academic institutions. The original AUC members – Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University (formerly Clark College and Atlanta University) – reside within the Atlanta University Center Historic District, a National Registry of Historic Places designee.
Morehouse College // Elijah Megginson
Spelman College // Sheretha Bell
Eventually, Morehouse School of Medicine joined the AUC. It is where passion becomes curiosity, curiosity becomes ideas and ideas become the seeds of movements. In its classrooms and corridors, men such as W.E.B. DuBois, the first Black American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, and women of renown like Adrienne Herndon, one of the first African American faculty members at the former Atlanta University, helped shape the world in their image of freedom, equity, culture and justice.
In the Shoes of Past and Present Students
Jailen Moore, Clark Atlanta University, ‘20
“Among the things to do along the Promenade are stopping by The Hill Social to enjoy an order of wings or browsing goods for sale on Market Thursdays. Between noon and 3 p.m., the Promenade is filled with products from Blackowned businesses. Frequently, a DJ is on hand to provide the soundtrack to this shopping trip.”
Elijah Megginson, Morehouse College, ‘25
“Get on the Bus" is a Morehouse outreach project where we go to underprivileged high schools and empower Black and brown youth. I have participated in four “Get on the Bus” trips but my favorite would have to be when I went to my old middle school, Excellence Boys Charter School, located in Bed-Stuy. When I came back to my old neighborhood I was perceived differently. There was a different energy to the way everyone looked and treated me. My community recognized me as a hero.”
Sheretha Bell, Spelman College, ‘00
“‘My SPELMAN Sister.’ When I first heard those words spoken in the deep, resounding, melodious voice of the first Black woman president of Spelman College, Dr. Johnetta B. Cole, I knew I was at home. Her voice, powerful; her stature, strong; her words, empowering – I saw my future self in her, our Sister President, and in the other women I stood proudly beside. Many other young Black women who had been “the only Black girl” in many environments were, in that moment, embracing the beauty of being one of many.”
Read more from HBCU students at ATLUnguided.com
ATLIENS: CREATORS, MOVERS & SHAKERS
By Mike Jordan
A town where vibes turn into ideas
Atlanta is not a city of gatekeepers. This is a town where vibes turn into ideas before being made real through focus, hustle, determination, ambition and resilience. And those things are found throughout our sprawling town, thanks to an ongoing legacy of creative thinkers with entrepreneurial savvy and collective vision, all of which combine so that possibilities thrive in Atlanta’s booming arts and entertainment community.
ONE Musicfest // Gene Phillips
Elevate // David Batterman
Jazz FestivaI // Matt Alexandre
ATLANTA FOR THE CULTURE
Thanks to the ongoing legacy of these creatives, Atlanta's culture continues to make an impact on the world.
I CAMILLE RUSSELL LOVE I
Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
As executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Camille Russell Love has played an outsized role in keeping Atlanta’s city government connected with and supporting our expansive creative community, from music to visual art and beyond. Projects Russell Love has long overseen, include the Downtown public art program
ELEVATE and the decades-long Atlanta Jazz Festival. This city’s creative legacy continues to be shaped by Russell Love’s ability to make partners out of those who make Atlanta’s arts scene special.
I ORONIKE ODELEYE I
Artistic Director of the National Black Arts Festival
Look around Atlanta and you’ll find this arts and entertainment consultant directly involved with or in spirited support of some of the city and region’s most impactful cultural movements. As a core member of the team that brings the annual ONE Musicfest to Atlanta each fall, she has been instrumental in some of the city’s biggest live
Black music moments in recent history. Odeleye became artistic director for the National Black Arts Festival in 2022, leading the organization’s artistic personnel while developing events programming throughout the year.
ATLANTA INFLUENCES EVERYTHING
Atlanta’s undeniable influence on culture, innovation and creativity resonates, impacting people worldwide.
I TORY EDWARDS
I
Co-founder, Atlanta Influences Everything
Atlanta Influences Everything is more than just one of this city’s favorite T-shirts. The company, which Edwards cofounded along with Ian Ford and Bem Joiner, is a creative consultancy at its heart, focused on combining civic, corporate and cultural understanding to impact Atlanta citizens. Edwards, who also works in production on film and television projects in Atlanta, is heavily involved in AIE’s creative collaborations with organizations ranging from Atlanta United FC to Central Atlanta Progress. Edwards also hosts an invitation-only food event called Dinner With Friends, where he brings together some of Atlanta’s most influential people to discuss ways in which they can all achieve the broader goal of keeping Atlanta amazing (and influential, of course).
Atlanta Influences Everything // Andrew Clark (All images)
HIP-HOP CAPITAL
Our city's music legacy is one main reason so many move to ATL, and these pioneers help pave the way.
Keinon Johnson has been a key player in Atlanta’s entertainment industry for decades. The music business maven’s years of experience have been instrumental in the success of many recording acts. In addition to his current position as senior vice president at Interscope Records, Johnson is also on the board of directors at the High Museum of Art.
Phylicia Fant began her career at Motown Records and continued at Warner Brothers Records, where she rose to executive leadership. At Columbia Records, she served as head of urban music until joining Amazon Music in 2022 as head of music industry partnerships. She has contributed heavily to the careers of such household names as Beyonce and more.
The creative duo behind Art, Beats + Lyrics have supported local artists and provided live performances from some of the biggest names in hip-hop. You’ll find plenty of evidence of both men’s love for their city, from Wright’s murals on Wylie Street in Cabbagetown to Graham playing pool in local billiards lounges.
I KEINON JOHNSON I Music Executive
I PHYLICIA FANT I Music Executive
I JABARI GRAHAM AND DWAYNE “DUBELYOO” WRIGHT I Creative Duo
Elevate Atlanta // David Batterman
BLACK IN FILM
By Aubree Dumas
Atlanta has done more than just establish itself as a notable hub for film and TV production, it has consistently shown the world that the “South got something to say.” You hear it in the words of influential leaders who live here, you feel it in the soulful music produced here and you see it in the art of storytelling that plays out on the big screen.
I TYLER PERRY I Actor and Filmmaker I WILL PACKER I Film Producer
When you think of film and Atlanta, Tyler Perry might be one of the first people to come to mind. Perry has made an impactful footprint in Atlanta’s film industry, not only because Perry calls Atlanta home but also because of the talent and production he brings to the city continues to increase.
As a longtime resident of ATL, Packer has made a significant mark in the industry. From producing blockbuster films including “Think Like a Man” and “Ride Along” to making sure Black artists continue to have a place in the industry; he is a prominent hand in making Atlanta’s talent known worldwide.
While her early stardom in “The Cosby Show” has won many hearts, Pulliam’s continued works in many Tyler Perry films and shows make her a staple in the film scene.
BLACK GIRLS GUIDE TO ATL
By Shanita Miller
As someone born and raised in Atlanta, I have had the pleasure of seeing this city thrive in so many ways; however, nothing compares to its history of being an anchor for Black businesses. Whether it was your hair salon, neighborhood eatery, church cake lady, or street corner fruit market, Black businesses have been around us forever. What I love about current day Atlanta is that it offers a Black business option for anything your heart could desire.
ATLANTA’S BLACK GIRLS GUIDE
FACE FOUNDRIÉ
Face Foundrié is owned by a mother and daughter duo and is a facial bar in West Midtown.
THE DIRTY TEA
This unconventional tea house redefines the traditional tea experience, inviting guests to sip, savor, and “spill the tea” with their girls in style.
BRIDGE BOUTIQUE IN INMAN PARK
Indulge your inner fashionista with a visit to Bridge Boutique, a hidden gem nestled in the trendy neighborhood of Inman Park.
SOUTHERN NATIONAL
Kickstart your Atlanta culinary adventure by dining out at Southern National, a restaurant known for its soulful cocktails and delectable small plates.
BUCKHEAD ART + COMPANY
A place that really stands out to me with its events is Buckhead Art + Company. It’s where creativity takes center stage.
Use the map on page 30 to find these locations.
Grant Park // Ryan Purcell
HOMETOWN HEROES
By Discover Atlanta Editorial Team
A major undercurrent in Atlanta’s legacy as the heart and soul of the South lies in appreciation for the trailblazers and civil rights lions who helped shape our city into what it is today. Our roots run deep as the place that embodies the spirit of the mythical phoenix. No matter how many times you knock us down and cast us aside, we rise stronger. An indomitable spirit we can only imagine drove titans like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Xernona Clayton, Hammerin’ Hank Aaron and so many others. It’s hard to imagine what ATL would be without their groundbreaking efforts. Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to learn more about these figures and use the map at the end of the guide to discover the streets that carry their names and assure that their legacies endure.
Lobby // Ben Dashwood
Interior // Discover Atlanta
National Center for Civil and Human Rights // Chris Watkins
The Eternal Flame at the King Center // Ryan Purcell
Civil Rights Movement leader Andrew Young championed the cause with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was mayor of Atlanta, a member of the United States House of Representatives and the first African American appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Andrew Young International Boulevard
Where you can find: Centennial Olympic Park, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
Civil rights attorney Donald Lee Hollowell’s legal acumen secured significant wins including desegregating the University of Georgia, freeing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from police custody and successful efforts to integrate the Atlanta Public School System and public transit services.
Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
Where you can find:
K&K Soul Food, Trap Music Museum, Bankhead Seafood
Benjamin E. Mays mentored several prominent activists and leaders who would continue his legacy. As president of Morehouse College for 27 years, Mays’ dedication to education and to closing the gaps of racial inequity led to the desegregation of Atlanta Public Schools.
Benjamin E. Mays Drive
Where you can find:
Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, The Beautiful Restaurant
Motown icon, singer and entrepreneur Gladys Knight used her voice to unite the masses around racial equality during her career that spans seven decades. “The Empress of Soul” stands as one of Atlanta’s most iconic natives.
Gladys Knight Highway
Where you can find: Fox Theatre, High Museum of Art, Negril Village
I GLADYS KNIGHT I
I DONALD LEE HOLLOWELL I
I ANDREW YOUNG I
I BENJAMIN E. MAYS I
Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron broke racial barriers and records on his journey to becoming the home run king. His courage under a cloud of racism and his mantra to “keep swinging” in the face of adversity secured his legacy.
Hank Aaron Drive
Where you can find:
Center Parc Stadium, Halfway Crooks Beer, Wood’s Chapel BBQ
Businessman and civil rights activist Jesse Hill, Jr. was the first Black president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He was CEO of the nation’s largest Black-owned life insurance company, Atlanta Life Insurance Company.
Jesse Hill Jr. Drive
Where you can find:
Municipal Market (Sweet Auburn Curb Market), Sweet-Stack Creamery, The BQE Restaurant & Lounge
Activist, philanthropist and politician Hosea L. Williams was a driving force in many landmark civil rights events and initiatives including the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., an act that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Hosea L. Williams Drive
Where you can find:
Le Petit Marché, Taproom Coffee
His enduring legacy and vigor for championing racial and social equality took him to the United States House of Representatives where he was hailed as “The Conscience of the Congress” by his colleagues.
John Lewis Freedom Parkway
Where you can find:
The Carter Center, Plant Based Pizzeria, Freedom Park
I HANK AARON I I JESSE HILL JR. I
I JOHN LEWIS I
I HOSEA L. WILLIAMS I
John Wesley Dobbs was a community leader and voting rights advocate whose impact and civil rights legacy earned him the unofficial title, “Mayor of Auburn Avenue,” the main street through Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood.
John Wesley Dobbs Avenue
Where you can find:
Martin Luther King, Jr.
National Historical Park, Krog Street Market
“The Dean of the Civil Rights Movement” was a powerful voice in the movement, founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while also championing racial and human rights causes in the United States and other countries like South Africa where he protested and spoke out against apartheid.
Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard
Where you can find:
Local Green Atlanta, Atlanta
Beltline Westside Trail
Armed with the word and the will to advocate for sweeping change in the Atlanta civil rights landscape, the Rev. Joseph E. Boone worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis and others to champion better working and societal conditions for Blacks in Georgia.
Joseph E. Boone Boulevard
Where you can find: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Breakfast Club, The Gathering Spot ATL
Civil rights icon, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of a movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for racial and social justice and economic equality through nonviolent protests, marches and boycotts.
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Where you can find: Atlanta University Center, Busy Bee Cafe, Historic Oakland Cemetery
I JOHN WESLEY DOBBS I
I JOSEPH E. BOONE I
I JOSEPH E. LOWERY I
I MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. I
I MAYNARD H. JACKSON JR. I
Maynard Jackson was born into activism and the political spotlight. A career politician, attorney and community advocate, he was elected the first Black mayor of Atlanta in 1973.
Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Boulevard
Where you can find:
Delta Flight Museum, Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar, Porsche Experience Center
William Holmes Borders Sr. worked to bolster racial justice and equality using his influence in the community to highlight societal issues including segregation and economic disparity. He would go on to establish a credit union offering lowinterest loans to the Black community.
William Holmes Borders Sr. Drive
Where you can find:
The SWAG Shop, Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar
I RALPH DAVID ABERNATHY I
A co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Abernathy helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott following Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white man, which led to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional.
Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard
Where you can find:
The Wren’s Nest, Slim & Husky’s, Pizza Beeria, Soul Vegetarian
After hosting her own prime time talk show and documentaries with Atlanta media giant Turner Broadcasting System Inc., Clayton established the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame and the annual Trumpet Awards honoring achievements of African Americans in various disciplines.
Xernona Clayton Way
Where you can find:
National Center for Civil and Human Rights, World of Coca-Cola
I WILLIAM HOLMES BORDERS SR. I
I XERNONA CLAYTON I
CULINARY CLASSICS
By Tailor Payton, Hungry Homegirl
This city, my sweet peach, tells a story in every bite
As an Atlanta native, my taste for good, authentic food will always be rooted in the restaurants that I have enjoyed growing up. Known for its food scene, ATL boasts a variety of iconic restaurants that have become staples in the city.
Hungry Homegirl
There are so many hidden gems and restaurants that mean so much to the city, starting from the early 1940s until now. So, it’s no surprise that, when you visit Atlanta, you visit these classic gems that many have forgotten. Let me take you on a culinary journey where the flavors are as rich as the history. This city, my sweet peach, tells a story in every bite. So, grab your fork and let’s get into it.
Breakfast at Barney's // Aubree Dumas
Busy Bee Cafe, Brittany Wages
Busy Bee //Aubree Dumas
Mary Mac's Tea Room
ATLANTA’S BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS
SWEET AUBURN BREAD COMPANY
Home of the world-famous Sweet Potato Cheesecake.
9 MILE STATION
An elevated beer garden, featuring sleek indoor-outdoor space and beautiful skyline views.
GOCHA’S BREAKFAST
BAR
Start your morning with carefully prepared meals that taste great and feel good.
TWISTED SOUL COOKHOUSE & POURS
Located in West Midtown, this award-winning restaurant serves modern-style soul food. Treat yourself to an irresistible meal followed by the popular bourbon peach cobbler with a side of ice cream for dessert.
Atlanta Breakfast Club // Discover Atlanta
Slutty Vegan // Jim Duckworth
ATLANTA BREAKFAST CLUB
Enjoy over-the-top, IG-worthy breakfast and brunch offerings like salmon croquettes, chicken and waffle sandwiches, and peach cobbler French toast.
BREAKFAST AT BARNEY’S
You have to indulge in the signature thick and fluffy 24-karat gold pancakes, which taste as good as they look. The line may be long, but trust me, it’s worth the wait.
BUSY BEE CAFE
Whether it’s Busy Bee’s signature fried chicken, BBQ ribs or superb sweet potato pie, the restaurant remains an Atlanta mainstay, delivering on time-tested recipes and Southern soul food.
LE PETIT MARCHÉ
Waking up in ATL has never been more essential when daily scrambles, fluffy griddle cakes and French toast sandwiches are on the menu at this Kirkwood destination.
MARY MAC’S TEA ROOM
For more than 75 years, Mary Mac’s has been a legend in Atlanta’s culinary story and the first place people recommend for a healthy dose of proper Southern cooking.
OLD LADY GANG
Southern eatery from Kandi Burruss-Tucker of Xscape and “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” fame, Old Lady Gang is bursting with down-home eats created by her mother and aunts.
PASCHAL’S
Established in 1947, Paschal’s has lived a storied history as a meeting location for civil rights leaders and activists to strategize while they enjoyed some of the best fried chicken around.
SLUTTY VEGAN
Burgers like the plant-based “One Night Stand” and loaded “Menage A Trois” make standing in long lines to get “sluttified” well worth the wait.
ATLANTUCKY BREWING
Founded by Grammy-nominated rap group Nappy Roots, it’s no surprise that beer, art and music intersect here.
Use the map on page 30 to find these locations.
SCAN TO READ MORE ON ATLANTA’S BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS
(404) NIGHTS
By Jermaine Jackson
Just pick your vibe, and let Atlanta’s night scene do the rest.
From vibrant clubs and bars to cozy lounges and live music venues, there’s something for everyone in the A. Each neighborhood has its own unique atmosphere. Head to Buckhead if you’re into an upscale vibe or explore the eclectic energy of East Atlanta Village. If you’re a night owl, enjoy Midtown’s lively nightlife scene or catch your favorite artist performing Downtown. Just pick your vibe, and let Atlanta’s night scene do the rest.
Fox Theatre // Jermaine Jackson
Joystick Gamebar // Jermaine Jackson Centennial Olympic Park // Jermaine Jackson
ATLANTA’S NIGHTLIFE SPOTS
THE IVY BUCKHEAD
Upscale cocktails, a rooftop patio and views of the city skyline.
WHISKEY BLUE
A trendy rooftop bar with panoramic views.
CLERMONT LOUNGE
Quirky ambiance and legendary burlesque shows.
FOX THEATRE
Hosts a variety of Broadway shows, concerts and performances.
ATLANTA SIDE BAR
Offers craft cocktails, DJ sets and a chic ambiance.
TRADER VIC’S
Atlanta’s tiki-themed bar with tropical cocktails, Polynesianinspired decor and live music on select nights.
JOYSTICK GAMEBAR
A retro arcade bar offering classic arcade games, craft cocktails and a nostalgic atmosphere.
Use the map on page 30 to find these locations.
Whiskey Blue
The Ivy // Jermaine Jackson
AFRO-LATINO COMMUNITY
By Artie De Los Santos
I remember my first day in Atlanta vividly. After a grueling 20-hour drive from New York, I was shocked that I had actually done it: left the Big Apple for the Big Peach. One thing I was ready for was to embrace this melanated oasis. Every corner of the city felt welcoming, and every face looked familiar. You see, I’m Afro-Caribbean (Dominican to be exact)—a rich tapestry of cultures and sazón flows through my veins. On some days, I crave connection with my Spanish roots, so I head to Sabor Dominicano on Buford Highway for some “dimelo, mi loco” and a plate of pollo guisado. Other days, I seek the Black excellence that propels this city forward, so I sit at The Gathering Spot to soak up wisdom from mentors and peers in a space perfectly curated for us, by us.
ATLANTA’S AFRO LATINO COMMUNITY
BAR VEGAN
Popular Atlanta bar with a club like vibe serving up classic cocktails and vegan eats.
SABOR DOMINICANO
Enjoy authentic Dominican food at this Buford Highway gem. The pollo guisado is a must.
THE GATHERING SPOT
Connect with mentors and peers in a space perfectly curated for us, by us.
Use the map on page 30 to find these locations.
Sabor Dominicano // Artie De Los Santos
Sabor Dominicano // Artie De Los Santos
Bar Vegan
Bar Vegan
The Gathering Spot
Sabor Dominicano // Artie De Los Santos
Atlanta has it going on, and you don't want to miss it.
A few key events stand out. Atlanta Jazz Festival, one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, dates to 1978. It is held each Memorial Day Weekend at Piedmont Park. The BronzeLens Film Festival, one of the only Oscar-qualifying festivals for short films in Georgia, occurs every August, shining a light on Atlanta as a hub for film production, particularly for people of color. Fall brings ELEVATE, a month-long cultural experience showcasing local and international art.
The City in the Forest offers a unique way to explore parks and their historical significance, particularly African-American heritage. Washington Park and Rodney Cook Sr. Park connect to the city’s past, offering a blend of nature, history and culture. Whether attending a festival or exploring green spaces, there’s always something to discover in Atlanta.
Rodney Cook Sr. Park // Gene Phillips
Rodney Cook Sr. Park // ACVB Marketing Team
Bellwood Quarry // Jerrito1
Jazz Festival 2022
Andrew Young International
Benjamin E. Mays
Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway
Gladys Knight Highway
Hank Aaron Drive
Hosea L. Williams Drive
Jesse Hill Jr. Drive
John Lewis Freedom Parkway
John Wesley Dobbs Avenue
Joseph E. Boone Boulevard
Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Boulevard
Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard
William Holmes Borders Sr. Drive
Xernona
@marginwalk3r of
Welcome to The Hub at Peachtree Center – a fully transformed and connected gathering place for Downtown. Enjoy fresh food and retail delights from over 50 restaurants and shops. Experience unmatched convenience with MARTA and a CVS Pharmacy on site, and feel at ease in an environment designed to ensure the well-being of our guests. Visit The Hub today and find exactly what you’re craving.
Restaurants & Retail: Mon - Sat, 6am - 6pm (hours vary) Sunday openings and extended hours may vary according to merchant, special events and convention activity. Please contact merchants directly for specific operating hours.
