ATL Unguided | Where Legacy Meets Evolution Vol. 2

ATL UNGUIDED

Concept

Alecia Zackery

Sheretha Bell

Contributing Editors

Liesl Merkel

Carol Carter

Contributing Writers

Sheretha Bell

Brandé Elise

Jo Ann Haden-Miller

Colby Holiday

Jen Price

Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Ph.D.

Chris Watkins

Alecia Zackery

Designer

Melissa McAlpine

Account Executives

Julie Minear

Lisa Werneck

About the Cover Front

Pinky Cole

Sublime Doughnuts

Spelman College

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King Back

John Lewis mural

Herndon Home Museum

Brandé Elise

Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado

downtown Atlanta

AUC credit:

Spencer Humphrey

Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Courtesy of Library of Congress

Scan the QR code below or visit ATLUnguided.com

WELCOME TO THE A

I welcome you to our city — as a native of Atlanta’s Adamsville neighborhood, the son of a hardworking mother, the father of a beautiful 16-year-old daughter, a deacon in my church, a public servant and a graduate of Georgia Tech, a prestigious Atlanta university.

I greet you in the spirit of my predecessors: Ivan Allen, another Georgia Tech graduate, the namesake of the Georgia Tech College of Liberal Arts, who boldly testified in favor of the 1964 Civil Rights Act during a turbulent time in this country.

I greet you in the spirit of Maynard Jackson, who became the first Black mayor of Atlanta, expanded the world’s busiest airport and created the Minority and Women business enterprise program that has been implemented all over the world.

I greet you in the name of Ambassador and Mayor Andrew Young, who brought us the ‘96 Olympic Summer games and whose vision of turning Atlanta into an international city has placed us on the global map.

I greet you in the name of Shirley Franklin, one of my strongest supporters, the first woman mayor of Atlanta, who had the temerity and courage to restore the public trust in government, tackle the neglected issues of improving our infrastructure and create new and vibrant Atlanta institutions such as The BeltLine.

We will write a new chapter for Atlanta, for this beautiful city in a forest. This city that W.E.B. Dubois 125 years ago called the breathless city of a hundred hills. This city that Mayor Ivan Allen 55 years ago said was Too Busy to Hate. This city that Influences Everything. And as great as our past has been, our future can be even greater. We are a city of great neighborhoods, great people and great institutions. From the C. T. Martin Recreation Center to the Grant Park Famers Market. From Peachtree Hills to Collier Heights.

We are a city of perseverance, hope, love and passion. And we are determined to show the world and ourselves what a great caring and collaborative city we can be.

- A Special Message from Atlanta’s 61st Mayor Andre Dickens excerpted from his Jan. 3, 2022

Inaugural Address

IN THIS GUIDE

4-7

HBCUs in the A

Atlanta University Center, home to Atlanta’s HBCUs, continues to forge the path toward boundless opportunity.

by Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Ph.D.

8-11

ATLiens: Creators, Movers & Shakers

Atlanta is a longstanding epicenter of Black culture teeming with countless artists, musicians, executives and entertainers. featuring Brandé Elise

12-21

Hometown Heroes

We pay homage to civil rights icons, trailblazers and sports hall of famers who have cemented their legacies through groundbreaking leadership.

24-27

Dining in the Dirty South

Our restaurants and chefs share the flavors of home-cooked meals that leave an indelible impression on our souls through classic and modern interpretations.

28-29

(404) Nights

Legendary sounds of rhythm and beats thump throughout a nightlife scene that pulses with energy from live music venues, bars and nightclubs. by Colby Holiday 30-31

Black & Crafty

Craft beer is more than the sudsy beverage that we know and love. It has come to symbolize the spirit of creativity, freedom and entrepreneurship. by Jen

Price

HBCU s IN THE A

After the Civil War, Blacks and Whites from Georgia and across the nation gravitated toward Atlanta, seeking opportunities to rebuild the city and their lives. Emerging from the rubble was a dream to provide newly freed Blacks access to a quality education to further accelerate their entry into eventual American citizenship.

From this dream arose Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Atlanta and throughout the Southeast. Beginning in 1865, HBCUs were established in Atlanta. First was Atlanta University (1865), followed by Morehouse College (1867), Clark College (1869), Spelman College (1881), Morris Brown College (1881), and Gammon Theological Seminary (1883).

In 1929, The Atlanta University Center (AUC) was formed to serve as an umbrella linking each Atlanta-based HBCU. Today, it is the largest group of Black institutions in the world and includes Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University (1988 merger of Atlanta University and Clark College), Interdenominational Theological Center (1958 with the mergers of Gammon and other seminaries), Morehouse School of Medicine (1975) and Morris Brown College, which received reaccreditation in 2022.

These institutions of higher learning have been and continue to be cornerstones in the development of Black minds, culture and leadership. The colleges and university have their own unique history, legacy and tradition, offering a microcosm of the Black World in all its beauty. As well, each seeks to build strong leaders capable of influencing the world with a song, movie, speech, business, invention or movement. The AUC is a foundation for Black excellence.

"At a time when many workplaces were filled with not just glass ceilings, but brick walls, this school was urging Black women to become doctors, and lawyers, engineers, ambassadors."

- Former first lady Michelle Obama Spelman College 2011 Commencement Remarks

credit: Spencer Humphrey

Pictured: Alex Delotch Davis, Founder, Gallerie 88, HBCU Graduate credit: Spencer Humphrey 5 4 ATLUnguided.com

The list of notable presidents, scholars and alumni who have shaped the course of human history is extensive: W.E.B. Du Bois (Atlanta University), author of The Souls of Black Folk and other writings critically examining race relations at the turn of the 20th century; James Weldon Johnson (Atlanta University), composer of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” commonly known as the Black National Anthem; Amy Sherald (Clark Atlanta University), painter of the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama); Stacey Abrams (Spelman College), two-time gubernatorial candidate in Georgia and national political figure; Evelyn J. Frazier (Morris Brown College), owner of Frazier’s Café, the first integrated restaurant in Atlanta; Maynard H. Jackson (Morehouse College), the first African American mayor of Atlanta.

From this wellspring of African American excellence also emerged men and women who served at the vanguard of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. Iconic men and women such as: Martin Luther King Jr. (Morehouse College), Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Executive Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Julian Bond (Morehouse College), Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee Communications Director; Roslyn Pope (Spelman College), author of “An Appeal for Human Rights” and member of the Atlanta Student Movement; Hosea Williams (Morris Brown College), noted civil rights leader and founder of Hosea Feed the Hungry ; and Lonnie King (Morehouse College), Atlanta Student Movement leader.

Realizing the Dream

Today, the rich culture and tradition of the AUC and HBCUs overall is celebrated in music, art, film and even fashion. In 2022, James Jeter (Morehouse College) and Dara Douglas (Spelman College) designed a collection for POLO Ralph Lauren inspired by the traditions and fashions of HBCUs. The project’s fashion models composed of students, alumni and professors from Morehouse and Spelman. The collection emulated styles from the 1920s to the 1950s capturing the Black Aesthetic reflective of these institutions.

The HBCUs making up the Atlanta University Center continue to serve as a beacon for those seeking to change their lives and the world in which they live. Espousing racial pride, community uplift and academic excellence, students are able to realize the dream once imagined more than 150 years ago by learning at a place where African Americans can develop their fullest potential.

W.E.B. Du Bois, Ph.D. (Atlanta University) credit: Library of Congress

Hosea Williams (Morris Brown College) credit: Library of Congress

Stacey Abrams (Spelman College) credit: Fair Fight

Mays Building AUC credit: Spencer Humphrey

AUC credit: Spencer Humphrey

Ralph Lauren fashion models: Students and alumnae from Spelman College and faculty members from Morehouse College credit: Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, Ph.D.

When OutKast’s Andre 3000 proclaimed “The South got something to say,” after the iconic Atlanta duo won “Best New Rap Group” at the 1995 Source Awards, it wasn’t just about music. It was a declaration of what was to come from a city that had been overlooked one too many times. Atlanta had arrived and it wasn’t turning back. If you ask anyone today, they’ll say that Atlanta is the culture — one that continues to define art, music and entertainment directly from the minds of those who live it.

ATLIENS: CREATORS, MOVERS & SHAKERS FOR

THE CULTURE

It’s more than just the unadulterated music scene and nightlife that make people flock to Atlanta for a fresh start. People come here to visit and eventually make it their home because ATL invites opportunity. Atlanta cultivated an environment that nurtures excellence. When someone says they are moving to Atlanta, everyone knows it’s because they’re ready for the next step. Ready to have one of the city’s iconic HBCUs mold their future. Ready to start that business. Ready to take the tech space by storm.

Organizations like OHUB, The Gathering Spot and The Village Retail create opportunities for HBCU students and Black businesses to enter the next phase. It’s why Atlanta’s civil rights lions fought so hard to give Atlantans a chance for the future they deserve. Atlanta has the freedom for everyone to pursue the next chapter of their story no matter where it may take them.

Atlanta’s energy welcomes everyone, including a large Black LGBTQ+ community. With an array of drag shows, queer bars, balls and other safe queer spaces, Atlanta has become a desired destination for many LGBTQ+ people of color. The city’s acceptance of diversity allows locals and visitors to feel comfortable at work and at play. Everyone can enjoy the freedom to be themselves before, during and after Pride. They can find community, create memories and discover themselves in the most accepting and welcoming city in the South.

Experience Atlanta during Atlanta Black Pride Weekend, at Cascade Skating Rink or Atlanta Black Restaurant Week.

ATLANTA INFLUENCES THE WORLD

Atlanta’s art scene provides an intrinsic perspective and commentary on social issues and artistic excellence. Explore history from an African American perspective at APEX Museum. Take an art stroll through the eclectic Castleberry Hill neighborhood housing ZuCot, the largest African American-owned art gallery in the Southeast. Join Atlanta’s social justice journey in the “Off the Wall” series of murals that shine a light on modern civil rights issues in the city that was the heartbeat of the movement.

Colors and concepts cultivated through the everchanging lens of what it means to be Black at this moment in time spring forth to brick, stucco and wooden canvases. Muralist and fine artists like Fahamu Pecou, Rising Red Lotus, Freako Rico, Nikia Phoenix and Faatimah Stevens, Occasional Superstar, Lotus Eaters Club’s DoitDoitLeague! and so many other creators have found their calling in Atlanta and pay the city back with their creativity and vision.

And who can forget about this city’s connection to dance and theater? In the home that gave rise to the “Rag Top,” “Bankhead Bounce,” “Swag Surfin’,” “Renegade” and way too many regional dance remixes to name, Atlanta’s connection to classical dance and Black storytelling traditions continue to inspire. It’s seen in the commitment of studios like Alvin Ailey, Ballethnic Dance Company and Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, all of which approach the art form through the Black perspective not only to honor the ancestors but open up a world of creative expression to the next generation of dancers and storytellers.

Admire works of Black art at Gallery 72, Clark Atlanta University Art Museum, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art, Arnika Dawkins Gallery and Morehouse’s Ray Charles Performing Arts Center.

Lotus Eaters Club

HIP-HOP CAPITAL Y’ALLYWOOD

Our city’s music legacy is one main reason so many make a move to Atlanta for their big break. It’s not hard to understand why so many music phenoms find their start here. We have a catalog of acts to show why ATL is the base of the musical universe, no matter the genre. And we have the executives and entertainment lawyers to get them moving in the right direction.

If you’re an instrumental hit maker, look no further than music engineers and producer masterminds Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Kesha Lee, Mike WiLL MadeIt, Dallas Austin and Lil Jon. If you and your best friend have that audio chemistry: OutKast, Goodie Mob, TLC, Xscape and Migos should be your sound inspiration.

Are you a singer/songwriter double threat? Let it burn with Usher, Toni Braxton, Keri Hilson, PJ Morton and The Dream. Are you hitting every note with runs for days? We’ll raise you Monica, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Ciara. And if you’re spitting those fire lyrics: Lecrae, Ludacris, T.I., Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Killer Mike, Childish Gambino, Lil Baby and 21 Savage.

And if classical music is your thing, we’ve got innovative performers like cellist OkCello and The Mad Violinist to concerto you to the beat. Whatever your musical flavor, Atlanta has a pedigree for championing unique sounds, and you just might be our next up-and-comer.

But the most Atlanta music experience resides in a place that captures the true essence of where the culture was birthed and cultivated into a time capsule of sorts. The Trap Music Museum turned trap music culture into an art form with exhibits paying homage to rappers that define our city.

Hear more authentic Atlanta music at Atlanta Jazz Festival, A3C Festival & Conference and ONE Music Fest. These three events connect and give back to the best of Atlanta’s history, business, innovation and creativity through music.

More than just the “Hollywood of the South,” Atlanta has opened the doors to a progressive entertainment movement that mixes big-budget movies and television shows shot in neighborhoods, businesses, train yards and studio sound stages throughout the city. Even college campuses set the stage for the nostalgia of Spike Lee’s “School Daze,” “A Different World” and his untold stories like “Hidden Figures.”

Award-winning writer, director and producer Tammy Williams hails as the first Black woman to own a production studio in Atlanta. And one of the most notable names in this arena is producer and director Tyler Perry. He took bombastic and beloved Madea from stage plays at Fox Theatre to building a film and television empire. Tyler Perry Studios and newly welcomed Cinema South Studios, the epicenter of entertainment in Atlanta, is the filming location for many of the iconic producer’s shows and other blockbuster movies.

Couple rapper T.I.’s acting debut in the cult classic “ATL” and the irreverent look at the deep underbelly of life in our city in the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning F.X. series “Atlanta” from writer/director/actor/musician Donald Glover, and it’s easy to see that our city has a thing for immersing you in our story.

From there, these artists and filmmakers lift up the next generation. Entrepreneurs use their businesses to tell stories, venture capitalists offer funding beyond the screen, BronzeLens Film Festival showcases films and provides networking opportunities for budding talent.

Get in on the action at Tyler Perry Studios and BronzeLens Film Festival.

credit: © Fearless Fund

Arian Simone, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ayana Parsons

HOMETOWN HEROES

A major undercurrent in Atlanta’s legacy as the heart and soul of the South lies in our appreciation for the trailblazers and civil rights lions that 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, Congressman John Lewis, Hammerin’ Hank Aaron and

Civil rights leader Andrew Young championed the cause with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Both were pastors and activists fighting for racial, social and economic equality during the civil rights movement. Honoring the tenets of nonviolent protests to promote societal change, Young made even more significant impacts to drive change in his political career. He was mayor of Atlanta, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and the first African American appointed as U.S. Ambassador United Nations.

With countless legal woes affecting activists and leaders during the civil rights movement, civil rights attorney Donald Lee Hollowell rose to the occasion to defend their actions while fighting against racial segregation in Georgia. Labeled a “foot soldier for equal justice” in a 2010 documentary, 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.

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. Winner of seven Grammy Awards and inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Knight has a legacy that transcends music and film.

Considered the architect of the civil rights movement, 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.

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 as a celebrated businessman, activist and one of the greatest players of all time.

1. Andrew Young International Blvd.

2. Benjamin E. Mays Dr.

4. Gladys Knight Hwy.

so many others to lay it all on the line for a better tomorrow.

5. Hank Aaron Dr.

3. Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy.

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

Ben Houdijk Shutterstock.com

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center Boyd Lewis Collection

HOMETOWN HEROES STREET LOCATIONS

A group of AUC students catapulted a movement to diminish racial indifferences during the Jim Crow era. Atlanta Student Movement Boulevard honors their nonviolent efforts to eradicate injustices throughout the South and continues to be the cornerstone of progress for new initiatives in nearby communities.

2 10 12

3 11 13 14

Benjamin E. Mays Drive

BUZZ Coffee and Winehouse, Gocha’s Breakfast Bar, The Beautiful Restaurant

Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway

Bankhead Seafood, K&K Soul Food, Trap Music Museum

Joseph E. Boone Boulevard

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Breakfast Club, The Gathering Spot ATL

Joseph E. Lowery Boulevard

Local Green Atlanta, Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail, Taste of Tropical

Martin Luther King Jr., Drive

Atlanta University Center, Busy Bee Cafe, Historic Oakland Cemetery

Maynard H. Jackson Jr., Boulevard

Delta Flight Museum, Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar, Porsche Experience Center Atlanta

Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard

The Wren’s Nest, Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria, Soul Vegetarian

It’s hard to imagine what ATL would be without their groundbreaking efforts. We honor their work in the names of streets in the neighborhoods they championed. These corridors into our civil rights heritage are constant reminders of how we as a city continue to rise against those who would challenge equality. These leaders paved the way to help secure true liberty and justice for all. The streets that carry their names are a testament that our hometown heroes may be here only for a short time, but that their legacies endure.

Andrew Young International Boulevard

Centennial Olympic Park, SkyView Atlanta, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

Gladys Knight Highway

Fox Theatre, Negril Village, High Museum of Art

Hank Aaron Drive

Hank Aaron statue at Georgia State University’s Center Parc Stadium, Halfway Crooks Beer, Wood’s Chapel BBQ

Hosea L. Williams Drive

Lake & Oak Neighborhood BBQ, Le Petite Marche, Taproom Coffee

Jesse Hill Jr., Drive

Municipal Market (Sweet Auburn Curb Market), Sweet-Stack Creamery, The BQE Restaurant & Lounge

John Lewis Freedom Parkway

The Carter Center, Plant Based Pizzeria, Freedom Park

John Wesley Dobbs Avenue

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Krog Street Market, Irwin Street Market

Williams Holmes Borders Sr., Drive

The SWAG Shop, Harold’s Chicken & Ice Bar, Selena S. Butler Park

Xernona Clayton Way

National Center for Civil and Human Rights, World of Coca-Cola, Children’s Museum of Atlanta

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, Alabama, an act that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A champion for nonviolent protest and leader in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Williams’ legacy continues through his nonprofit, Hosea Helps and the annual Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless that supports underserved communities in Atlanta.

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. A staunch opponent of voter suppression, he founded the Atlanta Negro Voters League, whose efforts registered 20,000 Black voters in the 1930s and ‘40s, leading to desegregation of the Atlanta Police Department and street lighting of Auburn Avenue’s retail district.

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, founded by entrepreneur and millionaire Alonzo Herndon. With his enterprise expertise and community connections, he supported various civil rights initiatives through fund-raising and he championed the desegregation of the University of Georgia.

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. Known as the “picketing preacher” due to the more than 150 boycotts and protests he organized throughout the state, Boone laid the groundwork for desegregation of the Atlanta Public School System.

A civil rights stalwart and public servant, John Lewis was the son of sharecroppers. 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. As one of the original Freedom Riders and “Big Six” civil rights leaders, he remained dedicated to nonviolent protests and what he called “good trouble.”

Ministers have always had a prominent position in Atlanta’s civil rights story, using their pulpits to inspire change. The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery was no different. Called “The Dean of the Civil Rights Movement,” he 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.

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

8. John Lewis Freedom Pkwy

9. John Wesley Dobbs Ave.

7. Jesse Hill Jr., Dr.

6. Hosea L. Williams Dr.

11. Joseph E. Lowery Blvd

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center

10. Joseph E. Boone Blvd.

Muhammad Yungai’s “We Shall Always March Ahead” on Sunset Avenue credit: @christopherbw

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center Boyd Lewis Collection

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

Civil rights icon, Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of a movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. rose to become one of the most recognizable voices for civil and human rights in the world. He advocated for racial and social justice and economic equality through nonviolent protests, marches and boycotts inspired by spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi. Much like the freedom that rang in his now-famous “I Have a Dream” speech, so does his legacy ring in every corner of Atlanta as a beacon of hope and love for the struggle that continues to this day.

A staunch civil rights activist, pastor and radio broadcaster, 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.

As the grandson of John Wesley Dobbs, 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. Jackson’s work in the public works sector and his pedigree for championing minority rights led to significant efforts to improve race relations in the city. His work also helped expand the city’s presence as a pivotal travel hub with the expansion of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, named for him.

Civil rights leader, communications professional and broadcasting executive Xernona Clayton used her experience working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King to advance racial and social equality through her work in television. 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.

A close friend and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, a minister and civil rights activist, worked tirelessly to continue Dr. King’s work after Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. A co-founder of 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 bus segregation unconstitutional.

13. Maynard H. Jackson Jr., Blvd

14. Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.

15. William Holmes Borders Sr., Dr.

16. Xernona Clayton Way

Atlanta History Center credit: Kent W. Johnson

12. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr.

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center Boyd Lewis Collection

National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Courtesy of Associated Press

Courtesy of Turner Studios

YOU’LL FORGET YOUR PHONE AND NOT EVEN CARE.

There’s a place you can plug back into what matters. A place where real experiences connect friends and family to the world’s most remarkable animals. Where even the phone in your pocket is quickly forgotten as a sea of amazement washes over you. Come see how good it feels at the one place you must visit while you’re in Atlanta. Get tickets today at georgiaaquarium.org and CONNECT WITH REAL.

"A piece of art such as a mural can not only tell the story but it can inspire others to learn, to find a way to make a contribution toward creating a better Atlanta, a better Georgia and a better world."

-late Congressman John Lewis

E x p er i en c e the L i fe of a Pre sid ent an d a Ki ng

Georgia’s Two Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Martin Luther King, Jr.

National Historical

Park

DINING IN THE DIRTY SOUTH DINING IN THE DIRTY SOUTH

There’s something so soulful about a home-cooked meal. Home cooking is synonymous with emotions and memories that evoke a time of true bliss. You remember it. Sunday supper around the kitchen table with your aunts, uncles and cousins. That first bite of grandma’s macaroni and cheese. The crunch of that perfect fried chicken. Oh! And that sweet potato pie, with the whipped cream on top. You’re drooling now, right? Well, that’s ATL — a destination for delightful dining centered around glorious eats. Our chefs turn food into its own love language because that’s the dining experience you expect in the capital of the South.

And while we do love us a good meat and three, missing out on the modern and innovative takes from some of the nation’s top African American chefs and restaurateurs is not an option. These culinary titans are consistently raising the stakes when it comes to dining in the Dirty South while also putting their hearts and souls on a plate. Be sure they feel the love as you explore our city’s food story and cuisine at some of our favorite Black-owned dining destinations.

Chef Carla Fears

Busy Bee Cafe all photos on page credit: Brittany Wages

-Pinky Cole

Founder, CEO of Slutty Vegan

InStyle Meet the Creative Class Making Atlanta the New Epicenter of American Arts

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE BOAST ABOUT THESE BLACK-OWNED RESTAURANTS

APT 4B

A Buckhead hideaway sporting some serious vinyl record vibes, APT 4B unites Caribbean cuisine with modern influence for an otherworldly dining experience.

Atlanta Breakfast Club

Over-the-top, IG-worthy breakfast and brunch offerings like salmon croquettes, chicken and waffle sandwiches and peach cobbler French toast.

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.

Lake & Oak Neighborhood BBQ

James Beard Award-nominated chef and celebrated cookbook author Todd Richards, alongside partner chef Josh Lee, brings brilliant barbecue to the East Lake community.

Le Petit Marche

Waking up in ATL has never been more essential when daily scrambles, fluffy griddle cakes and French toast sandwiches are on the menu at Kirkwood destination Le Petit Marche.

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

A 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.

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

VanTrece’s restaurant delivers soulful eats with a modern twist as she draws global inspiration from her travels in dishes like hoisin oxtails and cocoa-crusted lamb.

For more of Atlanta’s favorite Black-owned restaurants, scan this QR code

"Now, if you have a dream and work hard, you can succeed in Atlanta and that's what I love most about this city."

(404) NIGHTS

If you’ve ever spent any time in Atlanta, you know our nightlife scene is a storied experience. It can look very different depending on the part of town you find yourself in or the type of party you are looking for. Restaurants and bars offer a signature nightlife experience where drinks and brilliant bites meet bass-heavy beats, all from the comfort of your booth (which you’ll probably end up standing on, so read the room).

Neighborhoods like Castleberry Hill evoke a historical vibe filled with Black-owned and celebrity-driven businesses like 2Chainz’s Escobar Lounge, intimate craft cocktail bar Parlor, Frost Bistro, C&C Social House, Cru Hookah Lounge and Cam Newton’s Fellaship cigar lounge.

In the realm of nightlife picks to keep you active and entertained, there are a lot of choices. You can explore the world of pinfall (a hybrid of bowling and football) at Black-owned Pin & Proper. Take it to the sky and go the rooftop route with carnival games and mesmerizing ATL views at Skyline Park.

If you’re strictly searching for big beats, drinks and looking to dance the night away without a dining aspect, Atlanta nightclubs are still the best bets. Depending on the night, you can sway to smooth jazz sounds at St. James Live! or catch the latest hiphop and trap sounds at expansive party destinations like Compound, Opium, Gold Room and District.

All photos on page by Brittany Wages

Alma Cocina Buckhead

photo by Eric De Fino, 2019

Little Spirit

BLACK & CRAFTY

Black Craft Beer Scene

Craft beer, by definition, is beer produced with traditional ingredients by small, independent breweries. With more than 30 craft breweries and brewpubs in Atlanta, the craft beer landscape here is young as compared to other cities. But with youth comes the opportunity for growth and creativity. That is especially the case with the Black beer experience in Atlanta. Here, it intertwines the artistry of brewing with diversity, historical context and soul. It represents collaboration, innovation and Black excellence.

Black Beer Events & Experiences

Hippin Hops leads the way as Atlanta’s first Black-owned brick and mortar brewery taproom, located in East Atlanta Village. Check out Hippin’ Hops Brewstillery on Hosea William Drive and Atlantucky just blocks away from Atlanta University City. Or, take home a six pack or two of Down Home Brewing, the city’s first brewery to produce and sell craft beer, as well as the first to package and distribute its beer to retail locations.

If you happen to be visiting Atlanta in the spring or summer, check the Crafted For Action website for inperson events. Crafted for Action builds community through craft beer events that are inclusive and welcoming to all. CraftBeerCon, a hybrid, in-person and virtual conference, is the annual signature event for the full spectrum of craft beer lovers. As the industry’s only conference founded and operated by a person of color and a woman of color, the in-person events create opportunities for people to connect with craft beer at the center. Events include happy hours, paired beer dinners, educational workshops and craft beer tastings at multiple events throughout Atlanta. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a beer expert to enjoy CraftBeerCon events! All levels of expertise are welcome.

Hippin Hops Brewery credit: Datrick Davis

Atlantucky credit: Datrick Davis

Atlantucky credit: Datrick Davis

Atlantucky credit: Datrick Davis

ABOUT ATL UNGUIDED

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 Blackowned 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.