ATL Unguided | Where Legacy Meets Evolution

ATL

UNGUIDED Where Legacy Meets Evolution

A CUT ABOVE THE REST. Sizzling perfection from start to finish.

THIS IS HOW ATLANTA DINING IS DONE. ATLANTA - BUCKHEAD 3285 Peachtree Road NE · Atlanta, GA 30305 · 404.365.0660 DOWNTOWN AT CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK 267 Marietta Street · Atlanta GA 30313 · 404.223.6500 For Dine-In Menus & Carry-Out/Delivery Information, visit RuthsChris.net

ATL UNGUIDED PUBLISHER Discover Atlanta Publishing CONCEPT Alecia Zackery Sheretha Bell CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Liesl Merkel Carol Carter CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chris Watkins Alecia Zackery Sheretha Bell Jo Ann Haden-Miller DESIGNER Melissa McAlpine ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Julie Minear Lisa Werneck

Scan the QR code below or visit ATLUnguided.com

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau 233 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 404-521-6600 | DiscoverAtlanta.com

ABOUT ATL UNGUIDED It wasn’t that long ago that Victor Hugo Green’s “The Negro Motorist Green Book” gave Black travelers the safest establishments throughout the country during Jim Crow-era segregation. Even now, we’re looking for places to find our tribe and feel comfortable just being ourselves.

Atlanta is that place, a city that continually rises from the ashes to reinvent itself, and keeps leveling up. It introduces a dichotomy pitting the idea of “Old Atlanta” versus “New Atlanta” – a debate that often turns into a cage match in deciding who the city truly is. But it’s really just Atlanta, and while much has changed over the years, much has stayed the same kickstarting a perpetual cycle that honors the past and makes a path toward the future.

So if you went to Doug, Mays, GSU, Georgia Tech, AUC, just moved here, just left here, are visiting, live OTP/ITP (and even for those who have no idea what any of that means), we all experience the destination in myriad ways and everyone has a unique story to tell about our multifaceted city. That’s just the beauty of it. When we tell it together, people see and feel the impact of our influence worldwide. “Atlanta Influences Everything” – it’s a commitment and a bond that Bem Joiner, Ian Ford, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and countless others in the city are building on everyday.

ATL Unguided is a new twist on our original Heritage Guide and speaks to those connections – celebrating the milestones of our fearless leaders alongside the progress forged by Atlantans tasked with continuing to create and tell our story.

Old Atlanta + New Atlanta = Your Atlanta.

IN THIS GUIDE HBCUs in the A

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

Hometown Heroes

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

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.

ATLiens: Creators, Movers & Shakers

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

(404) Nights

Legendary sounds of rhythm and beats thump throughout a nightlife scene that pulses with energy from live music venues, bars and nightclubs.

“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

“In a time of black codes and lynching, this school was training African American women to be leaders in education, in the health professions. In a time of legalized segregation, this school was establishing math and biology departments and training a generation of black women scientists. 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.

Now, that is the story of Spelman college: that unyielding presumption of promise, that presumption of brilliance, that presumption that every woman who enrolls at this school has something infinitely valuable to offer this world.”

HBCUs IN THE A Atlanta bleeds Black excellence, and our HBCUs play an integral role in guiding the path toward greatness. It’s a calling, and one that the members of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUC), including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College ingrained in their alumni. Higher standards of education, reverence for the past and truly being your brother’s and sister’s keeper is a creed these illustrious institutions embody. And the world has taken notice, particularly in the tech space, with numerous philanthropists and Fortune 500 companies investing in Black entrepreneurial spirit committing grants, scholarships and internships to support the next generation of founders.

But the Black college experience is about books, business and so much more. It’s equal parts history, pride and pastime as these centers of higher education also draw visitors who get a glimpse into the legacy that has sustained these institutions for more than a century. Whether it’s high school students getting a sneak peek at their future alma mater, generations of families celebrating at graduation ceremonies, the Divine Nine in the yard and in the community, or alumni returning for memories and laughs during SpelHouse and CAU homecomings, our HBCUs capture hearts and shape minds throughout the nation.

Established in 1988 through the consolidation of its two parent institutions Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869), Clark Atlanta University has the honor of being the first historically Black college in the South. It was the first institution to award bachelor’s degrees to Black students after the Civil War. Today, the “CAU Experience” encapsulates the HBCU concept. Notable graduates include civil rights activists Ralph David Abernathy and Hosea Williams, writer and producer Kenya Barris, music producers Bryan-Michael Cox and DJ Drama, and Slutty Vegan ATL founder Pinky Cole.

Established in 1867, Morehouse College is the largest men’s liberal arts institution in the nation. With a pedigree for producing magnetic leaders in all fields, these “Morehouse Men” include civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Julian Bond, filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Samuel L. Jackson, Atlanta’s first Black mayor Maynard Jackson, Georgia’s first Black U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and countless others.

Established in 1881, Spelman College is the oldest Black liberal arts college for women. Scholars are known as “Spelmanites,” women who exude both grace and determination. Among these notable figures are political organizer and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Stacey Abrams, novelist Alice Walker, civil rights activist Dr. Bernice King, actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and more “Spelman sisters.”

Morris Brown College (est. 1881) and the Interdenominational Theological Center (est. 1958) are no longer members of the consortium but are widely recognized for their role in the AUC’s rich legacy.

Samuel L. Jackson student at Morehouse College photo from @AUCcam

photo by @alphaphi1927

CAU and Spelman Alumna

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

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 first African American appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

1. Andrew Young International Blvd 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.

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center Boyd Lewis Collection

2. Benjamin E Mays Dr

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

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.

3. Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy 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.

Ben Houdijk Shutterstock.com

4. Gladys Knight Hwy 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.

5. Hank Aaron Dr

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.

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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 testament that our hometown heroes may be here only for a short time, but that their legacies endure.

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.

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center Boyd Lewis Collection

6. Hosea L Williams Dr 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 fundraising and he championed the desegregation of the University of Georgia.

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

7. Jesse Hill Jr Dr 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.”

8. John Lewis Freedom Pkwy Muhammad Yungai’s “We Shall Always March Ahead” on Sunset Avenue photo by @christopherbw

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

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.

9. John Wesley Dobbs Ave 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.

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

10. Joseph E Boone Blvd 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.

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center

11. Joseph E Lowery Blvd

Courtesy of Associated Press

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.

12. Martin Luther King Jr Dr 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.

13. Maynard H Jackson Jr Blvd 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.

Kenan Research Center of the Atlanta History Center Boyd Lewis Collection

14. Ralph David Abernathy Blvd

APEX Museum photo by @christopherbw

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

Courtesy of Auburn Avenue Research Library, Fulton County Library System

15. William Holmes Borders Sr Dr 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.

Courtesy of Turner Studios

Hammonds House Museum

Herndon Home Museum photo by @christopherbw

16. Xernona Clayton Way

VISIT NEARBY Andrew Young International Boulevard Centennial Olympic Park, SkyView Atlanta, Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame

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

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

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

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

“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

DINING IN THE DIRTY SOUTH Chef G. Garvin, LowCountry Steak

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.

Chef Todd Richards Chicken Wings photo by Brittany Wages

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

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 Deborah VanTrece Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

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

-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 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

Atlanta Breakfast Club boasts over-the-top, Instagram-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 at Lake & Oak Neighborhood BBQ.

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 Tea Room 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

Slutty Vegan ATL is Atlanta’s favorite vegan destination with burgers like the plant-based “One Night Stand” and loaded “Menage A Trois” that make standing in long lines to get “sluttified” well worth the wait.

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours

Chef Deborah VanTrece’s Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours delivers soulful eats with a modern twist as she draws global inspiration from her travels in dishes like hoisin oxtails and cocoa-crusted lamb.

ATLIENS:

CREATORS, MOVERS & SHAKERS 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.

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 a culture where 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.

It’s the “lift as you grow” mentality. Organizations like OHUB, The Gathering Spot ATL and The Village Market ATL 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 is not only a beacon for those looking to stake their claim in business. No, no. It’s a haven and epicenter for the burgeoning Black LGBTQ community in the South. Events like Atlanta Black Pride Weekend that draw hundreds of thousands of people to the city to educate, party and connect are testament to the ATL’s aura of inclusivity.

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

Brande Elise at Atlanta Pride @brande.elise

Lotus Eaters Club

PERFORMING & VISUAL ARTS Atlanta’s art scene provides an intrinsic perspective and commentary on social issues and artistic excellence.

View fine art by artists of African descent at Hammonds House Museum. 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.

An added layer to these dynamic pieces transcends galleries to walls deeply rooted in the communities whose stories they tell. Colors and concepts cultivated through the ever-changing lens of what it means to be Black at this moment in time spring forth to brick, stucco and wooden canvases. Muralists 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.

MUSIC 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. It is a necessary visit for any audiophile wanting to dive into the city’s hip-hop heritage.

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.

Okorie “OkCello” Johnson

FILM & TV 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 untold stories like “Hidden Figures.”

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, 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.

© Fearless Fund Arian Simone, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Ayana Parsons

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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’s a lot of choices. You can explore the world of pinfall (a hybrid of bowling and football) at Blackowned Pin & Proper. Take it to the sky and go the rooftop route with carnival games and mesmerizing ATL views at Skyline Park. Or tickle your funny bone with laugh-out-loud comedy nights at oAK Atlanta.

photo by Jim Duckworth AtlantaPhotos.com

Farmacy Atlanta pop-up event

Little Spirit

All photos on page by Brittany Wages

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 hip-hop and trap sounds at expansive party destinations like Compound, Opium, Gold Room and District.

BUY YOUR ATLANTA COOKBOOK Atlanta’s food story has been told by many people over the years but none with the focus and passion that chef Taria Camerino has brought to this project. This is not a typical cookbook. Yes, it has 49 recipes covering a wide spectrum of cuisines, including cocktails, but this book will be more at home on your coffee table than in your kitchen with more than 280 pages filled with beautiful photography celebrating Atlanta’s food scene.

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use code “FEARLESS” for $20 off

@marginwalk3r of @randallbriana

BE TRANSFORMED 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.

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