#Sweet Auburn Historic District

[ausetkmt]

In 1986, Congress designated February National Black History Month, encouraging the American people to observe the history of Black Americans with activities and ceremonies. Now, cities around the country celebrate the month with a calendar full of events. If you’re looking for things to do in Atlanta to take part in Black history month, there’s no shortage of events and activities.

See the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

From Feb. 16-19, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform at the Fox Theatre. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was founded in 1958 by Alvin Ailey with the mission of showcasing African American dance. This month, dancers will put on five performances with critically acclaimed “Revelations” as the finale. Tickets for this event are available at alvinailey.org along with the Fox Theatre’s website or at the Fox Theatre box office.

Feb. 16-19. $29-$89. Fox Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. foxtheatre.org.

Visit the National Center For Civil And Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights opened in June 2014. Throughout the year, the museum is dedicated to highlighting the accomplishments of the American civil rights movement and the worldwide human rights movement. Along with their exhibitions of artifacts from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the center hosts various performances and lectures for the public. Tickets to visit can be purchased on the center’s website.

100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta. civilandhumanrights.org.

Visit the King Center

Like the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the King Center provides opportunities for the public to learn about Black history and the civil rights movement. At the center, attendees can visit the crypt of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King and the Eternal Flame which symbolizes the ongoing movement to achieve King’s vision for equality. Admission to the King Center is free and a map of the campus can be found at thekingcenter.org..

449 Auburn Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-526-8900, thekingcenter.org.

Attend Atlanta Black Expo

On Feb.11, Urban Atlanta & Taste Urban Atlanta will host a Black business expo. Urban Atlanta is dedicated to providing spaces for Black business owners to connect with each other and the community. Taste Urban Atlanta works to uplift Black food business owners. This event will feature music, food and drinks with plenty of opportunities for shopping, networking, family fun and more.

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Feb. 11. $15; VIP $45. Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Parkway SE, Atlanta. atlblackexpo.com.

Jim Hill’s ‘Born to Be’

Jim Hill is a self-taught mosaic artist who will have his first big show at age 75 in February. Because his family couldn’t afford to buy paint, Hill chose torn paper as his medium. His work concerns the history of slavery and racism in the U.S. The show, titled “Born to Be,” will feature work that goes back to the early ‘60s but also includes Hill’s latest collection “A Piece of Life,” which offers large-scale mosaics of civil rights leaders. The show opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 9 at Mason Fine Art.

Through Feb. 28. Mason Fine Art, 764 Miami Circle NE, Suite 150, Atlanta. 404-879-1500, masonfineartandevents.com.

‘Remembrance as Resistance: Sweet Auburn Rise’

Atlanta artist and activist Charmaine Minniefield’s Praise House Project has placed place site-specific art installations in locations throughout the metro Atlanta area, including 2021′s “Remembrance as Resistance: Preserving Black Narratives” in Oakland Cemetery. In honor of Black History Month 2023, the project will mount a series of site-specific public art installations, exhibitions, and programs in downtown Atlanta, along Auburn Avenue in the King Historic District. The installations will explore the history of the 1906 Race Massacre and the legacy of Black resistance.

Feb. 3-5. Find a full schedule of planned activities online. Along Auburn Avenue, Atlanta. praisehouseproject.org.ExploreExplore Black History Month news from the AJC

Deana Lawson

Covering a period of 15 years, the first museum survey of the work of Brooklyn, New York-based photographer Deana Lawson is on its final tour stop at the High Museum through Feb. 19. The show blends her composed, staged domestic portraits with found photography, advertising imagery, holograms and crystals. “Her images of Black men, women and children become chronicles of the beauty of ordinary lives and its pleasures and pathos,” wrote AJC visual arts critic Felicia Feaster in her review. Join co-organizer Eva Respini of the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston and director of New York University’s Center for Black Visual Culture Deborah Willis at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 ($20) for a discussion of Lawson’s work.

Through Feb. 19. $16.50, ages 6 and above; free for children 5 and younger and members. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4444, high.org.

Roswell Roots

The annual Roswell Roots festival offers a series of events honoring Black History Month and will get under way on Feb. 3 with the Black Opry Revue at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Music and storytelling will highlight the contributions of Black country artists, taking on perceptions of what it means to be a country musician in America. They’ll also stage the play “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman” as part of the Family Series on Feb. 3 and 4. The one-woman show will tell stories both familiar and rarely heard about the Underground Railroad conductor. Check the Roswell Roots website for a complete schedule of events.

Black Opry Revue: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3. $27.50-$32.50. “The Spirit of Harriet Tubman”: 10 a.m. Feb. 3-4. $12. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-594-6232, roswellroots.com.

[atlrentalsprinters]

Getting Around Atlanta: The Ultimate Transportation Services Overview

Atlanta, Georgia, renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and economic significance, stands as a hub of activity in the southeastern United States. As a traveler, whether you're visiting for business or leisure, efficiently navigating the city is essential. Atlanta Transportation Services to help you get around smoothly, and this comprehensive guide aims to provide a detailed overview of these options, ensuring that you can explore Atlanta with ease.

Atlanta's Transportation Landscape

Atlanta boasts a diverse transportation landscape, accommodating the needs and preferences of various travelers. Here's an overview of the primary transportation services available:

1. MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority):

MARTA is Atlanta's public transit system, consisting of a network of buses and trains that serve the city and its suburbs. It's an affordable and eco-friendly option for getting around Atlanta. The MARTA rail system, which includes both heavy and light rail lines, is especially convenient for travelers. Key stations connect popular destinations like downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and the airport. The Breeze Card, MARTA's electronic fare payment system, makes it easy to pay for rides.

2. Bus Services:

In addition to MARTA's rail lines, the authority operates an extensive bus network that reaches various neighborhoods and destinations throughout Atlanta. Buses are equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, making them a convenient option for getting around the city. MARTA buses also connect with rail stations, offering seamless transfers.

3. Ridesharing Services:

Ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft have become increasingly popular in Atlanta. These services provide door-to-door transportation, with the convenience of booking rides through mobile apps. They're a flexible and often cost-effective choice, especially when traveling with a group or to destinations not easily accessible by public transit.

4. Taxis and Limousines:

Traditional taxi services are available throughout Atlanta, and you can easily hail one from the street or find them at designated taxi stands. Limousine services are also readily available for those seeking a more luxurious and comfortable ride. Both options are ideal for those who prefer a private and direct mode of transportation.

5. Rental Cars:

Renting a car is a popular choice for travelers who want the flexibility to explore Atlanta and its surrounding areas at their own pace. Numerous rental car companies have offices both at the airport and in various parts of the city. Keep in mind that Atlanta experiences traffic congestion during peak hours, so plan your routes accordingly.

6. Atlanta Streetcar:

The Atlanta Streetcar is a modern streetcar system that connects downtown Atlanta with key attractions like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, and the King Historic District. It's an excellent way to explore these historic areas while avoiding the hassle of parking.

7. Cycling and Pedestrian-Friendly Areas:

Atlanta has made strides in becoming more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly. The city has expanded its network of bike lanes and paths, making it easier for cyclists to explore. Additionally, certain neighborhoods, such as Midtown and Decatur, are highly walkable, with many attractions, restaurants, and shops within easy walking distance.

Navigational Tips:

Traffic Awareness: Be aware of Atlanta's traffic patterns, especially during rush hours. Plan your travel accordingly to avoid unnecessary delays.

MARTA Maps and Schedules: Familiarize yourself with MARTA's rail and bus maps and schedules, which are available online and at stations. MARTA provides real-time information on its website and through its app, making it easier to plan your journeys.

Rideshare Apps: If you plan to use ridesharing services, ensure you have the necessary apps installed on your mobile device and set up your payment method in advance for a seamless experience.

Conclusion:

Atlanta's transportation services provide travelers with a plethora of options for getting around the city. MARTA offers an efficient and budget-friendly way to explore Atlanta, while buses extend the reach to various neighborhoods. Ridesharing services offer convenience and flexibility, while traditional taxis and limousines cater to those who prefer private transportation. Renting a car provides independence, especially for exploring areas outside the city, and the Atlanta Streetcar offers a unique way to experience historical sites.

To make the most of your time in Atlanta, consider combining these transportation options based on your itinerary and preferences. By leveraging Atlanta's transportation network, you can navigate the city comfortably and efficiently, allowing you to fully enjoy all that this vibrant metropolis has to offer.

[roscoebarnes3]

Joseph McGill Jr. coming to Natchez for two-day program on slave dwellings

Joseph McGill Jr., founder and director of the Slave Dwelling Project

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- Joseph McGill Jr., a renowned authority on slave dwellings, is coming to Natchez for a two-day program that will feature a lecture and a living history campfire conversation.

The lecture, which is titled, “The Education Value of Sleeping in Slave Dwellings: Mississippi Edition,” will be presented at 6 p.m. Friday, April 14 at Historic Natchez Foundation. The campfire conversation will be held at 6 p.m., April 15 at the Auburn slave quarters.

Both events are free and open to the public. They are part of McGill’s nationally acclaimed Slave Dwelling Project. The two-day program is being hosted by Historic Natchez Foundation, Natchez National Historical Park, and Our Restoration Nation.

McGill is a history consultant for Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, S.C., and the founder and director of the Slave Dwelling Project. Through the Slave Dwelling Project, he has arranged for people to “sleep in extant slave dwellings,” providing experiences that “brought much needed attention to these often-neglected structures that are vitally important to the American built environment,” McGill said in a biographical sketch.

Since 2018, McGill has conducted more than 250 overnights in about 100 different sites in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

As a field officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, McGill worked to revitalize the Sweet Auburn commercial district in Atlanta, Ga., and to develop a management plan for the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area.

McGill is a former executive director of the African American Museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a former director of history and culture at Penn Center, St. Helena Island, South Carolina. He has also served as a National Park Service park ranger at Fort Sumter National Monument in Charleston.

McGill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional English from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, S.C. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

McGill’s work is recognized by authors and historians. He is featured in the books “Confederates in the Attic” by Tony Horwitz and “Behind the Big House” by Jodi Skipper.

Historic Natchez Foundation is located at 108 S. Commerce St. and Auburn is at 400 Duncan Avenue, both in Natchez. Parking is in the rear of Auburn, which is accessed from the second road on the right inside the Duncan Park Gate.

For more information, contact Carter Burns at Historic Natchez Foundation: Call 601-442-2500 or send email to carterburns@natchez.org. Information about the Slave Dwelling Project can be found at https://slavedwellingproject.org/

[rabbitcruiser]

Buildings Ornamentations (No. 82)

Bank of America Plaza, Atlanta

Centennial Tower, Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta

Haas Howell Building, Atlanta (two pics)

National Center for Civil and Human Rights,

497 Auburn Avenue NE, Atlanta (two pics)

Historic Fire Station No. 6, Atlanta (two pics)

[immaculatelyamiss]

Amazing mural art in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn district

[atlantathecity]

Auburn Avenue, Atlanta

Blocks like this one on Auburn Avenue, east of it’s intersection with Piedmont Avenue, are my favorite.

As far as its function goes, it has a mix of old and newer buildings that house residential, commercial and non-profit uses. It also has a mix of transportation via sidewalks, streetcar, and car traffic slow enough to allow safe bike travel.

For greenery, there’s a pocket park off to the left and small trees planted alongside the sidewalk. Very inviting.

For historical significance, you can’t do much better – this Sweet Auburn district is where African Americans established businesses, congregations, and social organizations within the harsh climate of the Jim Crow south. Big Bethel AME church, with congregational roots that pre-date the Civil War, has remained a strong presence here even after African American residents and businesses moved out of the district during the 1970s and 80s.

I suspect a lot of people see this block from the highway – the overpass is way in the background – and wonder what’s down here. It’s the city.

[threadatl]

The promising plan for an empty lot on Auburn Avenue

Historic District Development Corporation (HDDC) is putting something in a long-empty property, pictured above, that sits on Auburn Avenue near its intersection with Hilliard Street. This is good news. The amount of disused space on this historic street, and along the streetcar track that runs on it, has been a burden for too long.  Progress of any kind is a positive, but this project looks particularly promising due to its affordability component and its public engagement.

The plan is to fill this space with a three-story mix of residential and commercial. Dubbed “The Front Porch,” it'll have retail spaces on bottom with apartments for rent for sale above. HDDC was approved for Eastside TAD financing for the project, at the December, 2019 Invest Atlanta Board meeting. The rendering below comes from the project’s Loopnet listing.

According to the Invest Atlanta documents, the development will also involve the “repurposing” of two nearby buildings, including the former Haugabrooks Funeral Home (below), as well as a surface parking lot.

HDDC hosted a community-engagement session about their plans in October (pictured below, from their Instagram account), and attendees we’ve spoken to report that they're hopeful about a positive outcome with this development.

Curbed Atlanta has a full writeup on the planned mixed-use structure, along with multiple renderings of it. 

To get an idea of how beneficial this is going to be for the neighborhood, we reached out to LeJuano Varnell with Sweet Auburn Works (SAW), an organization that advocates for preservation-based redevelopment while also supporting the retention of existing residents, businesses, and architecture in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood.

Varnell says that part fo the importance of Front Porch is that it’s going to provide an “inventory of lowered commercial rate space in the neighborhood,” something that allows opportunities for "home-grown small businesses.”

He also says that it’ll deliver “affordable home ownership opportunities” that create “a path for long-time renters to have an equity stake in the growth of the neighborhood.”

Here’s a look at the mix and pricing for residential units on the development, from the Invest Atlanta document:

Similarly, HDDC has partnered with a developer on an under-construction condo building on a formerly-empty property at 22 Airline Street in Old Fourth Ward. Most of the homes are being sold at market rate, but they’re maintaining ownership of some of the units so they can sell/lease at affordable rates.

[hemusartblog]

#GeorgiaInMini | 3 | Sweet Auburn Historic District - Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park| Atlanta, Georgia | This national historic park consists of several buildings in this area including King Jr’s boyhood home and the original Ebenezer Baptist Church where both he and his father were pastors. It’s vital to the life and legal of King Jr. as a leader of the American Civil Rights Movement. The park is 35 acres and has a visitor center, a museum that chronicles the Civil Rights movement, an 1894 firehouse, and shotgun houses among others. The King Birth Home is located at 501 Auburn Avenue and was built in 1895. King’s maternal grandparents bought the house in 1909 and their family lived until 1941. The first level includes the front porch, parlor, study, dining room, kitchen, laundry, bedroom and a bathroom. The second level includes four bedrooms and a bathroom. (at Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site) https://www.instagram.com/hemuvenkat/p/BxaMM7dDhO5/?igshid=17yt440mbi3c3

[nenefashion3]

MVP Kamala's schedule for June 18th

 On Friday, Madam Vice President was bound for Atlanta, Georgia for her second We Can Do This," vaccination state tour, on Monday she was in Greenville, South Carolina. The tour helps with vaccine education and outreach efforts in order to reach President Biden's goal of getting 70 percent of Americans vaccinated by July 4.

Photo Credits: Peter Velz 46/Twitter

She arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport where she was welcomed by the State's federal legislator Georgia's 5th congressional district Representative Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, Atlanta's Mayor Keisha Bottoms.

1) She began her tour at a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination site at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Church is a historic church in the black community located in Atlanta's Sweet Auburn district where many US civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr had preached in the 1960s

During informal remarks to those who were being administered vaccines, the Vice President urged people, “These vaccines are safe and effective. It will save your life and the lives of people you love,” she also said “to get the word out” to help their friends and neighbours overcome obstacles to getting vaccinated like needing childcare and fear of needles.

She was accompanied by Congresswoman Nikema Williams, from right, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Senator Jon Ossoff, Senator Raphael Warnock, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Dr. Jayne Morgan, Cardiologist and the Executive Director of the COVID Task Force at the Piedmont Healthcare Corporation

2) After she departed for Clark Atlanta University, where she gave remarks at a COVID vaccination mobilization event. During her remarks, she said,“But there are some people, a lot of people might say, ‘I haven’t been vaccinated yet because I’m just not sure," she also acknowledged people's hesitancy, "It is OK to have questions," and she urged Atlantans to tell their friends and neighbours: “We can say with confidence the vaccines are safe, they are free and they are effective.”

Clark Atlanta University is a private Methodist historically black research university in Atlanta, Georgia. The University is the first HBCU in the Southern United States founded on September 19th 1865 as Atlanta University, it consolidated with Clark College to form Clark Atlanta University in 1988.

3) After giving the remarks she participated in a close room conversation on voting rights with community leaders.

via Blogger https://ift.tt/3cYHy7j

[gaywrites]

Liliana Bakhtiari is no stranger to activism. She attended her first protest march when she was 8 years old, with her father, a first-generation Iranian immigrant. “I grew up working and doing community service, social justice work, and community organizing and activism,” she tells Teen Vogue. Now the 29-year-old, who grew up in the Atlanta area, is hoping to effect change in a different way: as an Atlanta City Council member for District 5. And though Bakhtiari is relatively young, her life has been packed with experiences that have helped shape her views and her platform.

Bakhtiari’s mother, a second-generation Iranian immigrant, worked to put Bakhtiari’s father through school at Georgia State University. He eventually opened a pharmacy in Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn district, providing affordable medicine to people who previously couldn’t access it, and Bakhtiari was right by his side. “I grew up working at my dad’s pharmacy with him,” she says. “I saw a lot of Atlanta at the time when it was really just rampant poverty.”

But she also saw what it was like just outside the city, going to school in Gwinnett County, where she was one of a few Middle Eastern kids among an overwhelmingly white student population. “I faced a lot of racism in elementary school . . . it only worsened as I got older,” she says. “Kids would ask me how many goats I was going to be traded for on my wedding day. I got made fun of fairly constantly for looking different and for having darker hair, for having darker skin. There were certain traditional practices — I wasn’t allowed to shave my legs or do my eyebrows until I was way older, and I got made fun of a lot for that. [People] asked me . . . if my father was a terrorist.”

This is important. Read the full story at Teen Vogue. 

[oliisalive]

How One Neighborhood Endured a Century of Systemic Racism

The history of Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District mirrors that of many Black communities across the country. READ MORE... from Apartment Therapy| Saving the world, one room at a time https://ift.tt/3g0o40W

[discovercreate]

How One Neighborhood Endured a Century of Systemic Racism

The history of Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District mirrors that of many Black communities across the country. READ MORE... from Apartment Therapy| Saving the world, one room at a time https://ift.tt/3g0o40W

[rnd-le]

How One Neighborhood Endured a Century of Systemic Racism

The history of Atlanta's Sweet Auburn Historic District mirrors that of many Black communities across the country. READ MORE... from Apartment Therapy| Saving the world, one room at a time https://ift.tt/3g0o40W

[rabbitcruiser]

Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, Atlanta (No. 6)

Throughout its long history, Ebenezer Baptist Church, located in Atlanta, Georgia, has been a spiritual home to many citizens of the "Sweet Auburn" community. Its most famous member, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., was baptized as a child in the church. After giving a trial sermon to the congregation at Ebenezer at the age of 19 Martin was ordained as a minister. In 1960 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. became a co-pastor of Ebenezer with his father, Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., know as "Daddy" King. He remained in that position until his death in 1968. As a final farewell to his spiritual home Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s funeral was held in the church.

In 2000 a study of the church building resulted in Ebenezer Baptist Church, Historic Structure Report being issued by the National Park Service. This reports served as a guideline for the restoration of the church.

Church Restoration

In 2001, thanks to a Save America's Treasures Grant and the contributions of many individuals and corporations, the National Park Service began the restoration of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. The restoration was completed in two phases.

Phase I included design and installation of major systems including, electrical, heating, and air conditioning, and fire suppression. Structural repairs were made to the roof system and the historic exterior. The Ebenezer sign hanging over the entrance was repaired and lit for the first time since 1990. A chair lift was installed to provide accessibility to the sanctuary. The funding for Phase I involved a private and public partnership and cost $1,885,000.

Phase II of the project restored the appearance of the sanctuary and fellowship hall to the 1960-68 period when Dr. King served as co-pastor with his father. Special work items included preservation of stain glass windows; restoration/replication of furnishings; repair of balcony structural system; rehabilitation of restrooms; abatement of asbestos-containing flooring; treatment of termite infestation/damage; installation of a lightning protection system; improvement of site drainage; and restoration of a sidewalk, baptistery, and pipe organ and its antiphonal.

Source

[immaculatelyamiss]

Sweet Auburn Historic District

[theconnectsean-blog]

I lived in Atlanta for years. Took so many walks in centinial Olympic park, I've played all over that city just to see it destroyed. From some one that knows the people, knows the borrows jnside and out..... I know that our city did not come for itself. People on the outside looking in are trying to blame blacks for the destruction of the city and their own homes and business but some one tell me how none of our borrows look like down town? All the primarily black borrows of Atlanta are untouched. East point West end Greenbrier College Park Old Nat Sweet Auburn district MLK historic district (litteraly blocks from the epicenter of the protests) just to name a few.... Places that people from outside the city would not know of and would not go anywhere near if they did. The places that got hit the hardest were prominent white borrows that the world sees that tourist know of. City center Centinial Olympic park 5 points Lenox North side I will tell you now.... We are not destroying what is ours. Black communities are not destroying themselves..... Those who are protesting are going after primarily white areas. True Atlanta is not destroying Atlanta!!!!! The areas being hit the hardest is where most of the oppression is. #georgefloyd #atlanta #atlantaga #protest #blacklivesmatter #colinkaepernick (at Atlanta, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0drxgHZKt/?igshid=g3nqipp1jwze