African-American History - Civil Rights and Beyond
Atlanta is known for its rich African-American culture. Home of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, the National Black Arts Festival and the largest consortium of historically black colleges and universities, Atlanta is a culturally diverse city.
Morning:
The Sweet Auburn District and the MLK National Historic Site Stroll down Sweet Auburn Avenue , the hub of African-American culture from the 1890s to the 1940s. Many of Atlanta's black leaders, entrepreneurs and artists congregated in what was called the Sweet Auburn district, and recently, tremendous preservation and restoration efforts have brought a rebirth to the area. The Sweet Auburn district is home to the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site , which includes a visitor center depicting the story of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement, the restored King Birth Home, Ebenezer Baptist Church where three generations of the King family preached, and the King burial site.
The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame
The footprints of Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall and Medgar Evers are among a collection of granite-embedded footprints of 17 civil rights leaders on display at the MLK National Historic Site. This tribute to the warriors of justice is a new addition to the site's poignant exhibitions of this important time.
APEX Museum
The APEX Museum has extensive information on the history of Atlanta and of Auburn Avenue. Inside, find artifacts, photographs and presentations on the African-American cultural experience. Hear stories of early African-American pioneers in Atlanta and learn about the powerful Black families that helped transform Atlanta.
Underground Atlanta's Guided History Tour
Unlock the secrets that make up Underground's historic past with a personal guide on this 45-minute tour. Entitled, "From Civil War to Civil Rights," the tour makes 10 historic stops, experiencing everything from a journey through freight depots and old hotels to the Peachtree fountains and amazing views of the Georgia Capital.
Helpful Information
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
Guided walking tours of the Sweet Auburn district are offered Saturdays, March- November. To schedule a tour, please contact the Atlanta Preservation Center.
APEX Museum
Guided History Tour at Underground Atlanta
Lunch
Gladys Knight and Ron Winans Chicken and Waffles harkens back to the 1930s Harlem days when celebrities frequented Wells restaurant in the early morning hours and couldn't decide if they wanted dinner or breakfast. The strange but delicious combination of juicy fried chicken with sweet, syrupy waffles was born, and Gladys Knight has recreated it in Atlanta. Open until 4 a.m. on weekends, stop for lunch, dinner or a late night snack from the musically themed menu. Dine on chicken and waffles
Afternoon
Atlanta is the center of higher education for African Americans, where several institutions of higher learning were founded in the latter part of the 19th century. The Atlanta University Center is the largest concentration of African-American colleges in America and includes Spelman College, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, the Morehouse School of Medicine and Morris Brown College.
See some Art
- The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art emphasizes works by and about women of the African Diaspora.
- Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries are on the campus of one of the city's oldest black universities and feature 640 works of art including contemporary American, African American and African in paintings, sculptures and murals.
Hammonds House Galleries and Resource Center of African-American Art displays art by people of African-American heritage, and disseminates an understanding of art from the African Diaspora. The gift shop is small, yet brimming with prints; African items such as purses and jewelry; contemporary African-American art, including popular prints laminated onto switch plates or magnets; and books on world-renowned artists.
Helpful Information
AU Center
Clark Atlanta University Galleries
Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
Hammonds House
Dinner
A key meeting place during the civil rights era was the historic Paschal's Motor Hotel and Restaurant, where civil rights leaders and strategists would come together over the Paschal brothers' savory cooking. A new location, Paschal's Restaurant at Castleberry Hill has a cutting edge, loft-like décor, accommodating breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. Try menu favorites from the original location such as country ham steak, amazing southern-style sides and center-cut country fried steak, along with new items like blackened catfish, bacon-wrapped trout and pastas. Visit Paschal's
Evening
Check the schedule of True Colors Theatre Company , a national company committed to staging groundbreaking African-American plays. The company is led by Kenny Leon, former Alliance Theatre artistic director and director of the Broadway revival of "Raisin in the Sun." True Colors schedule
A Year-Round Celebration
Events honoring the culture and heritage of African Americans are held throughout the year in Atlanta. Here are some hot annual events during the year.
January
The city honors the birth of civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr. Services are held each year at the newly renovated Ebenezer Baptist Church, where three generations of the King family served. A memorial service is held at King's burial site on Auburn Avenue.
February
Black History Month honors the achievements and culture of African Americans through the exhibition of art, educational seminars and lectures, plus musical and theatrical performances.
May
The soulful sounds of the saxophone can be heard on stages throughout Atlanta during the largest, free jazz festival in the country. The annual Atlanta Jazz Festival features nine days of events that highlight a unique mix of Atlanta-based and national jazz musicians, an artist's market, a Weekend Concert Series at Piedmont Park, a special benefit concert at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, and the best in soul food, ethnic cuisine and American cooking.
July
Atlanta celebrates the largest collection of arts and artists of African descent in the world at the National Black Arts Festival . Held annually in July, the festival showcases works of African-American artists including dance, film, folk, art, literature, music, performance art, theater and visual art.
September
Known as the Super Bowl of Black College Football, the Atlanta Football Classic is a tradition between African-American colleges and universities, with more than 52,000 fans traveling to the Georgia Dome for intense football competition. Sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, the game's proceeds go to help inner-city students attend college. Events surrounding the game include a college recruitment and job fair, Fan Fest Extravaganza and musical entertainment.
Plan your Trip
Call 1.800.ATLANTA to request the Atlanta Heritage guide , one of the nation's first visitor guides geared toward the African-American traveler. Visit the Atlanta Heritage Web site
Atlanta Heritage Facts
- Atlanta is named the "top city for African Americans," according to Black Enterprise (July 2004), which ranks cities based on entrepreneurial opportunities, earnings potential, diverse cultural offerings, business, housing and education.
- Atlanta is the nation's number one destination for African-American travelers, according to an annual Travel Industry Association report (2004).
- Shirley Franklin was elected as Atlanta's first female African-American mayor in 2001
- Morris Brown College is the only school in the state of Georgia founded by and for African Americans.
- The Interdenominational Theological Center, located south of Sunset and MLK Drive, is the largest center of religious education for African-Americans in the country.
- Henry "Hank" Aaron, outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, hit his 715th career home run in 1974 at Atlanta –Fulton County Stadium, breaking Babe Ruth's record
- Booker T. Washington High School, constructed in 1924, was the first public high school for African Americans in the state of Georgia.
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