A Guide to Black History Month Around Atlanta

A Guide to Black History Month Around Atlanta
photo purchased from shutterstock.com
February is Black History Month!  Atlanta has many significant people, stories, culture, history, food, and art to explore.

History

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park –  Whether you spend 30 minutes or 4 hours here, there is plenty to see:
    • International World Peace Rose Garden – One of five of its kind worldwide, encouraging youth to ponder the importance of peace.
    • Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church – Established in 1886, it was led for almost 50 years by Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., later joined by his son, Martin Luther King, Jr. in the ’60s.  The current pastor is Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock.
    • Civil Rights Walk of Fame – This famous walkway features granite and bronze footstep impressions of honorees such as Hank Aaron, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Stevie Wonder, Sammy Davis Jr., Sidney Poitier, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Maya Angelou.
    • The King Center –  Pay respects at Dr. and Mrs. King’s tomb, view exhibits in Freedom Hall, and enjoy the meditation garden.  Please note, that Dr. King’s Birth Home is currently closed for tours.

Museums/Art/Dance

    • APEX Museum – Now showing:  Sweet Auburn: Street of Pride; Africa: The Untold Story; The MAAFA (The African Holocaust); Women in STEM; and “The Big Ideal!”: Black Inventors and Their Inventions.
    • Madame CJ Walker Museum/WERD Radio – Learn about the incredible journey of America’s first female self-made millionaire, whose company created make-up and hair care products for black women.  Visit the first black-owned radio station in the country, whose goal was to “… put on programs which will aid in creating more goodwill between the races in this area.”
    • Trap Music Museum – Interact with the exhibits in this museum dedicated to the origins of a subgenre of hip hop.  In addition, they have an escape room and an art gallery.
    • Children’s Museum of Atlanta – Celebrate Black Futures Month, examining the work of leaders making a difference in our world right now.
    • Ballethnic – Thirty years strong, they offer performances, classes and community programs.  You won’t want to miss their original works presenting a variety of types of dance.
    • ATL Street Art Tours – Check out my street art tour experience, walk a route on your own, or let Unexpected Atlanta guide you.

Shopping

Food

  •  Black-Owned Restaurants – Not tempted by my choices?  Download the Eat Okra app to find more options.
    • Breakfast
      • Omni Coffee and Eggs – You may encounter staff dressed in Victorian-inspired attire.  This is also a no-waste restaurant; they send unsold food to soup kitchens and shelters and donate a portion of their proceeds to local farmers and non-profits.
      • Breakfast at Barney’s – Owned by two Morris Brown College alumni, they offer the $1,000 Mansa Musa Tower, which includes 24-karat gold pancakes, fried chicken, lobster, and champagne.
      • Belle & Lily’s Caribbean Brunch House – Mango French toast, fried snapper with sweet plantains, jerk chicken, and buttermilk pancakes – it’s a culinary tour of the islands!
    • Lunch
      • Municipal Market ATL – Since 1918, people have congregated here to see the butcher, the baker, the farmers, you name it!  Originally a place where black shoppers were permitted inside, but could only sell their wares outside, it is now a thriving part of the community, where all are welcome.
      • Paschal’s – It began in 1947 with a secret recipe for fried chicken and led to Paschal’s becoming the historic meeting place of notable figures such as Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Andrew Young, Maynard Jackson, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
      • Busy Bee Cafe – Also launched in 1947 by a young entrepreneur known as “Momma Lucy,” it is now run by Tracy Gates, whose passion for soul food led to the restaurant receiving the 2022 James Beard America’s Classic Award.
    • Dinner
      • Chef Rob’s Cafe – Voted Atlanta’s best Caribbean cuisine, indulge in this Jamaican native’s take on jerk egg rolls, curried seafood, and ackee fruit with saltfish.
      • Delilah’s Everyday Soul – If Oprah Winfrey says they have the best mac ‘n cheese in the nation, run, don’t walk, to see why!  Chef Delilah has been featured on Netflix and the Food Network, has a 275-page cookbook, and even sells her sauces and rubs.
      • One Flew South ATL – Treat yourself to an upscale dinner at the airport, or enjoy their raw bar on the Beltline.  Local farmers provide the ingredients, and you’ll receive James Beard-nominated service.

Special Events

    • Music of the African Diaspora Festival – The Atlanta Music Project Center for Performance & Education presents a series of recitals, performed by youth in under-served communities. (Feb. 1-8)
    • Lawrenceville Arts Center – Black Art, Culture, & Education’s (BACE’s) annual Community Celebration allows young artists to demonstrate their interpretations of history, culture, and art. (Feb. 16)
    • John Lewis:  Good Trouble:  Commemorate what would have been Congressman John Lewis’ 85th birthday with a free screening of this new documentary. (Feb. 21)
    • Legacy in Motion – Free food, dance lessons, and history all rolled into one event. (Feb. 22)
    • Atlanta Black Expo – Support black businesses, participate in food and beverage tasting competitions, and test your sales skills during speed networking. (Feb. 22-23)

Books

  • Dear Martin – Atlanta-born author Nic Stone’s book follows teen Justyce McAllister, as he begins a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to cope with recent traumatic events.
  • Early Sunday MorningDenene Millner lives in Atlanta and among her many genres of books is a children’s series, including this first one about a young girl finding her voice and conquering her fears.
  • Auburn Avenue Research Library – Visit the first public library for African Americans in Atlanta, and browse their vast collection of books, manuscripts, photographs, and art.
  • 44th & 3rd Bookseller – Shop online or stop by this black-owned bookstore to find a new favorite book, meet an author, or attend a poetry night.

What’s missing from this list?  Please comment below!

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