Celebrate African American History in Atlanta
Roswell Roots Festival
There are so many ways to learn about the heritage and contributions of African Americans in Atlanta. Make sure to also check out places to road trip to learn about black history.
Events:
We Shall Overcome: African American Stories from Civil War to Civil Rights at Oakland Cemetery
This tour explores the lives and accomplishments of African Americans in Atlanta. Feb. 1-2, 9, 15-16, 21 and 23.
Hawks vs. Hornets: HBCU Night at State Farm Arena
Celebrate the educational excellence of more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities at this annual event. Feb. 7.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Fox Theatre
This acclaimed dance company performs an incredible show. Feb. 11-15.
Atlanta Black Expo at Georgia World Congress Center
Shop Black-owned businesses and companies to find different services and products, including a Kids Business Expo. Feb. 20-22.
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream at Synchronicity Theatre
This blues-infused musical tells the story of the young Black girl who became the first woman to play for an all-male professional baseball team. Feb. 20-March 15.
Celebrating Artists of Color, in honor of Black History Month at Douglasville Cultural Arts Center
Explore a collection of artworks by African American artists, led by Atlanta artist Charly Palmer. Through Feb. 20.
Bus Tour: Explore Black History at Lawrenceville Female Seminary
Explore the history of African American culture in Gwinnett County. Feb. 21.
Greenwood Culture Festival at Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center
Celebrate Black History Month with music, food and a parade. Feb. 21.
Pop-in for Family Fun at Marietta History Center
Enjoy family fun with activities and crafts themed around “Black Inventors.” Feb. 21.
African-American Folktales at Aurora Theatre
Join Mama Koku and Chetter Galloway as they explore the rich folklore of African-American culture from Anasi to Brer Rabbit. Feb. 21.
Black History Month Poetry Slam at Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road
Honor Black history through the power of spoken word with different performers. Feb. 21.
Legacy Reimagined: BHM Celebration Gwinnett County Resource Center at Bethany Church Road
This interactive educational and artistic gathering will include APEX Museum, community vendors, organizations and more. Feb. 21.
Black History Month Celebration: Divine Nine at Historic DeKalb Courthouse
Learn more about the historically Greek Lettered fraternities and sororities. Feb. 26.
Black Heritage Festival at Shorty Howell Park Activity Building
Celebrate culture, history and community with cultural education, vendor booths, live music, delicious food and more. Feb. 28.
Black History Parade in Cartersville
See floats, classic cars, motorcycles, dance teams and more. Feb. 28.
Roswell Roots in Roswell
This community-wide, month-long celebration highlights education, history and cultural awareness in the City of Roswell with artists, musicians, poets, historians and more. The Art & Soul Kids and Family Day on Feb. 14 is a vibrant celebration filled with performances, activities and fun. Through Feb. 28.
AIM HIGH: Soaring with the Tuskegee Airmen at Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Explore aviation throughout time from the Tuskegee Airmen to 21st century STEM at this interactive experience mixing artifacts and hands-on play. “Black Wings American Dreams of Flight” chronicles the story of African Americans who faced tremendous racial barriers to attain amazing achievements in aviation. Through May 10.
Atlanta History Center
Sites:
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
The nation’s most famous civil rights leader was born and buried here. The site, managed by the National Park Service, includes exhibits, MLK’s birth home, The King Center and Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Downtown Atlanta. The Historic Fire Station no. 6 is currently operating as the Visitor Center.
APEX Museum
The African-American Panoramic Experience includes exhibits and stories about early African American pioneers and Black families who helped transform Atlanta. Through March 7, view “SOS: Signs of Struggle,” which spans more than 60 years of nonviolent protests for human rights and social justice.
National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Recently reopened, this cultural attraction connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s Global Human Rights Movements. Make your way through the personal papers and items of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., sit at a Greensboro lunch counter and more, along with rotating exhibits “Reclaiming History: Selections from the Tinwood Foundation” and “A Mile in My Shoes.”
Atlanta History Center
The center often features exhibits and collections focused on Atlanta and African American history. See “Hats of the King Family Women,” and view online exhibit “They Were No. 1: The Ichiban Records Story” for a look at Southern hip hop.
The King Center
Established by Coretta Scott King in 1968, The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change preserves Dr. King’s legacy, as you can view exhibits on him, Coretta Scott King and Mahatma Gandhi.
Atlanta University Center Historic District
This National Historic Landmark includes a group of the country’s major higher education institutions for African Americans: Atlanta University, Clark, Morehouse, Morris Brown and Spelman Colleges, and the Interdenominational Theological Center. Visit the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art to view exhibits, including “Repossessions,” the works of seven Black artists on view through May 1.
Noble Hill-Wheeler Memorial Center
Built in 1923, this was the first school in northwest Georgia constructed with Rosenwald funds for the education of Black children. The site is now a Black history museum and cultural center; schedule a tour here.
George Washington Carver State Park
Operating under the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention & Visitors Bureau, this park honors the renowned Tuskegee Institute botanist and inventor, and entertainers, such as Ray Charles and Little Richard, have performed here. The park is open for day use.
The Herndon Home Museum
This museum was the residence of Alonzo Herndon, a former slave who founded what would become the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, and his legacy changed the Black middle class in America. Temporarily closed.
South-View Cemetery
Founded in 1886 under the premise that a dignified burial place should be available for all, these grounds carried no restriction as to race, creed or religious affiliation, which was different from other Southern cemeteries operating during the same period.
The Madame C.J. Walker Museum
Learn about America’s first female self-made millionaire, and hear stories about WERD, the first Black-owned radio station in America.
Flat Rock Archives
Located in Stonecrest, this African American historical museum includes the 20th century Georgian cottage of Rev. T.A. Bryant and the Historic Flat Rock Cemetery with burials dating back to enslaved people.
Oakland Cemetery
In 1976, Oakland Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery has several different areas and gardens, including the Historic African American Burial Grounds, which were the burial grounds for slaves and free African Americans. The cemetery is also the final resting place for Bishop Wesley John Gaines, who founded Morris Brown College; Rev. Frank Quarles, the founder of the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary; and Carrie Steele Logan, who founded the first orphanage for African Americans in Atlanta.
Dorchester Academy
Beyond Atlanta
If you’re interested in traveling and spending more time learning about Black history and the Civil Rights Movement, travel around Georgia to see significant spots.
The National Park Service created a national We Shall Overcome travel itinerary with churches, private residences and public sites of protest that spoke to the history. Check out Georgia’s three spots and learn more about the African American Civil Rights Movement.
Explore important destinations and sites in Georgia, along with the history and stories, at civilrightstrail.com/state/georgia.
In Savannah, the Pin Point Heritage Museum allows you to experience the Gullah/Geechee culture firsthand with a refurbished museum complex, multimedia presentations and beautiful views of the marsh.
Also in Savannah, the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum showcases the life story of Ralph Mark Gilbert, who is remembered as the father of the 20th century Civil Rights Movement in Savannah. You’ll also learn about the NAACP’s fight for voting rights.
Explore the Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery, where many of Athens’ prominent African Americans were laid to rest.
The Ma Rainey Home honors the legendary “Mother of Blues” Ma Rainey, and this is the spot where she retired.
Founded in 1882 by trustees from the Methodist Episcopal Church South and the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, Paine College was coeducational from the beginning with its goal of educating African American youth.
Dorchester Academy was founded in 1871 as a school for freed slaves and now serves as an African American history museum and community center.
The Tubman African American Museum is dedicated to educating people about the art, history and culture of African Americans to enrich cultural understanding and inspire positive change.
Head to Warner Robins to the Museum of Aviation to view the statue of Eugene Bullard, who enlisted in the French Foreign Legion before the U.S. Armed Forces were desegregated in 1948.
For more, connect art and Black history with murals across metro Atlanta. Explore areas across the Southeast that are significant to Black history.
