ML Interest Tag: movement

10 Ways Atlanta Families Can Celebrate & Serve on MLK Day

by Allison Sutcliffe

Celebrate the life, legacy, and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with your kids

MLK Day is right around the corner. If you’re looking for ways to honor and serve on January 16, there’s no better place to explore Dr. King’s legacy than in his birthplace—Atlanta. With school officially canceled for this important holiday, your family can explore our city’s important Civil Rights landmarks, engage in activities and educational experiences at the city’s museums, and find ways to be of service. Let’s remember to make this a day on, as we continue to work toward Dr. King’s dream of an equitable and just world.

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2023 King Holiday Observance at The King Center

The King Center is a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy all year long. Their mission is to empower people to create an equitable and peaceful world through youth work, service projects, and more. To commemorate MLK Day, The King Center hosts a 10-day observance, starting January 16 with a kick off reception at Freedom Hall Atrium. They'll also host a Community Service Project that families can easily participate in. Simply drop off needed items (like socks, coats, blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and more) at the King Center Freedom Hall Plaza on January 16, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.  

449 Auburn Ave. NE
Atlanta
Online: thekingcenter.org

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Visit the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

After visiting The King Center, explore other monuments and historically important places at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. What better way to honor Dr. King than to head to where it all started? Families can tour King's birth home, where he spent his first 12 years, Mondays through Saturdays, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Visitor Center, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Freedom Hall are also all on the campus, open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays. All sites are free to the public.

Good to Know: There will be a Beloved Community Commemorative Service at the Ebenezer Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 16.

450 Auburn Ave. N.E.
Atlanta
Online: nps.gov

Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. King at The Center 

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights believes in justice and dignity for all and the power of people to make this idea real. They inspire visitors with immersive exhibitions, dynamic events and conversations, plus engagement and education/training programs. The Center's King Day program starts a bit early, on January 12 and runs through MLK Day (Jan. 16). It includes interactive storytimes, artist talk backs, spoken word performances, and more.

The early start for this year's event coincides with the opening of National Center for Civil & Human Rights' new King exhibit, Now is the Time. Focused on King's March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom and its 60th anniversary. The exhibit runs through Juneteenth (Jun. 19) of this year.

National Center for Civil & Human Rights
100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. NW
Atlanta
Online: civilandhumanrights.org

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MLK Celebration at Children's Museum of Atlanta

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday with the Children's Museum of Atlanta and explore his life and legacy on the Stage, at the Science Bar, and in the Art Studio. This year's celebration will include seed planting at the Tree of Change with guest artist, Martell Belle. Kids can also share ways they can help shape a world Dr. King would be proud of on the Dream Collaborative Mural.

275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. N.W.
Atlanta
Online: childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Watch the HBCU Battle of the Bands

Although this isn't a traditional MLK Day celebration, it should be an exciting and inspiring one for kids, in a different way. The State Farm Arena is where you can watch HBCU Culture's Battle of the Bands. Doors open at 4 p.m. and performers will include Jackson State University, Miles College, Alabama A & M, and more.

State Farm Arena
1 State Farm Dr.
Atlanta
Online: hbcuculture.com

Atlanta History Center Celebration

Bring the kids to the Atlanta History Center to experience hands-on activities on MLK Day, Atlanta families. Civil-rights themed trivia, crafts, performances, and a chance to simulate a Freedom Rider experience on an authentic Greyhound Bus will keep the kids engaged and learning during the visit. This event is free, and registration is recommended.

Atlanta History Center
130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. N.W.
Atlanta
Online: atlantahistorycenter.com

Take & Make Martin Luther King, Jr. Craft 

Swing by the Embry Hills Library to pick up a free Martin Luther King, Jr. craft kit (while supplies last) on January 14. Spend time with the kids putting the kit together and talking about the work of Dr. King. 

Embry Hills Library
3733 Chamblee Tucker Rd.
Chamblee, GA
Online: events.dekalblibrary.org

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Enjoy Free Entrance at Georgia's National Parks

Experience the national parks for free on Jan. 16 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day, including these Georgia parks that normally charge an entrance fee: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fort Pulaski National Monument, and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Get the scoop on some of Georgia's best national parks for families with our Tinybeans Guide.

Participate in MLK Jr. Day of Service

Throughout January 2023, thousands of Atlantans will celebrate and honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—taking the day ON. Help build Dr. King’s Beloved Community and get involved in one of the many service events hosted by Hands On Atlanta. There are so many places to volunteer, starting January 11.

Online: handsonatlanta.org

Related: 6 Places Atlanta Families Can Volunteer Year-Round

MLK 5K & Drum Run

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day in the spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood with fellowship and fitness. This 5K walk/run will take place entirely on New Peachtree Road, with a 3.1-mile drumline all along the race course. The party starts at 9 a.m. and the course is fast and flat. Let Freedom Run!

First Baptist Church of Doraville
5935 New Peachtree Rd.
Doravill, GA
Online: mlkday5k.com

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Your Obsession With Fall Is Totally Normal & Backed By Science

by Shahrzad Warkentin

It’s not just about the PSL’s

Fall is just around the corner and despite the fact that summer is still dishing out its last gasps of heat, chances are you’re already dreaming about wooly scarves, UGG boots, and pumpkin spice lattes. If anyone happens to question your passion for pumpkins in August, you can explain it away with the scientific reason people love fall.

A 2013 study from YouGov found that America’s favorite season is fall, with 29% of Americans surveyed revealing that autumn is their top pick. So, what is it about fall that makes it so special for so many people, anyway?

Related: The Best Places to See Fall Colors with Kids This Year

Alisa Anton/Unsplash
Alisa Anton/Unsplash

“As children, we come to associate fall with going back to school, new school supplies, seeing friends. It’s exciting, for most. We still respond to this pattern that we experienced for 18 years,” Kathryn Lively, a sociology professor at Dartmouth University explained to the Huffington Post. It’s something ingrained in us from childhood.

Besides going back to school, fall is associated with a lot of special annual holidays, including Halloween and Thanksgiving. September is also the most popular month for births in the United States, which means plenty of people connect the start of fall with presents and birthday cake.

Related: Use This Map to Discover the Best Time to See the Leaves Change Color

StudyFinds.org also discusses a OnePoll that found the changing of the leaf colors is one of the main reasons fall is a fave, followed by that telltale chill in the air. Other big reasons? Getting ready for the holidays, making homemade soup and wearing bit sweaters all factor in.

Lively explained that the sociological basis for loving fall has to do with the fact that we view it as a comforting time of year. Fans of the Scandinavian “hygge” movement, which associates happiness and well-being with a cozy lifestyle, might also argue this idea. After all, what’s more hygge than sipping a PSL while snuggling with your tots?

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Happy Feet: Our Favorite Kids Dance Classes in Portland

by rtkriswilhelmy

Put on your dancing shoes because these Portland-area dance studios have it all for kids

Children love to express themselves through movement—or maybe they just love to move. If your kids are all about showing off with their newest dance moves (thanks, TikTok), it’s time to sign them up for one of our favorite dance classes near Portland. Not only do these Portland dance studios offer an opportunity for kids to harness their talents, they give them a chance to have fun and exercise too (hint: check out our favorite rock climbing gym spots and indoor playgrounds for more movement ideas). Now is the time to sign up for a local dance or movement class.

Portland Dance Studios for Kids

1. NW Dance Project

NW Dance Project has earned itself a reputation for cultivating and nurturing young dancers. Their Youth Dance Program offers exceptional year-round programming for youth ages 4 to 18. Dancers will experience the joy of dance taught by Portland’s finest teachers. Sign your little dancer up for beginner ballet or contemporary dance.

211 N.E. 10th Ave.
Portland
Online: nwdanceproject.org

2. Kids Club Fun & Fitness

At Kids Club Fun & Fitness, kids can take dance, gymnastics, and swimming lessons. They offer ballet and musical theater classes as well as a variety of classes for tots, all the way up to age 12.

13914 N.W. 3rd Ct.
Vancouver, WA
Online: kidsclub4fun.com

Related: Make a Splash! Portland’s Best Indoor Pools & Water Parks

​3. Portland Parks & Recreation

If you are as proud of where you live as we are, consider taking your little ones to our city’s dance classes. Portland Parks & Recreation is a reflection of all we stand for as Portlanders: variety, community, kindness, and an affinity for being eccentric. Offering an array of dance classes for a variety of ages plus parent/child classes, Portland Parks & Recreation helps everyone boogie. With a variety of locations, an easy online schedule, and registry (complete with class description and how many spots are left) this site is a great way for your family to find their groove.

Greater Portland area
Online: apm.activecommunities.com

4. Portland Metro Arts

Portland Metro Arts is home to dance, theatre, music, and visual arts programs. They focus on helping dancers discover their favorite form of self-expression through supportive, quality classes and an emphasis on always being a kid at heart. Their dance program breaks down by the school year and the summer season with performances peppered in.

9003 S.E. Stark St.
Portland
Online: pdxmetroarts.org

5. Dance With Joy Studios

It’s no surprise that this studio’s mission is “to be a positive force in your world by adding joyful moments to your day!” They work to enrich the mind, body, and soul through teaching with creativity, excellence, responsibility, and teamwork all while honoring each dancer’s individual learning style and needs. So smile, twirl, and leap on over to this center full of classes for “little toes” to kids.

7891 S.E. 17th Ave.
Portland
Online: dancewithjoystudios.com

6. New Vision Dance Center

New Vision Dance Center has classes for everyone—little ones and older. Enroll your young kiddos in the Hippity Hop class for 3-to-4-year-olds or 4-to-6-year-olds. Your older kiddos will enjoy the challenge of the more advanced classes. These dance classes will benefit your whole family.

8975 N.E. Walker Rd.
Hillsboro, OR
Online: newvisiondance.com

Related: Reach New Heights: Portland Climbing Gyms for Kids

7. Steps PDX

Check out Steps PDX for a variety of classes for your kids. They put on exciting dance showcases with fun themes that your kids will love to be a part of. They also have a Steps for Youth program that partners with schools to get more kids involved with dance. Let your kids express themselves while learning amazing skills.

1734 S.E. 12th Ave.
Portland
Online: stepspdx.com

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10 Women Who Changed Atlanta Forever

by Tinybeans Team

Women’s History Month means it’s time to take a closer look at the women who helped shape Atlanta. From voting activists to savvy businesswomen and generous philanthropists, Atlanta’s women have forged a path for others to follow. Keep reading to learn about 10 women who changed Atlanta forever.

Stacey Abrams

Stacey Abrams is a political leader, voting rights activist and author who is best known for losing the gubernatorial race for Georgia only to launch Fair Fight and Fair Count, two organizations dedicated to funding and training voter protection teams in 20 battleground states. Her organizations are credited with having a hefty role in the reversal from Red to Blue of Georgia voters.

Get a Sense for It
Make plans to visit the Atlanta History Center’s exhibit, “Any Great Change: The Centennial of the 19th Amendment.” Marking the 100th year anniversary of the right for women to vote (which was ratified Aug. 18, 1920), the exhibit celebrates the suffrage movement with a collection of photos, documents, memorabilia and interactive voting stations. Furthermore, the exhibit, which is displayed in the Swan House, also highlights Georgia’s hometown connections to the movement; the original Swan House owners, Emily C. MacDougald and her daughter, Emily Inman, were active suffragettes in the local efforts.

130 West Paces Ferry Rd. NW
Buckhead
404-814-4000
Online: atlantahistorycenter.com.

 
 

Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely is founder and owner of shapewear brand Spanx, which sells undergarments, leggings, swimwear and maternity wear in over 50 countries. And we're willing to bet we didn't have to tell anyone that. Blakely went from selling fax machines door-to-door to inventing, branding, and marketing a product that's ballooned to worldwide recognition—and turned her into a self-made billionaire.

Check It Out
Head to the Savannah College of Art and Design's fashion museum (SCAD FASH) to marvel at the role of garments as important conduits of identity. And, because of Blakely, we all have a leg up on getting ourselves into any identity we care to claim.

1600 Peachtree St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-253-3132
Online: scadfash.org

Anne Cox Chambers

Anne Cox Chambers was a businesswoman, philanthropist, and power broker in Atlanta during the 1960s until her recent death, at 100 years old in 2020. She co-owned the family business, Cox Enterprises, with her sister for 33 years. She engineered the partnership between The High and The Louvre, and a wing of the museum is named for her. She served as the Ambassador to Belgium, and she served on the board of nearly every philanthropic organization in Atlanta, not to mention The Coca-Cola Company.

Walk in Her Shoes
Check out just a tiny bit of Chambers' legacy by heading to The High Museum of Art, where you can get messy with your Toddler on Toddler Thursdays, or enjoy a Second Sunday family day.

1280 Peachtree St. NE
Midtown
404-733-4400
Online: high.org

Shirley Franklin

Shirley Franklin served as the 58th mayor of Atlanta, and was the first woman to hold the post. She was the first black woman to be elected mayor of a major Southern city, and the was Atlanta's 4th black mayor. Franklin announced an initiative called "Clean Water Atlanta" to address the problem and begin improving the city's sewer system, and was lauded for efforts to make the City of Atlanta "green." Under Franklin's leadership Atlanta went from having one of the lowest percentages of LEED certified buildings to one of the highest. She currently serves as a member on the board of directors for both Delta Air Lines and Mueller Water Products.

Understand Her Legacy
Explore the Chattahoochee, and marvel at why Atlanta's known as "The City in the Trees." Most Atlantans live within striking distance to one of the Chattahoochee’s neighboring city parks or National Recreation Areas. And while the rest of Atlanta continues to sizzle well into autumn, the Chattahoochee stays a frigid temperature year-round.

West Palisades Trail
3444 Cobb Pkwy.
Vinings
Online: tinybeans.go-vip.net

Coretta Scott King

Notable as the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King has created an enormous legacy of her own. She was a leader for the civil rights movement, taking on the leadership of the struggle for racial equality herself after her husband's assassination. She was an activist in the Women's Movement, LGBT progress, and was an outspoken opponent of apartheid. She also founded the King Center and succeeded in making her late husband's birthday a national holiday.

Explore Her Legacy
From the King Center to Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta is full of places to learn about Black history. Find out how many of Atlanta's most well-known centers for Black culture and history were impacted by King as you explore Atlanta through a new lens. Start at the MLK National Historic Park.

450 Auburn Ave., NE
Atlanta, Ga
404-331-5190
Online: nps.gov

Anne Rivers Siddons

Born in Atlanta in 1936, Siddons returned home after earning her bachelor’s degree at Auburn University. Rejecting her parents’ expectation that she would teach school, Siddons instead wrote about the political and social changes she witnessed in the “City Too Busy to Hate,” including one of her most famed pieces for Atlanta magazine: “Maid in Atlanta.” She went on to write over a dozen bestselling books, and her work challenged the stereotypes of the ‘Old South’ and gave readers strong, female characters who weren’t afraid to challenge social norms.

Get to Know Her
If you're going to start anywhere, start with her "Maid in Atlanta" article for Atlanta magazine. Then, graduate to her first bestselling book, "Heartbreak Hotel." After that, you can pretty much throw a dart at her publication list and land on a good one. Pack a picnic and a blanket and spend an afternoon getting to know her through her writing at one of these perfect picnic spots around town.

Alana Shepherd

Alana Shepherd and her family co-founded Shepherd Center in Atlanta in 1975 to treat spinal cord injury after her son, James, sustained a paralyzing spinal injury in 1973. Frustrated by the lack of state-of-the-art rehabilitation care in the southeastern United States, the family galvanized support among the Atlanta community to open a specialty facility. Alana also recognized early on that she had to help change the community to which patients would return so these individuals would be accepted and could, once again, assume their place in society. Through the years, Shepherd Center has grown from a six-bed unit to a world-renowned, 152-bed rehabilitation hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury and other neurological conditions.

Walk in Her Shoes
Shepherd's advocacy for accessibility resulted in the addition of lifts to Atlanta’s MARTA bus system and in making Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport one of the country’s most accessible airports. The next time you're on MARTA or chasing your toddler through Atlanta's airport, remember her!

Dorothy Lee Bolden

In 1968 Dorothy Bolden transformed domestic workers’ rights by founding the National Domestic Worker’s Union of America (NDWUA). Her efforts to organize domestic workers so that they might gain better wages, better conditions, and respect for their profession came from 40 years of domestic work herself. Bolden also understood the power of the ballot and made registration and voting a requirement for the members of the NDWUA. She organized a boycott of Atlanta schools to protest the school board’s reluctance to improve the quality of education for Black students, and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King and other civil rights leader to confront police brutality, especially in her Atlanta neighborhood, Vine City.

Follow in Her Footsteps
Even as a child, Bolden told of waking at 4 a.m. to get on a bus at 6 a.m., to arrive at work by 8 a.m. and manage the household of a family that relied on her entirely for all aspects of household management—only to return home at 6 p.m. to do it all again, for her family. In her honor, imagine doing all the things that need to be done in a day to keep your family on track... only twice.

Ella Josephine Baker

Ella Josephine Baker was a civil rights and human rights activist, who often worked behind-the-scenes alongside some of the most noted civil rights leaders of the 20th century, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King Jr. She had a huge impact on the leadership of the movement by mentoring many emerging activists, such as Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, Rosa Parks, and Bob Moses—whom she first mentored as leaders in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Baker has been called "one of the most important American leaders of the twentieth century and perhaps the most influential woman in the civil rights movement."

Take a Closer Look
Find the Student Movement Marker at the former site of Yates & Milton Drug Store, which is now the Student Center on the campus of Clark Atlanta University. You can find a Georgia Historical Society marker that tells the story of the Atlanta Student Movement, which began when three Morehouse College students—Lonnie King, Joseph Pierce and Julian Bond—formed the Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights and involved all the historically black institutions of the Atlanta University.

Corner of James P. Brawley Dr. SW & Atlanta Student Movement Blvd.
Atlanta GA 30314

Featured photo via iStock.

—Shelley Massey

 

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17 Places to Learn about Black History in Atlanta

by Shelley Massey

Celebrate Black History, Atlanta families, when you explore the city’s Civil Rights sites, landmarks, and museums

In Atlanta, we walk in the footsteps of Civil Rights leaders during Black History Month and every month. No matter what month it is, take the opportunity to honor and acknowledge Black contributions by taking a closer look at some of Atlanta’s (and our nation’s) most important historical sites—many of which we probably pass in carpool every day. Brush up on Black history with a Black history tour or history lesson, and see our city through entirely new eyes.

Black History Museums in Atlanta

Visit the Apex Museum

The Atlanta Black History Museum in the Sweet Auburn Historic District is packed with knowledge of the Black experience from Africa to America. While the museum focuses a great deal on slavery, it also takes a deep dive into African culture, Black inventors, and Black leaders. Exhibits span from “Africa the Untold Story,” where visitors can learn about the African continent over the past 6,000 years, to “Sweet Auburn Street Pride,” which helps visitors experience a more localized history of Black life in Atlanta.

135 Auburn Ave. N.E.
Atlanta
Online: apexmuseum.org

Visit the MLK National Historical Park

What do you know about the Civil Rights Movement? Learn something new about the people from the past—famous and not-so-famous—who played a part in the movement. The Visitor Center, Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Freedom Hall are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. The Birth Home is open for limited ranger-led tours. Fire Station No. 6 is staffed by park volunteers and is open when volunteers are available. All sites are free to the public.

450 Auburn Ave. N.E.
Atlanta
Online: nps.gov

 

Spend a Day in the Sweet Auburn Historic District

During the 1920s, Auburn Avenue became the commercial center of Black Atlanta. The phrase "Sweet Auburn" was coined by businessman and civil rights activist John Wesley Dobbs, the Unofficial Mayor of Sweet Auburn, and the maternal grandfather of Atlanta's first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson. Today, the avenue is home to the Sweet Auburn Springfest, the Caribbean Festival & Parade, and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade. Here's the best way to spend a day in the Sweet Auburn Historic District: on a regular day, you'll find historical sites on every corner, small and large museums, and plenty of good places to grab lunch.

Online: sweetauburnworks.com

Visit The King Center

Begin your tour of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center by following the Civil Rights Walk of Fame, past the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and proceed to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Visitor Center, where you can reserve a ticket for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home. Proceed east on Auburn to enter the King Center’s outdoor campus where you can view the crypt of Dr. and Mrs. King, the Eternal Flame, the Freedom Walkway, and the Reflecting Pool. Walk eastward along the pool to Freedom Hall, where you can learn more about Dr. King, Mrs. King, and The King Center through immersive exhibits.

449 Auburn Ave. N.E.
Atlanta
Online: thekingcenter.org

Visit The National Center for Civil & Human Rights

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights believes in justice and dignity for all, and the power of people to make this idea real. They inspire visitors with immersive exhibitions, dynamic events and conversations, and engagement and education/training programs. Be sure to download their “Across Generations” intergenerational conversation starter for you to use on your visit. 

100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. N.W.
Atlanta
Online: civilandhumanrights.org

Morehouse College, MLK's Alma Mater

Morehouse College, founded in 1867, is a historically Black, private liberal arts college for men. One of the college’s most distinguished alumni is Martin Luther King, Jr., who graduated in 1948. Inside The Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel you'll find a Hall of Honor, with 158 oil portraits of world leaders in the civil and human rights movement, and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Outside, you'll find a bronze statue of Dr. King, and the burial crypt and towering obelisk for Dr. Howard Washington Thurman.

830 Westview Dr. N.W.
Atlanta
Online: morehouse.edu

Student Movement Marker

At the former site of Yates & Milton Drug Store, which is now the Student Center on the campus of Clark Atlanta University, you can find a Georgia Historical Society marker that tells the story of the Atlanta Student Movement, which began when three Morehouse College students—Lonnie King, Joseph Pierce, and Julian Bond—formed the Committee on the Appeal for Human Rights and involved all the historically Black institutions of the Atlanta University Center (AUC). AUC students conducted sit-ins at segregated lunch counters throughout Atlanta, movie theaters, parks, and the Georgia State Capitol. When the students targeted the Magnolia Room at Rich's Department Store in downtown Atlanta, Martin Luther King, Jr. and his brother A.D. King joined them and were arrested with 77 student demonstrators. Protests continued over the next year until desegregation was achieved.

Corner of James P. Brawley Dr. SW & Atlanta Student Movement Blvd.
Atlanta

greg keelen via unsplash

Rep. John Lewis Mural

This 70-foot mural of the late Rep. John Lewis is located on the east side of the current Renaissance Walk building. Lewis was a politician and civil rights leader who served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district. Located in an area downtown with much historical significance, you'll be walking in Lewis' footsteps if you go to pay this mural a visit. The Butler Street YMCA building, where civil rights leaders met in the 1960s, is directly south of this mural, and dozens of historical churches and businesses surround it in the Sweet Auburn Historic District. 

219 Auburn Ave. N.E.
Atlanta

Atlanta History Center

The exhibit Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow at the Atlanta History Center explores the Black struggle for full citizenship and racial equality that unfolded in the 50 years following the Civil War. It was created by the New York Historical Society in collaboration with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and has a particular focus on local stories and artifacts. After checking out this virtual exhibit, pay a visit to the Smith Family Farm on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center, then to the Swan House to imagine these historic sites through the eyes of Black people during the time of their full operation.

130 W. Paces Ferry Rd. N.W.
Atlanta
Online: atlantahistorycenter.com

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Each Sunday, visitors from around the globe join church members at the historic church where Dr. Martin Luther King served as Pastor—in person at Ebenezer or via Ebenezer Everywhere—to experience Ebenezer’s history. The doors are open to all, and in addition to visiting the original church, you should be sure to check out the Visitor's Center, the nearby King Center, Birth Home, World Peace Rose Garden, and Behold Monument.

407 Auburn Ave. N.W.
Atlanta
Online: ebenezeratl.org

Atlanta Black History Tours

African American Burial Grounds Tour at Oakland Cemetery

Throughout February, Historic Oakland Foundation hosts guided walking tours of Oakland Cemetery’s historic African American Burial Grounds, with stops at the final resting places of a few Atlanta pioneers, including Carrie Steele Logan, founder of Atlanta’s first orphanage for African American children; William Finch, one of Atlanta’s first African American city councilmen; Bishop Wesley John Gaines and Julia A. Gaines, pastor and First Lady of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church; and Maynard Jackson, Atlanta’s first African American mayor.

248 Oakland Ave. S.E.
Atlanta
Online: oaklandcemetery.com

Civil Bikes

Civil Bikes brings a fresh perspective to Civil Rights. Explore Atlanta's history and human rights issues on a guided bike tour that takes you to places that make Atlanta unique. Check out an upcoming schedule of Atlanta walking and bike tours of greater Atlanta, Georgia's storied Sweet Auburn, and historic West End neighborhoods. All tours are family-friendly and can accommodate any level of cyclists (or walkers!). Once you register for your Civil Bikes walking or bike tour, you will receive an email with details on where and when to meet, where to park, what to bring, and more.

Online: civilbikes.com

Atlanta Black History Tour

The Atlanta Black History Tour follows the trail of Atlanta’s Black history while illuminating black life and achievement in the city from pre-Civil War to the present day. Unlike bike or walking tours, the Atlanta Black History Tour allows you to relax in a comfortable motorcoach as you tour the historical landmarks of Atlanta. The tour showcases Atlanta’s Black neighborhoods and highlights the homes of its leading citizens.

Online: atlblackhistorytour.com

Worth the Drive

You'll find over 20 significant Black historical sites in Athens, including Morton Theatre, Gospel Pilgrim Cemetery, and First African Methodist Episcopal Church—all ideal for a self-guided day of tours.

In Savannah, you'll find The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, which chronicles the civil rights struggle of Georgia's oldest Black community from slavery to the present.

Head to coastal Sapelo Island to experience African-influenced Gullah-Geechee culture. It's open for tours throughout the year.

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The Best Places to Learn about Black History in Dallas

by Gabby Cullen

It’s Black History Month, and lucky for us North Texans, the metroplex is a culture-rich place to discover spots and learn facts we might not know about Black history. From Deep Ellum to the Bill Pickett statue in the Stockyards, here are our top picks for places to learn about Black history in DFW. 

Corey Collins via Unsplash

Deep Ellum - Dallas 

Established in 1873, Deep Ellum is one of Dallas’ oldest cultural hubs and has deep ties to the Black community. It began as a Black farming community, but according to Wikipedia, by the 1920s, “the neighborhood had become a hotbed for early jazz and blues musicians, hosting the likes of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson, Huddie "Lead Belly" Ledbetter and Bessie Smith in Deep Ellum clubs such as The Harlem and The Palace.” It is once again a hotspot for nightlife, and you can still sense the history, especially when viewing the street art, which can be found in murals depicting the rich culture and history of the area. 

Online: deepellum.com

African American Museum of Dallas - Dallas 

Offering one of the largest collections of African American Folk Art in the United States, this hidden gem of a history center has impressive permanent and rotating exhibits, as well as programs and musical events. 

Online: aamdallas.org

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts - Dallas

In 1892, the city of Dallas established its first high school for African American pupils; in 1922, it was moved to a larger location and renamed Booker T. Washington, after the education pioneer. For years, it was the only high school in Dallas for Black students. In 1942, Thelma Paige Richardson (with the help from the NAACP), sued the Dallas school district, demanding equal pay for educators—and won. The case helped to increase awareness of discrimination in the public school systems. In 1976, the school was repurposed as an Arts Magnet school and became a prototype for magnet schools across the country. Many well-known performers are alumni of Booker T. Washington, including Erykah Badhu, Nora Jones, Roy Hargrove and Edie Brickell. 

Monica A via Yelp

Bill Pickett Statue - Fort Worth Stockyards - Fort Worth

He was one of Texas’ most famous cowboys, and in honor of his achievements, the famous statue in the Stockyards depicts Pickett in the act of what is know known as steer wrestling—which he originated. He was also a member of Buffalo Bill Cody’s “Wild West Show” and was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame as well as the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. 

The Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House - Dallas

Ms. Craft was a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement—both President Lyndon B. Johnson and the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. paid her a visit at her home on Warren Avenue. She started 182 rural chapters of the NAACP and was the second African American to serve on the Dallas City Council. Now, the South Dallas Cultural Center of the City of Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs manages the programing at this landmark spot where she lived for 50 years. 

Online: dallasculture.org/cultural-venues/juanita-craft-house

Dallas Civil Rights Museum - Dallas 

Located in the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the Dallas Civil Rights Museum houses original speeches, art, artifacts and other things that help visitors get a perspective of our country's Civil Rights journey. There are four main areas of focus at the—The Underground Railroad, The Civil Rights Movement, Black Wall Street and the Trail of Tears. 

Online: dallasmlkcenter.com/dcrm

Kassandra H via Yelp

Freedman Cemetary - Dallas

Established in 1861 as a burial ground for Dallas’ early Black population, this is one of the largest Freedman Cemeteries in the country. The memorial plaza was established in 1990 to honor the history and cultural contributions of the thriving North Dallas community, that from the Civil War to the 1970s, was the largest segregated African American community in Dallas and one of the largest in the country.

Online: dallascityhall.com/freedmanscemetary

The Lenora Rolla Heritage Center Museum - Fort Worth

Home to The Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, the museum was named in honor of Lenora Rolla, a noted African American activist, businesswoman and historian. The granddaughter of slaves, Ms. Rolla was a civil rights leader in DFW; she founded the Society in 1977 and is responsible for the preservation and protection of most of Tarrant County’s African American artifacts. The museum has programs and tours; check the website for more info.  

Online: tarrantcountyblackhistory.org

South Dallas Cultural Center - Dallas 

The South Dallas Cultural Center is a hub for Black culture and arts in DFW. From theatrical performances and film series to classes and exhibits, the SDCC hopes to promote a more empathetic, equitable community by giving the public a chance to experience programming that celebrates and is influenced by the African Diaspora. 

Online: sdcc.dallasculture.org

—Gabby Cullen

Featured image: iStock 

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Dear Parents, Black History Is American History

By Hitha Palepu

Dear Parents,

Black History is American History. So why aren’t our schools teaching it?

I grew up going to the ‘good schools.’

The ones with well-funded arts programs. The ones with computer labs, well-maintained facilities. The ones with teachers who had master’s degrees and decades of experience, who invested a lot of time in students.

In these good schools, the truth of American history was glossed over.

“Rosa Parks sat peacefully in the front of the bus. Martin Luther King, Jr. marched peacefully for civil rights. Slavery was bad, but not all slave owners (like our first Presidents) were bad. Everything is all good now.”

These good schools failed me.

It wasn’t until I took a Black History class in university that I learned what really happened.

I learned that the modern police system evolved from slave patrols.

I learned that voter suppression efforts began right after the 13th Amendment was ratified.

I learned how deadly the civil rights movement—which was always taught as non-violent and peaceful in these good schools—really was.

I learned about the Black Wall Street massacre—something I never learned before, not even in an honors US History class.

What was I taught, prior to college?

I was taught that slavery was bad, but not all slave owners were bad. How could they be, when they were our early Presidents?

I was taught that racism was fixed after the Civil War and during the civil rights movement. That Rosa Parks sat in a different seat and MLK Jr. marched peacefully, and everything was okay.

I was taught that we live in a world where race no longer mattered and that everything was equal.

My ‘good schools’ failed me. They failed us.

Will we allow them to fail our children?

It’s said that history is written by the winners—and it has. That history has continued to be taught by said winners. And the cost has been far too high.

American education needs to be overhauled as a whole, but we can start by teaching our children our nation’s history in its entirety. Children are aware of racial differences as young as 6 months and begin making decisions based on race as young as 2 1/2. If we continue teaching our children our history the way it had been written—by the White winners—then we are failing them to do better than we did.

The 1619 Project, the Pulitzer Prize-winning body of work, is slowly being adopted in the curriculum in Chicago, Washington D.C, and in Buffalo, NY. It should be incorporated in every school’s history curricula, nationwide.

This won’t be easy. There is a concerted, well-funded effort to block the 1619 Project’s inclusion in curriculums. One criticism is that “the curriculum is designed to inculcate in a new generation of workers a divisive racialist historical, and by extension political, worldview.”

Isn’t that what’s happened already? By being unaware of the bloody struggle for citizenship and equality in America—which is still happening today—we have been inculcated in a false worldview of merit over race and class.

It’s on us to raise actively anti-racist children. That starts with what and how they learn.

The 1619 Project curriculum should be incorporated alongside existing US History curriculum, and our children should be given the opportunity to learn both and think critically about both.

It starts with one call, or one e-mail, to the principal:

“How are you incorporating the 1619 Project in the school’s history curriculum?”

If they say they are not, ask why. Reach out to other parents and have them ask why. Tell them that you’re not satisfied with the version of US history being taught to your children, and you expect—and pay for—more.

It’s on us to teach our kids better. This is where we can start.

Photo: Frank Mckenna on Unsplash

Hitha is a mom of two, New Yorker, CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceueticals, author and investor in female founded businesses. To say she is a force is an understatement. Known widely for her popular daily round up of 5 smart reads on her must follow instagram https://www.instagram.com/hithapalepu/?hl=en

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Support These Black-Owned Portland Businesses & Non-profits Today

by Katrina Emery

The Black community has been especially hard hit by the pandemic. Just as much now as ever, local Black-owned businesses and nonprofits need and deserve our support—part of a long-term, sustainable commitment to helping dismantle white supremacy in our community. The following are just a few of just a few of Portland’s awesome, family-friendly, Black-owned businesses and nonprofits.

Willco

Willco

Is your Portland home in need of an update or expansion since becoming your families primary location for work and play? If you are in desperate need of an office addition, bigger kitchen, outside patio space or just a spring paint job, this is the business for you. For growing families, Willco is the general contractor to choose, with their focus on remodeling, historical renovations, and residential and commercial painting. Co-owned by James Garrett and Ruth Warren, Willco’s diverse team of experts have years of experience to take your home projects from dream to reality. Like most small businesses, Warren says, Willco has felt the impacts of the pandemic, but have had the good fortune of remaining open and retaining most of their employees, adjusting policies to provide a safe working environment for all. The Black Lives Matter movement “shines a light and exposes what has been happening for too long,” Warren says. “I am comforted by the marches in my community and the desire to speak up against racism and injustice, and the willingness to listen and have hard conversations.”

5215 S.E. Flavel Dr.
Portland
Online: willcopdx.com

Related: How to Support Local Asian American-Owned Businesses in Portland Now

Mimi's Fresh Tees & PDX Love Over Hate

Mimi's Fresh Tees
If you are looking for some new threads for the family, you want to put these hoodies and tees on your "must buy" list. Founded in January 2018, Mimi’s Fresh Tees is a Portland-based t-shirt company that amplifies tough social justice conversations and allows people to wear their truth. Motivated by systemic racism her Black son experienced in the education system, owner and designer Kamelah Adams wanted to create a product that brought conversations around discrimination out into the open, in a quick and straightforward way. She started designing t-shirts as away for people to take a stand, break the silence and start a dialogue by wearing their truth. 

Buy yours online: mimisfreshteespdx.com

Signs of Justice

Signs of Justice

Jameesa and Bryan Oakley already had a sign printing business, but when Trump was elected, they decided to use their vocation to impact social change. Their online shop now features striking yard signs, bumper stickers, and apparel featuring progressive statements on a range of issues, available for bulk order. Red Tricycle asked the Oakleys what they loves about what they do. "Our graphics bring progressive truths to the mainstream," Jameesa says. "The narrative in America is changing and we believe we played a small role." During the pandemic, the Oakleys have encountered supply chain issues and have had to use their creativity to overcome them. "It tested our resolve," the Oakleys say. "We’re stronger because of it."After the George Floyd murder tapes were released, demand increased more than Signs of Justice could have ever expected, and orders were temporarily delayed. "We couldn’t believe how kind and patient most people were. Love is winning."

9220 S.W. Barbur Blvd., Suite #119-122
Portland
Online: signsofjustice.com

Fat Cupcake

Fat Cupcake

Anjelica Otness started Fat Cupcake for good reasons: she has always loved eating dessert, she enjoys the creativity of decorating cupcakes, and she wanted to create an environment where people feel loved, welcome, and known. “I love sharing the joy of a cupcake and celebrating exciting life events or being there when things are challenging,” Otness says. She jokes, “It's also a perk to be able to eat a treat whenever you want." In the wake of the pandemic, Fat Cupcake has added extra safety precautions to prioritize team members’ and guests’ health and safety. And with the world’s increased support for the Black Lives Matter movement, Otness says they’ve seen a tremendous amount of support from the local community in placing orders, coming in for the first time, and promoting Fat Cupcake.

19273 Molalla Ave.
Oregon City, OR

6011 S.E. 72nd Ave.
Portland

13203 S.E. 172nd Ave.
Happy Valley, OR
Online: fatcupcake.com

Related: Our Favorite Portland Sweet Shops to Treat Youself (or Someone You Love)

The Black Parent Initiative

This nonprofit was created in 2006, to assist Black parents in developing critical parenting skills and in learning to be great advocates for their children's health, education and well-being. The Black Parent Initiative starts with a deep love for the community, striving to serve them well by being a constant anchor for them. BPI says helping Black families recognize their intrinsic value, beauty and capacity is the best part about their work. During the pandemic, BPI has had to adjust how they deliver services, but continues to do home visits via Facetime and Zoom, lead groups, offer doula lactation consulting, and continue with family and school engagement and employment services, by using technology and social distancing. BPI is grateful for the outpouring of love from our greater community in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. They continue to work to alleviate the stress and trauma that results from the ongoing onslaught of violence and domestic terrorism against Black people.

2915 N.E. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Portland
Online: thebpi.org

Flouriche Preschool

Paula Rogers/ Flouriche

With over 24 years of experience working with children, Paula Rogers founded Reggio-inspired Flouriche preschool with the intention to combine the best of three guiding principles for developing minds: flourish, nourish, and niche. “The best part is the laughter and natural compassion that I am privileged to witness every day,” Rogers says. During the pandemic, the community has had to adjust to many changes designed to keep kids safe, from daily health checks to rotating mealtimes in order to reduce the number of children at the table. They’ve also begun incorporating Zoom circle times to include children who are unable to come to Flouriche, in order to help children feel connected. Flouriche stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement that is resounding all over the world, and has started a Facebook group for discussion around the history of racism. Rogers says she loves idea sharing and would love to connect with other diverse preschools in Portland, as well as develop a scholarship program for children who want to attend Flouriche but may not be able to afford it.

Online: flouriche.com

Related: Women-Owned Businesses in Portland Families Love

The Black Resilience Fund

In response to the devastating effects of the pandemic on the Black community, and the most recent deaths in the continuation of horrific, systemic racist violence in the U.S., Portlanders Cameron Whitten and Salomé Chimuku launched the Black Resilience Fund as an opportunity for non-Black allies to support the resilience of Black people in the local community. Black Resilience Fund is a program of nonprofit Brown Hope and is dedicated to fostering healing and resilience by providing immediate and direct financial assistance to Black Portlanders. The fund provides immediate support for Black Portlanders in the form of a warm meal, groceries, and unpaid bills. Chimuku has over a decade of experience in public sector work, working with organizations such as Portland State University, the Urban League of Portland, and Unite Oregon, and Whitten has served as Executive Director of local nonprofits such as Know Your City, Brown Hope, and Q Center. 

Online: blackresiliencefund.com

 

Deadstock Coffee

Jessie Z. via Yelp

With a slogan of “coffee should be dope” and sneaker-themed art, this is the hippest coffee shop in town, for sure. But it’s not all style: the coffee, which is roasted in-house, is some of the city’s best blends, like the chocolatey Nenemar or the fruitier Fresh Prince. Grab your beans to grind at home, or order a drink for the signature sneaker latte art.

408 N.W. Couch St.
Portland
Online: deadstockcoffee.com

Related: Beloved Drive-Thru & Pick-Up Coffee Shops for Busy Portland Parents

Felton and Mary

As a spicy ode to his beloved grandparents, Felton and Mary Campbell, Tory Campbell has created a myriad of Texas-style BBQ sauces and rubs made right here in Portland. Felton and Mary were restaurant owners and community-builders in SE Portland in the 80s with their renowned BBQ joint Campbell’s. By infusing the love and generosity of his grandparents into their sauce recipes for a new generation, Felton and Mary is spreading the homegrown BBQ love one jar at a time. Order online or find them at a growing list of local stores like New Seasons.

Online: feltonandmary.com

Hue Noir

Hue Noir

In a business that doesn't always cater to darker complexions, founder Paula Hayes is out to change that. Her mission is to empower women to look and feel their best while changing the face of beauty by putting multicultural women at the center of modern beauty movement. A product chemist herself, Hayes combines scientific-based research and development with leading color and light technology into gorgeous products like flawless foundation, perfectly tinted lip butters, and show-stopping eyeshadow. Products are mostly made from natural ingredients, and are cruelty free, hypoallergenic, and noncomedogenic. It's time to go shopping!

Online: huenoir.com

A Kids Book About

It’s hard to know how to approach tough topics with kids, like racism, divorce, or bullying. Founder Jelani Memory, who grew up Black in Portland, wanted a better way to open those talks with his white kids. A Kids Book About Racism, written in a simple and direct format, was born in 2018, and today the company spans over 75 books on topics like shame, grief, boredom, and addiction. But he’s not stopping there, expanding into podcasts and other media to help everyone tell better stories.

Online: akidsbookabout.com

Abbey Creek Vineyards

In an industry that’s fortified by tradition, Abbey Creek blasts hip hop instead. As the first recorded Black winemaker in Oregon, Bertoy Faustin has created a welcoming community space for everyone who loves wine. The vineyard and wine production are in North Plains, the rolling hills to the west of Portland where the namesake creek runs through. The tasting room, “The Crick,” is firmly in downtown, a community space with a relaxed vibe and a corner store.

Bonus, check out the website to watch the award-winning documentary Red, White and Black, about minority winemakers in the state.

912 S.W. Morrison St.
Portland
Online: abbeycreekvineyard.com

Related: Sips with Sippy Cups: Kid-Friendly Wineries to Hit Now

Taking Ownership PDX

While no action can undo the decades of systemic racism and redlining, Taking Ownership is an inspired community group banding together to fight gentrification. By assisting Black homeowners who request help, they can help people generate wealth and dispel predatory investors. Their inspiring projects range from replacing a roof, building new fences, cleaning up a backyard, or repairing a deck, and they are always welcoming volunteers! These small actions in Portland’s Black communities help make a more welcoming city, house by house.

Online: takingownershippdx.com

EcoVibe PDX

EcoVibe via Yelp

At home on Alberta Street in NE Portland, owner Len Allen comes from generations of NE Portlanders. His store offers a beautiful array of plants, gardening supplies, home decor like baskets, mirrors and throw pillows, and more. They also donate a percentage of each sale to non profits working in the community to better the planet and society.

1906 N.E. Alberta St.
Portland
Online: ecovibestyle.com

This is just a small sample of the many amazing Black-owned businesses and nonprofits in the Portland area. Visit the BlackPDX.com directory for more, where you can search by industry and location. Also check out Support Black-Owned Portland Restaurants, an extensive online directory and annual event.

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