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Feb 28, 2024 - News

Gallery: Atlanta's Black History, in photos

Wilborn P. Nobles III

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Former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter with TLC's Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes at the Omni Coliseum in Atlanta in 1993. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

For Black History Month, Axios is unearthing photos of Black America.

The big picture: Some of America's most significant history happened in Atlanta, the South's Black mecca and the cradle of the Civil Rights movement.

Additionally, Atlanta has been deemed the nation's hub for Black-owned businesses for several years now.
Last but not least, we're now the undisputed centerpiece for Hip-Hop after the music genre turned 50 last year.

Let's look through the lens of Black Atlanta.

Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson (centre) and Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., join Nelson Mandela in holding up clenched fists during the playing of the Anthem of Mandela's African National Congress on Mandela's arrival in Atlanta, Georgia. — Former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson (center) and Coretta Scott King, widow of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., join Nelson Mandela in holding up clenched fists during the playing of the Anthem of Mandela's African National Congress on Mandela's arrival in Atlanta in 1990. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrew Young (left) at a press conference. Now 91, Young is one of the last surviving members of Martin Luther King Jr.’s inner circle. The two were together from their first meeting in 1957 at a fraternity symposium at Talladega College until King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968. — The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Andrew Young (left) at a press conference on Nov. 2, 1964. Young, now 91, is one of the last surviving members of King's inner circle. They were together from 1957 at until King's assassination in 1968. Young later became Atlanta's mayor, a congressman and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Newly elected Atlanta Mayor Shirley C. Franklin (C) takes of the oath of office from Georgia Supreme Court Justice Leah W. Sears (R) as her mother Ruth L. White holds The Bible, January 7, 2002 in Atlanta, GA. Franklin, a former city manager, replaces Bill Campbell and will be the first woman to be mayor of the city. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images) — Newly elected Atlanta Mayor Shirley C. Franklin (C) takes of the oath of office from Georgia Supreme Court Justice Leah W. Sears (R) as her mother Ruth L. White holds The Bible, January 7, 2002 in Atlanta. Franklin, a former city manager, replaced Bill Campbell and became the first woman to be mayor of the city. Photo: Erik S. Lesser/Getty Images

(Original Caption) 10/16/1964-Atlanta, GA: Singing "freedom" songs of the integration movement, the family of Dr. Martin Luther King celebrates the announcement that King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Negro leader was in a local hospital for a rest and checkup when he received news of the award. Mrs. King and her children Yolanda Denise, 8, Bernice Albertine, 18-months, Dexter Scott, 3, and Martin Luther III are shown in their Atlanta home. — Singing "freedom" songs of the integration movement, the family of Dr. Martin Luther King celebrates the announcement that King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1964. Mrs. King and her children Yolanda Denise, 8, Bernice Albertine, 18-months, Dexter Scott, 3, and Martin Luther III are shown in their Atlanta home. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

(Original Caption) 4/9/68-Atlanta, Georgia: Atlanta downtown skyline is the background as the funeral march for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., nears Morehouse College, where memorial service was to be held. The march began without he body of Dr. King after the crowd grew restive outside Ebenezer Baptist Church, where private services were held. — Atlanta's downtown skyline in the background as the funeral march for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., neared Morehouse College on April 4, 1968. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Four African American Women Sitting on Steps of Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Thomas E Askew, WEB DuBois collection, 1900. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) — Four African American Women sitting on the steps of Atlanta University (now called Clark Atlanta University) in 1900. Photo: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

(Original Caption) Atlanta, GA: Photo of Thurgood Marshall, chief attorney for NAACP, at NAACP regional meeting in Atlanta. — Thurgood Marshall, chief attorney for NAACP, at the NAACP regional meeting in Atlanta on June 4, 1955. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

(Original Caption) Baseball super stars Frank Robinson (left), Hank Aaron (center) and Billy Williams clown around before bowling in a sports Pro-Am tourney in Atlanta. The event was to raise funds for research for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation. The Braves Hank Aaron headed the event. — Baseball superstars Frank Robinson (left), Hank Aaron (center) and Billy Williams clown around before bowling in a sports Pro-Am tourney in Atlanta on Nov. 15, 1972. The event was to raise funds for research for the Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation. Aaron headed the event. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

ATLANTA - MAY 12: Atlanta native, singer Gladys Knight records a video for her song "Midnight Train to Georgia" at Brookwood Station on May 12, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (Photo by Tom Hill/WireImage — Atlanta native, singer Gladys Knight records a video for her song "Midnight Train to Georgia" at Brookwood Station on May 12, 1974 in Atlanta. Photo: Tom Hill/WireImage

Alonzo A Crim, Atlanta's first Black school superintendent. (Photo by UPI Color/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) — Alonzo A. Crim, Atlanta's first Black school superintendent on Jan. 1, 1973. Photo: UPI Color/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Dean Meminger (1948 - 2013) of the Atlanta Hawks pictured in 1974. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) — Dean Meminger (1948 –2013) of the Atlanta Hawks pictured in 1974. Photo: UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

View of American Civil Right leader (and future US Representative) director of the Voter Education Project (VEP) John Lewis (1940 - 2020) as he sits at his desk and holds up a voter registration poster, Atlanta, Georgia, October 10, 1971. The poster reads 'Hands That Pick Cotton Can Now Pick Our Public Officials; Register and Vote.' (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) — American Civil Rights leader, future U.S. Representative and Voter Education Project director John Lewis at his desk while holding a voter registration poster in Atlanta on Oct. 10, 1971. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Marlon Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Azira Hill, Jermaine Jackson, Mayor Sam Massell, Jackie, Tito and Michael Jackson stand while the Mayor's daughter Melanie looks up admiringly over her shoulder, Atlanta, Georgia, April 7, 1971. (Photo by Afro American News — Marlon Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Azira Hill, Jermaine Jackson, Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, Jackie, Tito and Michael Jackson stand while Massell's daughter Melanie looks up admiringly over her shoulder in Atlanta on April 7, 1971. Photo: Afro American News

(Original Caption) Black leader Julian Bond, (L), refused his seat in the Georgia House of Representatives because of his anti-Viet Nam War sentiments, and he expressed disappointment with the decision of a three-judge federal court upholding right of state legislature to judge its members' qualifications. Bond and his attorney, Howard Moore, vowed to appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. — Black leader Julian Bond, (L), refused his seat in the Georgia House of Representatives because of his anti-Vietnam War sentiments. Bond and his attorney, Howard Moore, on Feb. 10, 1966. Photo: Bettmann Archives/Getty Images

A student (seated) using a reader-printer for the first time at Atlanta University, US, circa 1965; with her (L-R) Mexico Mickelbury, librarian at Spelman College, Richard A Long, professor of English at Atlanta University and director of the university's Conference on African and African-American Studies (CAAS) and Virginia Lacy Jones, Dean at the School of Library Science at Atlanta University. (Photo by Authenticated News/Archive Photos/Getty Images) — A student seated using a reader-printer for the first time at Atlanta University (now called Clark Atlanta University) in 1965; with her (L-R) Mexico Mickelbury, librarian at Spelman College, Richard A. Long, professor of English at Atlanta University and director of the university's Conference on African and African-American Studies and Virginia Lacy Jones, Dean at the School of Library Science at Atlanta University. Photo: Authenticated News/Archive Photos/Getty Images

First day of integration in Atlanta schools. (Photo by Donald Uhrbrock/Getty Images) — First day of integration in Atlanta schools around Aug. 1, 1961. Photo: Donald Uhrbrock/Getty Images

Graduating class of nurses at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, stand and pose for a group photo wearing white nurse gowns with pink undershirts on a lawn in front of the brick building of the hospital, June, 1957. (Photo via Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images). — Graduating class of nurses at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta on a lawn in front of the brick building of the hospital in June 1957. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

ATLANTA: Henry Louis Aaron, Hank Aaron's father, and Billye Aaron, Hank Aaron's wife, watch an Atlanta Braves Game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium during the 1970s in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images) — Henry Louis Aaron, Hank Aaron's father, and Billye Aaron, Hank Aaron's wife, watch an Atlanta Braves Game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium during the 1970s in Atlanta. Photo: Focus on Sport via Getty Images

Theodore Martin Alexander Sr. AKA T.M. Alexander and Dorothy Alexander answer questions during an interview about their financial success amidst a racially divided United States. (Photo by Jon Kaufman/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images) — Insurance company founder Theodore Martin Alexander Sr. and Dorothy Alexander during an interview about their success amidst a racially divided U.S. in August 1969. Photo: Jon Kaufman/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images

A baton twirler waits to perform at a Morris Brown College football game. Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by James L. Amos/Corbis via Getty Images) — A baton twirler waits to perform at a Morris Brown College football game in Atlanta in October 1968. Photo: James L. Amos/Corbis via Getty Images

People march for the Poor People's Campaign, a civil rights group lead by Ralph Abernathy, in Atlanta in 1968. Photo: James L. Amos/Corbis via Getty Images — People march for the Poor People's Campaign, a civil rights group led by Ralph Abernathy, in Atlanta in 1968. Photo: James L. Amos/Corbis via Getty Images

During the NARA (National Association of Radio Announcers) convention, musicians Otis Redding (1941 - 1967) and Nina Simone (born Eunice Waymon, 1933 - 2003) share a laugh in a room at the Regency Hyatt Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia, August 9 through 13, 1967. (Photo by Vernon Merritt III/Getty Images) — During the National Association of Radio Announcers convention, musicians Otis Redding and Nina Simone share a laugh in a room at the Regency Hyatt Hotel in Atlanta in August 1967. Photo: Vernon Merritt III/Getty Images

Portrait of African American lawyer (and later advisor to American President Bill Clinton) Vernon Jordan (1935 - 2021) as he sits on a desk while working on a voter education project at the Southern Regional Council in Atlanta, Georgia, June 15, 1967. (Photo by Leffler/Library of Congress/Interim Archives/Getty Images) — Portrait of African American lawyer, and later advisor to President Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan while working on a voter education project at the Southern Regional Council in Atlanta on June 15, 1967. Photo: Leffler/Library of Congress/Interim Archives/Getty Images

William Gordon (r), managing editor of the African American newspaper Atlantic Daily World, and pressman Kimber Boddie check a copy of the Memphis World which carries the story of the Supreme Court's May 17th decision to end segregation in public schools. Despite the announced intention of Georgia Governor Herman Talmadge, to "insure continued and permanent segregation," Atlanta civil rights leaders seem generally optimistic about the ruling. — William Gordon (right), managing editor of the African American newspaper Atlanta Daily World, and pressman Kimber Boddie read the Memphis World's story on the Supreme Court's May 17, 1954 decision to end public school segregation. Photo: Bettmann Archives/Getty Images

A group of children on a porch in Atlanta, Georgia, US, 1948. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images) — A group of children on a porch in Atlanta in 1948. Photo: Archive Photos/Getty Images

UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1899: Home of an African American lawyer, Atlanta, Georgia, with men, women, and children posed on porch of house (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images) — Home of an African American lawyer in Atlanta with men, women, and children posed on the house's porch in 1899. Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Baseball player Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron photographed in Atlanta on September 12, 1969. (Photo by Josephson/Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images) — Baseball player Henry Louis "Hank" Aaron photographed in Atlanta on Sept. 12, 1969. Photo: Josephson/Fairchild Archive/Penske Media via Getty Images

ATLANTA - October 10: Muhammad Ali charity boxing match to benefit The Friendship Force at The Omni Coliseum October 13, 1977 in Atlanta Georgia. (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images) — Muhammad Ali charity boxing match to benefit The Friendship Force at The Omni Coliseum on Oct. 13, 1977 in Atlanta. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - 1972: Atlanta Braves sluggers Orlando Cepeda, left, and Rico Carty pose together in 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo Reproduction by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images) — Atlanta Braves sluggers Orlando Cepeda, left, and Rico Carty pose together in 1972 in Atlanta. Photo Reproduction: Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

ATLANTA - MAY 6: Bassist Jerry "Wyzard" Seay of Mother's Finest performs at The Fabulous Fox Theater on May 6, 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Hill/WireImage) — Bassist Jerry "Wyzard" Seay of Mother's Finest performs at The Fox Theatre on May 6, 1978 in Atlanta. Photo: Tom Hill/WireImage

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 30: Trix Records artist, Georgia blues singer-guitarist Roy Dunn is photographed at his home on October 30, 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Tom Hill/WireImage) — Trix Records artist, Georgia blues singer-guitarist Roy Dunn is photographed at his home on Oct. 30, 1974 in Atlanta. Photo: Tom Hill/WireImage

(Original Caption) 5/23/66-Atlanta, GA: Stokely Carmichael, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and a leader in the "Black Panther" political party, said here 5/23 that SNCC would bring "poll watchers" from Watts and Chicago hot spots to observe elections in the deep south. Carmichael is shown here talking to members of the press at the House Rules Committee which denied Julian Bond his seat in the Georgia lawmaking body. — Stokely Carmichael, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and a leader in the "Black Panther" political party, is shown here talking to members of the press at the Georgia House Rules Committee in Atlanta on May 23, 1966. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Demonstrators preparing to picket selected businesses in Atlanta leave the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium where the NAACP is holding its annual convention. | Location: Atlanta Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. — Demonstrators preparing to picket selected businesses in Atlanta leave the Atlanta Municipal Auditorium where the NAACP held its annual convention on July 3, 1962. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

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