In 2014, Westside Future Fund (WFF) set out with a vision to transform and restore Atlanta’s historic Westside into a community that Dr. King would be proud to call home.

Central to that vision is housing and the opportunity for residents with deep roots in the community to stay and thrive. That’s why one of WFF’s core impact areas is creating and preserving mixed-income neighborhoods where families of all income levels can build futures rooted in opportunity, stability, and belonging.

At the heart of this work is Home on the Westside — WFF’s signature initiative designed to ensure that those who have long called the Westside home can continue to do so, even as the neighborhood evolves.

Why Homeownership Matters

Homeownership is a powerful tool for generational stability, wealth building, and community resilience. This National Homeownership Month, we’re proud to spotlight the real and lasting impact Home on the Westside is having in our community.

Guided by the Westside Land Use Framework Plan, Home on the Westside offers deeply affordable rental and homeownership opportunities to residents with “live, work, and learn” connections to the Westside. The initiative also supports longtime homeowners through the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund, which covers increases in property taxes due to rising assessments — helping ensure that legacy families are not priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve helped shape.

We’re not just building homes — we’re building pathways. Through Home on the Westside, residents have access to:

• Affordable rental and homeownership opportunities for individuals and families connected to the community
• Anti-Displacement Tax Fund (ADTF) assistance for longtime homeowners
• Wraparound support services, including financial counseling and down-payment assistance, to make homeownership more accessible

Our Impact To-Date

• 55 single-family homeowners supported through Westside Future Fund
• Four homes available now, with an additional 55 homes in progress across construction, permitting, and design phases.
• $1.445 million in down-payment assistance distributed to date
• 117 residents served through the Anti-Displacement Tax Fund in 2024
• $172,137 in property taxes paid on behalf of legacy homeowners in 2024

Honoring the Past. Investing in the Future.
Westside Future Fund’s commitment to homeownership is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: that revitalization should uplift, not uproot. By helping historic Westside residents stay in place — and thrive in place — Home on the Westside is preserving history, hope, and the heart of a community.

This month, two new homeowners put down roots in Atlanta’s historic Westside through Home on the Westside — each bringing a meaningful connection to the community.

Lyric McGhee: A Lifelong Westsider Finds Her Home

Lyric McGhee’s story is deeply tied to the historic Westside. She grew up in the community, attended local schools, and gave back through service with organizations like Raising Expectations.

She also played a unique role in Westside Future Fund’s journey — as one of our very first interns, supporting the mission in its earliest days.

Now, Lyric has reached a new milestone: homeownership. She recently closed on a beautiful three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Vine City through Home on the Westside — in the very community she’s always called home.

Jaylyn Maddox: Returning to Reconnect and Rebuild

Jaylyn Maddox’s Westside roots began with his family. Though he moved away when disinvestment made it difficult to stay, his connection to the neighborhood remained strong.

Today, that connection is stronger than ever. With support from Home on the Westside, Jaylyn has returned as a homeowner — settling into a spacious four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Vine City and looking ahead to building his future where his story began.

A Program Built on Belonging

The stories of Lyric and Jaylyn reflect the heart of Westside Future Fund’s work. We believe that individuals with long-standing ties to the historic Westside should have the opportunity to stay or return — and to grow with the community and build lasting stability through homeownership.

We’re honored to celebrate their homeownership journeys — and proud to welcome them as neighbors.

Welcome home.

Learn more about Home on the Westside at westsidefuturefund.org/homeonthewestside

In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the facility, with Food Well Alliance overseeing the warehouse and upstairs space, while Westside Future Fund is responsible for maintaining the rest of the building.

Today, 19 nonprofits and local enterprises utilize 970 Jefferson, operating from this revitalized space to collectively contribute to the betterment of the Westside community and beyond, embodying the shared vision that inspired the partnership. We’ve launched a new series, the 970 Partner Spotlight, to highlight each of these incredible organizations and their work. One of these integral partners is Community Farmers Markets, a nonprofit dedicated to building Atlanta’s local food infrastructure and supporting small farmers through innovative food access programs.

Building Atlanta’s Local Food Infrastructure, One Market at a Time

From neighborhood farmers markets to fresh food pop-ups at local schools, Community Farmers Markets (CFM) is helping to grow a more resilient, more sustainable food system across Atlanta. And through their presence at 970 Jefferson Street NW, they’ve found not just a home base — but a hub for mission-driven collaboration.

“We’re on a mission to build Atlanta’s local food infrastructure, for long-term sustainability and meaningful community impact,” said Casey Hood, Director of Operations & Vendor Support at CFM. “We operate multiple food distribution models and offer support to the 160 small businesses and farmers that work within our markets.”

Founded in 2011, CFM has grown into a multi-faceted food access organization. Their work spans traditional farmers markets, educational outreach, and innovative aggregation and distribution models — all centered on increasing food access and economic opportunity for local growers.

Last year alone, CFM-supported vendors and farmers generated more than $3 million in sales. Their markets welcomed over 210,000 attendees and distributed more than $45,000 in SNAP match benefits to help stretch food budgets.

Fresh Food, Right Where It’s Needed

One of CFM’s most exciting initiatives is their Westside Pop-Up Market model, launched through a grant from the Atlanta Falcons Youth Fund.

“It’s based around an aggregated market model where we sell on behalf of the farmers,” said Hood. “We’ve selected different schools, YMCA, senior centers, Boys and Girls Clubs — and we’re setting up a farm stand for folks that come through. We also pop up once a month at the Home Depot Backyard.”

The program brings farm-fresh produce to accessible community locations and includes a family-friendly educational component.

“We have an educational chef at each of those markets who’s cooking up a recipe,” Hood added. “The kids can try it and also get a little bit of free produce to try the recipe at home.”

A Home Base at 970 Jefferson

For CFM, the 970 Jefferson building has provided more than just space — it’s enabled critical parts of their operations.

“It’s hard to come by cold storage space in Atlanta,” said Hood. “If it wasn’t for 970, we wouldn’t be able to do the aggregation model that we do. It provides the necessary infrastructure that allows us to do consistent programming.”

The shared kitchen has also been essential. “It’s helped us not only with prepping produce and supplies for market, but also with other programs like our Drawdown Georgia project to reduce food waste,” said raevin Hawkins, Food Systems Innovations Manager at CFM. “We’re able to prep produce, make value-added products — it’s a really crucial space.”

The community inside the building has been just as important. “970 is such a hub of all these incredible mission-aligned organizations,” said Hood. “Even for us as we’re sourcing produce — we’ve got the Georgia Peach Truck right there. Food Well Alliance is a great partner. You’ve just got all of these inspiring businesses all working together on the same mission for Atlanta.”

Rooted in the Westside

CFM’s Westside presence continues to grow, with markets now embedded at multiple community sites. Hawkins said proximity to host locations has made their work even more effective.

“Being able to be at 970 and be so close to so many market and host sites has been really promising for us and makes our operations a lot easier,” she said.

And the relationships being built — with neighbors, growers, and community members — are what drive the work forward.

“There’s a lot of great growers in the area,” said Hood. “We were working with Rosario from Westside Historic Gardens just this last week to get her produce out to the Home Depot Backyard. It’s wonderful to make those connections with super-local farmers and be able to bring that out to families in the community.”

Community Farmers Markets is currently seeking funding and partnership opportunities with foundations, organizations, and individuals interested in providing healthy food access on the Westside. Email info@cfmatl.org to connect. 

Learn more about how 970 Jefferson is bringing together a collaborative community of service at 970Jefferson.org.

May is National Preservation Month — a time to reflect on the spaces that tell our nation’s story and to recognize the people working to protect them. On Atlanta’s historic Westside, preservation is not just about safeguarding the past — it’s about protecting a community’s future.

Westside Future Fund (WFF) was established to help revitalize the historic Westside in a way that is compassionate, inclusive, and rooted in respect for what has come before. That includes restoring homes, reactivating legacy properties, and ensuring that legacy residents and those with deep ties to this community are not left behind as growth accelerates.

Restoration Over Replacement
In neighborhoods like English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights, Atlanta University Center, and Just Us, WFF takes a preservation-first approach: prioritizing the restoration of existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings over demolition and new construction. This method maintains the neighborhood’s historic character while creating new opportunities for those who live, work, and learn here.

Home on the Westside: Rent. Buy. Retain.
WFF’s signature initiative, Home on the Westside, reflects its commitment to community retention. The program connects individuals with live, work, or learn ties to the Westside to affordable housing options — offering pathways to rent, buy, or retain a home in the neighborhoods they love.

• Rent: WFF has restored hundreds of housing units across the historic Westside, offering deeply affordable, high-quality homes for individuals and families.
• Buy: Through a mix of historically-conscious new construction and renovated homes, WFF supports homeownership for residents with community ties. Buyers who meet community retention guidelines are eligible for significant down payment assistance — creating opportunities for generational wealth-building through stable housing.
• Retain: The Anti-Displacement Tax Fund (ADTF) is a cornerstone of WFF’s preservation mission. It covers rising property taxes for qualified legacy homeowners for up to 20 years, helping ensure longtime residents are not priced out of their neighborhoods.

220 Sunset Avenue: A Living Landmark
One of WFF’s most meaningful restoration efforts is 220 Sunset Avenue, the former home of the Jackson family — including Rev. Maynard Jackson Sr. and Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson, and childhood home to Maynard Jackson Jr., Atlanta’s first Black mayor.

Vacant for years, the home was sold to WFF by The King Center in 2020. WFF fully restored the property, preserving its civil rights-era legacy. Today, through a partnership with Spelman College, it will serve as affordable housing for Spelman faculty. This project is not only a tribute to an extraordinary family, but also an example of restoration as a tool for present-day impact.

The Yellow Store: Preserving a Cornerstone
The Yellow Store — a two-story masonry building located at the corner of James P. Brawley Drive and Cameron M. Alexander Blvd — was once a hub for neighborhood commerce and connection, before systemic disinvestment in the community brought extensive crime to the location. Recognizing its cultural significance, WFF acquired the property in 2019 with plans to expel criminal activity and restore the structure as a community resource.

The building had stood vacant for years, with WFF prioritizing its preservation in alignment with the Westside Land Use Framework Plan. Rather than rushing to redevelop, WFF stabilized the structure and continued to engage residents on how best to return the building to use in a way that reflects neighborhood priorities. Now, new plans are set to mark a new chapter for the building — with the restoration project set to start in the Summer of 2025, the Yellow Store stands as a symbol of what’s possible when historic preservation and community vision work together.

English Avenue Carnegie Library: Honoring Intellectual Legacy
Another vital restoration effort is the English Avenue Carnegie Library — the first branch library for African Americans in Atlanta. Long vacant and in danger of further decline, the building is now being restored by WFF for future use as office space. Its rehabilitation brings new life to a legacy institution while maintaining the architectural and cultural integrity that makes it so significant.

Preservation in Partnership
Preservation on the Westside is powered by people. From large-scale volunteer events like the MLK Day of Service to monthly community clean ups, the WFF Volunteer Corps partners with residents, volunteers, and corporate supporters to care for community landmarks and foster pride in place. 

A Future Rooted in History
As we celebrate National Preservation Month, Westside Future Fund remains committed to a revitalization strategy that renews rather than replaces — preserving what makes the Westside historic, while ensuring it remains a place of belonging for those who call it home.

Because preserving the Westside isn’t just about saving the past. It’s about securing the future.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The dignity of the individual will flourish when matters concerning his life are in his hands.”

More than 50 years later, those words inspired Hope Wollensack, Executive Director of The Georgia Resilience & Opportunity Fund (The GRO Fund), to launch a nonprofit dedicated to doing just that: putting power back into the hands of the people.

This month’s Transform Westside Summit, sponsored by the Arthur Blank Family Foundation, explored how local partners financially empower our communities through initiatives like In Her Hands and Freedom Futures, led by The GRO Fund. 

Westside Future Fund President & CEO John Ahmann and Summit co-host Ebony Ford opened the discussion by emphasizing the significance of guaranteed income, especially within the context of Dr. King’s legacy. Ahmann noted that The Trumpet of Conscience — the book Dr. King was working on before his assassination — called for guaranteed income, a vision later championed by Coretta Scott King. Aisha A., an In Her Hands Westside program participant, delivered the devotion.

“I’m glad we’re having this conversation on the Westside, because this is exactly where these investments are needed most,” said Ford.

The co-hosts then welcomed Dr. Alex Camardelle, Vice President of Policy & Research at Kindred Futures, to moderate a panel focused on guaranteed income and basic economic security as foundational to economic mobility. Three leaders from The GRO Fund joined him: Hope Wollensack, Executive Director; Chyna Quarker, Director of Programs for In Her Hands; and Amit Khanduri, Director of Programs for Freedom Futures.

Key Highlights from the Discussion

In 2020, Wollensack founded The GRO Fund after serving on a community-based task force commissioned by Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi to examine the root causes of economic insecurity. After eight months of deep community engagement, the task force concluded that baseline economic security is essential for underserved communities to thrive. To meet this need, Wollensack established an ambitious guaranteed income pilot program, offering direct cash assistance with no conditions attached.

“We view our work as bringing bold ideas to life,” said Wollensack. “These are bold, evidence-based, community-led concepts designed to create an economy where all of us can thrive.”

Through In Her Hands and Freedom Futures, The GRO Fund provides no-strings-attached income support to those facing the highest barriers to economic opportunity, specifically Black women.

“Atlanta’s Westside is a place with deep history, legacy, and struggle,” said Dr. Camardelle. “It’s a place where Black women have always been the backbone of the community — and where poverty, housing insecurity, and disinvestment are still very concentrated.”

In Her Hands is designed to be part of the solution. Last year, In Her Hands expanded to the Westside, serving 275 women across four communities. Each participant in the Westside cohort will receive $36,000 over three years, an investment that promotes long-term financial security and autonomy. “This is about testing what it looks like to put the solution in their hands and watch them flourish,” said Quarker.

The GRO Fund’s next chapter is Freedom Futures, an accelerated pilot program that provides young people with guaranteed income and baby bonds. This innovative approach supports their needs today while equipping them with the resources to build wealth tomorrow, directly addressing the root cause of inequality: lack of wealth.

By investing in people, not just programs, partners like The GRO Fund are restoring agency and honoring the resilience within our neighborhoods. In doing so, they’re helping shape a community that honors Dr. King Jr.’s vision.

Miss the event? Watch the full May Transform Westside Summit on our YouTube channel.

In 2019, Food Well Alliance and Westside Future Fund partnered to purchase and revitalize 970 Jefferson St. NW, the historic site of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Bill Bolling and John Ahmann played pivotal roles in making this acquisition a reality, turning a shared vision into a success. The two organizations collaborate on managing the facility, with Food Well Alliance overseeing the warehouse and upstairs space, while Westside Future Fund is responsible for maintaining the rest of the building.

Today, 19 nonprofits and local enterprises utilize 970 Jefferson, operating from this revitalized space to collectively contribute to the betterment of the Westside community and beyond, embodying the shared vision that inspired the partnership. We’ve launched a new series, the 970 Partner Spotlight, to highlight each of these incredible organizations and their work. This issue features Second Helpings Atlanta, a nonprofit transforming surplus food into nourishment for communities across Atlanta through an innovative volunteer-driven rescue model.

Rescuing Food, Nourishing Communities

At the intersection of hunger relief and sustainability sits Second Helpings Atlanta, a logistics nonprofit working to bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity. In their 20 years of operation, Second Helpings Atlanta has rescued over 32 million pounds of food – enough to provide 27 million meals to neighbors in metro Atlanta facing food-insecurity. Operating out of 970 Jefferson Street NW, the organization plays a vital role in feeding communities across metro Atlanta — including the historic Westside — by empowering volunteers to rescue surplus food and deliver it to agencies that serve those in need.

“Our mission is simple,” said Jon McMurdo, Development Specialist at Second Helpings Atlanta. “We build relationships with places that have excess food — ranging from stadiums and grocery stores to restaurants — and deploy volunteers on scheduled routes to pick up and deliver that food to partner agencies.”

The model is designed to let each partner do what they do best: Second Helpings Atlanta handles the logistics of food rescue, while its partner agencies focus on distributing that food to their communities.

A Hub for Connection and Collaboration

Being based at 970 Jefferson has opened new doors for collaboration. A standout example is the organization’s partnership with Retaaza, a fellow 970 Jefferson resident, to launch the Field to Fork program. The initiative supports Georgia farmers by reimbursing them for the costs of growing, harvesting, and transporting surplus produce that would otherwise go to waste — helping keep small Georgia farmers in business while increasing access to fresh, nutritious food for communities in need.

“That program was only possible because we share space at 970,” said McMurdo. “It’s a really special kind of partnership.”

In addition to their partnership with Retaaza, Second Helpings Atlanta also collaborates with fellow 970 Jefferson resident Urban Recipe by sharing their Warehouse Specialist and Driver staff members.

As a logistics-focused organization, Second Helpings Atlanta also benefits from 970 Jefferson’s central location. With many of its food donors and partner agencies located on or near the Westside, the space offers quick access to key routes, especially those running through or near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium — a major food donor since the stadium’s opening in 2017.

“All of the food we rescue from Mercedes-Benz stays right here in the community,” McMurdo shared. “We’re helping them maintain their zero-waste goals while also ensuring that good food isn’t wasted — it’s going to people who need it.”

A Direct Impact on the Westside

Second Helpings Atlanta has built a strong network of partner agencies serving the Westside, enabling it to directly address local food insecurity. Whether it’s a soup kitchen outside a church or a community food pantry, the organization ensures that rescued food is redistributed where it can make the most difference.

While the organization’s reach spans the entire metro area, its presence at 970 Jefferson helps deepen its impact locally. The relationships forged within the building strengthen efforts to serve neighbors right outside the front door.

Looking Ahead

As Second Helpings Atlanta continues to grow its network of donors, volunteers, and partner agencies, it remains committed to solving hunger by solving food waste. Being part of the 970 Jefferson community has proven to be a powerful asset in achieving that mission.

“It’s not just about the space,” said McMurdo. “It’s about the people and the possibilities that come from working alongside others who share a vision for a better Atlanta.”

To learn more about volunteering with Second Helpings Atlanta, visit secondhelpingsatlanta.org.

Learn more about how 970 Jefferson is bringing together a collaborative community of service at 970Jefferson.org.

Westside Future Fund is proud to celebrate a new milestone in our mission to support thriving, mixed-income communities on Atlanta’s historic Westside. This month, we welcome Rashaan Evans as the newest homeowner through our Home on the Westside program.

A dedicated faculty member at Spelman College, Rashaan recently closed on his new 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home – planting even deeper roots in the community he helps strengthen every day through education and mentorship.

For Rashaan, homeownership on the Westside represents more than just a new address. It’s an affirmation of his commitment to the future of a community steeped in history, culture, and resilience. And for Westside Future Fund, it’s another powerful example of what’s possible when we invest in the people who invest in the Westside.

Our Home on the Westside program exists to ensure that legacy residents and individuals like Rashaan — those who live, work, and learn here — have the opportunity to remain part of this vibrant and evolving neighborhood. We’re honored to walk alongside him on his homeownership journey.

Congratulations, Rashaan — and welcome home!

For Elisha Dumas, the opportunity to live on the Westside marks the beginning of a new chapter at age 27.  

“I’d been staying with my mom for so long,” he said. “The home was the next step of having something of my own and being able to build equity for my family.”

Originally from New Orleans, Elisha moved to Atlanta in the third grade after Hurricane Katrina forced his family to relocate. They eventually settled in Douglasville, but Elisha always felt a connection to Atlanta’s historic Westside. He grew up attending St. Theresa Catholic Church, and it was during those years that the community began to feel like home.

“That’s where I got my [first] experience of the Westside, and I’ve wanted to move out here ever since.”

Thanks to Westside Future Fund’s Home on the Westside program, that long-held dream is now a reality. 

Elisha began applying for his first home in September 2024. Just two months later, in November, he became a homeowner, receiving the keys to a beautifully renovated house in the heart of the Westside. “Everything was given to me and written out step by step on how to go about the [homeownership] process,” he said.

Home on the Westside is built for residents like Elisha — those who have deep roots in the Historic Westside through living, learning, or working in the community. Powered by support from corporate and philanthropic partners, the program provides down payment assistance and homeownership guidance to help long-time residents remain an essential part of the community’s future.

As Westside Future Fund continues working toward a community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud to call home, we remain focused on the vital role that safe, affordable housing plays in that vision. It’s not just about homes — it’s about building a community where all residents can live long, healthy lives and afford safe, stable housing. 

Click here to learn more about Home on the Westside.

The April 18 Transform Westside Summit, held at The Gathering Spot, invited community members to reflect on how honoring the past — especially through historic preservation — can help shape a stronger, more unified Westside.

This month’s Summit focused on 234 Sunset Avenue, the historic Vine City home where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his family lived from 1965 until and after his assassination, with insights from Reginald Chapple, Superintendent of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District at the National Park Service. The conversation explored how restoration of this historic home can carry forward the legacy of Dr. King and Mrs. Coretta Scott King while inspiring present-day progress.

Westside Future Fund President & CEO John Ahmann and Summit co-host Ebony Ford, a proud English Avenue resident, opened the program by celebrating National Volunteer Month and the vital role volunteers play in advancing community revitalization.

“It’s a time to celebrate the power of people coming together to make a difference,” said Ford. “Here at Westside Future Fund, we believe in doing with the community, not to the community.”

A thoughtful devotion was given by Mandy Hazelton, Visual Information Specialist for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Preservation District at the National Park Service.

Key Highlights from the Discussion

Preserving 234 Sunset Avenue
Tucked in the heart of Vine City, 234 Sunset Avenue is more than a house — it’s a living legacy. In 2019, the National Park Foundation acquired the home and later transferred it to the National Park Service, which has since worked to restore the site and shape its future as a place for learning and reflection.

“We want the house to represent what is possible when you make a decision to live out what you believe,” said Chapple.

Once restoration is complete, the home will become a museum honoring the life of Dr. King and the pivotal contributions of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, ensuring their story continues to inspire future generations.

Community Voices Shape the Future
Chapple emphasized that community input is key to the next phase of the project. Public comment sessions will soon be part of the federal NEPA process, giving residents the opportunity to guide how this important site is preserved and activated. The goal is for the museum to be fully operational by 2029.

“Atlanta can speak to peace, justice, and equality in a way no other place can,” Chapple said. “We are an international magnet for folks hungering for how to live together and thrive.”

A Shared Vision for the Beloved Community
The conversation reminded attendees that the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement lives on not only in historic landmarks but in the everyday work of community members. From preserving history to empowering residents, the path to a beloved community is paved by shared service, storytelling, and commitment.

Creating the beloved community takes all of us — working hand in hand, rooted in service, and united by a shared vision.

Miss the event? Watch the full April Transform Westside Summit on our YouTube channel.

At the April 28, 2025 ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly restored 220 Sunset Avenue residence, Westside Future Fund was honored to share a powerful statement from Dr. Constance Jackson Carter, one of the six children of Rev. Maynard Jackson Sr. and Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson, who once lived at the residence as child. In her remarks, Dr. Carter reflects on her family’s deep roots in Vine City, the historic significance of 220 Sunset, and the enduring legacy of leadership, service, and community nurtured within its walls. We are proud to publish her full statement below.

This is indeed a very special day, concluding many ins and outs to reach this historic moment for the Jackson Family’s and King Family’s historic 220 Sunset Avenue residence, the neighbors of the Vine City community, Westside Future Fund, Spelman College, and for all of you gathered here today understanding the significance of the preservation of Atlanta’s history.

Thank you on behalf of the Jackson Family and the extended Dobbs Families for your being here today for this celebration of a rebirth, a restoration that lends continuity to our history and our values as a community, an Atlanta community. Thank you to Westside Future Fund and Spelman College for your vision in this living venture for faculty and staff of Spelman College who will be the first residents fulfilling our Parents’ initial vision to share our home as affordable housing for Faculty and Staff of the Atlanta University Center, dating back to Jan. 1949.

Blessings and deep thanks to City of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Rev. Bernice King, Executive Director of the King Center, Carter Coleman III of APD Urban Planning and Management, the Honorable First Lady Valerie Richardson Jackson, my Sister-in-law, and other Jackson and Dobbs clans Family members, Bishop John Lewis, Vine City Community Coalition, and Mrs. Jackie Tyson, President of New South Associates, representatives of Friendship Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Kelley Miller Smith, Jr., Pastor and Mr. Curtis Evans, Administrator, if present, and so many others, especially Sunset Ave. Neighbors and Friends, and future Residents of 220 Sunset Ave.

It would take an hour to convey all of the history associated with this residence, both for the Jackson Family and for the King Family’s initial King Center, next door to the King Family’s 234 Sunset Ave. home.  The King Center was established here and in use after the purchase of the residence from Dr. Irene Jackson after our Mother moved with our brother Paul and me to Durham, NC., where she was asked to be Chairperson of the Dept. of Modern Foreign Languages at North Carolina College, now NCCU.

The most exciting part of this story is our Father’s extending of the doors of Friendship Baptist Church as the 3rd Pastor to the Mission he saw in underserved Vine City, and the role our Mother played as the first African American card holder for the Atlanta Public Library in that early desegregation effort across the South.  That daughters Carol Ann, 17 years old, and Connie (Constance) 12 years old, would join her to check out young adult books and records and children’s books, while Dr. Jackson selected books, recordings and replicas of paintings for her Humanities class at Spelman College, attests to Irene Dobbs Jackson’s determination to follow through. That robed Ku Klux Klansmen stood outside on the steps of the Library facing us would not unravel her fearless commitment to change the error of desegregation for the good she saw her efforts would achieve.

220 Sunset Ave would raise:

• A performing vocalist and jazz musician, champion for the underserved in early childhood education and later in Atlanta City Housing Authority in Alexandra Jackson Baranuik
• A brilliant artist and leader in education in the USA and in Nigeria in Jeanne Jackson Oladele
• An outstanding Attorney and the first African American Mayor of the City of Atlanta in Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr.
• An Educator and Administrator for the State of Georgia and Senior Facilities for the City of Atlanta in Carol Ann Jackson Miller
• A poet and educator, PhD recipient and trained Archivist for the State of Georgia Assoc. of Archivists at the AFPL Auburn Avenue Research Library in Dr. Constance Jackson Carter
• And last but not least, an Hospital Administrator certified by the University of Oslo, Norway and Masters from of Michigan, called by Dr. Sullivan to serve in the first Administration for Morehouse School of Medicine and Administrations in other underserved hospitals, and later the US Department of Energy in Paul Dobbs Jackson.

This is a testimony to the vision of Rev. Dr. Maynard Jackson Sr. and Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson nurtured here at 220 Sunset Ave for their Family.

I most appreciate John Ahmann for allowing me these remarks. Every Family here in Vine City Community has a story. I thank God for the opportunity for our story to continue to serve and to uplift our Communities and  Families, our institutions of Pastoral service and Higher Education, and Offices of leadership for the City of Atlanta and beyond.

God bless you each and all!

Constance Jackson Carter, PhD