Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1313980
ATL UNGUIDED WHERE LEGACY MEETS EVOLUTION Atlanta's rich heritage is deep, progressive and continuously evolving. Here, history isn't just in the past; it's still in the making, every single day. Atlanta supports a bold expression of Black heritage and contemporary aspirations that spark Black excellence and pride. It is the heartbeat of the Civil Rights Movement, the final resting place for many great Black leaders and home to a whole new community of energized activists. With the largest collection of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), a number of historic churches, popular Black-owned restaurants, trendy lounges and superb art galleries, Atlanta should be top of mind when planning any trip. Hometown Heroes Explore the life and legacy of some of Atlanta's most famous residents including the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Congressman John Lewis and other civil rights icons. Sites like The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum heighten your travel experience, understanding and new discoveries. Dining in ATL Atlanta's food community is like no other and is constantly evolving. From Busy Bee Cafe's classic meat and threes to Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours' innovative, modern Southern cuisine, Atlanta's restaurants lift the veil on eating good in the South's capital. Today, while the terms "Southern" and "soul food" are often used interchangeably, we can all agree that the Atlanta restaurants honor this time-tested cuisine. Atlanta's Black Restaurant Week also showcases the abundance of multi-cultural cuisines found at Black- owned restaurants and the important conversations the occur at the tables within Atlanta's diverse communities. Atlanta's Creative Side Atlanta's public art scene is as vibrant and diverse as the city itself. At the pulse of that scene is ATL's street art stretching along the BeltLine to Historic Sweet Auburn District in the heart of Downtown. From the explosion of one creative movement— hip-hop — came another. Graffiti art is synonymous with hip-hop culture stemming from bold imprints of native artists Outkast and Dr. Dax who infused the rise of ATL's hip-hop scene, blossoming into an iconic movement of its own. Street art is now as woven into the fabric of Atlanta's culture as hip-hop itself. Atlanta University Center (AUC) The progression from the Civil War through Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement is reflected in the high standards of education established by Atlanta's HBCUs. The past, present and future of these illustrious institutions are sources of pride for Atlantans, students and alumni. The Atlanta University Center Consortium is world's oldest and largest consortium of HBCUs with four member institutions – Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College. Morris Brown College and the Interdenominational Theological Center are no longer members of the consortium but are widely recognized for their role in the AUC's rich legacy. More about these stories can be found on DiscoverAtlanta.com B M & T ••• November/December 2020 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 34