The Future of Black Atlanta

Correspondence to Lyndon A. Wade on Operation NIP, September 30, 1974

Today, the Black neighborhoods of Atlanta are not what they once were. Once thriving and affluent neighborhoods are now full of vacant and dilapidated houses and buildings. Population growth has halted in some and several neighborhoods no longer exist.  In the past, organizations like the Atlanta Urban League and Neighborhood Union worked to push for improvements in historically Black neighborhoods. These organizations, as well as others created by individual neighborhoods, desired to progress and improve the lives of African Americans through the neighborhoods. Information about organizations' efforts to improve neighborhoods can be found in the Atlanta Urban League papers and the Neighborhood Union collection.

Neighborhood Planning Units profile, 1978

Development and revitalization efforts are affecting Black neighborhoods in different ways including causing housing prices and property taxes to rise, which could negatively affect the long-time residents of these areas. As new growth occurs, it is important to collect and document the history of these historic neighborhoods through community-driven projects. The future of these neighborhoods may be dependent on the work of Black residents. Many neighborhoods, such as the West End, have established organizations to help revitalize the areas, remember their history, and combat the displacement of Black residents. These efforts and the work of the city will affect the future of Black neighborhoods in Atlanta.