Black history month celebration at Atlanta History Center

This post is sponsored by the Atlanta History Center (AHC) All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of AHC.

February is a day away and the new month ushers in the beginning of Black History Month! If you’re local to the Atlanta area, you should know that Atlanta History Center offers many great resources to celebrate and learn about Black History. This gem has been in the Atlanta area since 1926 and they offer revolving exhibits throughout the year, a must-visit for locals and visitors alike.

I had the pleasure of visiting the center recently to see the new exhibit for Black History Month and like with every visit to AHC, I learned something new! The Explore Black Atlanta exhibit shares the stories of Black Atlanta through photos and artifacts, and I loved the short videos that brought the stories to life! The exhibition is on view through March 23, and will have an online component launching in February so you can enjoy from afar!

I visited the center with my kids (it’s a great time to take your young ones) who learned a lot about the Black heroes that shaped our city. Two of the names that stood out to me were Maynard H Jackson Jr, the first Black mayor of Atlanta, and James “Ally Pat” Patrick a local DJ who began his career at WERD, the first Black-owned and operated radio station, and was also a bail bondsman who released Martin Luther King Jr, Hosea Williams, and others during the Civil Rights Movement.

AHC also has resources available online for those who can’t visit in person, like their Civil Rights Toolkit (educational activities for the kids) which is suitable for all ages. The toolkit teaches about activism through the lens of other children. There is also a virtual exhibit called Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow. (I got a chance to see this exhibit last year in person at the center). You’ll be left in awe of the many Atlantans who fought for full inclusion in American democracy.