By the end of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Wednesday night event, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens made it known he spends money on Black people.
Specifically speaking, Dickens said his dentist, doctor, barber, realtor, real estate attorney, architect, appraiser, painter, piano tutor, haberdasher, and perfumer are all Black.
“It’s literally not hard to do for me,” said Dickens. Atlanta’s seventh Black mayor spent half an hour highlighting the city’s national prominence for African Americans.
However, the Gathering Spot’s standing-room only floor fell silent after AJC journalist Nedra Rhone asked if the planned public safety training center would impact Atlanta’s Black culture. The crowd laughed awkwardly, and the mayor didn’t directly respond to the question.
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
All that and more happened within the two hours of the first live event for the AJC’s Black life newsletter, Unapologetically ATL.
AJC journalists Rhone and Ernie Suggs led a discussion on Atlanta’s Black culture with Dickens, Sonia Murray of Georgia Public Broadcasting, and Atlanta Influences Everything company co-founder Bem Joiner.
The panel discussed what attracts Black people to the city, with remarks ranging from the city’s role in the civil rights movement to Atlanta’s reputation for attracting young creatives and Black leadership.
“However comfortable African Americans are supposed to be in a country that we ain’t asked to come to — the height of that comfortability is Atlanta, shawty,” Joiner said.
The questions and excerpts from Dickens’s remarks are edited for clarity.
Defining Atlanta’s Black culture:
“Black culture for me is the (Atlanta University Center), the historically Black colleges and universities. This is a complex place where it all occurs, the diverse talent, the cradle of the civil rights movement. I think the Black culture here is inclusive.”
Young transplants learning about Atlanta:
“I really enjoy all the folks that are coming in with their new ideas, but...I think if you are young, you may see yourself at the height of your who-ness, like you got it all figured out. Atlanta is a place where we figure things out together, we share our ideas and we converse about things.”
“So when I see folks come here and be like ‘Atlanta need to do this,’ I’m like, wait a minute. You still on Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International property. You just flew in and you came here with your ideology, so let’s not do that.”
How to support youth:
Dickens said the city is investing millions into job programs and education because he wants Atlanta to be the best place in the country to raise a child by the time he’s done as mayor. However, he also said some young people just want mentorship and emotional support, be it a simple hug or a meal together.
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
Credit: Natrice Miller / Natrice.Miller@ajc.com
“Can I get a hug,” Dickens asked, eliciting laughter from the crowd. “I need a hug, y’all have been beating my ass for the last — I mean, you’ve been beating me up for the last month.”
What do Atlanta natives have that transplants lack:
Dickens said he had Black political leaders to look up to in his youth, including Andrew Young, a former U.S. Congressman, Atlanta mayor and U.N. Ambassador. Dickens also said he used to trade clothes with his peers to look cool in middle school.
“You missed out on changing clothes with me and Andre 3000,” said Dickens in reference to Outkast rapper Andre Benjamin.
How are you Unapologetically ATL:
“I don’t apologize for anything ATL. I am celebratory ATL,” said Dickens. “I unapologetically ask of you everyday can I serve you and will you serve with me. That’s who I am.”
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