Black History

6 must-visit Black museums in Atlanta

ROLLINGOUT.COM — There is no question that Atlanta is the best city to visit for a real Black history lesson. With Atlanta playing a major role in the history of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and of the Civil Rights Movement, it comes as no surprise that the largest museum of primary resources for both are housed in Atlanta. Five out of six of the museums are located in the epicenter of African American history on Auburn Avenue. Whether you live in Atlanta or are planning on a visit in the near future, these six landmarks should be on your list.

Published

7 years ago

May 8, 2019

Oakland Post

By Rollingout.com

There is no question that Atlanta is the best city to visit for a real Black history lesson. With Atlanta playing a major role in the history of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and of the Civil Rights Movement, it comes as no surprise that the largest museum of primary resources for both are housed in Atlanta. Five out of six of the museums are located in the epicenter of African American history on Auburn Avenue. Whether you live in Atlanta or are planning on a visit in the near future, these six landmarks should be on your list.

The King Center
449 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 526-8900

The King Center is the primary source of materials on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement. The collection consists of the papers of Dr. King and those of the organization he co-founded — the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, records of eight major civil rights organizations and several other individuals who were active in the Movement. The museum houses more than 200 oral history interviews with teachers, friends, family, and other civil rights associates of Dr. King.

Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture
101 Auburn Ave NE,
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 613-4001

The Auburn Avenue Research Library is a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System but offers specialized reference and archival collections dedicated to the study and research of African-American culture, history and others of African descent.

Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
350 Spelman Ln SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
(404) 270-5607

The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art is the only museum in the nation emphasizing art by women of the African Diaspora, located on the historic Spelman College campus.

MLK National Historic Site
450 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30312

The MLK National Historic Site consists of 35 acres of family-friendly learning and fun. The historic site includes the visitor center, the BEHOLD Monument, “I Have A Dream” World Peace Rose Garden, MLK Jr.’s Birth Home, Fire Station No. 6, the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, The King Center, Dr. & Mrs. King’s Tomb, and Freedom Hall.

Hammonds House Museum
503 Peeples St SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 612-0481

The Hammonds House Museum displays a 250-piece collection that features the work of African-American artists from the 19th century to the present. It is the only fine arts museum in Atlanta that features artists of African-American descent.

The APEX Museum
135 Auburn Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 523-2739

The Apex Museum was founded in 1978 by Mr. Dan Moore and is full of history presented from the Black perspective.

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

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Activism

Mayor Barbara Lee Proclaims April 9 as ‘100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day’

“Today, the 100th day of the year, I proclaim 100 Black Men Day,” said Mayor Barbara Lee standing with newly appointed Oakland Port Commissioner Derek Mohammad, a 100 Black Men member. “Whereas the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area has demonstrated decades of unwavering commitment to uplifting youth and strengthening families and advancing opportunity and access in Oakland and the greater Bay Area with their signature programs…the chapter has impacted thousands of young people and contributed thousands of hours of community service…”

Published

3 days ago

April 19, 2026

Oakland Post

At D. Monaghan’s on the Hill, a resolution declaring April 9 ‘100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day’ was witnessed by (l.-r.) 100 Black Men leaders Maurice Harold, Marco T. Lindsey, Danny Lee Williams, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins, Port of Oakland Commissioner Derek Mohammad, and Oakland Councilmember Janani Ramachandran. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

When Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced that she would proclaim Thursday, April 9, as “100 Black Men of the Bay Area Day,” the organization’s board chairman and owner of D. Monaghan’s on the Hill, Danny Lee Williams knew he wanted to mark the historic moment with fanfare his community could share.

Standing at the podium on the patio of his restaurant in the Oakland Hills, he welcomed about 150 members of the organization and the broader community who gathered to celebrate.

“This is a special day, and we are in the midst of our Economic Empowerment week,” he said. Williams also welcomed four vendors to sell their gifts and accessories during the event free of charge.

Lee shared how as a single parent of two boys, she was grateful to have the organization’s support in mentoring her sons.

“Today, my adult son is a member in Illinois, and I thank the organization for supporting so many Black boys.”

The idea for the proclamation originated with Oakland City Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, who praised the organization for its leadership and contributions to Oakland and the greater Bay Area.

“This work that we do would not be possible without partnerships with organizations like the 100 Black Men,” said Jenkins. “We’re saving lives, restoring communities, and giving people hope and opportunities.”

“This is Oakland,” said Mayor Lee. “This is what we’re about. It’s about new ideas, thinking outside the box and being who we are. It’s about bringing joy. This is our holiday.”

The mayor also thanked the organization for volunteering during Oakland Cleanup days.

Councilmember Janani Ramachandran added that while many complain about problems in the city, “the 100” put in the work.

“It’s hard to be in the community and do the work, but that is exactly what the 100 Black Men does,” she said.

The organization’s economic chair and associate director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at the University of California Berkeley’s Business School, Marco T. Lindsey, shared his enthusiasm for change.

“Today is the culmination of our work and something special is happening in our organization and our city,” he said. “We have a special opportunity to show up for our community now in ways that we haven’t had in the past. We have a mayor that supports us and it’s important that each and every one of us do our part. We all need our fingerprints on whatever we want to see in our city.”

Lindsey also expressed that if underserved youth and their parents had access to the resources needed for success, “Our youth wouldn’t be breaking windows and joining gangs if they had a pathway to earn $75k to $100k a year.”

The 100 Black Men were hosts of an Economic Empowerment Forum at McClymonds High School on April 11 educating students on entrepreneurship and financial literacy. On Sat., April 18, they will hold their fifth annual Career Expo at Contra Costa College 2600 Mission Bell Drive (G225) in San Pablo from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 100 Black Men chapter of the Bay Area was established in 1988, one of the earliest in the nation.

For more information visit 100blackmenba.org