Black Mecca

Atlanta is often called the Black Mecca, known for its rich culture, historic legacy, and Black excellence in business, politics, and music. But with rising income inequality and low economic mobility, is the city living up to its reputation? Follow Atlanta native and AJC senior reporter Gavin Godfrey as he uncovers the successes, struggles, and complexities of Black life in Atlanta in a new monthly series. Got a Black mecca story to tell? Email gavin.godfrey@ajc.com.

The verdict is in: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca?

Is Atlanta still America’s Black mecca? Here’s what we found.

Mayor Andre Dickens reveals Atlanta’s bold vision for 2026 World Cup

Is Atlanta a Black mecca? Mayor Dickens weighs in.

Is Atlanta the Black mecca, according to Mayor Andre Dickens?

Why Atlanta creatives debate its status as the arts Black mecca

Atlanta isn’t the ‘mecca’ for Black-owned restaurants you think it is

Top chefs and restaurant operators debate ATL as a city of Black culinary dreams.

Is Atlanta truly the mecca for Black entrepreneurs?

Atlanta is often seen as a hub for Black entrepreneurship, but do the numbers back it up? Credits: AJC | Getty | Herndon Home Museum | Mirtha Donastorg/AJC

The Black queer mecca? Atlanta residents and organizers chime in.

Atlantans say the city continues to be a Black queer mecca but requires more physical spaces and support for all demographics of queerness for the community to thrive.

The Black queer mecca? Atlanta residents and organizers chime in.

Atlantans say the city continues to be a Black queer mecca but requires more physical spaces and support for all demographics of queerness for the community to thrive.

Atlanta built a mecca for Black businesses, but inequality persists

Atlanta has a seeming abundance of Black millionaires and Black-owned storefronts, but researchers say individual successes can’t on their own overcome the deep inequality.

Is Atlanta the Black mecca of higher education?

Atlanta has a legacy as a hub for Black academic excellence. Credits: AJC | Getty | Newspapers.com | AP | The Harvard Crimson, The Library of Congress/YouTube

How Atlanta remains a higher education mecca for Black students

Atlanta's institutions are showing that large-scale equity and opportunity in higher education are possible.

Is Atlanta America’s Black mecca? Natives and transplants have thoughts.

Atlanta’s “Black mecca” status is under the microscope. Residents — from Grady Babies to newcomers — share what life is really like for Black residents in Georgia’s capital.

Is Atlanta still the Black Mecca of music?

Credits: AJC | Getty Images | @anyciaaaaaa; @theofficialpandora; @stankoniaatl / Instagram | EBONY Magazine; MVP TV Network / YouTube

Why a former New York lawyer moved to the Black mecca for music

Rochester native Danielle Ponder is slowly making a name for herself in the music industry. For the attorney-turned-singer, moving to Atlanta could propel her career further.

Is the Black mecca ‘10 years behind the rest of the world’ on mental health?

Residents, advocates and policy experts are fighting daily to bring equity to underserved communities.

Is Atlanta still a Black mecca? We did the math for you

Black mecca math: How does Atlanta stack up? It’s complicated.

How do the city and metro stack up? We look at demographics, income, voting power and more.