Welcome to The Atlanta Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming Atlanta Braves home games

• Upcoming Insomnium performance

• A deep dive into the life of W.E.B. Du Bois

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What is the name of the Atlanta street that has become synonymous with the city's restaurant scene, offering a diverse range of culinary experiences?

A) Peachtree Street

B) Howell Mill Road

C) Buford Highway

D) Ponce de Leon Avenue

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The Atlanta attraction that is the world headquarters of a global beverage company and offers a museum and tasting experience is B) The World of Coca-Cola.

News

💼 Business

Walmart to Close All Health Centers Nationwide, Cites Lack of Sustainable Business Model. (link)

Rising Interest Rates Frustrate Georgia's Black Entrepreneurs, Prompting Political Reconsideration. (link)

Metro Atlanta boy living with autism starts business to spread love. (link)

Rivian Reaffirms Commitment to Georgia, Unveils New EV Models at Atlanta Showroom. (link)

🏒 Sports

QB Jaden Rashada joining the Georgia Bulldogs after leaving Arizona State. (link)

Falcons Stun NFL Draft with Michael Penix Jr. Pick at No. 8 Despite Recent Kirk Cousins Deal Worth $180M. (link)

Bears Make History in NFL Draft, Selecting QB Caleb Williams and WR Rome Odunze in Top 20 Picks. (link)

🏦 Finance

Ponce De Leon Avenue Transforms into Atlanta's Most Expensive Street. (link)

T-Pain surprises Clark Atlanta students with finance class. (link)

Atlanta Fed Report: Child Care Costs Snare Up to 22% of Median Household Income in Florida (link)

Southwest Airlines to reduce number of flights to and from Atlanta. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚾ Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox
Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, May 7th | 7:20 PM | (More Info)

Music & Concerts

🎵  CKY
The Masquerade - Hell, Atlanta, GA
Monday, May 6th | 7:00 PM | (More Info)

🎤  Iniko
Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Monday, May 6th | 8:00 PM | (More Info)

🎸 Insomnium
The Masquerade - Hell, Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, May 7th | 6:00 PM | (More Info)

🎵  Rivers of Nihil
The Masquerade - Purgatory, Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, May 7th | 7:00 PM | (More Info)

Family Friendly

🎷 Robert Spano + Garrick Ohlsson
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA
Thursday, May 9th | 8:00 PM | (More Info)

🎥 Legally Blonde
Byers Theatre, Sandy Springs, GA
Thursday, May 9th | 8:00 PM | (More Info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Atlanta with wildlife corridors and roaming animals” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Atlanta Historical Events

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963): Atlanta native Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 was a historic moment in the American civil rights movement, and it featured a defining address by Atlanta native Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The march brought together an estimated 250,000 demonstrators from all over the United States, converging on the nation's capital to advocate for civil rights and economic equality. Dr. King, as one of the event's key organizers and speakers, delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, which would become one of the most famous and impactful speeches in American history.

In his "I Have a Dream" speech, Dr. King eloquently articulated his vision of a future where racial segregation and discrimination were eradicated, and all Americans could enjoy equal rights and opportunities. He called for an end to racial injustice and the realization of a society where individuals were judged by their character rather than the color of their skin. Dr. King's stirring words resonated deeply with the crowd and the nation, inspiring continued activism and progress in the civil rights movement.

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, with Dr. King's speech as its centerpiece, was a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. It played a significant role in shaping public opinion and ultimately led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, marking important legislative milestones in the fight for racial equality. Atlanta takes great pride in its connection to Dr. King and his profound impact on the civil rights movement, and the "I Have a Dream" speech remains an enduring symbol of hope and justice.

Famous Atlantans

W.E.B. Du Bois - Civil rights activist and co-founder of the NAACP.

Early Life and Education (1868-1895)

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in 1868. Growing up in a relatively tolerant and integrated community, Du Bois excelled in school, leading him to Fisk University, a historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he first encountered Jim Crow laws, which deepened his resolve to fight for African American rights. Du Bois furthered his education at Harvard University and the University of Berlin, focusing on sociology and history.

Academic Career and Philadelphia Study (1895-1899)

After completing his education, Du Bois embarked on an academic career, conducting significant sociological research on African American communities. His groundbreaking study, "The Philadelphia Negro" (1899), was the first case study of a black community in the United States, laying the groundwork for much of his future activism.

"The Souls of Black Folk" and Opposition to Booker T. Washington (1903)

In 1903, Du Bois published "The Souls of Black Folk," a collection of essays that became a cornerstone of African American literature. In it, he criticized Booker T. Washington's approach to racial equality, advocating instead for political action, civil rights, and higher education for African Americans.

Niagara Movement and NAACP Co-Founding (1905-1909)

Du Bois co-founded the Niagara Movement in 1905, a group that pushed for civil rights and opposition to racial segregation and disenfranchisement. This movement laid the foundation for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which Du Bois helped establish in 1909. He served as the organization's director of research and editor of its magazine, "The Crisis."

Connection to Atlanta (1897-1910; 1934-1944)

Du Bois's connection to Atlanta was significant, marked by two periods when he taught at Atlanta University. During these times, he conducted extensive research on African American history and culture, and developed his theories on race and society. His work in Atlanta helped to establish the city as a center for black scholarship and activism.

Pan-Africanism and Global Activism (1910s-1940s)

Throughout his career, Du Bois was a vocal advocate for Pan-Africanism, organizing several Pan-African Congresses to address the issues facing Africans and people of African descent around the world. His international focus sought to link the struggle for civil rights in the United States with the fight against colonialism and racial discrimination globally.

Communism and Later Years (1945-1963)

In his later years, Du Bois became increasingly disillusioned with the United States and its ongoing racial discrimination. He joined the Communist Party in 1961 and emigrated to Ghana, where he continued his work until his death in 1963. His final project was the Encyclopedia Africana, an ambitious attempt to compile the history and achievements of people of African descent.

Legacy and Posthumous Recognition

Du Bois's legacy is vast, encompassing his contributions to sociology, African American literature, and the civil rights movement. After his death, he received numerous posthumous honors, including the establishment of university departments and research institutes named after him, recognizing his contributions to academia and activism.

Key Achievements

• Pioneered sociological studies on African Americans with "The Philadelphia Negro."

• Co-founded the NAACP, significantly influencing the civil rights movement in the 20th century.

• Authored "The Souls of Black Folk," critiquing Washington's accommodationist stance and laying intellectual groundwork for future civil rights activism.

• Advocated for Pan-Africanism and addressed global racial discrimination.

W.E.B. Du Bois was a towering figure in the struggle for civil rights and racial equality. His academic work, particularly in sociology and history, provided a critical foundation for understanding the African American experience. As a co-founder of the NAACP and a proponent of Pan-Africanism, Du Bois dedicated his life to the advancement of African Americans and people of African descent worldwide. His legacy endures in the ongoing fight for justice and equality, underscoring his pivotal role in American and global history.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewblarsen

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