Hank. Nique. Deion ... Angel?
The first three are legends, names stenciled onto plaques in enshrinements at their respective Halls of Fame. The latter is only in her third WNBA season. She led the league in rebounding her first two years. She is a two-time All-Star. An NCAA champion. A millionaire at 24.
Angel Reese is just one name. There’s also “Bayou Barbie,” “Chicago Barbie” and, now, “ATL Barbie.”
That last nickname came as the result of the seismic shift on April 6, when the Chicago Sky announced they were trading Reese — the No. 7 selection in the 2024 WNBA draft — to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks.
“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization,” Reese said in a team statement. “I’m focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I’ve got to the Dream.”
Comment “ANGEL” for a link to @writegavinwrite ’s full story on Angel Reese’s path to becoming Atlanta’s next Black sports superstar.
🖋️: Gavin Godfrey / AJC
📸: Getty
🎨: Marcie LaCerte for the AJC
#angelreese #atlanta #atlantadream #uatl #wnba
At 51, Big Boi is in a reflective stage of life.
The Outkast legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee shared as much in an interview with rapper Kid Cudi.
The conversation was recorded before Kid Cudi kicked off his Rebel Ragers tour, which features Big Boi. Cudi’s podcast debuted in April.
It’s one of Big Boi’s longest interviews since appearing on “Conversate with Killer Mike” in November. From his memories of making classic albums such as “Southernplayasticadillacmuzik” and “Stankonia,” to his relationship with André 3000, the emcee kept it candid.
Read @writegavinwrite ’s 9 takeaways at the link in bio.
📸: “Big Bro with Cudi” / YouTube
#bigboi #kidcudi #outkast #podcast #uatl
Happy BDay, OG.
Missing you something crazy today, and every day. This and the day you left us are the roughest.
Wish you were here. Glad you are there.
Love you 4LAA
On display through July 19 at the Carlos Museum, Sheila Pree Bright’s “Where We Gather” looks at the sense of belonging and community that comes with pro sports.
“I think this body of work, even though it’s fandom, it’s about us,” says the Atlanta-based artist known for her series “#1960Now,” “Suburbia,” “Plastic Bodies,” “Young Americans” and “Invisible Empire.”
Her hope is showing how our houses of athletic worship represent safe spaces in a time of political unrest, war and uncertainty.
Over the course of three to four months, Bright set out to observe how metro Atlanta’s sports communities came together. She worked closely with Works on Paper curator Andi McKenzie. It was a process that involved narrowing hundreds of photos down to a couple dozen.
What stood out to her in this process? Fandom — yes. But more than anything, the communal aspect. If only for 90 minutes, or four quarters, that time is valuable.
“We let all that stuff go at that moment, and we’re actually talking to each other,” she said.
Read more about her exhibit and how to view it at the link in our bio.
🖋️ : Gavin Godfrey
📸 : Sheila Pree Bright
Walk into Larry “Nuface” Compton’s archive and every item has a story — not just about artists, but about Atlanta itself.
For the past four decades, Nuface has documented the city’s hip-hop culture as it grew from a regional scene into a global force. Sometimes he’s in the background. Sometimes he’s front and center. Often, he’s the only one preserving the moment at all.
This is the story of how one lifelong fan became a living archive and why that history still matters. Full story on UATL.com.
🖋️: Gavin Godfrey / AJC
📸: Natrice Miller / AJC
Nuface has emerged as Atlanta’s unofficial hip-hop historian, carving out the role through decades of relentless documentation and a deep commitment to preserving the city’s culture. Known across Atlanta, he’s spent years collecting memorabilia from rap’s biggest eras from ticket stubs and magazines to rare artifacts tied to artists like Killer Mike and Ludacris. His presence at thousands of events and his dedication to preserving overlooked moments have made him a trusted cultural curator and living archive of the city’s music history. Now, pieces from his collection are featured at the Trap Music Museum and the Atlanta History Center, as he works toward a larger goal: creating a permanent public space dedicated to preserving the legacy of Atlanta hip-hop for future generations.
🎥: AJC | @Nuface /Instagram | Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told/Hulu | @The85SouthShow /YouTube | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
📸: Rich Addicks, Riley Bunch, Curtis Compton, Erik S. Lesser, Philip McCollum, Natrice Miller, Jean Shifrin, John Spink, David Tulis/AJC | Brandon McKeown/Access Atlanta | Getty Images
#ajc #atlanta #blackhistorymonth #bhm #uatl
So, what’s the verdict: Is Atlanta really the Black mecca, or just calling itself one?
After months of reporting, UATL reporters found a city full of promise, contradictions and people fighting to make Black life truly thrive. Atlanta leads the nation in income inequality, yet it’s also home to communities, creatives and organizers pushing for real change. UATL senior reporter Gavin Godfrey reflects on what the team uncovered — and what it may take so that the idea of the Black mecca is real for more people.
To keep this conversation going, we want to hear from you. Share your stories, slide into the DMs and don’t hold back.
This year’s AJC Black History Month series marks the 100th anniversary of the national observance of Black history and the 11th year the AJC has examined the role African Americans played in building Atlanta and shaping American culture. New installments will appear daily throughout February on ajc.com and uatl.com, as well as at ajc.com/news/atlanta-black-history.
In partnership with Kroger. #AJCpartnerKroger
🎥: AJC | NFL Films
🖋️: Ben Gray, Miguel Martinez, Bita Hornavar, Steve Schaefer, Arvin Temkar / AJC | Southern Fried Queer Pride
#blackmecca #blackculture #atlanta #uatl
Mayor Andre Dickens can debate drums or flats, but he gets serious about what it takes for Atlanta to live up to “Black mecca.” In this installment of our “Atlanta: America’s Black Mecca?” series, he talks pride, progress and the inequities that still define a tale of two cities. Full story at the link in bio.
🖋️ : Gavin Godfrey / AJC
🎨 : Broly Su / AJC
Atlanta has visibility, talent and cultural influence. Artists in this story say the missing piece is consistent support that helps creatives stay, grow and sustain their work. Full story at the link in bio.
🖋️ : Brooke Leigh Howard / AJC
🎨 : Broly Su / AJC
Atlanta has hundreds of Black-owned restaurants and a loyal customer base, but chefs and operators say the city is not the culinary mecca it appears to be. This story examines barriers that shape the industry, from access to capital to the challenge of securing fair commercial space. Full story at the link in bio.
🖋️ : Mike Jordan / AJC
🎨 : Broly Su / AJC
Atlanta’s historic Black neighborhoods are not side stories. They are economic engines. In this op-ed, a local Black business advocate argues that investing in corridors like Sweet Auburn, the West End and Adamsville is a growth strategy for the entire region. Full story at the link in bio.
🖋️ : Joseph R. Hudson for the AJC�
🎨 : Broly Su / AJC
For decades, Atlanta has been a destination for Black LGBTQ people seeking community and safety. This story highlights the joy and protection residents describe, while also examining the need for more physical spaces, resources and support across the community, including for trans residents, youth and elders. Full story at the link in bio.
🖋️ : DeAsia Paige / AJC
🎨 : Broly Su / AJC
