Honoring Our Heritage, Building Our Future
Preserving and Sharing the African American history of College Park, Georgia
Legacy Gala Tickets on Sale
Ticket price: $60.00
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ZELLE - ph30oaa337
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Checks made out & mailed to:
PHOAA, Inc. - GALA
1513 E. Cleveland Ave.,
Bldg 100, Suite 300
East Point, GA 30344
For other payment forms contact:
Sherri Williams-404.406.8455
PHOAA: A Preservation Project
Our Preservation Journey
Celebrating the origins of College Park's African American community, our project marks historic sites that embody resilience, culture, and community spirit.
Honoring the enduring legacy of the lives and livelihoods of the people, places, and events that shaped our beloved community's history. PHOAA highlights the One Square Mile Marker Project. The original idea of placing the markers was PHOAA’s to recognize sites within our beloved One Square Mile of College Park, Georgia. Working with Georgia State University, PHOAA identified significant areas that were prominent and needed to be marked for remembrance. The City of College Park supported this mission along with preserving the Price Barber Shop and the adjacent house, as we envisioned a museum that invites former residents and family members of former residents to share family photos in our digital museum.
Pictured at the Wayman and Bessie Brady Recreation Center are founding members of PHOAA: Emma Dudley, Brian Hightower, Wilma Abbott Nichols, Brenda Reeves Dill, Coach Charles Dowdell, Larry Evans, Charles Dill, Sylvia Dunlap, Linda Hightower, and Brenda Smith.
The marker reads: In 1955, a grant funded the construction of two recreation centers in College Park: one on College Street for the caucasian community and another on Breningham Drive for the African American community. The latter, renamed Wayman and Bessie Brady Recreation Center in 1987, honored its directors.
During a period when African Americans faced barriers to accessing certain venues in College Park, the Wayman and Bessie Brady Recreation Center emerged as a vital space for entertainment, sports, social gatherings, and cultural awareness. More importantly, it provided a safe and nurturing environment for children. This commemorative marker, along with the Wayman and Bessie Brady Recreation Center, serves as a powerful reminder of the vibrant original African American community in College Park, GA.
Bertha Hightower-Smith joined the other founding PHOAA members at the One Square Mile Business District marker.
The marker reads: Constructed Circa 1930s. These historic buildings housed a General Store, Echols Beauty Parlor, and in 1957, Price Barber Shop and Greer Cab Stand, with the adjacent building being the Moon's family home. These buildings withstood the test of time, and now stand as beacons of Pride, History, Heritage, Hope, and Reverence for the displaced African Americans that once lived and thrived in this "One Square Mile" College Park, Georgia community.
Other family and friends joined the founding PHOAA members at the College View Cemetery marker.
The marker reads: College View Cemetery serves as a testament to the rich history and enduring legacy of historic African American community in College Park, GA. Established in approximately 1896, this sacred site covers about 7.5 acres and was generously gifted by the distinguished businessman William "Will" Jackson.
A comprehensive Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, commissioned by the City of College Park and conducted by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB), uncovered an estimated 729 burials, highlighting the profound significance of this hallowed ground. The survey also revealed several unmarked graves. Among those interred are many veterans, honored with military markers and symbols that acknowledge their dedicated service. This commemorative marker has been erected to celebrate and pay tribute to the individuals interred from the vibrant "One Square Mile" African American community in College Park, GA.