Stories of Impact

Born in 1908, Dr. Irene Dobbs Jackson was the first of six daughters born to Irene and John Wesley Dobbs. In her early years, Irene, known as “Renie,” and her family resided in Auburn Avenue, a thriving neighborhood in Atlanta known as an epicenter of Black culture and excellence in the South. She was a […]

During #BlackHistoryMonth, Westside Future Fund is highlighting some of the places, people and events that form the rich history of our neighborhoods — English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center. Vine City 1905: Alonzo Herndon founds the Atlanta Life Insurance Company Formerly enslaved, Alonzo Herndon (1858-1927) is heralded as “Atlanta’s first Black […]

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we are highlighting some of the places, people and events that form the rich history of our neighborhoods — English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center. English Avenue 1881: Captain James W. English elected Mayor of Atlanta A revered Civil War Captain, James W. English is the namesake of the […]

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we are highlighting some of the places, people and events that form the rich history of our neighborhoods — English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center. Atlanta University Center 1865: Atlanta University founded Founded by the American Missionary Association and supported by the Freedman’s Bureau, Atlanta University was once the […]

During #BlackHistoryMonth, we are highlighting some of the places, people and events that form the rich history of our neighborhoods — English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights and Atlanta University Center. Ashview Heights 1910s: Herman Perry begins developing what will become Ashview Heights With the Atlanta City Street Railway having arrived in the area in […]

In celebration of Black History Month, community members and business leaders came together at the Westside Future Fund (WFF) Transform Westside Summit on Friday, February 16, to learn about revitalization efforts of Atlanta’s Black Main Street on the historic Westside. Panelists discussed the importance of Black History Month, the rich history of the Westside and […]

In December of 2022, Steve Wilson became one of our newest Home on the Westside homeowners when he moved into 850 Proctor Street in the English Avenue neighborhood near Kathyrn Johnson Memorial Park. For Wilson, buying a home in the community where he was raised is special. “The process for Home on the Westside was […]

Revitalizing our community is a team effort, one that relies heavily on the support of our many incredible volunteers. To thank them for their hard work and dedication, we shine a light on people who actively support our mission. This month, we honor Nosha Harwell. See what inspires him to give her time as a […]

While exploring the historic Westside, you’ll find Black history that made American history on nearly every block — including the streets you’re driving on. There are several streets in the community named after nationally prominent Black leaders from Atlanta, each of whom contributed to advancing civil rights and democracy for all Americans. While some names […]