The Praise House Project at
South-View Cemetery
Honoring the African American History of Atlanta
Looking back to see forward
“Blacks had grown tired of the disrespect they were forced to endure in order to bury their family members and friends. They had to enter cemeteries through back gates, and even wade through swamps to conduct funeral services. They were told “If you don’t’ like it, start your own cemetery.”
And so they did.
In February 1886, nine courageous Black businessmen including Jacob McKinley, George W. Graham, Robert Grant, Charles H. Morgan, John Render and Albert Watts petitioned the State of Georgia for a charter to establish a cemetery. The charter was granted in April of the same year and the legacy of South-View Cemetery began.”
The Praise House Project at South-View uplifts the efforts of historic preservation and remembrance at South-View Cemetery
On View:
SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 - MARCH 29, 2026.
NEXT
SUNDAY SERVICE
Mental Health & Ancestral Memory
March 22nd, 2026
New Freedom Studio
featuring
YEYE SANGOPEJU
Of Sparking BlissArtistic Offering 1:30-3:30
History tour 4-5pm
Potluch
POSTPONED TO APRIL 19TH
To acknowledge the 140th Anniversary of the Founding of South-View
SUNDAY SERVICE
Preserving Gullah Geechee Futures
NOW - April 19th, 2026
New Freedom Studio
featuring
TENDAJI BAILEY
and other creative offerings
APRIL 19TH
140TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
LOCATIONS: Both 1884 and 2017 Jonesboro Rd SE - see schedule
PARKING: While parking is available along the streets, there is also parking at the Ali Center at Lakewood (front and back).
ACCESIBILITY: Please note that the walk over to the Praise House is over slightly rocky terrain. Please be careful. The New Freedom Studio (1884) will serve as our primary site for the event. This location does not have a ramp. There are 3 short steps leading onto the porch and then once inside, the entire space is on one level. We will have volunteer (ushers) on site to assist our differently abled community members and our elders to enter and get settled.
WHERE TO ENTER: The actual entrance to the Praise House location is at Merrilyn Dr. and Jonesboro Rd. Please refrain from climbing the short fencing to access the Praise House,
WHAT TO BRING: The entire family. Cozy warm clothing to stroll the community, a lawn chair to enjoy the fire, comfy shoes, oral histories, love offerings for the gift shop and deserts! UNITY in the COMMUNITY!
FOOD & DRINK: There will be water, hot tea from our Sister Plantnomad, and coffee compliments of our neighbors, Black Coffee, with small bites. We also encourage you to patronize our neighbors, Pappy2s BBQ across the street or Collard Green Cafe, on your way in - and for our vegans - you may want to check out Purely Plant (Haitian). YUM!
Presented in collaboration with the Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, the South-View Cemetery Foundation, Culture Centers International, and Focus Community Strategies, in partnership with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, Fulton County Arts and Culture, the Imlay Foundation, the Homestead Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta, ReBuildATL Coalition (Lifecycle Building Center, ReGen Community Advisory, Georgia Tech Center for Sustainable Communities) RCE Greater Atlanta, Atlanta Global Research & Education Collaborative (AGREC) and Emory Arts through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Our Town Grant.
Images are by Julie Yarbrough of Charmaine Minniefield at South-View Cemtery, Tambra Omiyale Harris of Giwayen Mata and Edeliegba Senior Dance Ensemble. Moving images of the Praise House prvoided by Skyview Soren Christiansen of SkySee Videos.