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 - EXTENDED.
120th Anniversary of the Atlanta Race Massacre
The Praise House Project joines the Coalition to Remember the
1906 Atlanta Race Massacre on the Days of Remembrance
SEPTEMBER 20TH - SEPTEMBER 26TH
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
September 20th
11 am: Interfaith Worship Service, First Congregational Church
2pm: Car processional to South-View Cemetery
3pm - 5pm: History Tour of South-View Cemetery
Praise House ring shout experience to follow
September 22
6pm: Podcast interview of artist, Fabian Williams, airs on Praise House Project social media
Sunset - 10pm: Illuminations of the Praise House on the 1st Day of Remembrance
September 23
6pm: Remembering Brownsville, a conversation with historian activist, Ann Hill Bond
Sunset - 10pm: Illuminations of the Praise House on the 2nd Day of Remembrance
September 24
Sunset - 10pm: Illuminations of the Praise House on the 3rd Day of Remembrance
September 25
Sunset - 10pm: Illuminations of the Praise House on the 4th Day of Remembrance
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 performances, 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 New Orleans Traveling Po Boy 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.