Athens, Georgia African American Oral History Initiative

06/15/2025

06/14/2025

Hot Corner is hot and kickin! We’re honored to be a part of this annual tradition and celebration of Athens’ Black communities Great people, food, music, vendors.

06/10/2025

The Hot Corner Festival is this week and weekend! The Initiative and Oral History Program will be tabling on Hull St. C'mon down and enjoy all the food, festivities, music, and vendors!

Will take place June 7-8, 2019 at Washington and Hull Streets, Athens, Georgia. The Hot Corner Association organizes the Hot Corner Celebration and Soul Food...

06/10/2025

We'll be tabling again at the Hot Corner Celebration and Soul Food Festival this Saturday, June 14th!!

01/28/2025

Meet Mikhayla Robinson-Smith this Friday!

Mikhayla Robinson-Smith is a poet, essayist, fiction writer, spoken word artist, educator, and mother who has planted deep roots in Athens, Georgia. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in English, she has dedicated herself to exploring the power of poetics and making poetic literature more accessible, especially for Athens youths. Her poetry chapbook, Dichotomy, was published in 2020 by Nightingale & Sparrow Press. As the first Black woman poet laureate of Athens, Mikhayla stands in a long tradition of Black women poets who have paved the way before her, drawing inspiration from Audre Lorde’s words: "Poetry is not a luxury." In her role, she hopes to serve as a bridge for the community, illuminating poetry’s vital place in everyday life. When she is not writing, reading, or dreaming, she spends time with her family.

Join us to hear Mikhayla’s story as part of Historic Athens One Story Live, a virtual oral history interview series with African American Athenians, conducted and curated by Denise Sunta. See you later this week on Friday, January 31st at noon!

09/10/2024

Meet Tlayra Jordan this Friday!

Tlayra is a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist and the Director of Mother to Mother Recovery Center. After her own battle with substance abuse, she committed her life to helping others navigate the difficult journey toward healing and recovery. Through her work, Tlayra offers compassion, support, and hope to women facing similar struggles, drawing on her own experiences to empower others as they reclaim their lives.

Join us to hear Tlayra’s story as part of Historic Athens One Story Live, a virtual oral history interview series with African American Athenians, conducted and curated by Denise Sunta. See you this Friday, September 13th, at noon!

08/29/2024