As Black History Month comes to a close, Axios Atlanta wanted to spotlight Black Atlantans making a difference in the city, state and country.
- The list, in alphabetical order, is inspired by nominations from our readers and our own selections.
1. Jeremy Amico, Truly Living Well
Jeremy Amico, the farm manager at Truly Living Well Center for Urban Agriculture, has “nearly single-handedly transformed the space to better connect with the community,” says Steven Aceto, Amico’s former intern who nominated him.
Driving the news: On 7 acres in Collegetown, Amico’s small team grows nearly every kind of produce you can name, herbs and flowers.
What’s happening: Truly Living Well sells produce at MARTA stations around the city and offers educational programs that reach everyone from public school students to adults. They also have weekly volunteer sessions.
- Amico has prioritized partnering with local companies — like Ecoslay, a hair product company that sources ingredients from Truly Living Well.
The big picture: Amico told Axios it’s important that people see themselves represented in farming, which often isn’t the case.
- “It’s such a big industry and when people think about farming they think about Old McDonald,” he said. “There’s a place for everybody.”
2. Nedra Deadwyler, Civil Bikes
Nedra Deadwyler is the founder and CEO of Civil Bikes, an organization that combines biking and Atlanta’s civil rights history.
- Civil Bikes offers biking (and walking) tours about Atlanta’s communities, history and culture.
What they’re saying: “Growing up listening to extended family talk about their lives gave me deep respect for those who sacrifice and work towards justice,” Deadwyler told Axios. “I’m just holding the light so we all may cherish them, take action now, love justice.”
- She also hosts workshops to “preserve Black spaces and highlight the Black community,” according to Betsy Collins, who nominated Deadwyler.
3. Nigel…
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