It began with a simple question: “What if?”

Over the years, the Grove Park Neighborhood Association meetings have been a place where neighbors gather, share updates, and hear from Atlanta City Council members representing our district. These meetings are valuable, but they also come with rules—chief among them, no campaign materials. Candidates may introduce themselves briefly, but there’s rarely time for residents to hear their ideas in detail, let alone ask meaningful follow-up questions.

After a recent meeting ended, neighbor Dorothy Woods leaned over to me and said how nice it would be if we could host a candidate forum. As we sat with that thought, we realized something surprising; many neighbors could not recall our district ever having a candidate event. 

That casual “what if” quickly became the spark that ignited something bigger.

Turning an idea into action meant finding support. We reached out to Canopy Atlanta, and then the Grove Park Neighborhood Association signed on, ensuring resident voices stayed at the center of the planning process.

Next, we extended invitations to the candidates, Councilman Dustin Hillis and his challenger Charles Bourgeois from District 9, and Councilman Byron Amos and his challenger Perrin Bostic from District 3. Grove Park is split into two city council districts, with about half of the community in each district. 

The Grove Park Foundation then joined the effort, securing KIPP Woodson Park Academy as the venue. What began as a fleeting idea was quickly taking shape, thanks to a coalition of local residents and organizations who believed in the power of conversation.

More than 120 residents from across the districts and nearby neighborhoods filled the school auditorium on a Saturday morning, Sept. 13. The energy in the room was palpable—a mix of curiosity, anticipation, and determination. People came ready to listen, ready to question, and ready to hold candidates accountable.

The program was designed to be welcoming and structured. We began with a community brunch, creating space for neighbors to greet each other. Then came the official opening remarks, with acknowledgments of the many partners who helped make the day possible.

When Felicia Moore stepped to the podium as moderator, the room leaned in. From her beginnings as a neighborhood president and NPU chair to her 20 years representing District 9 to her tenure as Atlanta City Council President, Moore represented decades of leadership and the principle of service. 

Moore guided candidates through a set of pre-selected questions submitted by community members. The topics included crime reduction, affordable housing, infrastructure, food access, and support for local businesses. Importantly, these were not vague prompts. Candidates were asked to identify the agencies they would partner with, the budget sources they would rely on, and the measurable outcomes they would deliver.

After this structured portion, community members stood to ask their own questions—pressing, personal, and pointed. This moment transformed the event from a stage performance into a true conversation, where everyday residents shaped the dialogue.

The forum concluded with final remarks from each candidate, allowing them to summarize their vision and commitments. By the end, residents had not only heard platforms but also witnessed the candidates’ ability to respond in real time to community concerns.

Looking back, it’s remarkable how a passing thought between neighbors turned into one of the most engaging civic gatherings Grove Park has seen in years. The forum proved what is possible when residents and community partners come together; more than 120 people united in one space, listening, questioning, and envisioning a better future for our neighborhoods.

What started as “what if” became proof that we, as a community, can create spaces for meaningful dialogue, accountability, and collective action. And in that, perhaps, lies the most important answer of all.