This historic Southwest Atlanta neighborhood is in the midst of evolution: a major redevelopment stuck in limbo, hustlin’ “water boys” at odds with some neighbors, and a thriving arts scene at risk from the pandemic—making it the perfect destination for our first Community Issue.

Just southeast of Atlanta, Forest Park yearns for connections, yet is caught between squabbling leaders, its past, and disenfranchised residents. We uplift solutions to food insecurity, untangle complexities of policing in immigrant communities, and more in the Clayton County city.

We probe the factors behind gentrification, explore a rich hip-hop legacy, and search for a missing police officer with a neighborhood in the midst of transformation: the Bankhead/Grove Park community in Northwest Atlanta.

This sleepy “bedroom” community harbors hidden gems and challenges that are rousing residents, from housing affordability to the nearby “Cop City” development.

This community, just south of downtown, is debating how to best honor its historic landmarks and serve its residents going forward. We explore the legacy that its General Motors plant left behind, the neighborhood’s mysterious reputation as a “Holistic Health Oasis,” and what’s in store for the vacant Lakewood Elementary building.

Residents of one of Gwinnett County’s most diverse communities describe the area as  a “tale of two cities.” The communal belonging described by homeowners from downtown historic Norcross contrasts sharply with the fear, struggle to pay rent, and challenging living conditions described by residents of color in unincorporated Norcross.

The East Point, College Park, and Hapeville neighborhoods pride themselves on being close-knit communities while being next door to the world’s busiest airport. We uplift the thinkers and doers who see even greater possibilities for the area—whether it’s by making healthcare more accessible, providing affordable housing for its artists, or revitalizing Old National Highway.

As one of the first neighborhoods in the country built by Black planners, Collier Heights is steeped in rich history. In the 1950s, it became Atlanta’s premier community for Black people, known for its ranch-style brick homes. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and named a historic district by Atlanta City Council.

Incorporated as a town in 1882, the city was named after a railroad official. It has become known as the most diverse square mile in the United States, gaining the moniker of the “Ellis Island of the South.” It is home to thousands of refugees who speak more than 60 languages. Two recent annexations nearly doubled the city’s population.