I am a photographer and filmmaker—telling stories is my life. I moved to Collier Heights in 1956 and lived on a dirt street, Albert Street off Oldknow Drive. I graduated from Southwest High School in 1969 and went on to Clark Atlanta University. I started doing theater at Spelman College and Clark in the 1970s, and I’ve been a filmmaker since then. I feel uniquely placed and very excited about being able to give back to my community what I’ve been trained to do as a professional filmmaker, thespian film producer, and product of the community.

I was Jacinta M. Jones while growing up in Collier Heights. I am an author and have self-published a book called “How We Got Back Home.” I grew up during the time of the Atlanta Child Murders era, so my grandmother converted her basement into what we considered to be a “fun house” for us to play. My grandmother prided herself on taking every precaution she could to keep her family safe. Everyone knew where we lived on Waterford Road, where my sister still lives. Even today, people still blow their car horns when they pass by. I look forward to writing about the great people of Collier Heights and how they shaped what is now considered the great “Black Mecca.”

My name is Kirsten Daniel. I am a native of the Westside of Atlanta. My career is in music and entertainment. About ten years ago, I started a brand called Ateaelle, which represents my passion for and experiences in Atlanta. In the next phase, my goal is to lean into storytelling more and connect our past, present, and future through archiving and increased community connection. I adore listening to the stories of our elders and want to prioritize capturing content that allows them to share stories that many of us may find intriguing or relevant. The richness of the Collier Heights community would be a great place for me to begin my service of making sure the stories and experiences of our older neighbors aren’t buried when they are.

I am TiBerni aka Ti Hall. I am a legal assistant who advocates for justice and helping people recover after facing injustices. I am also that person who makes a friend wherever I go. I love to talk to people and ask them about “where they are from.” As a Southern belle in the New South, I see my city progressing but lacking authenticity. My goals for the fellowship are to encourage myself to write more about topics that have meaning to me and to speak about Black experiences. During the pandemic, I became terrified of censorship and who told the stories,so standing by and being afraid to write won’t help make the world any better. My grandmother, Bertha Way, whom I lived with in Collier Heights, always made me feel proud of myself despite the odds I faced, so I am writing and honoring Collier Heights for her.

I am a senior at Frederick Douglass High School in Collier Heights. My goal for the fellowship is to make a noticeable change. Collier Heights as a community and historic place deserves to be heard and recognized as something significant in Atlanta.

My name is Akua (which means “precious messenger”) Taylor. I am a performing artist, educator, and musician. For the last 20 years, I have composed motivational music for youth to encourage self-esteem and self-love. My goal for the fellowship is to identify stories Collier Heights wants to tell and give voice to the voiceless.