The Inaugural Taste of Southwest Atlanta is more than a festival. It’s the beginning of a new day for Greater Southwest Atlanta that seeks to develop holistic solutions for economic development, residents, and businesses. Atlanta Southwest, the host organization of the Inaugural Taste of Southwest Atlanta, want to tell everyone about the secret which is Southwest Atlanta.
On Saturday, June 29, 2019 from 12noon to 6pm at the back parking lot of Greenbriar Mall, the community is invited to engage with elected officials for politics in the street, connect with non-profit and neighborhood organizations, support local businesses, celebrate neighborhood champions, enjoy live independent entertainment, and fellowship with each other.
“We are excited about this festival as we wanted to more in line with community needs and wants. We are bringing out food trucks of unique tastes to give our neighborhoods additional dining options, working with the Fulton County Solicitor for free criminal record expungement, and bringing many neighborhood resources together in one place,” Dominique Huff, Co-Founder of Atlanta Southwest and Executive Producer of Taste of Southwest Atlanta said. “We want to change the narrative of Southwest Atlanta, and that starts on the grassroots level. There are plenty of great businesses for dining and shopping options, amenities, active civic organizations, and much more. We are more than just crime and blight!”
The Taste of Southwest Atlanta will also have health screenings including holistic solutions for those into alternative options; a bounce house for the children and various elected officials, city and county agencies on hand to take questions and concerns. Organizers seek to bring city and county government to the people instead of them going to Downtown Atlanta.
Huff adds that many unsung community heroes from the Southwest Atlanta region will be honored during the event for aiding to the quality of life for the community. Categories will include Small Business Owner of the Year, the Emma Darnell Awards for Health and Environment (1 each), Outstanding Senior Community Leader, Outstanding Youth Community Leader, and more.
“We have such a passionate community, and many people often work unnoticed as they are focused on getting the job done. We want to tell them thank you and your efforts are being noticed,” he said. “These people are who make the community great, and while it may not be much, we know everyone wants to be appreciated!”
The event is free and MARTA accessible! Attendees are encouraged to come hungry and ready to support the vendors. Organizers hope this will help the businesses to continue to stay in the area or consider investing in the district. The event sponsors are Atlanta City Council, Sandtown Pub, Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Fulton County Solicitor General’s Office, Neighborhood Planning Unit R, Heart 2 Heart, and Leaf Filter Gutter Protection.
Event partners are: Hardnett Enterprises, Dominique Huff Enterprises, Reyarpdrol Foundation, and Atlanta Executive Consultants.
Marcedes Lyons will be the event MC for the day along with special guest Author Tori Lynn.
“Our goal is to create new traditions for Greater Southwest Atlanta which will be long-lasting and give residents and businesses something to look forward to yearly,” he concluded. “This is part of many events under the Atlanta Southwest event series. We’re just getting started, stay tuned!”
About Atlanta Southwest
Atlanta Southwest is a new holistic community improvement effort aimed at enhancing the Greenbriar Mall business district to include Campbellton Road, Ben Hill and Headland/Delowe in East Point. Atlanta Southwest is designed with community in mind to cover small business owners, our youth, families, and elderly. The ultimate goal is to develop a community improvement district for the region with a supporting civic and business alliance. Atlanta Southwest was founded in 2018 by Kathryn Byrd, Harold Hardnett, and Dominique Huff.
