A Neighborhood Economy

This past week, my wife Donna and I were able to go back to Atlanta where we spent seventeen years of our lives. Our grandchild lives there, it’s where our oldest children were raised, and where our two oldest sons and daughter-in-law still live and work. Did I mention our grandchild lives there?

Tuesday morning, I was awakened by a smiling little three-year-old full of energy and, since I’m a morning person, it was a welcome sight. I got dressed and asked my granddaughter if she wanted to go with Poppop to get coffee and a snack. A giant smile came on her face, a hunt for shoes ensued, and within a few minutes we were headed out the door to walk a few blocks to the neighborhood coffee shop. 

We began walking and, to my amazement, as we got to each corner, she pointed out the turns and said, “Coffee shop dis way, Poppop.” It made my heart flutter to follow as she guided us to the coffee shop. 

We moved into South Atlanta some twenty-three years ago, as what we called then “strategic neighbors.” Donna and I were in our 30’s, had three little kids, and were ready to be a part of something miraculous. We moved to South Atlanta from Eastlake and were ready to see what was possible.  

South Atlanta has a wonderful history: it is the place of the original Gammon Theological Seminary and Clarke College; it was a center of education until the schools moved over to the west side to what are now the campuses of Morehouse, Spelman, and Clarke Atlanta. After the colleges moved, the neighborhood began to decline a bit and was faced with economic challenges, but there was a vibrant group of neighbors who grew up there and were committed to restoring and growing the neighborhood again. This group was called the South Atlanta Civic League.  

These neighbors connected with FCS (Focused Community Strategies) in the late 90’s, and a partnership was established between the South Atlanta Civic League and FCS. The Barbers then entered the picture as neighbors, and over the next twenty-three years this incredible neighborhood has established itself as an example of how a local economy can work over time. 

What started as the purchase of one building as the centerpiece of the neighborhood has become the home of a local coffee shop, a grocery store, and the offices for FCS. There have been 134 homes built, 84 affordable apartments, a new YMCA, and a restaurant on the way, along with numerous families and traditions continued and started anew. A local economy has arisen. 

When my granddaughter and I walked into the coffee shop that I had the honor of starting in 2008, the shop where both my sons have worked and managed, there was a local college student who has grown up in the neighborhood behind the counter taking my order, and greeting my granddaughter, Aloe. She was surrounded by other students and young people working in the grocery store. There were neighbors enjoying coffee, students working, and grocery shelves being stocked. 

We sat with our food. ( I had coffee; Aloe had a muffin and red soda to which her parents later objected. But I am Poppop!) As I sat there, I got a text from Jeff, a neighbor and director of the economic work at FCS, saying he saw me walk up. Jeff and his wife Katie have lived and worked there with their family for over twenty years, and are incredible leaders and neighbors. My heart leaps again. 

The walk home goes up the street towards the park because, of course, my granddaughter wants to hit the swings as well. (I probably needed to let some of the sugar get burned up.) As we walk up Gammon Avenue, I see Jay, a long-time resident of South Atlanta who welcomed our family here twenty-three years ago and schooled me on the local politics at the time. 

“Hey,” I yell out.

He yells back, “Hey!” 

I say, “It’s Leroy Barber.” 

He looks at me and says, “ I know who it is,” and immediately we begin to chat and laugh. He looks down at my granddaughter and says, “Love your family.” 

My heart leaps as the memories shoot through me of meetings, tears, tragedies, and victories with him flood me. 

Aloe and I get to the park, hit the swings, and my mind races back to my first time in the park and all the 3-on-3 tournaments, Easter egg hunts, Halloween celebrations, and more. 

And now here I am pushing my granddaughter on a swing where glass and busted rims once existed. It is now a spot where grandfathers laugh and play with their grandchildren. 

I stand in this place twenty-three years later now, working with Neighborhood Economics, answering the question, why? 

Why Neighborhood Economics? Why now? Why San Antonio? I then realize that a neighborhood economy starts with people, place, and a commitment to equal access. A commitment to homes, jobs, schools, good business, local partnerships, and investment.  A neighborhood economy is needed because everyone should have equal opportunity to thrive. 

Why now? Because it seems our history in many places around the country has hindered our connection to each other and has caused local economies to suffer. Local economy brings connections of people in places to know, understand, and support one another well.

And why San Antonio? Because we will bring together all of the above in one place to learn, connect, inspire, partner, and to see that it is all possible. A local neighborhood can partner with connected investment in themselves, their families, and  their community, and a local flourishing can emerge. 

South Atlanta is a special place twenty-three years later because of the commitment of neighbors and friends over time to see everyone thrive. This is also  possible in your place and community. Meet us in San Antonio. Let’s make this happen.

Leroy (Poppop) Barber 

Executive Director, Neighborhood Economics