Atlanta, GA
‘Atlanta’s Berlin Wall’: One Atlanta neighorhood’s history of racial roadblocks
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Owning a home is part of the American dream many families are never able to realize because of the color of their skin.
This Black History Month, Atlanta News First anchor Tracye Hutchins sheds light on a little-known part of Atlanta’s history when a roadblock was used as a barrier for Black people.
Cascade Heights has been known as a home to Black prominence and power in Atlanta. Several notable politicians, sports figures and celebrities have settled in there, but only in recent history.
In the early 1960s, the neighborhood was on the brink of a major transition when a doctor named Clinton Warner bought a home there. The problem was Warner was Black and that area of Cascade Heights was all white.
It wasn’t long before Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen Jr., who was in office at the time, decided to keep the peace and keep more Blacks for moving in — a permanent barricade made of steel and wood built on Peyton Road. The barricade became known as the Peyton Wall, a symbol of segregation.
Dr. Ron Bayor, a retired Georgia Tech professor, said the Peyton Wall was Atlanta’s most blatant attempt to block Black migration.
“The whole effort was to push Blacks to the west side. But it was a travesty, this was the year after the Berlin Wall was built, and it was often referred to as Atlanta’s Berlin Wall,” Bayor said.
Bayor has written about Atlanta’s segregated history in his book “Race And The Shaping of Twentieth Century Atlanta.”
The existence of the Peyton Wall prompted multiple protests and negative national headlines, which became too much for Atlanta city leaders. A judge later ruled the barrier unconstitutional, and the Peyton Wall was torn down after 72 days.
Bayor said the wall’s impact is still being felt today.
“Generally, Atlanta is still a pretty segregated city, and this is a legacy of what happened before,” Bayor said.
Archie Emerson, the local board president of the Empire Board of Realtists, has seen the impact firsthand.
Emerson represents the same group of Black real estate brokers who fought to help Black homeowners in that neighborhood in the 1960s.
“In order for us to elevate to the next level, we must change our mindset and understand that we have the right of homeownership,” Emerson said.
But in 2025, there are still barriers for Black people, including historical prejudice, economic disparities and denied mortgages.
The most recent data from the Atlanta Regional Commission found that Black homeownership in Fulton County was 25% lower than white homeownership, even though Black people make up a larger percentage of the population.
“So why wouldn’t we continue to fight now? Unfortunately, we’re still fighting,” Emerson said. “So that we can continue to have growth in homeownership. It starts right here on Peyton Road.”
Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.
Mayor Andre Dickens is set to announce a new emergency effort Thursday to help Atlanta residents who may soon face food insecurity if federal food benefits are disrupted.
The mayor will be joined by Atlanta Community Food Bank President and CEO Kyle Wade, Goodr founder and CEO Jasmine Crowe-Houston, and Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson for the announcement at noon at the Atlanta Community Food Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
City officials say the initiative aims to assist residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides vital food support to thousands of Atlantans, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, and working families.
The announcement comes as concerns grow over a potential lapse in federal SNAP funding that could leave many without access to essential food assistance. Dickens and community leaders are expected to outline how Atlanta plans to respond if federal aid is interrupted on Nov. 1.
The season rolls on tonight for the Atlanta Hawks and they are hoping to snap a small two game losing streak when they face the Brooklyn Nets tonight.
The Hawks have gotten off to a disappointing start this season, going 1-3 in their first four games and dropping a game on Monday against the Chicago Bulls. Brooklyn meanwhile has started 0-4 and looked about how we all thought they would at the start of the season.
While no NBA game is a must-win in October, it would not be good for the Hawks if they dropped this game. They would fall to 1-4, and after being talked about as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference before the season, the pressure would start to mount on this group.
So what is plaguing the Hawks in their first four games? Our own Rohan Raman took a deeper look at the numbers in today’s preview:
“The Hawks’ offense is steadily taking steps forward. They’re 25th in points, 21st in FG%, 21st in 3P%, 18th in FT%, 28th in rebounds (21st in OREB), 10th in assists and 4th in turnovers per game. Despite the poor numbers, Atlanta just broke 120+ points during their game with Chicago against a very tough Bulls defense. Trae Young teams have also been a virtual lock for above-average offensive production throughout his career, so expect the Hawks to keep climbing up the offensive rankings.
Their transition defense and rim protection continue to hold them back on defense and the Bulls just torched them from deep. On a per-game basis, Atlanta ranks 20th in points allowed, 27th in FG% allowed, 7th in 3P% allowed, 27th in rebounds allowed, 23rd in steals and 18th in blocks. So far, the improvements they’ve theoretically made to the defense have not shone through.
Despite their record, the Nets are a thoroughly mediocre offense. They rank 21st in points, 19th in FG%, 14th in 3P%, 12th in FT%, 30th in rebounds (12th in OREB), 17th in assists and 13th in turnovers per game. Brooklyn has legitimate scoring options like Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr, but they sorely lack the high-level shotmaking or passing necessary for offensive consistency.
The defense has been the real struggle. While the Hawks’ defense has been bad, the Nets’ defense is catastrophic. They’re 30th in points allowed, 30th in FG% allowed, 30th in 3P% allowed, 10th in rebounds allowed, 26th in steals and 30th in blocks. They have no real perimeter defense to speak of and that’s led to opposing lineups getting whatever they want against Brooklyn’s defense.”
Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be favored on the road tonight, as the Nets are currently 7.5 point favorites according to the latest odds from the Fanduel Sportsbook, and the over/under is set at 238.5.
I think the Hawks win this game and win it comfortably tonight. They are more talented and need the game more than Brooklyn.
Final Score: Atlanta 130, Nets 116 (ATL -7.5 and Over)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Federal shutdown a month later and no deal in sight
The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 with many users of government subsidized programs about to lose all funding and pause payments. This will cause a ripple effect across Georgia. Here’s the latest on the impact in the Peach State.
ATLANTA – If your SNAP benefits aren’t reloaded in November because of the federal government shutdown, there are places in North Georgia already preparing to help, even if this is your first time asking for help.
These organizations support families with groceries, emergency food boxes, baby supplies, and in some cases, housing or utility aid.
WANT TO DONATE INSTEAD?
What you can do:
Metro Atlanta (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton)
Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) — serves families in 29 counties
• Helps with: emergency food pantries, mobile markets, partner churches and community drop-off sites
• How to find food right now: https://www.acfb.org/need-help
• SNAP help is also available — they have staff who help with re-enrollment if benefits stop.
Hosea Helps (Atlanta & Southside) — emergency food, hot meals, seniors, crisis support
• Helps with: prepared meals, food boxes, seniors, single parents, urgent survival needs
• Contact / get help: https://4hosea.org/get-help
HOPE Atlanta — crisis housing + hunger relief, formerly Action Ministries
• Helps with: food, meal assistance, hotel/shelter placement, family stability services
• Get help here: https://hopeatlanta.org/get-help
Salvation Army Metro Atlanta
• Helps with: food pantries, emergency assistance, utility aid, temporary shelter
• Find your local service center: https://salvationarmyatlanta.org/gethelp
North Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, and Cherokee counties
North Fulton Community Charities (Roswell / Alpharetta)
• Helps with: food pantry, diapers, rent/utility support for North Fulton residents
• Request assistance: https://nfcchelp.org/get-help
The Place of Forsyth
• Helps with: food market, rent help, senior services, crisis support
• Assistance info: https://www.theplaceofforsyth.org/get-help
Meals by Grace (Forsyth & Dawson)
• Helps with: FREE grocery delivery for families without transportation
• Sign up or request food: https://mealsbygrace.org/need-help
Georgia Mountain Food Bank (Hall + North Georgia counties)
• Helps with: partner food pantries and drive-through distributions
• Find help near you: https://www.gamountainfoodbank.org/find-help
Henry, Fayette, Coweta, Rockdale, and Douglas counties
Real Life Center (Peachtree City / Fayette County)
• Helps with: weekly food market, hygiene supplies, long-term stabilization programs
• Help details: https://reallifecenter.org/assistance
Helping In His Name Ministries (Henry County)
• Helps with: groceries for Henry County residents, no income required — must show ID
• Assistance info: https://www.hihn.org/need-help
One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach (Coweta County)
• Helps with: groceries, emergency housing referrals, clothing
• Start here: https://oneroofoutreach.org/need-help
Rockdale Emergency Relief (Conyers / Rockdale County)
• Helps with: food, hygiene, and emergency utility assistance
• Get help: https://rockdaleemergencyrelief.org/programs
Athens and surrounding areas
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia (Athens & Clayton)
• Helps with: local food pantries, mobile food drop-offs, SNAP assistance
• Find help: https://foodbanknega.org/get-help
Columbus and West Georgia
Feeding The Valley Food Bank (Columbus + rural West Georgia counties)
• Helps with: partner churches & food pantries that serve families directly
• Find food now: https://www.feedingthevalley.org/find-food
Other resources
United Way 211 — call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.211.org
• Live operators will connect you to your nearest open pantry or emergency assistance program
Women, Infants & Children (WIC) — for pregnant women, babies, and children up to age 5
• Eligibility + apply: https://dph.georgia.gov/WIC
The Source: The details in this article come from the individual organizations listed above. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reporting was also used.
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