Childhood home of Atlanta’s first Black mayor renovated into affordable housing for Spelman staff

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – The childhood home of Atlanta’s first Black mayor has been transformed into affordable housing.

A ribbon cutting was held at the Rev. Maynard Jackson’s home off Sunset Avenue in Vine City on Monday.

Rev. Jackson is the father of Maynard Jackson Jr., who became Atlanta’s first black mayor.

The home will serve as affordable housing for Spelman faculty and staff by offering a pathway to homeownership.

Spelman staff member Michele Ogden will be one of the first tenants.

“In my previous home, the rent jumped to $2,250 a month, which was completely unaffordable for me in my current field,” Ogden said. “I really have been dreaming of owning a home for forever.”

The home that was built by Rev. Maynard in 1949 sits across from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s family home.

The renovation was spearheaded by the Westside Future Fund, which bought the property from the King Center in 2020.

“Preserve the legacy, return it to service and to make it a place that is fit for the next generations of leaders,” said Westside Future Fund Board Chair T. Dallas Smith.

The ribbon cutting ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta City Council member Byron Amos and stakeholders who helped make the project come to life.

Members of the Jackson family were also in attendance.

“I know that Maynard would be so proud of this house being renovated and standing again to serve the community,” said Valerie Jackson, wife of former Mayor Jackson.

Valerie said the home served many purposes, not only as a family home and Rev. Jackson’s office, but was offered up as housing for university students and Black families during the 1950s and 60s.

“The man was ahead of his time. Rev. Jackson was ahead of his time — just like Maynard was ahead of his time,” Jackson said.

The home will house six to right Spelman faculty and staff members.

The Westside Future Fund is hoping the project will serve as a model for future faculty housing partnerships.

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