Hi, we are Omoshalewa Bamkole and Natalie Taylor, student members of the Atlanta-area Evaluation Association and the Local Affiliate Working Group. This post is designed to share our perspective on Atlanta, some downtown eats, and experiences. Since you’ll be an Atlantan for the duration of the conference, it’s important for you to understand some idiosyncrasies that make this city unique. We hope this will give you a sneak peek of what’s to come when you visit Atlanta this October.
Hot Tip: “The Perimeter.” Whether you’re inside or outside the perimeter can be the deciding factor in understanding the local geography. Interstate 285 is the major highway that circles the metropolitan area of Atlanta, and serves as a boundary line for most locals. If you’re an Atlanta native, being “inside the perimeter” (ITP) or “outside the perimeter” (OTP) will make for huge differences in lifestyle. Being ITP may be for those who like the fast paced nature of the city and easy access to a variety of arts and cultural centers, while being OTP lends itself to a more family-friendly and suburban environment.
Hot Tip: Atlanta Neighborhoods. While in the ATL, you’ll be blown away by the unique, eclectic neighborhoods sprawling throughout the region. Check out the giant skull at the Vortex in Little Five Points. Visit the birthsite of Martin Luther King Jr. in Sweet Auburn, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If possible, venture to the historical Cabbagetown District and see a revitalized former textile mill community.
Fun Facts:
Atlanta Firsts
- In 1922, Atlanta signed on the first licensed radio station in the southeastern United States- WSB-AM.
- Atlanta was the first major Southern city to elect a black mayor, Maynard Jackson (1974).
- The first bidirectional bike intersection in America can be found at the intersection of John Portman Boulevard and Peachtree Center Avenue.
Must See’s in Atlanta
- Don’t miss out on some delicious Southern cooking. Make your reservation at Southern Elements today, and try recipes from Charleston all the way to the Mississippi Gulf.
- Visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to learn about movements of the past and present-day, and the role you can play in achieving equality for all!
- Get up close to the latest breaking global news at the CNN Center! Take the “Inside CNN Studio Tour” for an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime view of their global headquarters.
- Look no further for a place to quench your thirst and begin your quest for Coke’s famous secret recipe than at the World of Coca-Cola!
- Experience Atlanta railways, trails, parks, housing, and artsy green spaces by foot or bike along the Beltline!
We’re looking forward to October and the Evaluation 2016 annual conference all this week with our colleagues in the Local Arrangements Working Group (LAWG). Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to contribute to aea365? Review the contribution guidelines and send your draft post to aea365@eval.org.