Soque Street llc : Creative Community Development

Thanks to the City (Cornelia Main Street) for making The Ballard Center available for this mural project to host workshops and serve as art studio until it's completion - June 2026.

Stay tuned for OPEN STUDIO hours!

Love & Appreciation to Sinister Wisdom and Charis Books & More for remembering our sistuh, doris.
Thursday, January 29 at 7 p.m.
Tribute to Dr. doris davenport with Briona Simone Jones
Writer, educator, and literary and performance poet doris davenport grew up in the Appalachian foothills of Habersham County (Cornelia) Georgia. She earned degrees from Paine College (BA English), State University of Buffalo (SUNY), New York (MA English) and the University of Southern California (PhD Literature). She published nine collections of poetry and was until her death in 2024 a beloved member of the Sinister Wisdom community. Join Sinister Wisdom board member Briona Simone Jones for a tribute to doris davenport featuring readings of work by doris and memories from friends and comrades.

This event takes place on Zoom.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tbZkiylmRwCrbSA8zFAhpw #/registration Registration is required for virtual attendance. Register here. Passcode: doris

There has been a heartwarming, outpouring of support from "community members" - those who still live here, new to the community, and some no longer live here - and even from some who have never lived here. It has been wonderful to experience. And for all of them, I'm grateful.
The authenticity of Kwanzaa can be embraced by expressing generosity through meaningful deeds and thoughtful tokens of appreciation rather than expensive, material gifts. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to a specific principle that inspires people to exemplify their best selves, pay homage to their ancestors, and commit to building a positive legacy for future generations. https://www.realsimple.com/kwanzaa-history-meaning-8407786

Stories Transform into Landmarks -

You're invited to this "special" Kwanzaa Gathering. Come share your memories of The Hill & The Cafe. Discover how our memories are connected that define our COLLECTIVE MEMORY as a neighborhood. MEMORY PROMPT: Regional African American Museum of Northeast Georgia, Inc. Legacy panels will be on display.

Always on the look-out for an opportunity for intergenerational work, I was drawn to Abigail Bennett's enthusiasm, and depth of thought as a young adult and dedication to using public art for broad based community-building.

We met online during an American Planning Association webinar and she put her question in chat "What measures have been taken to ensure that these investments in low-income neighborhoods don't contribute to displacement? How do we revitalize without gentrifying?"

I responded to her question - "Great question! In fact, my Master of Architecture thesis was just that - "Gentrification without Displacement". Would you be interested in connecting?"

I'm grateful to have her with me in the overlap of the mural and parking lot projects. As both a mentee, and co-creator.