Join The National Center for Civil and Human Rights at Constellations on Auburn Avenue as we amplify the importance of Sweet Auburn in Black history. Learn local history from our speakers, take a tour with our staff, and enjoy music and refreshments throughout the day as we honor the important work that took place in these buildings.
Celebrating Black History in Sweet Auburn will feature engaging speakers at Constellations, a civic and socially based shared workspace in the Southern School Book Building. This building served as the headquarters for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) when John Lewis was its Chairperson.
Guests are invited to take our walking tour, which explores the meaning, importance, and impact of historic buildings and murals, including the District V “Honor” mural featuring Roslyn Pope and the John Lewis “HERO” mural.
The Burke Music Academy will perform at the Historic Daily World Building, which was where Club Poinciana operated between 1944 and 1954, below the Atlanta Daily World offices. Club Poinciana once featured such greats as Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, and Benny Goodman.
Light refreshments and children’s activities will be provided.
This program is generously sponsored by PNC.
Featuring: Burke Music Academy
EVENT SCHEDULE
| Time | Action | Location |
| 9:00am | Doors Open | Constellations and Atlanta Daily World |
| 9:15am | First Walking Tour begins (runtime approx 20 minutes) | Meet in front of Atlanta Daily World |
| 9:30am | Kama Pierce greets guests and introduces Samantha Jones of PNC. | Constellations Entertaining Space |
| Opening Remarks and introduction of Jai Ferrell by Samantha Jones | Constellations Entertaining Space | |
| 9:35am | Remarks by Jai Ferrell, CEO of The Girl Scouts of Great Atlanta, followed by an introduction of Rhonda Barrow | Constellations Entertaining Space |
| Rhonda Barrow Speaks | Constellations Entertaining Space | |
| 10:15am | Second Walking Tour (runtime approx 20 minutes) | Meet in front of Atlanta Daily World |
| 10:35am | Gene Kansas welcomes guests and introduces Tuere Butler | Constellations Entertaining Space |
| 10:40am | Tuere Butler Speaks | Constellations Entertaining Space |
| 11:15am | Burke Music Academy Performance | Atlanta Daily World |
| 11:30am | Gene Kanas Speaks | Constellations Entertaining Space |
| 12:00pm | Gene Kansas Book Signing | Constellations Library |
| 12:00pm | Podcast Room is open for Oral History | Constellations Podcast Room |
| 12:00pm | Third Walking Tour (runtime approx 20 minutes) | Meet in front of Atlanta Daily World |
| 12:30pm | Burke Music Academy Performance | Atlanta Daily World |
| 1:00pm | End of Program |
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
| Time | Action | Location |
| Ongoing | Refugee Coffee – Tea and pastries | Constellations and Atlanta Daily World |
| Ongoing | Crafts and interactive kids’ activities | Mission Control |
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Jai Ferrell is an award-winning global executive with expertise in leadership, commercial/revenue programming, marketing strategy, customer experience, operations, and personnel management.
Ms. Ferrell is the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL), serving over 30,000 girls and volunteers. Most notably, she is the first person of color to lead the organization in its 100+ year history.
Before joining GSGATL, she was the Chief Commercial Revenue Officer for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), managing the commercial portfolio that exceeded $1.5 billion in gross revenue each year under her leadership.
Rhonda Barrow is the Co-Public Relations Chair and Caribbean SIG Coordinator for the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.- Metro Atlanta and Jean Sampson Scott Greater New York Chapter.
Ms. Barrow leads research on Atlanta’s first Black Girl Scout Troops, known as District V. She researched and curated a District V Girl Scout exhibit at the Atlanta Girl Scout Council office, which was also featured at the Hartsfield Jackson Airport and the Atlanta History Center, and her work inspired the honor mural on the former Atlanta Daily World building in Sweet Auburn.
She is a noted historian, receiving the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. National Certificate of Appreciation award for her research projects, among them The 100-Year Anniversary Coalition to ‘Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot’ and the Bailey-Camp Project with the African American Heritage Museum and Research Center.
Tuere K. Butler, Strategic Operations & Culture Architect, grew up in Washington, D.C., but now calls Atlanta, GA home, residing in Poncey-Highlands with her husband, Nate, and their bernedoodle, Jettson. She is a proud alumna of Spelman College, where she earned her BA in English. For 22 years, Tuere’s professional career was rooted in politics, serving Congressman John Lewis as his District Director in his Atlanta office. As his longest-serving employee, her portfolio included Homeland Security, Immigration, and Military & Veterans Affairs.
In the summer of 2024, Tuere returned to school and earned a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Management from Georgetown University, further strengthening her expertise in the nonprofit sector.
Most recently, Tuere served as the Director of Operations for Plywood People, a nonprofit based in Atlanta’s Historic West End that supports a global community of social impact leaders. She left Plywood People in August and now offers her expertise as a fractional executive, helping organizations build teams and foster healthy, efficient work cultures. Her skills have earned her invitations to speak on podcasts and at events, where she shares her best practices.
When she’s not working, Tuere spends her time mentoring young adults, traveling, and pursuing photography. She is deeply inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to action: “Life’s most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” This question continues to guide her commitment to empowering others and making a meaningful impact.
