Holding Space in a Changing Place
This post was inspired by articles written from CBS Village, The Atlanta Voice, and the AJC.
You may have noticed several Southwest Atlanta businesses featured prominently in the news lately. That’s because in southwest Atlanta, Black-owned businesses are not just serving coffee; they are preserving the history and culture of their neighborhoods. In NPU-T many of our thriving Black-owned businesses can be easily connected to the legacy of Lottie Watkins, a pioneering entrepreneur who helped shape the economic landscape of the area. Portrait Coffee and The Ke'nekt Cooperative are two such businesses operating in spaces that reflect the community-driven ethos she championed.
Lottie Watkins was a trailblazer, making history as Atlanta's first Black woman to become a licensed real estate broker. In 1960, she founded Lottie Watkins Enterprises and purchased a building on Gordon Street—now Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard—where she reserved space for minority-owned businesses. That building, now home to Portrait Coffee, stands as a symbol of her vision and commitment to Black entrepreneurship. Watkins was not only a business leader but also a mentor and advocate for civil rights, serving in the Georgia House of Representatives and guiding many through the fight for racial equality.
Portrait Coffee continues Watkins’ mission by creating a space where history and culture are celebrated. Inside the café, art and photographs pay tribute to Watkins and the broader Black community, serving as cultural artifacts that invite visitors to engage with the rich legacy of the area. The shop's very existence within the Lottie Watkins Building underscores the lasting influence of a woman whose name was synonymous with progress and opportunity in southwest Atlanta.
Another business carrying forward this legacy in NPU-T is The Ke’nekt Cooperative, founded by Kiyomi Rollins. Housed in a former mechanic shop, The Ke’nekt is a hub for community gathering, idea exchange, and economic empowerment. Inspired by historical third spaces that have been integral to Black culture, such as barbershops and churches, Rollins envisions The Ke’nekt as a refuge against the displacement of Black businesses. Her commitment to prioritizing the voices of the underserved and reinvesting in the community aligns with Watkins' philosophy of creating sustainable opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
These businesses are not merely places to grab a cup of coffee; they are spaces of resilience, history, and empowerment. In an era of gentrification and economic disparity, these businesses offer a counter-narrative—one that centers Black ownership, cultural preservation, and community strength.
As southwest Atlanta faces increasing pressures from development, the legacies of Lottie Watkins and the businesses she inspired remain vital. By supporting establishments like Portrait Coffee and The Ke'nekt Cooperative, patrons are investing in a movement that honors the past while securing the future for Black entrepreneurs in NPU-T and beyond.