An Ode to Atlanta’s Groundbreaking First Black Mayor, Maynard Jackson

An Ode to Atlanta’s Groundbreaking First Black Mayor, Maynard Jackson

Atlanta, the heart of the New South, is no stranger to making history. Fifty years ago, we changed the game when the charming Maynard Jackson – he of the ever-present beaming smile and head of enviable waves – rose to power as the city’s first-ever African-American mayor. A move that earned us the cherished nickname, “The Black Mecca”.

Award-winning author and playwright Pearl Cleage knows this tale better than most. You see, she was Jackson’s first press secretary. So, to honor her former boss and his phenomenal legacy, she’s created a chilling masterpiece: “Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard Jackson”, an Alliance Theatre production that ran from August 3 – 11.

Maynard Jackson: A Life in Public Service

Armed with an education from Morehouse College and roots deeply entrenched in Atlanta’s African-American community, Jackson was no stranger to fighting for his city’s future. That’s why, back when he ran for mayor against the city’s first Jewish mayor Sam Massell, he wasn’t deterred by the negative tactics of his opposition’s campaign. Instead, it backfired, and Jackson won the support of not only the black community but progressive whites as well, marking the start of a new era for Atlanta.

A Play Drenched in Emotions

All the facts and statistics about Jackson’s incredible victory have been documented countless times. What makes Cleage’s tribute unique, however, is how it attempts to revive the emotions and sentiments of that era. She wanted to share the unforgettable energy, the furor, the exhaustion, and everything that contributed to making that victory a reality.

Like she said, “once I thought about it I asked myself: What do I remember about that time? What did it feel like to be there at that time?” She wanted the play to showcase the aspect which most people, including Jackson himself, had overlooked. “He was reluctant to do that because I think he felt like that it would have exposed a level of vulnerability that he didn’t want to really explore.” Cleage said.

Inspiring Future Generations

The production debuted in Washington, D.C., winning acclaim from audiences. But Cleage has always felt that the play belongs to and is meant to be appreciated by Atlanta’s population. It was written for the people of Atlanta, performed by artists who call Atlanta home, and is best enjoyed by those who have grown up surrounded by the city’s vibrant culture and history.

I mean, what better way could there be to remind the younger generation of the impact of that pivotal period? To make them realize what an iconic moment in history it was and the waves of change it triggered? As Cleage rightly put it, “I wanted people to remember that democracy does work when you elect a good person who is committed to doing good things – that it works.” And that is exactly what her tribute to Maynard Jackson achieves.