- A group of 19 Black families in Atlanta have been working on an ambitious project for Africans in the US
- Tired of the racial trauma, they bought nearly 100 acres of land with the dream of building a safe haven for their kins
- The idea is meant to create a community that is thriving and has commercial businesses supporting one another
ATLANTA — In 2020, amidst nationwide racial justice protests, a bold vision emerged from a group of 19 Black families in Georgia.
Their initiative, the Freedom Georgia Initiative, sought to establish a Black town as a sanctuary against systemic inequities.
Why was the Freedom Georgia Initiative established?
This came amid racial trauma, a global pandemic, and economic instabilities across the United States of America brought on by COVID-19.
They purchased nearly 100 acres of land near Toomsboro, Georgia, to build a thriving, safe, and self-sufficient community.
A video shared on the project’s Instagram account shows that five years since the launch, progress continues at a steady pace.
The project’s Instagram page has recently highlighted developments such as a tiny house initiative and ongoing agricultural projects.
Freedom Georgia Initiative’s vision
Additionally, the initiative is working to expand its digital presence and economic opportunities.
The website remains active, soliciting offers for custom-built homes and advertising investment opportunities.
An Instagram update noted that three of the 13 available lots had been sold in the initial phase, signalling gradual but tangible growth.
The long-term vision is to develop 502 acres into a community that embraces environmentally sustainable living, economic self-sufficiency, and cultural enrichment.
Where is Freedom Georgia Initiative located?
Real estate agent Ashley Scott, a driving force behind the project, remains committed to the initiative’s success.
She disclosed that the idea came as she was always overwhelmed and anxious whenever her husband would leave the house to go to work.
“I’m hoping that it will be a thriving safe haven for people of colour, for Black families in particular,” she says.
The vast Freedom Georgia estate is located in rural Wilkinson County, just east of Macon.
Their journey began when co-founder Renee Walters saw an online post about Toomsboro, a town reportedly up for sale.
Recognising an opportunity, she and Scott mobilised family and friends to invest in the project, leading to the birth of the Freedom Georgia Initiative.
The ultimate goal remains ambitious: incorporating the land into an officially recognised Black city.
“Being able to create a community that is thriving, that is safe, that has agriculture and commercial businesses supporting one another,” Scott said.
Despite the challenges of turning a vision into reality, Freedom, Georgia, continues to grow, offering hope for a self-sustaining future built by and for Black families.
Source: UGC