In October of 1970, the Atlanta Housing Authority opened a public housing community on the edge of Atlanta called East Lake Meadows. Over the next 25 years, many thousands of low-income Atlantans, mostly African American, would call it home. Residents moved in for hundreds of different reasons and created strong bonds despite the many challenges they faced. But as public housing in America became stigmatized and abandoned, and a crack wave swept through the neighborhood, East Lake Meadows became nearly uninhabitable. In the mid-1990s, Atlanta bulldozed the housing project to make way for new mixed-income housing, as government and philanthropic funds poured into the area in an effort to create a thriving community. Through the stories of former residents, EAST LAKE MEADOWS: A Public Housing Story gives voice to some of the most marginalized people in our society and raises critical questions about how we, as a nation, have created concentrated poverty and limited housing opportunities for African Americans, and what can be done to address it.

Join us for refreshments at 6pm, the film screening will begin promptly at 6:30pm. Following the film, filmmakers Sarah Burns and David McMahon will be joined in conversation with local public housing experts and community organizers. 

Join us for a screening party to celebrate one of PBS KIDS’ newest shows, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum! Xavier, his little sister Yadina, and their friend Brad’s adventures through time will help teach kids how they can be change-makers through the relatable stories of history’s most iconic figures. By exploring a diverse range of social emotional concepts each episode is designed to help young viewers make the connection between the attributes that made each historical figure a hero and those same qualities within themselves. Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum is based on the children’s book series Ordinary People Change the World.

Attendees will enjoy an episode, along with a craft activity.

There is no minimum age to enter the event. All children should be accompanied by an adult. GPB offers free short-term visitor parking onsite. For driving directions and parking information, please click here. Visitor parking is available on Level Two.