Remembering Black History Icons

By Monique Rojas
Communications Coordinator

In celebration of Black History Month, nationally recognized names are often celebrated throughout the country. However, it is also important to honor the legacy of local heroes who have changed the social and political landscape of the city. The last few months have been devastating for Black history with the loss of many notable Atlanta figures. We want to acknowledge these visionaries, leaders, and artists.

Cleophas Orange

Cleophas “Cleo” Orange

Many know Cleophas “Cleo” Orange as the wife of Reverend James Orange. However, Cleo paved her path as a civil rights activist before her marriage. As a secretary, Cleo dedicated many years to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Her duties included organizing voter registration drives and protests. Cleo Orange died on January 4, 2023, at 78.

Dr. Roslyn Pope

Roslyn Pope. Spelman Messenger February 1960 vol. 76 no. 2

Dr. Roslyn Pope is regarded as a pioneer of the Atlanta Student Movement. With the aid of civil rights activist and future senator Julian Bond, Dr. Pope wrote An Appeal for Human Rights. This document served as a blueprint for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and subsequent nonviolent protest groups. Dr. Roslyn Pope passed away on January 19, 2023, at 84.

Bunnie Jackson-Ransom

Former Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson posing with his mother, Irene Dobbs Jackson, left, and his ex-wife, Burnella “Bunnie” Jackson, right, in Atlanta. Boyd Lewis, Boyd Lewis Photographs, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center

The first Black “First Lady” of Atlanta, Bunnie Jackson-Ransom, made her way into Atlanta’s history when her ex-husband Maynard Jackson became the city’s first Black mayor. In 1975, Jackson-Ransom co-founded Firstclass, Inc., a public relations and marketing company. It was the first Black-owned and woman-owned public relations agency in Atlanta. Bunnie Jackson-Ransom passed away on February 2, 2023, at 82.

Ojeda Penn

Although jazz performer Ojeda Penn was born in Montgomery, Alabama, he made Atlanta his home. Penn strived to create social change through his music with songs such as “Martin and Malcolm” and “A Prayer for the Ukrainians.” He blended hip-hop, blues, reggae, and many other genres with jazz throughout his discography. Ojeda Penn passed away on January 25, 2023, at 78.