ATL is Culture

In Atlanta, y’all means ALL. Inclusion is our DNA. In this city that rose from ashes, marched for freedom, and changed the world, we still build on our legacy of culture, grit, and perseverance. We march when we are called to march, and we do it hand in hand. From the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement to today’s Black Mecca, we celebrate culture through our art, our music, our buildings, our parties, our festivals, our food.

We nod in solidarity as we pass by on painted streets. Under this lush canopy of green, we cultivate all colors, all creeds, all orientations, all PEOPLE. We are culture leaders. We are rooted and growing strong.

The world is watching Atlanta. And Atlanta is watching you.

We can’t wait to see what you’ll bring.

Atlanta is home to more than 951,000 foreign-born residents

• #3 fastest growing foreign-born population of the 20 largest metro areas
• 11th among all MSAs for highest foreign-born population
• 70+ counties with consular or trade offices in Atlanta

Welcoming Atlanta: Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs

The Mayor's Office of International & Immigrant Affairs helps connect Atlanta's international communities with local resources and opportunities while advancing the city's global profile through international partnerships, business engagement, and cultural exchange.

Population Trends for Atlanta

• Metro Atlanta Population: 6.6 million (2026); 6.9 (2031)
  • White 43.0%
  • Black 34.3%
  • American Indian 0.6%
  • Asian 7.4%
  • Hispanic Origin 12.8%
• City of Atlanta Population: 540,000 (2026); 564,000 (2031)
  • White 38.8%
  • Black 46.7%
  • American Indian 0.3%
  • Asian 5.2%
  • Hispanic Origin 6.3%

Source: Esri, 2026

Civil & Human Rights

Beyond the work of metro Atlanta’s employers and school systems, the region has a powerful history shaped by leaders who fight for human rights, and value culture. In the early 1960s, the region became the cultural catalyst for the American Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and countless other Civil Rights activists found their spiritual center within Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn district, making it home to much of America’s civil rights history.

Center for Civil and Human Rights: Located in downtown Atlanta, the Center for Civil and Human Rights pays homage to the American Civil Rights Movement, as well as brings current global human rights issues to the forefront. The Center is a perfect starting point for exploring Atlanta’s history in civil and human rights, as well as Atlanta’s ongoing efforts in the celebration of culture and commitment to inclusion.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park: The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park consists of several buildings, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s boyhood home and the original Ebenezer Baptist Church (Heritage Sanctuary). Nearly one million people each year make a pilgrimage to the historic site to learn, be inspired and pay their respects to Dr. King’s legacy. Formerly a National Historic Site, the unit was re-designated as a National Historical Park in January 2018.

The King Center: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) was established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The King Library and Archives in Atlanta is the largest repository of primary source materials on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement in the world.

Gandhi Promenade: A statue of Mahatma Gandhi stands at the south end of the site to further remind the world of the impact of nonviolent protest and activism. This was donated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, India, in collaboration with the National Federation of Indian American Associates and the Embassy of India, USA.

International Civil Rights Walk of Fame: Created in 2004, the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame honors participants of the American Civil Rights Movement and is “a lasting memorial to those whose contributions were testaments to the fact that human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable,” according to Xernona Clayton, ideator of the Walk of Fame and founder/executive producer of the renowned Trumpet Awards.

Carter Center: Located east of downtown Atlanta, the Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, works to advance peace and health worldwide. A nongovernmental organization, the center has helped to improve life for people in more than 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; improving mental health care; and teaching farmers to increase crop production.

Cultural Chambers of Commerce in Atlanta

• Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia
• Atlanta Black Chambers
• Atlanta Business League
• Georgia Greater Black Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce
• Chinese Business Association of Atlanta
• Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce
• Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce/Taiwanese Junior Chamber of Commerce

Atlanta takes pride in the city’s reputation as the “capital of the Gay South” and as a “Black Gay Mecca.” While LGBTQ communities are represented across metro Atlanta’s neighborhoods, Midtown, in the heart of the city, boasts permanent rainbow crosswalks painted across the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue near Piedmont Park. Installed in 2017, the intersection celebrates Atlanta’s unity, acceptance and pride.

The City of Atlanta has consistently achieved a perfect 100 rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index Scorecard since 2013. Details for Atlanta's 2025 score can be found here.

Atlanta Pride Events

The city hosts Atlanta Pride Festival every October. Atlanta Pride is known as the largest free Pride festival in the United States, welcoming more than 350,000 attendees annually and celebrating Atlanta's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community.

One of the largest Black LGBTQ+ celebrations in the world, Atlanta Black Pride attracts approximately 100,000 visitors each year over Labor Day weekend and reinforces the city's role as a cultural capital and welcoming destination for diverse communities.

Held each fall, one of the nation's longest-running LGBTQ film festivals, Atlanta’s Out on Film showcases acclaimed independent films, documentaries, and emerging voices while celebrating the diversity and creativity of LGBTQ storytellers from around the world.

LGBTQ+ Business Organizations

OUT Georgia Business Alliance advocates for an inclusive and equitable business environment; provides support and resources to fuel economic growth; and drives meaningful community connections and impact across the state of Georgia. OUT Georgia Business Alliance’s Board of Directors is comprised of LGBTQ+ and allied business owners, corporate leaders, and community members dedicated to serving Georgia’s LGBTQ+ and allied business community.

The Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals (MAAP) is an inclusive, diverse, business networking group that focuses on connecting and developing LGBTQ+ professionals in the Atlanta area.

Best Places to Work

Many of the metro Atlanta’s have earned the distinction of “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.” The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Enterprises, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Norfolk Southern, Randstad USA, Smurfit WestRock, Southern Company, and other Atlanta-based businesses received perfect scores on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index 2025 which is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBTQ employees.