DeKalb GA News

Saturday, February 25th, members of the Doraville Community gathered at the Greater Mt. Carmel AME Church to celebrate and honor the historically Black neighborhood of Carver Hills.

Established in 1947, the neighborhood of Carver Hills was a thriving community complete with churches, a school, stores, and was home to dozens of families. But in the 1960s the expansion of I-285 and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard literally cut the neighborhood in half.  As additional developments followed, Carver Hills was encroached upon to the point only one street remains from the original neighborhood.

Carver Hills and the families who resided there have played an invaluable role in the city of Doraville's history, economic success, and cultural enrichment. Which is why the Doraville Celebration Committee endeavored to honor the neighborhood by erecting a plaque to recognize the significant role it has had in making Doraville the city it is today. The plaque, which stands in front of the Greater Mt. Carmel AME Church on Carver Drive, stands as a reminder to honor Black history every day, not just in February.

The dedication event featured Councilmember Gerald Evans, lifelong Carver Hills resident Sarah Wallace, remarks from representatives of both Zion Full Gospel World Ministries and Greater Mt. Carmel AME church, blessings from Rev. Dr. Marquis Harvey, and a proclamation presentation by Mayor Joseph Geierman. Many families, generations of who, have called Carver Hills home came together to celebrate the neighborhood, the history, and the people who made this neighborhood a community. 

Original source can be found here.