Founded the Neighborhood Union

In 1908, Lugenia Burns Hope founded the Neighborhood Union, a pioneering organization dedicated to empowering African American communities in Atlanta. The Union addressed essential community needs such as health, education, and social welfare, establishing clinics, daycares, and other programs vital for community uplift. During a period marked by systemic racism and segregation, the Neighborhood Union provided a model of self-reliance and community development, directly impacting the civil rights movements that followed. By collaborating with both Black and white community leaders, Lugenia successfully bridged racial divides and forged greater unity and compassion in a segregated society.