Auburn Avenue is home to historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthplace, and his tomb. But, tucked away just off the avenue is a small space that pays tribute to a unique aspect of African-American heritage – The Madam Museum.
It's the personal collection of Ricci Deforest, and he has turned it into a place celebrating an African-American pioneer of hair care -- Madam C. J. Walker.
"It's almost like the spirits just dictated, that you do something other than just crank out hair," said Deforest.
Those spirits spoke on an ordinary day. He says was cruising through Atlanta's Auburn district when suddenly a name on a window stopped him like a record scratch: Madam C. J. Walker Beauty Shoppe.
She was a pioneer in African-American beauty and hair care, and self-made millionaire in the early 1900s. Deforest says the building was an original beauty shop owned by a Walker agent.
"Flash-forward 30 years, I need a new location, I come back over here, and the name is still on the window," said Deforest.
Inside the building, deForest says he found pressing combs and pullers. He calls the tools sacred. They are vintage tools used on African-American hair in the days when the south was covered with signs like: WE SERVE COLORED -- CARRY OUT ONLY.
"By virtue of the fact that this is my desk, and I can sit in front of this sign, it's like I am paying homage to those that were suffering as a result of this sign," said Deforest.
A decade after moving in, Deforest still does hair at the location. With the artifacts, signs and thousands of classic albums on display, he calls it a museum. It's a place where you can chill out and listen to Billy Eckstine and reflect on the area's unique history of survival.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:00 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:00:34 GMT
When the pools open on Memorial Day weekend, it's going to be hard to keep your kids away from the water.
When the pools open on Memorial Day weekend, it's going to be hard to keep your kids away from the water. But before summer gets into full swing, we've got some tips to help you make sure your children stay safe at the pool.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:52:30 GMT
The nasty divorce between Real Housewives of Atlanta star Portia Stewart and her husband, former NFL star Kordell Stewart, just got nastier.
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Monday, May 20 2013 9:46 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:46:04 GMT
In case you don't know, we've got a bride-to-be in the house! Good Day's own Katie Beasley is getting married in FIVE SHORT DAYS.
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Monday, May 20 2013 9:32 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:32:48 GMT
Sure, you know that Turner Field is THE place to watch the Braves in action, but did you know you can also take a walk through baseball history while you're there?
Sure, you know that Turner Field is THE place to watch the Braves in action, but did you know you can also take a walk through baseball history while you're there? Good Day's Paul Milliken-- a self-proclaimed Braves baseball addict-- takes you behind the scenes at the Braves Museum.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:25 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:25:27 GMT
It's the time of year when high school students are graduating and getting ready to begin their college years.
It's the time of year when high school students are graduating and getting ready to begin their college years. Twelve Gwinnett County seniors honored with the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship will go to college for free, and five of them are from Mountain View High School.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:55:43 GMT
Throughout the month of May, Good Day Atlanta will be featuring an app each day!
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Friday, May 17 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:31:42 GMT
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
For decades, Atlantans have woken up to Tom Sullivan on their radios. But you might not know that he's also somewhat of an expert eBay seller, and he's got quite a story to tell.
