Former Mayor Andrew Young used to call Atlanta the gateway to Africa.

During a press conference in late February, Atlanta leaders took one big step to open that gateway when they launched the year-long Africa Atlanta 2014 collaboration to highlight and strengthen their cross-cultural ties.

“I’m convinced that Atlanta is well-positioned to become a significant partner,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed at the City Hall press conference. He added that six of the fastest-growing economies in the next 15 years will be in Africa, and that Atlanta would like to be a friendly partner in that growth.

Jacqueline Royster, dean of Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, called it an idea whose time had come.

“Atlanta is so historically relevant,” said Royster, the creator and organizer of the initiative. She said that when the organizers started working on the program, the events just kept multiplying and the initiative really stretched over 15 months rather than a year.

Jacqueline Royster, dean of Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, called it an idea whose time had come.

“Atlanta is so historically relevant,” said Royster, the creator and organizer of the initiative. She said that when the organizers started working on the program, the events just kept multiplying and the initiative really stretched over 15 months rather than a year.

Former Mayor Andrew Young used to call Atlanta the gateway to Africa.

On Monday, Atlanta leaders took one big step to open that gateway when they launched the year-long Africa Atlanta 2014 collaboration to highlight and strengthen their cross-cultural ties.

“I’m convinced that Atlanta is well-positioned to become a significant partner,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed at a press conference Monday afternoon at City Hall. He added that six of the fastest-growing economies in the next 15 years will be in Africa, and that Atlanta would like to be a friendly partner in that growth.

Former Mayor Andrew Young used to call Atlanta the gateway to Africa.

On Monday, Atlanta leaders took one big step to open that gateway when they launched the year-long Africa Atlanta 2014 collaboration to highlight and strengthen their cross-cultural ties.

“I’m convinced that Atlanta is well-positioned to become a significant partner,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed at a press conference Monday afternoon at City Hall. He added that six of the fastest-growing economies in the next 15 years will be in Africa, and that Atlanta would like to be a friendly partner in that growth.

Former Mayor Andrew Young used to call Atlanta the gateway to Africa.

On Monday, Atlanta leaders took one big step to open that gateway when they launched the year-long Africa Atlanta 2014 collaboration to highlight and strengthen their cross-cultural ties.

“I’m convinced that Atlanta is well-positioned to become a significant partner,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed at a press conference Monday afternoon at City Hall. He added that six of the fastest-growing economies in the next 15 years will be in Africa, and that Atlanta would like to be a friendly partner in that growth.

Former Mayor Andrew Young used to call Atlanta the gateway to Africa.

On Monday, Atlanta leaders took one big step to open that gateway when they launched the year-long Africa Atlanta 2014 collaboration to highlight and strengthen their cross-cultural ties.

“I’m convinced that Atlanta is well-positioned to become a significant partner,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed at a press conference Monday afternoon at City Hall. He added that six of the fastest-growing economies in the next 15 years will be in Africa, and that Atlanta would like to be a friendly partner in that growth.