The heart of Atlanta came alive on Saturday, September 13, as more than 2,000 residents and visitors gathered for the Beloved Community International Expo. Hosted on Auburn Avenue in front of The King Center, the outdoor celebration transformed the street into a vibrant showcase of music, dance, food, and traditions from around the world.
Presented in partnership with the Atlanta Consular Corps and the National Park Service, the Expo offered a free, family-friendly space where communities of all backgrounds could connect and celebrate unity.
Mayor Andre Dickens greeted the crowd with words of gratitude and inspiration, tying Atlanta’s global diversity to Dr. King’s enduring vision.
“Welcome to this amazing event, the Beloved Community International Expo,” Dickens said. “This is an annual gathering right outside The King Center, and I’m grateful to see this beautiful display of what Dr. King called the ‘World House”, the house we all share. Today’s Expo is a reminder that there is nothing passive about peace, and justice doesn’t come for free. We must work for it, we must strive for it, and we must lock arms to overcome the hate and division in this world. When you see an event like this, you realize we are more alike than we are different. And together, we can live out Dr. King’s dream of the Beloved Community.”
Following his remarks, The King Center presented Mayor Dickens with a special gift in recognition of his leadership.
The Expo featured live performances including a cultural showcase by the Georgia Tech Korean Group, trivia games hosted by Dish Nation’s HeadKrack and Tanner Thomason, and youth-friendly activities in the Kids Zone. Guests also enjoyed an interfaith dialogue led by HWPL, a book signing with Dr. Bernice A. King, and international food trucks serving flavors from every corner of the globe.
With booths, volunteer activations, and music filling the air, the Beloved Community Expo underscored Atlanta’s role as a city of safe, healthy, and connected neighborhoods built on equity and cultural pride.
The Beloved Community Expo is more than a festival—it’s a living reminder of Dr. King’s vision for a world rooted in peace, justice, and mutual respect. For Atlanta, it represents “One City with One Bright Future,” where opportunity, inclusion, and youth development are embraced as the foundation of civic life.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about The King Center’s programs and upcoming community events by visiting thekingcenter.org
