Buckhead Coalition Donates Proceeds to Friends of Piney Grove

The Buckhead Coalition, a prominent organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Buckhead and its surrounding areas, is proud to announce a donation of $2,000 to the Friends of Piney Grove. The contribution represents the proceeds from the annual Buckhead Guidebook and will support the preservation and restoration efforts of the historic Piney Grove Cemetery.

Piney Grove Cemetery, located in the heart of Buckhead off Lenox Road, holds tremendous cultural and historical significance. Once a vibrant African American community dating back to the 1800s, Piney Grove Baptist Church and its adjacent cemetery were central to a tight-knit neighborhood. Tragically, the cemetery has fallen into disrepair over the years and is now barely recognizable, engulfed by vegetation.

Audrey Collins, her sister Rhonda Jackson and cousin Richard Thomas have been tireless advocates for the restoration of Piney Grove Cemetery. Their ancestors, including their great grandmother, grandparents and siblings, rest in this sacred ground. The cemetery, with over three hundred graves, also includes tombstones dating back to pre-Emancipation, representing a crucial part of African American history, including those who were enslaved. In 2006 the Coalition successfully petitioned the city of Atlanta to approve maintaining a 15’ public right of way to the cemetery for family members and the public through an easement in perpetuity.

Led by Collins, Jackson and Beth Marcus, the non-profit organization Friends of Piney Grove Cemetery, Inc. was established with the sole purpose of saving the cemetery and preserving its rich history for future generations. The Buckhead Rotary Club is supporting the initial improvements, such as signage and the removal of trees and vegetation.

Buckhead Heritage serves as the fiscal sponsor for Friends of Piney Grove Cemetery, Inc., allowing the organization to accept tax-deductible donations as it pursues its qualification as a 501(c)(3) entity.

The Atlanta office of Jones Day, a law firm committed to pro bono work, played a vital role in the formation of Friends of Piney Grove Cemetery, Inc. and continues to provide legal support.

The Buckhead Coalition, founded in 1988 as a private non-profit corporation, has a long-standing commitment to nurturing Buckhead's quality of life and improving the community as an integral part of the city of Atlanta. Comprising over 100 senior executives who either lead Buckhead firms, live in Buckhead, or have shown a profound dedication to the community, the Coalition plays a vital role in advocating for Buckhead's residents, businesses and visitors.

By donating the proceeds from its annual Buckhead Guidebook, the Buckhead Coalition demonstrated its unwavering support for preserving the history of the Piney Grove Cemetery.

For more information about the Buckhead Coalition, please visit www.buckheadcoalition.org.