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"I believe every person has a divine assignment. Mine is to tell their stories." With grace, grit, and spiritual insight, Sheila Chandler Stephens invites readers on a seven-decade journey through Atlanta's most transformative years-not from the governor's mansion or city hall, but from front porches, church pews, and classroom chalkboards in the heart of the city's most iconic Black neighborhoods.
Born in Vine City in 1950, Sheila's early years were shaped by the richness of community, faith, and excellence. From there, her path carried her through Peyton Forest, Adams Park, Cascade Heights, and Guilford Forest-each neighborhood nurturing a generation of pioneers whose influence stretched far beyond Atlanta's borders. These weren't distant legends. They were neighbors who waved from their driveways, lent wisdom over coffee, and built legacies that helped shape the modern South and the soul of America.
From civil rights giants like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Andrew Young, and Shirley Franklin to musical innovators like Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith and Too Short; from spiritual leaders like Creflo Dollar and Barbara King to visionary educators like Robert Franklin and Ed Irons-Stephens paints a vivid portrait of everyday encounters with extraordinary people.
But this is more than a memoir. My Neighbors Are Giants is a living archive-a tribute to the Black excellence that quietly bloomed in the neighborhoods of Southwest Atlanta. It chronicles not just public achievements but private moments: neighborhood strolls, funeral tributes, grocery store greetings, and the deep-rooted belief that each life has purpose. With reverent storytelling and heartfelt clarity, Stephens honors the people and places that shaped her-and shaped history.
In an era where Black contributions are too often overlooked or erased, this book is a powerful reminder:
Lest we not forget.
This is not just where she lived.
This is why she was placed there.
This is a calling fulfilled.
