‘Here Comes Good Trouble’ | Atlanta Main Post Office renamed in honor of John Lewis
Dozens attend the dedication ceremony for the newly rebranded John R. Lewis Post Office Building.
“Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” - John Lewis
HAPEVILLE, Ga. — Years after his untimely demise in 2020, civil rights icon, John Lewis continues to leave his mark on the city of Atlanta.
On what would have been his 84th birthday, February 21, 2024, Atlanta's main post office located at 3900 Crown Road was officially renamed the John R. Lewis Post Office Building.
During the dedication ceremony, family and friends gathered to honor and share memories of the late Civil Rights activist.
Even those in attendance who never got a chance to meet Lewis in person before he passed, lauded his accomplishments and how they were inspired respectively by his life’s work.
The most prominent piece of event decor manifested in the form of a poster-sized replica of the John Lewis Forever Stamp which was just released in Summer 2023.
The design for Lewis’ stamp boasts a simple yet stunning portrait of the late Congressman set against a gray background wearing a dark-colored suit and blue tie.
In the photograph, Lewis is staring directly at the viewer with an inscrutable stoicism that seems to perfectly encapsulate his reputation and demeanor.
The photo was taken by Marco Grob and was selected from a 2013 issue of Time Magazine.
“One of the things that resonates with me about him, is that he gave us a direct message to never let anyone, any force, or any person dim your light,” affirms Atlanta Postmaster Lafonda Woods.
“We hope to do that with the dedication of this building because his light will not be dimmer, our light will not be dimmed.”
John Lewis's family members, including his brother Henry Lewis, attended the dedication ceremony.
"His life was never about him. It was always about making the world a better place," Henry tells Vox Pop ATL about his older brother.
The building’s commemoration was made possible with bill H.R. 5577, signed into law on October 4, 2021, by President Biden.
The bill was originally introduced and championed by none other than Lewis’ congressional successor, Rep. Nikema Williams.
The newly christened John R. Lewis Post Office Building is squarely within Georgia’s 5th Congressional District right on the cusp of South Atlanta and Hapeville.
A location that Lewis, who was an ardent stamp collector, patronized for decades up until his death in 2020 from stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Other ATL-based locations that have honored the late John Lewis:
John Lewis Memorial Park (Hapeville)
John Lewis Hero Mural
John Lewis Freedom Parkway
Freedom Park PATH Trail
John Lewis Flowering Forest
For more information about the John R. Lewis Post Office Building, the John Lewis Forever Stamp or the USPS click here.
For all the news that’s fit to click? Visit the Vox Pop ATL website and like us on Facebook.