LIVE MALAWI
A MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM
There is a cultural renaissance happening in Castleberry Hill, and it is fueled by Pizza, Beer and Hemp. On the corner of Northside and Nelson Streets, two institutions stand side-by-side, each contributing to the unique energy: Bookstore Gallery, your one-stop shop for all things cannabis, wellness, and culture; and Atlantucky, Hip Hop’s favorite brewery.
In this issue of Bookstore Gallery Magazine, we delve into the heart of this cultural resurgence. We'll explore the ways cannabis, wellness, and artistic expression are intertwining to create a truly inclusive community.
We'll also shine a light on our esteemed neighbors at Atlantucky, celebrating their role in shaping Castleberry Hill's vibrant identity
As you turn the pages, prepare to be inspired by the stories of the artists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are breathing new life into this historic district. We believe Castleberry Hill is poised for greatness, and we ' re excited to be on this journey with you.
This issue is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and community. Join us as we explore the exciting new chapter unfolding in the West Side of Atlanta.
HOT N FUN UPDATES
CELEBRATING NEW PARTNERSHIPS HOT N FUN IS NOW PARTNERING WITH VILLON AND REDBULL TO BRING YOU AN INCREDIBLE MUSIC EXPERIENCE. FOLLOW HOT N FUN AND BOOKSTORE GALLERY FOR UPDATES ON THE NEXT EVENT.
SONIC JOURNEY: "HOT N FUN” IS NOT JUST ABOUT DANCING BUT ABOUT BEING TRANSPORTED THROUGH A MUSICAL EXPERIENCE. SUCH IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES CAN BE INCREDIBLY JOYFUL, AS THEY ALLOW ATTENDEES TO LOSE THEMSELVES IN THE MUSIC AND THE MOMENT.
“CULTURED CANNABIS CONTENT”
In the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis education and advocacy, Michael Lawson Jr. stands as a beacon of knowledge and empowerment. As a mental health professional, entrepreneur, and cannabis advocate, Lawson's vision is to educate, empower, and revolutionize the global cannabis narrative. With a fervent desire for change, Lawson is leading the charge toward a more informed and inclusive cannabis community.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Lawson's journey towards becoming a cannabis advocate began with a profound realization during his academic pursuits
Graduating from Morehouse College with a bachelor's degree and later obtaining a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University, Lawson's educational path took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon the Endocannabinoid System during his studies in 2011. This discovery sparked a deep-seated passion for understanding the therapeutic potential of the cannabis plant, leading Lawson to embark on a mission to bridge the gap between science and perception in the cannabis industry
Central to Lawson's vision is the creation of the Cannabis Media Collective (CMC), a platform dedicated to providing reliable, vetted information on cannabis science and wellness. Through CMC, Lawson aims to cultivate a community of educators, advocates, and specialists from diverse disciplines, all united by a common goal: to educate and empower individuals to make informed decisions about cannabis use. Unlike the plethora of misinformation often found on mainstream platforms, CMC offers a curated selection of content created by experts with advanced degrees and years of experience, ensuring that users receive accurate and trustworthy information.
Lawson views cannabis wellness holistically, addressing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, drawing from personal experiences with post-traumatic stress and chronic pain to highlight its multifaceted benefits, including enhanced focus, mood regulation, and personal growth Through CMC, he aims to promote cannabis literacy and destigmatize its use, empowering individuals to explore its potential benefits. Additionally, by co-founding the Cannabis Literacy Club, Lawson bridges academic disciplines with the cannabis industry, encouraging students to pursue diverse career opportunities Optimistic about Georgia's cannabis reform, Lawson prioritizes medical access, advocating for statewide decriminalization and expanding the medical cannabis registry, envisioning a future where cannabis catalyzes personal and societal change
Bookstore Conversations
A CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL LAWSON JR. MS
What is Your Vision for Cannabis Media Collective and Promoting Cannabis Wellness?
“Cannabis Media Collective, to me, is a group of educators, advocates, specialists from different disciplines Whether it be medicine, psychotherapy, mental health But Cannabis Media Collective, to me, is a group of educators Whether it be medicine, psychotherapy, mental health but cannabis media collective is a place for the cannabis naive client and the veteran to come learn about how this plant can benefit them in their daily life And because wellness looks different to everybody Wellness to the person with post-traumatic stress, the person with chronic pain, the person who might be on the spectrum dealing with autism And so our platform is about information from truly vetted sources, you know, doctors, legislative people, specialists in their craft, people who are coming with years of experience, not just your average cannabis enthusiast or smoke shop connoisseur and no offense to those people, but Cannabis Media Collective is bringing a more certified peer-reviewed type of education where a lot of our content creators have master's degrees, have doctor degrees and are truly experts in their craft”
Cannabis Literacy Club Creates Career Pathways in the Cannabis Industry.
“So cannabis literacy club is an organization my partner Justin Buck and I created focused on educating students in the Atlanta University Center on cannabis science and cannabis wellness but helping bridge the gap between their educational discipline and how that may fit in the cannabis industry because I tell all our students all the time whether you're marketing, English, arts, finance, design, architecture, no matter what your major, your study, or your passion is there is a lane for you in the cannabis industry And I think right now at this early stage in history, there's so much focus on getting a license to either cultivate or have a dispensary And we need cultivation in order for the industry to thrive, of course But dispensary ownership is not the only lane that I think we should be focused on in terms of workforce development with our young people And so cannabis literacy club is two-fold we focus on educating the students Still, we also are in the community because we understand college is not everybody's destination right Still, you definitely need to have a skill set in order to thrive in this world no matter what it is that you do and so when you talk about workforce development as relates to cultivation electricians, who's installing the lighting, plumbers, who's installing the irrigation, HVAC, who's installing the ventilation systems, concrete masonry, who's pouring the concrete, you know, greenhouse design, who's designing the new, next level, innovative greenhouses that we're going to be using for, you know, greenhouse flower cultivation"
HAZY BBQ CHICKEN
Spicy Chicken Sausage
Roasted Chicken
Red Onions
Green Peppers + Banana Peppers
Mozzarella + Pepper Jack Watch Episode
YOUNGBLOODZ
The stage at Atlantucky Brewery awaited the arrival of Atlanta's own YoungBloodz, Hip Hop legends who have influenced culture since 1997 Known for their electrifying performances, the duo was set to deliver another unforgettable show But before they stepped into the spotlight, Jay Bo and Sean P decided to pre game at Bookstore Gallery, Atlanta's sanctuary for cannabis enthusiasts.
Atlantucky, YoungBloodz brought the house down, infusing the air with their signature blend of gritty lyricism and infectious beats. From the intimate vibe of Bookstore Gallery to the electrifying energy of the brewery, their visit through Castlberry Hill was a testament to their enduring legacy in the world of hip-hop.
Byfosteringanenvironmentwhere artistsareencouragedtoexpress themselvesauthenticallyand audiencesareinvitedtoengagewith theperformancesonadeeply personallevel,wecreate opportunitiesforindividualstoexplore theiremotions,confronttheirfears, andfindhealingthroughtheshared experienceofartisticexpression.
H E A L I N G T H R O U G H PERFORMANCE
AtBookstoreGallery,werecognizethe profoundimpactthatperformanceart canhaveonindividuals'emotional, mental,andspiritualwell-being Through ourdedicationtocuratingadiverse arrayofperformances,spanningfrom musictospokenword,theatertodance, weaimtocreateaspacewherehealing andtransformationcanthrive
H E A L I N G T H R O U G H
COMMUNITY
AtBookstoreGallery,community eventsaremorethanjust gatherings they're opportunitiesforcollective healing.Fromworkshopson mindfulnessandmeditationto grouptherapysessionsand expressiveartsclasses,the galleryprovidesaplatformfor individualstoexplorevarious healingmodalitiesinasafeand inclusiveenvironment
OneofthewaysBookstore Gallerycultivateshealingisby partneringwithlocal practitionersandorganizations toofferholisticwellness experiences.Whetherit'syoga sessionsledbyexperienced instructors,soundhealing ceremonies,ordiscussionson mentalhealthawareness,these collaborationsprovide attendeeswithvaluabletools andresourcesforself-careand self-discovery
Moreover,BookstoreGallery usesitsspacetoaddress socialissuesandpromote healingonabroaderscale. Throughartexhibitions,film screenings,andpanel discussions,thegallerysparks conversationsaroundtopics suchassocialjustice, environmentalsustainability, andmentalhealthadvocacy, creatingspaceforreflection, dialogue,andcollectiveaction
Ultimately,BookstoreGallery standsasabeaconofhealing inthecommunity,offeringa refugeforindividualsseeking solace,support,and connection.Bycuratingevents thatprioritizepersonalwellness andsocialconsciousness,the gallerycontinuestoinspire positivechangeandfostera cultureofhealingand resilienceinAtlanta'svibrant artsscene
Wehadtheopportunitytohosta mindfulnessworkshopatBookstore GalleryledbytheinsightfulLamaRod Owens.LamaRodisanesteemed BuddhistMinister,activistandyoga instructorwhoteacheshowto rememberyourmagicthrough meditation,andmindfulness.Lama Rodhasspokenallaroundtheworld, andwewereverygratefulthathe chosetoutilizeourspace.
H E A L I N G T H R O U G H MINDFULNESS
Wearededicatedtonurturingholisticwellness,and oneofthekeypillarsofourapproachisfostering healingthroughmindfulness.Inourfast-paced world,it'seasytobecomeoverwhelmedbystress, anxiety,andtheconstantbarrageofdistractions. That'swhywe'vecreatedahavenwhereindividuals canpause,breathe,andreconnectwiththemselves throughmindfulnesspractices.
Noland B. Dickey
NolandDickeyisaCommercialandResidential RealtorandStrategicConsultantforBuyers,Sellers, Investors,andCorporationsinthestateofGeorgia andNationally.AsamemberofoneofAtlanta’s marketmostactiveandtrustedbrokerageteams,I representclientsacrossvariousindustriestoplan andexecuterealestatestrategies.Mydeepmarket knowledgecombinedwiththebroadrangeof resourcesatmydisposalwithColdwellBanker Commercial®(CBC)allowsforauniqueandcreative approachtoidentifyingresults-drivenoccupancy solutions,expansions,dispositions,consolidations, andoccupancycostreductions.Ilookforwardto workingwitheachofyouonyourRealEstateneeds
ColdwellBankerCommercial®(CBC)isaworldwide leaderinthecommercialrealestateindustry,andis partoftheoldestandmostrespectednationalreal estatebrandinthecountry,ColdwellBankerReal Estate.ColdwellBankerCommercialisasubsidiary ofRealogyHoldingsCorp.(NYSE:RLGY),aglobal leaderinrealestatefranchisingandproviderofreal estatebrokerage,relocationandsettlementservices.
Specialties:Multifamily,Industrial,Land,Retail, Luxury Real Estate, Commercial Leasing, Negotiations,andNetworking.
Bookstore Gallery Magazine
ATLANTUCKY BREWERY
SkinnyDeVilleandFishScalesoriginallylinkedupin1995atWesternKentuckyUniversity tocreatetheiconicrapgroup NappyRoots. TheNappyRootswerethebest-sellinghip hop group in 2002 when they released their album Watermelon Chicken & Gritz which theyrecordedatPatchwerkStudiosinAtlantaGA.
Fast forward to today, Skinny and Scales are celebrating two successful years of business at their new venture Atlantucky Brewery. Atlantucky strives for the same impact in the craft beer business as Nappy Roots has done for Hip Hop. The two industriesareactually'eerilysimilar'accordingtoSkinnyDeVillewhosays“OurBreweryis likeourrecordingstudio,Ittakes4to5hourstomakeabeer,youwannamakesureyou have4to5hourstotryandmakearecord.TheelementsofHipHopareBeBoying,Mcing, DJNG, and Graffiti, and the elements of beer are water, malt, hops, and yeast, and you needthose4forittobebeer ”
WhileAtlantuckyplanstoexpand,CastleberryHillhasbeentheperfecthomeforitsfirst location. In the words of Scales, “Castleberry Hill has been dope! We have entertainers with major spots, you got Kandi Burress from Xscape with Old Lady Gang, you got 2 Chainz with Escobar, Cam Newton is opening a Jazz lounge to go with his Fellowship spot,andyouhaveBookstoreGalleryadispensaryacrossthestreet...wearealluplifting theneighborhoodtogether."
BEER IS BLACK HISTORY
Kevin “Swirv” Irvin is a dynamic consultant and marketing leader dedicated to enriching the craft beer landscape by spotlighting Black Brewers & Breweries and facilitating industry diversity through strategic collaborations, promotions, and comprehensive business support As the founder and managing director of Art of Business Consulting, LLC, Co-Owner of Draught Season, CoFounder of Leaders of the Brew School, and Operations Manager at Atlantucky Brewing, Kevin spearheads initiatives that bridge cultural divides and foster community engagement
His notable achievements include the influential “Beer is Black History” movement, and collaborative efforts with pioneering breweries such as Georgia’s Hippin’ Hops, Houston’s For The Culture, Hella Coastal and Oak Park in California, and others across the US and Canada His work with the rap group Nappy Roots has culminated in the creation of a groundbreaking brewery in Atlanta, marking a significant first in the music industry Additionally, Kevin actively engages with local and state governments to reform beer and beverage industry regulations
A passionate aficionado of stouts, Belgians, and other high gravity craft brews, Kevin’s expertise not only elevates the flavors within the glass but also the conversations around them, making a lasting impact on the craft beer community
Bookstore Gallery Magazine
Bookstore Gallery isn't just a venue it's a community, a place where all walks of life converge to unwind, connect, and explore Embracing the evolving acceptance of cannabis, Bookstore Gallery fosters an inclusive environment where both enthusiasts and the curious can engage in open dialogue and discover the potential benefits of alternative plant therapies.
One standout collaboration was the recent 420 event with Atlantucky Brewery, where attendees enjoyed craft brews alongside cannabis-centric activities. This partnership exemplified Bookstore Gallery's commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering connections within the community.
Additionally, the gallery's involvement in Castleberry Fest,
A full-day celebration of Castleberry Business spearheaded by Jon Aba of Comedy Hype The event further underscores Bookstore Gallery’s dedication to amplifying diverse voices and enriching the cultural landscape of Castleberry Hill
At its core, Bookstore Gallery catalyzes change, challenging stigmas and promoting education, acceptance, and camaraderie Amidst Atlanta's vibrant arts scene, it remains a steadfast advocate for reshaping perceptions and cultivating a collaborative community where authenticity thrives and meaningful dialogue flourishes
The Girl Plug Presents
YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MAY MEET AT BOOKSTORE GALLERY
Swirv, Skinny Deville, Kevin Johnson | Michole Briana White | Sonja Sohn | YoungBloodZ | Lama Rod Owens
Ester Austin x Greggory Williams | Hood Healing Poetry | Christian Wise Smith
