Background

After the Civil War a new community began to grow in Atlanta that was unlike any seen before in the city. This community was composed of wealthy, educated, and politically influential African-Americans who had successfully navigated through Reconstruction. People such as Alonzo Herndon created thriving businesses and had impressive homes.
However, there was not total unity in the African-American community. The new business elite sought to distance themselves from the lower working class and unemployed African-Americans that also called Atlanta home. In other words, they didn't want to be associated with 'those people'.
Meanwhile, many whites in the city grew uncomfortable with both the business elite and the working class African-Americans. Many working class whites viewed the business elite with distrust. How could someone they believed to be inferior live in a nicer home or have a nicer business? Working class African-Americans were seen as unwanted competition for the limited jobs that were found in Atlanta.