Long before it came to prominence as the model city of the New South, as well as earning the title "the new Motown, " Atlanta was a hotbed of entertainment, business, and civic life for African Americans. At the same time that Harlem was undergoing its acclaimed renaissance, Atlanta could boast of excellent colleges, a thriving social environment, and an entertainment scene that could rival those of much larger cities. From Auburn Avenue, the hub of the city's African-American activity, a spirit of vibrant change and excitement radiated out to reach people across America.