Atlanta has been a bastion of Black progress, excellence and wealth for years. Through this book, Wiggins offers meticulous examples and histories through research and citations that give context to the current political and artistic landscapes. It does feel like a dissertation but is still accessible for those who are interested in the history of Atlanta, the Black political landscape of the south and more geographic interests.

Danielle Wiggins delivers a powerful and timely exploration of how Atlanta’s Black political leaders helped shape a vision of modern Black liberalism in the post–civil rights era. Through compelling portraits of figures like Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young, Black Excellence traces how the language of empowerment, self-determination, and community responsibility became central to political strategy in the Black urban South.

Wiggins presents a nuanced, deeply researched account of how ideals of personal responsibility were embraced as tools for combating racial injustice—but also how these same strategies sometimes reinforced systemic inequities. With clarity and insight, she shows how Atlanta’s political legacy not only transformed the city but also influenced the broader trajectory of Black politics and the Democratic Party nationwide.

Both scholarly and accessible, Black Excellence is an essential read for anyone interested in race, politics, and the evolving landscape of American liberalism. It's a vital contribution to understanding how local leadership helped define a national conversation.