Forsyth County, Cumming, GA: Many believe that our city's name should embody dignity, inclusion, and the progress we have made, and not the divisions of the past. Cumming’s history is not neutral, and it still lingers. 

• In 1912, Black families were violently driven from Forsyth County after lynchings and terror campaigns, leaving the county nearly all-white for decades.
• In 1987, civil rights leader Rev. Hosea Williams marched into Cumming with hundreds of Atlantans to protest this exclusion, facing down violent opposition and drawing national attention. 
  See here: 1987: Forsyth March

These moments are not just footnotes in history, as they testify to the resilience of those who fought for justice here. 

Today, Forsyth County is growing fast! Families of all races and cultures choose to make this place their home. Yet the name “Cumming” remains tied to a legacy of exclusion and fails to represent the inclusive, welcoming community we aspire to build. 

Our Proposal!

We call upon the City of Cumming and Forsyth County leadership to: 

1. Establish a community-led task force to explore renaming options.
   Hold public forums and listening sessions so all voices, especially historically marginalized ones, are heard.
2. Consider renaming in honor of figures like Rev. Hosea Williams, whose courage in 1987 illuminated injustice here and fueled our county’s journey toward change. 
3. A name is more than words on a sign. It is identity. It declares who we are and what we value. 

Changing the name of Cumming would not erase history, and it would honor it, while asserting that our future will be defined by:

1. Inclusion, discouraging division. It is about unity, reconciliation, and respect.
2. Openly inviting and welcoming all who share this vision—black, white, brown, and beyond—to join us.
3. Create a city name that reflects pride in our identity and hope for our future.

Call to Action!  

We, the undersigned, urge our leaders to take bold action to rename the City of Cumming, Georgia, and ensure that our community reflects dignity, diversity, and justice for all. 

Thank you.