Named after Felix Bland, a freed slave who purchased the land in 1872, it became one of the first settlements for Black people after the Civil War. Starting small, it grew to more than 200 residences and became the home of the country’s very first Black-owned radio station. Despite the fact that it was thriving, the city of Atlanta rezoned it from residential to “heavy industrial,” which reportedly thwarted new construction and greatly impacted home repairs. To this day, it’s said that the choice was intentional, and it drove a great number of Black residents from Blandtown.

But as things happen in this country, developers have descended upon it, bringing homes back to the town, entrepreneurs are opening hip hangouts, and with that, a wave of new residents who you can already guess don’t resemble the Blandtown locals of old are moving in. But for Anya Bazzell, M.D., she’s made the revitalized Blandtown the location for her residence, which she affectionately calls “Anya’s Enclave.” Her hope is to resist the gentrification happening in the area in favor of a reclamation of Black history, specifically, a record of her family’s journey.

“The Enclave is a living time capsule for my family history and Black culture,” she says. “You’ll see images of my great-grandparents’ first home—a small shack in Bainbridge, GA—and their personal Great Migration to a townhome in Newark, New Jersey. You’ll see imagery of my father’s family in the iconic Cotton Club. You’ll see my family lineage from my mother’s and father’s sides written out in script and framed as art. You’ll see the most talented artists: Ingrid Yuzly Mathurin, Leroy Campbell, and Fred Sands IV adorning my walls. My home decor is personal. It’s a reflection of who I am, who my family is, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. My nieces, nephews, and, God willing, my future children will be able to step into my home and immediately see reflections of Us.”

It’s also the place where Bazzell leans into lifestyle. She’s cultivated the brand “Surgery and the City,” which highlights her journey as she navigates “the trenches” of a medical career, all while embracing fashion as an outlet for self-expression and creativity. There, she has also begun to give a look at her home, a safe space that in addition to showcasing family history, coveted Black art and rich textures, also happens to have the creations of one of her closest loved ones all over it.

“A graduate of Aviation High School in the Bronx, New York, my dad cares for my home just as much as I do,” she says. “Every piece was meticulously measured, leveled, and built by him. As the patriarch of our family, his hands have added a special layer of pride and the most perfect finishing touch to The Enclave.”

“In a world that is actively trying to erase Black history, my home is powerful,” says Bazzell. “It’s political. It’s a potent reminder we were here and will be forever.”

Peruse the beauty and character of Anya’s Enclave below.

“My family and I affectionately call this room ‘Harlem.’ I completed the final leg of my physician education and training in NYC. The experience was very hard on me and I would not have made it through without the Harlem community. I created this space as an ode to Harlem, drawing from speakeasy influence for my design.”

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

“I designed this room to honor my Grandmother. Before she passed, we decided she would live with me once I completed my education and training. Unfortunately, we did not get that chance. I used her favorite color, olive green, as the base of my color palette here. The woman pictured here is actually my paternal Great Grandmother. The sense of calm and peace here are absolutely attributed to my Grandmother. When loved ones visit me, I want them to feel warm, cozy, and cared for. According to them, mission accomplished!”

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

“I designed this room with the intention of making it feel cool and airy. This room gets amazing light and I wanted to incorporate pieces that would highlight that. For that reason, I placed a good measure of creams and pastels here. In this space, I keep a childhood photo of my Great Uncle and the mortar and pestal he saved for my medical school graduation. He passed before he was able to gift it to me himself, but my Great Aunt ensured I received it. This room also boasts of Black art and literature. The focal point of the room is a beautiful piece I sourced from Westside Market: a young man in battalion garments. This is the first piece of art my father hung in my home and will always have a special place in my heart.”

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

Jasmine Smith Photography

“Also known as ‘Enclave on the Roof,’ this deck serves as my Atlantan oasis. Everyone always jokes Atlanta restaurants are known for grass walls and rooftops (false allegations)! Well, we got rooftop living at home! I wanted this space to feel serene and inviting while simultaneously deviating from the design of the loft adjacent to it. The stark transition from velvet and gold to linen, whites, and terracotta was intentional. I wanted to create a demarcation so I could feel transported from the norm of my home into a space that felt more like a travel destination.”

Jasmine Smith Photography