Shawty Lo could possibly have a street named after him. According to a petition on Change.org, thousands of people hoping for Donald Lee Hollowell to be changed to either Shawty Lo Pkwy or Carlos Walker Pkwy.
The petition says, “[Shawty Lo] was overly active in his Bankhead community. So much so, that neighborhood locals honored him by giving him the nickname ‘King of Bankhead’ abbreviated K.O.B in which he utilized as much as he did his rap name Shawty Lo. What better way to honor this extraordinary man.”
Shawty Lo, who was laid to rest on Oct. 1, used music to represent the Bankhead neighborhood and often gave back to his community. He even inspired Beyoncé who paid tribute to him during a recent tour stop at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
But while thousands have signed to help implement a change, it will take more than a Change.org petition. In 2003, Atlanta City Council members created a task force that would monitor the renaming of streets in the city. According to the ordinance 02-0-2096, the renaming of streets had began to confuse travelers. “In spite of worthy goals, the change of street names is confusing to the traveling public, potentially dangerous to public safety (911), causes great inconvenience to those whose residence or business is located on that street, imposes a substantial cost on the city to change street signs, and creates various other difficulties.”
As a result, the renaming of Donald Lee Hollowell to Shawty Lo Pkwy or Carlos Walker Pkwy will first take a $2,500 application fee and be presented by a city council member. After it was presented, council members would have to vote on the renaming and be approved by the mayor. Since Shawty Lo’s passing, there has yet to be formal application submitted to rename Donald Lee Hollowell.
Although Shawty Lo Pkwy could be a bit too informal, there is a possibility that Carlos Walker Pkwy may be more acceptable by members of city council. And there is also the historic factor. Hollowell was a Black civil rights attorney who helped to desegregate the University of Georgia in 1961. His impact could be viewed as more of an essential part of Atlanta’s legacy of the Civil Rights movement.
Currently, over 3,000 people have signed the Change.org petition in favor of Shawty Lo’s honor.
