With the Arena at Southlake, a multi-purpose facility in Morrow, officially opening this spring, The Atlanta Voice spoke to the one leading the operation at the arena, CEO and founder of The Right Productions, Inc. (TRP), Shahida Mausi.
TRP is an entertainment production and venue management company that Mausi founded in 1996.
Since 2004, TRP has run Detroit’s 6,000-seat Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, formerly Chene Park, making it the only amphitheater of its size in the United States to be managed by an African American woman and her company.
Under Mausi’s leadership, the venue has ranked among the world’s top amphitheaters, hosting hundreds of concerts featuring internationally renowned artists. Also, Mausi is a distinguished professional recognized for her impactful leadership across culture, the arts, entertainment, and community development.
Mausi now oversees operations of the new 8,000-seat Arena at Southlake in Clayton County, expanding TRP’s footprint in large-scale venue management.
The seed of the idea for the arena, Mausi says, came from the need to provide great graduation and commencement experiences for graduates of the Clayton County Public School System without spending a ton of money year after year after year.
“The board of the Clayton County Public School System said they should have our own space, rather than spend half a million dollars a year on graduations in somebody else’s space, and the idea grew from there,” she said.
Interim Superintendent for Clayton County Public Schools, Dr. Douglas Hendrix, Sr., said of the arena, “The Arena at Southlake represents what is possible when we center children and strengthen the community around them, creating opportunities for students to build confidence, explore real-world pathways, and prepare for success beyond the classroom.”
The venue itself, Mausi says, is an economic engine and a catalyst for growth in the Clayton County Southern Atlanta section of the metropolitan area.
“We anticipate every dollar that is spent on entertainment, sports, or concerts would generate an additional $12 in economic activity in and around this area,” she says. “We also expect hundreds of people to work here on a part-time basis, mostly, and some full-time employment. We’re looking forward to being an economic engine for this community.”
Mausi is also a founding member of the Black Promoters’ Collective, who are the promoter behind the New Edition concert. She says she is humbled, but shouldn’t be the only one.
“I have been in this field since college, and you keep your head down and keep working and looking for ways to climb that mountain,” she said. “I didn’t realize we were the only black company to control the first 6,000 seats and now 14,000 seats because I worked in a supportive community, which is Detroit, and now I’m working in another supportive community, which is Clayton County.”
Additionally, she says people are going to come to the area, spend money in restaurants, need hotel rooms, and use all the ancillary services that a great destination can provide. They also intend to be a real source for educational growth internships at the arena.
As for how she felt when she won the bid to design the arena, Mausi used the word humbled to describe the moment.
“We look at what we do as a mission of service, and what we do affects the people we serve. It is our goal to provide great experiences for people and give people the opportunity to come to things that we do, and to leave that space uplifted,” she said.
What she is looking forward to most about the grand opening is seeing people’s jaws drop when they enter the building. Not only was the idea to create space for entertainment and education, but it’s unique in the country, taking a significant part of the Southlake Mall and transforming it, she says.
Additionally, Mausi says she hopes the arena brings joy to the community, creates economic activity, and serves as a place that lifts the spirit and pride of the community.
The grand opening for the Arena at Southlake is Wednesday, April 22. The venue already hosted the 2026 SIAC men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in March.
“On behalf of the Clayton County Board of Education, I invite our community to join us as we celebrate this important milestone,” said Hendrix, Sr.
