In his inauguration speech on Monday at Georgia State University’s Convocation Center, Mayor Andre Dickens officially began his second term as Atlanta’s 61st mayor.
The event followed a landslide reelection victory with 85% of the vote in November.
Dickens Begins Second Term as Mayor
Addressing thousands of attendees—including former mayors, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, and Ambassador Andrew Young—Dickens reflected on first-term achievements while outlining an ambitious vision for the next four years.
“When you first elected me mayor, I promised that I would set the vision, remove barriers, deliver resources, and work from ‘can’t see morning’ to ‘can’t see night.’ And today, I am proud of how this city responded,” he said.
The mayor emphasized that while Atlanta has made significant progress—such as finishing 2025 with fewer than 100 homicides, record-high graduation rates in Atlanta Public Schools, and strides in affordable housing—he remains unsatisfied as long as inequities persist, particularly in south and west Atlanta neighborhoods.
Mayor Dickens’ 5 Focal Points for Atlanta
Drawing from his remarks and administration priorities, here are 5 key takeaways from Mayor Dickens’ speech and second-term focus:
1. Affordability and Housing
Dickens highlighted expanding affordable housing as a top priority, building on first-term efforts that included over 13,000 units started or completed and a historic $60 million Homeless Opportunity Bond.
He championed proposals to extend tax allocation districts (TADs) to generate billions for affordability initiatives and vowed to address homelessness and rising living costs so every Atlantan can afford to stay in the city they love.
2. Public Safety
The mayor celebrated major reductions in violent crime, including one of the nation’s largest drops in homicides and a 56% decrease in youth-related crime through programs like Midnight Basketball.
He pledged to continue this momentum with community-focused policing, youth development, and initiatives like Light Up the Night to ensure safe neighborhoods for residents and visitors alike.
3. Neighborhood Infrastructure and Equity
Dickens committed to targeted investments in long-overlooked areas, especially south and west Atlanta, through the Moving Atlanta Forward package (with $240 million in active projects for roads, public spaces, and connectivity).
”We expanded access to parks, expanded the BeltLine, and connected to the Chattahoochee river, reclaiming public space for public good,” Dickens said.
He stressed addressing historical inequities to create stronger, more connected communities across the city.
4. Youth Opportunities and Education
Building on successes like the highest-ever APS graduation rates and youth crime reductions, the mayor plans to expand programs that empower young people, including summer employment, early childhood development grants, and positive outlets to foster upward mobility and keep Atlanta’s next generation thriving.
”Atlanta has been named the best city in the nation to live, start a business, start a career—and the most educated city in America,” he said.
5. Ethical, People-Centered Government
Dickens described Atlanta as a “group project” where residents and city employees work together toward one indivisible future.
He thanked the city’s workforce and promised an innovative, dependable administration focused on equity, service, and leaning in amid national challenges to deliver for all Atlantans.
“The group project is working. We are no longer guessing,” he said. “We are not debating whether this approach works. We have seen the results with our own eyes, and we’re ready to face Goliath head-on.”
Final Word
Mayor Dickens concluded by reaffirming his commitment to a brighter, more inclusive Atlanta ahead of major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “We are choosing to remain indivisible, committed to one city, to one future, and most importantly, to one another,” he said.
As the city continues its rise, residents can expect these priorities to shape policy and projects throughout the mayor’s second term. Stay tuned to AtlantaFi.com for ongoing coverage of City Hall developments.