On Monday, January 5, 2026, Atlanta Mayor Andre P. Dickens was inaugurated for his second term as mayor of the City of Atlanta. With this inauguration, Dickens officially became the 61st mayor of Atlanta. The ceremony was held at the Georgia State University (GSU) Convocation Center.
Marci Collier Overstreet was sworn in as the new Atlanta City Council president, succeeding outgoing council president Doug Shipman.
During the ceremony, Mayor Andre Dickens expressed gratitude to the thousands of city employees who serve Atlanta each day. Along with the mayor, members of the Atlanta City Council, the City Council president, and Atlanta Municipal Court judges were also sworn in for their new terms.
In his opening remarks, Mayor Dickens acknowledged the city’s former mayors, crediting them with laying the foundation for Atlanta’s continued progress.
Reflecting on his first term, Dickens noted that four years ago the city faced one of its greatest challenges: the global COVID-19 pandemic. He described the difficult questions his administration confronted during that time, including how to stabilize the city’s economy, lift residents out of poverty, and support families struggling to make ends meet. Despite reductions in federal support, Dickens emphasized that Atlanta chose to press forward and invest in its people.
The mayor also thanked members of the congressional delegation in attendance, recognizing Georgia Senator Reverend Raphael G. Warnock, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, and Congresswoman Lucy McBath for their presence and support.
Mayor Dickens highlighted the city’s successful effort to defeat the Buckhead cityhood movement, which sought to separate Buckhead from Atlanta. He credited collective action and unity for preserving Atlanta as one city.
Public safety was another major focus of the mayor’s remarks. Dickens pointed to the implementation of “smart policing” strategies, which he said have significantly improved law enforcement effectiveness. As a result, Atlanta has experienced one of the lowest crime declines in the nation in recent years, including fewer than 100 homicides in 2025.
The mayor also praised Atlanta Public Schools for a dramatic improvement in performance, noting that the district achieved the highest graduation rate in the city’s history.
Dickens highlighted Atlanta’s strengthened financial position. For the first time, the city has earned a AAA bond rating, signaling strong fiscal management and establishing Atlanta as a reliable borrower in financial markets.
Last updated on January 14, 2026
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