Andre Dickens

For 50 years, the Georgia Head Start Association has been helping children and families build brighter futures, and this weekend I was proud to celebrate that legacy.

I’ve met parents who just needed someone in their corner. I’ve met educators who go far beyond the classroom. And I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we invest in our youngest residents early.

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their neighborhood, family income, or circumstances. That’s why we’ve made the largest investment in early childcare in Atlanta’s history and why I’ll continue fighting to make Atlanta the best major city in America to raise a child.

To everyone who has been part of the Head Start story over the last five decades: thank you. Your work has opened doors, changed lives, and created opportunities for generations of Atlanta families.

Congratulations on 50 years of impact.

June is here, and Atlanta is already moving forward.

Today, we officially opened the new South Red Deck at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This $440 million investment adds more than 7,000 parking spaces across seven levels and nearly 3 million square feet, along with over 100 EV charging stations, smart parking technology, ticketless entry and exit through license plate readers, and direct skyway access to the South Terminal.

For the millions of travelers, families, business leaders, and visitors who pass through ATL every year, this means a smoother, faster, and more convenient experience from the moment they arrive.

And we’re not done. This is just the first phase of a larger transformation that will help ensure the world’s busiest airport continues to meet the needs of a growing Atlanta.

We’re gonna keep Moving Atlanta forward, one project at a time.

Atlanta has always been a city where culture and commerce, creativity and leadership, music and movement come together.

It was great joining Ryan Wilson and Jermaine Dupri for a conversation about where Atlanta is today and where we’re headed next.

From our artists and entrepreneurs to our neighborhoods and small businesses, Atlanta continues to set the pace because of the people who choose to build, create, and invest here every day.

As our city hosts Black Music Week, we’re celebrating more than music. We’re celebrating the culture, talent, and innovation that continue to make Atlanta a global destination and the capital of culture.

The future is bright, and Atlanta is just getting started.

People may not think about public restrooms until they need one. That’s why today’s ribbon cutting at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve mattered.

Atlanta is partnering with Throne Labs to bring smart restrooms to 10 locations across our parks system and the BeltLine, including Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, Woodruff Park, Piedmont Park, Historic Fourth Ward Park, and more.

And yes, this is the kind of technology your Tech Mayor gets excited about. Technology that solves real everyday problems for residents, families, seniors, visitors, and the people who enjoy our parks every single day. These units are ADA-accessible, touchless, climate-controlled, and designed to help us keep our public spaces cleaner and better maintained.

As we prepare to welcome the world to Atlanta for FIFA World Cup 2026, investments like this matter. Because the best cities pay attention to the big projects and the small quality-of-life details.

Thank you to Throne Labs, Commissioner Cutler, our Parks & Recreation team, and everyone helping us move Atlanta forward.

I’ve been with New Horizon Baptist Church since year one, so being part of this celebration means a lot to me personally. Around church, I’m Deacon Dickens and trust me, that title is one I carry proudly.

I’m honored to serve as keynote speaker as we celebrate Pastor Sean Smith, 25 years of ministry, and a church family that has continued to pour into people, serve the community, and lead with faith.

Congratulations to Pastor Smith and the entire New Horizon family on this incredible milestone. Looking forward to celebrating with everybody in September. Make sure you grab a ticket using the link in my bio.

Southwest Atlanta raised generations of families, leaders, homeowners, and communities that helped shape this city. That’s why programs like Senior Wills matter.

Last week on Campbellton Road, seniors from across our communities sat down with volunteer attorneys and legal professionals to start protecting their homes, assets, and family legacy for the next generation. For a lot of families, this is about making sure what was built over decades stays with the people who built it.

Since 2024, we’ve hosted five Senior Wills events across Atlanta, helping more than 120 seniors and families secure their legacies through estate planning. When we built the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, we asked one fundamental question: what does it actually take for a family to remain anchored in the neighborhood they helped build? Real investment means making sure legacy residents can stay rooted in the communities they’ve poured into for years.

Thank you to the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Fulton County Probate Court, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Young Family YMCA, and everyone helping make these services accessible to our seniors. That’s how we move Atlanta forward together.

You can plan a pretty picnic, but you can’t predict the weather.

A little rain didn’t put a damper on the Atlanta Jazz Festival… if anything, it only brought us closer. We showed up, we vibed, and we celebrated the soul of our city through incredible talent and community energy. Rain or shine, Atlanta always shows up for the music and each other.

Huge congratulations on the 49th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival, and thank you to our sponsors, artists, and Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs for delivering a stellar event.

See you at the 50th!

Today, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice made our freedoms possible, and we owe them a debt we can never fully repay.

As families and communities gather across Atlanta today, let’s take a moment to remember those who never made it home and keep their loved ones in our prayers.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.