ATLANTA — Mayor Andre Dickens and Marcy Collier Overstreet were formally sworn in on Jan. 5 during a ceremony at Georgia State University's Convocation Center, where municipal judges and city council members also took oaths and outlined priorities for the next term.

The ceremony, called to order by municipal clerk Corinne Lindo under Atlanta City Charter Section 2-301, included presentations of the Municipal Court judges, an invocation, remarks by Georgia State University president M. Brian Blake and a benediction. Marcy Collier Overstreet was sworn in as council president; she said she will institute presidential town halls to make city decision-making more accessible to residents who work 9-to-5.

"Will my decisions benefit Atlanta's residents?" Overstreet asked in her remarks, saying every policy, budget and project should "pass the test" of benefiting the city's residents. She cited recent municipal figures, saying Atlanta's population has grown and noting the recently passed fiscal year 2026 operating budget and a large general fund allocation as signals of the city's priorities.

Mayor Dickens, sworn in by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Aisha Jackson, said he is "deeply humbled" to begin a second term and framed his administration's work as a "group project" that relies on partnerships across government, business and community groups. In his remarks Dickens cited a series of administration accomplishments he attributed to that approach, saying his office opened 500 rapid rehousing units, started or completed more than 13,000 units of affordable housing over four years and invested more than $40 million in youth programs.

Dickens also said the city hired more than 19,000 young people and raised the municipal minimum wage to $17.50 an hour. He told the audience the city finished 2025 with fewer than 100 homicides and that youth-related crime decreased 56% in part because of programs such as midnight basketball. "When we invest in people, families, neighborhoods, we don't just reduce the harm, we dismantle the conditions that cause the harm to exist," he said.

Both the mayor and council president identified neighborhood reinvestment and affordable housing as central priorities. Dickens announced a Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative focused on five priorities he described as Atlanta's "five stones": affordable housing, targeted neighborhood investment, youth opportunities, public safety and ethics/financial stewardship.

The ceremony concluded after a benediction by Reverend Eric Thomas and a procedural motion. As presiding officer, Council President Overstreet requested a motion to recess the first organizational meeting of 2026. Council member Boone moved the motion, Council member Lewis seconded, council members responded "Aye," and the presiding officer declared "The motion carries." The meeting was recessed and the inauguration program ended with a photo call.

Officials repeated their pledges to uphold the constitutions of the United States and Georgia and to observe the city charter and ordinances. The day combined ceremonial oaths with public outlines of policy priorities; next steps will include the council organizing committees and the administration advancing the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative and related budgetary actions.

Key quotes

"I am deeply humbled to stand before you today as I begin a second term as the mayor of the city of Atlanta," Mayor Andre Dickens said after taking the oath of office.

"Will my decisions benefit Atlanta's residents?" Council President Marcy Collier Overstreet said, adding that she will lead with that question in mind.

What happens next

The council recessed its first organizational meeting after a voice vote. The mayor and council signaled neighborhood reinvestment, housing, youth investment and public safety as top priorities for the coming term; the administration and council will next proceed with committee assignments and implementation of budgeted programs.