Carmelita Gumbs took the oath of office and was sworn in as mayor of the City of South Fulton during a public ceremony that featured elected officials, community leaders and family members onstage. Judge Asha Jackson administered the oath before a packed audience; Gumbs then addressed attendees with a broad vision for her term.

Gumbs framed her priorities under a single motif she called “1 Heartbeat,” saying the approach will bind elected officials, faith institutions, businesses and residents around shared goals. "1 heartbeat means unity without uniformity," Gumbs said, adding that "every neighborhood matters, every voice matters, every resident matters." She told residents the administration would pursue economic development to create opportunity, support small businesses and attract responsible investment.

Public safety and quality of life were central themes in the address. "We will prioritize public safety and quality of life, ensuring our neighborhoods are clean, our streets are safe, and our ordinances are enforced fairly and consistently," Gumbs said. She also pledged to lead with "integrity, transparency and accountability," and thanked the city manager and more than 800 city employees by name for their service.

Gumbs noted South Fulton’s growth and demographics in the speech, saying the city is "home to over 115,000 residents," and framed her election as part of nine years of the city's development since incorporation. She closed by calling for shared effort and partnership across the city and region: "In this pivotal ninth year, let us move forward with 1 heartbeat to define who we are, claim who we can be, and build a city that shines as the gem of Georgia." The ceremony concluded with a benediction and closing remarks.