Atlanta City Councilwoman Marci Collier Overstreet lives and breathes Southwest Atlanta. After serving in District Eleven for eight years, she is running for Atlanta City Council President. Current City Council President Doug Shipman, announced he would not seek reelection in February.
As she returned to her alma mater, Benjamin E. Mays High School, Overstreet showed me her class yearbook from 1983 – ironically – the year I was born. She keeps the yearbook close because it reminds her of her roots and her love for Southwest Atlanta. However, as Overstreet moves forward, she admits she would never step into the world of politics.
“So these are my roots, and I knew that you could never have any bad days at work if you’re helping someone in a community where you grew up, where you raised your children, where you were married,” Overstreet explains. “I was married at the United Methodist Church.”
Overstreet kicked off her campaign in April. In her press release, she says, “I believe I have the experience, expertise, and empathy to help advance the quality of life for all of the people in the City of Atlanta.” During our conversation, Overstreet emphasized her commitment to community development.
“I was the zoning chair for two years, and that was important to me, because you want to be careful about how you develop your communities,” Overstreet explains. “The answer is not always ‘yes’ to everything that wants to be in your community.”
Overstreet’s motto is based on A-T-L
Overstreet’s overall approach is summarized by her platform of “Action, Trust, and Legacy” (A-T-L). It focuses on implementing concrete solutions, building community trust, and creating sustainable improvements for future generations. When Overstreet launched her campaign in April, said she will promote public safety and community policing. Her other chief priorities are economic mobility for residents and transportation.
“We have an economic gap in our city,” Overstreet admitted. “We’re told that we have the largest wealth gap in the nation here, right here in Atlanta, the haves and the have nots. I don’t like that. Economic mobility is extremely important in our communities. Especially for me and people that look just like me, we need to make sure that we are doing all of the things in our city to make sure that we’re bringing everyone with us.”
Overstreet views her leadership through the lens of her community roots. She believes that by understanding the local context and needs, she can create meaningful, targeted solutions. For example, Overstreet recently outlined a plan to revitalize Greenbriar Mall. It includes adding workforce housing and partnerning with MARTA to create a transit hub, among other initiatives.
“It’s about action, trust and legacy. That’s ATL right? My action is doing the work. It’s the promises that I make throughout and they have been solidified in legislation and not just words. First of all, I am working with the Council to make sure that they understand my vision. All of my legislation has to do with making sure that our quality of life is elevated. It’s really about action for me. Not just talking about it; not seeing where the problems are, and doing nothing. But actually having solutions and then enacting your solutions.”
Maynard Jackson’s example establishes Overstreet’s standard
Overstreet praised the legacies of Atlanta’s first Black Mayor, Maynard Holbrook Jackson and Ambassador Andrew Young. She aims to emulate their vision and impact, and underscored her dedication to helping those most in need. But, it circles back to when she was a student at Mays High School and her desire to enroll in the Delta Airlines’ summer program.
“I wanted to work for Delta Airlines, and it’s because Maynard had the vision to make Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport something amazing,” Overstreet says. “That made Delta Airlines shine globally. And I wanted to be a part of that.”
The Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit contains twenty-five different areas defined by zip codes and city council districts. It was created by Jackson in 1974 in order for citizens to participate in Atlanta’s Comprehensive Development Plan. It’s how the city’s vision for the next five, ten, and fifteen years. Overstreet believes in maintaining Maynard’s vision, while addressing the needs of the New Atlanta.
“Especially in the last 10 years, going through all of the processes that are in place, our 35% mandate of making sure that we have minority participation in every aspect of our city work is all Maynard,” says Overstreet. “And the actual NPU system, the neighborhood planning units that’s not done anywhere, that’s done here. So everything that we do that changes the landscape of our city goes through, goes through our communities via NPU, and that’s all Maynard.”
Overstreet believes Atlanta can still become the “Beloved Community” as the late John Lewis famously described. However, it’s a collective effort from not just politicians, but the citizens as well.
“It is up to us, and I accept this responsibility of helping the people that need it the most,” said Overstreet. “I really do try to reach in areas and help in ways that, just like Maynard, just like Andy Young, I am open to everyone that needs anything. The people that need it the most, we can’t ever forget them.”