COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – Communities gathered for a panel discussion event on Wednesday, February 26, where attendees had the opportunity to meet and interact with some of the most influential Black mayors in the state of Georgia.
The event took place at the McKenzie Office Park in College Park and featured a panel of four mayors: Carlos Duffey, the Mayor of Jackson; Carlos Greer, the Mayor of Locust Grove; Michael Owens, the Mayor of Mabelton; and Vince Williams, the Mayor of Union City. Evan Parker, the host of the panel discussion, stated that the purpose of the event was to facilitate conversations among mayors from southern Atlanta cities to encourage real estate investment in the Southside.
This gathering was part of the Southside meetup group under the Georgia organization that conducts monthly meetings. Last year, the group hosted eight Black female mayors, while this year’s panel highlighted four male mayors.
Parker emphasized the importance of representation and community building, especially in cities with significant Black populations, to foster economic development in the southern region of Atlanta. He also expressed hope that the event would provide the mayors with a platform to discuss issues affecting their cities, as they represent communities located in southern Atlanta.
“We have a room full of people that are either currently real estate investors or prospective real estate investors,” Parker said. “It’s people who are invested in the Southside of the city and I’m passionate about the development of the southern region of Atlanta.”
He also said the importance of hosting this event is representation, community building, and economic development.
Mayor Duffey said he wants people to know they have great trails, two great state parks, and a thriving community in Jackson.
“It’s a great place to live, a great place to work and play,” he said. “Jackson will be 200 years old in 2026, and I’m the first Black Mayor elected in the city during our 200-year history, but it doesn’t stop there.”
Mayor Greer said Locust Grove is a small, yet booming city.
“We’re one of those cities that have a population that grows. Development has exploded over the last five to 10 years, and we’re continuing to grow,” Greer said. “We must invest in our youth as well.”
Mayor Williams said he hopes people understand what’s going on in the cities around them.
“Atlanta is a very big place, and it’s a growing place, and there’s a lot of different interesting things going on in the cities around us,” he said. “Having the time and the ability to speak with some of the people that are running these cities are very informative for all parties involved.”
Furthermore, topics during the event included housing affordability, incentives for developers/communities to come to the city, where they see their cities in 15 years, advice, and more.
Williams said affordable housing in any community is relative to each individual city. Union City, Williams said, was named Georgia’s fastest-growing city in 2023 and named the nation’s fourth fastest-growing sunburn.
“What’s affordable to me may not be affordable for someone else. We’re doing a mix of housing for all economic opportunities families have,” he said. “We have houses anywhere from $200,000 and up. We must make sure we have housing that fits and suits every economic stature.”
He also said it’s crucial to ensure they have apartments because not everyone wants to live in a house.
“We also need to make sure we deal with this housing crisis with homelessness because that is something all our communities shoulder,” he said. “It is not a crime to be homeless but it’s a crime to not help people who are suffering from this, and we have to invest in our communities.”
Duffey said workforce housing impacts all communities whether you’re a doctor, a nurse, firef ighter, or a police officer.
“In Jackson, we’re having to work on design infrastructure, and we can build all the homes we want to, but if you don’t have the infrastructure to support what we’re building, it’s going to be a terrible problem,” Duffey said.
He said they are working on the investment of rebuilding water and sewer treatment plans.
Additionally, one of the incentives for developers and communities to come to Locust Grove, Greer says, is they don’t have city property tax.
“We haven’t had city property tax in over 40 years and that’s one of the reasons developers have come to the city,” he said.
For advice, Greer said to keep God first.
“God is the joy and strength of my life because without God, none of this would be possible,” he said. “Don’t give up, whatever it is you desire to have, it’s obtainable, and work hard.”
Duffey said to love your family as a pastor, aim high, and stay focused as well.
“It’s important to ensure every decision you make as a leader in your community, that you are led by God,” he said. “You also can’t stop dreaming because who knew I’d be a Mayor, let alone the Mayor of Jackson, GA”.
He also said it’s crucial for leaders to ensure the decisions they make; they pray about those decisions. “Often folks get into a tizzy about what’s happening in Washington, DC, but the most important government for us is our local government,” he said.
Furthermore, Owens said his advice for anyone is to believe in yourself and never stop dreaming.
“Being a new mayor in a new city, it’s a territory few people have taken, and this journey is unique. Every day, it’s something different and I’m stepping into uncharted territory,” he said. “Be true to yourself and believe in yourself.”
