Kasim Reed

Kasim Reed
Name	Kasim Reed
Birth date	November 7, 1969
Birth place	Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Attorney, politician
Known for	Mayor of Atlanta (2010–2018)

Kasim Reed is an American attorney and politician who served as the 59th Mayor of Atlanta from 2010 to 2018. He previously represented districts in the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia State Senate, and served as Mayor of Atlanta with a focus on infrastructure, economic development, and public safety. Reed's career spans roles in law, state legislation, municipal leadership, and national political engagement.

Early life and education

Reed was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and raised in College Park, Georgia and East Point, Georgia. He attended Benjamin E. Mays High School and graduated before enrolling at Howard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and was active in campus organizations associated with the National Urban League and Alpha Phi Alpha. He later attended Georgetown University Law Center, receiving a Juris Doctor and developing connections with legal networks including the American Bar Association and practitioners linked to the U.S. Department of Justice. During his education he participated in programs connected to the Democratic National Committee and built ties with leaders from Georgia State University and local chapters of national civic groups.

Legal and early political career

After law school, Reed joined private practice at firms with clients in Fulton County and municipal matters related to Atlanta Public Schools contracts and regional development projects. He worked as a prosecutor and civil litigator interfacing with agencies like the Georgia Secretary of State and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Reed entered elected office by winning a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives, later serving in the Georgia State Senate where he chaired committees interacting with the Georgia Judicial Council and statewide policy actors. He gained prominence through legislative work touching on issues involving the Georgia Ports Authority, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, and partnerships with non‑profits such as the United Way of Greater Atlanta.

Mayor of Atlanta (2010–2018)

Reed was elected Mayor of Atlanta in 2009, defeating candidates supported by local factions aligned with figures from the Atlanta City Council and business coalitions tied to the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. His mayoralty coincided with events including the 2010 U.S. Census aftermath, the expansion of the Atlanta BeltLine project, and preparations for national events hosted at venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. Reed's administration negotiated public‑private partnerships with corporations such as Delta Air Lines and The Coca-Cola Company, and coordinated with federal entities including the Department of Transportation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency during emergencies. He presided over initiatives that affected the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport region and worked with regional authorities like the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Political positions and initiatives

As mayor, Reed prioritized infrastructure modernization, economic development, and public safety, aligning municipal strategies with stakeholders such as the Atlanta Police Department, the Atlanta Public Schools, and civic organizations including the Southface Energy Institute. His administration pursued transportation projects linked to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. initiative, and advanced workforce development programs in collaboration with Georgia Tech and Emory University. Reed supported urban development deals involving developers who had worked on projects with Cousins Properties and Hines Interests. He also engaged on national politics, endorsing candidates in Democratic Party presidential primaries and participating in forums at institutions like the Brookings Institution and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Post-mayoral career and controversies

After leaving office in 2018, Reed returned to private legal practice and joined roles with law firms and consulting entities interfacing with municipal clients, corporate boards, and education partners like the Carter Center and the Atlanta Public Schools governance community. His post‑mayoral period included involvement with national entities such as the Democratic National Committee and advisory work connected to infrastructure firms dealing with projects around the Georgia Ports Authority and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Reed's tenure and post‑mayoral activities were the subject of investigations and media scrutiny involving contracts and procurement processes linked to redevelopment programs, attracting attention from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and prompting reporting by outlets such as The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The New York Times. Some controversies prompted inquiries by municipal watchdog groups and led to legal review by state oversight institutions including the Georgia Secretary of State offices and local prosecutorial authorities.

Personal life and legacy

Reed is a member of civic and professional organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha and has engaged with philanthropic groups such as the United Way of Greater Atlanta, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and alumni networks at Howard University and Georgetown University Law Center. His mayoralty is credited by supporters for accelerating projects like the Atlanta BeltLine and increasing private investment from companies including Cousins Properties and AXA Equitable, while critics cite questions about procurement and governance. Reed's influence persists in Atlanta politics through allies who hold offices in the Atlanta City Council, the Georgia General Assembly, and regional development agencies such as the Atlanta Development Authority.

Category:1969 births Category:Mayors of Atlanta Category:Georgia (U.S. state) politicians Category:Howard University alumni Category:Georgetown University Law Center alumni