Shirley Franklin – 58th Mayor of Atlanta | First Black Woman Mayor in Atlanta

Shirley Franklin was elected the 58th Mayor of Atlanta, the first woman elected to the position and the first Black woman to be elected mayor of a major Southern city. Franklin began her political career in Atlanta as the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs under Mayor Maynard Jackson before being named Chief Administrative Officer and City Manager under Mayor Andrew Young. While in office, Franklin focused on improving the city’s sewer system and led the charge in making Atlanta one of the nation’s leaders in “green” initiatives. In 2005, Time magazine named Franklin one of the five best big-city American mayors and she was included in the U.S. News & World Report"Best Leaders of 2005". Additionally, Mayor Franklin was the recipient of the Profile in Courage Award in 2005, issued by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

Shirley Franklin is featured in the 2023 Atlanta United FC production ‘Inside the 404’, where she provided insight into the history of Atlanta and the city’s rise in profile throughout the 90s and 00s.‘Inside the 404’ is a documentary produced by Atlanta United FC in collaboration with Atlanta Influences Everything, as part of the launch of the 404 Kit, Atlanta United’s 2023 third kit.