I know sometimes the city council people, they hate when I talk about binding agreements for communities that needs to happen.

So, you know, and then just like you said, you're not in charge of the market.

We had a deal with Microsoft before I was mayor.

And then the pandemic happens.

Microsoft was promising in 2018, 2019, 10,000 employees on Bankhead Highway down with Lee Hollowell at that site.

And then the pandemic happened.

They're like, whoops, folks don't work like that no more.

How do you see working through the time that you have? How do you see working through that? Because you have to change people's mindset to buy into all of the changes and everything that you want to do to correct somebody's harms.

Mayor Dickens understands that for a city to thrive, attention must be paid to expanding the economy and to addressing the needs of people who historically have not benefited from growth.

One unique thing about Atlanta is as, as all this activity is coming here, we have the infrastructure, having the world's busiest airport that we've had for 25 consecutive years, and we continue to grow.

I will be at the airport today cutting a ribbon on yet another growth mechanism, a super huge parking garage.

We've got $1.4 billion going in the ground at any moment, uh, of construction at the airport, that we then have 36% to 37%, sometimes 40% minority participation on.

That generates economy in this city for the small business, the medium business.

So we are business-minded, but community-focused.

That's the unique difference of Atlanta.

When you talk to people, you know, what's their biggest concern, complaint? Is it safety, security? Is it reading? Is it kids missing school? What do you hear out there?

Yeah.

I mean, once upon a time, uh, safety and security was the number one concern.

We've done a lot with, uh, Atlanta police department and APS police department, and then just a lot of youth serving organizations to bring down the concerns, concerns around crime and violence.

So we've seen a reduction in those activities.

It's still not at zero.

Uh, so we have to continue to focus on making sure our kids understand how to have conflict resolution and deescalation and no bullying and managing those things in school and out of school.

I'm not going to guess how many years ago, but what's the biggest change you have seen since your school days to today? I know technology is one big one, but what else?

I'd love for you to go back and talk about what you saw that helped you to understand inequality in Atlanta, even as you were having an extraordinary experience in your neighborhood.

Yeah, I knew that.

There were differences between my neighborhood and some other neighborhoods as I got further out.

I had made it to other well-to-do Black neighborhoods, like Cascade, and then some other nicer white communities.

I didn't get to Buckhead until I was in high school.

And I was like, whoa, these are houses that I see on TV.

I was just so happy to go from that apartment to my house.

How are you thinking about this dynamic as you come with the right agenda at a time when the political base may be shifting?

In early 2026, Dickens took the stage to celebrate his re-election and share some of the goals for his second term.

And as we all remember from Sunday school, when David faced Goliath, he didn't bring an army.

He brought five smooth stones.

Atlanta's five stones in this fight are affordable housing, investing in neighborhoods, opportunities for our youth, keeping residents and visitors safe, and all while prioritizing ethics, financial stewardship, and good government.

Towards the end of his address, he declared that Atlanta needs to tackle inequality head-on and punctuated it with his faith in the city's ability to do and be better.

Which brings us back to the biblical story.

David does not negotiate with Goliath.

He does not manage him.

Mayor, and does this make it more difficult for you as the executive of your city?

That's just plain old horrible.

First of all, excuse my attire.

I am hosting a humongous Halloween trick or treat at my house outside.

I'm dressed as a Falcons player.

But food security is so important and vital for everyone.

For the president to say that these are Democrats that it affects, All our data shows that more people that are Republicans in red states, in red rural counties, are more SNAP recipients than anywhere else.

What is your message to the president about the position that his inaction is putting mayors like you and your constituents in?

seat, does he get to use the HIV light?

Hey, his name is Bert, man.

He's good all the way through.

But I'm not going to read it all, but it's basically a letter, and it says to Bert Weiss, As the 61st mayor of Atlanta, I am proud to join the people of our city in celebrating your outstanding career and the legacy you've built through the Bird Show.

For 25 years, your voice has been a defining presence in our city.

Through your leadership, creativity, and dedication in broadcasting excellence, you have strengthened Atlanta's position as one of the nation's leading centers for media and entertainment.

Your commitment to Burt's Big Adventure reflects a sense of purpose and compassion for helping children facing serious illness and their families.

And I'm just really proud of my friend and that he's getting the acknowledgement that he deserves.

Thank you.

Hey, you deserve it.

25 years of great impact into this city.

This whole region knows your name, knows your voice, knows your heart.

Thank you.

I'm here to say thank you.

I'm here because the people of Atlanta thank you, and City Hall thanks you.

seat, does he get to use the HIV light?

But how do you personally balance preserving the legacy of Atlanta while also pushing it into the future?

Yeah, that's a delicate balancing act.

You want to highlight and really revere and respect the past, because the past is very valuable, while also preparing ourselves and launching into the future.

So I've, uh, I, I say moving Atlanta forward.

We're trying to move Atlanta forward, but we're not trying to forget our past.

We have so-- We're, we're blessed in Atlanta to have civil rights leaders that I get to see every day.

I literally was with Ambassador Andrew Young yesterday.

You know, Mayor Dickens, I, I teach leaders that there's this one thing that's the new currency with, with modern society, modern employees, and that's trust, right? So at a time where public trust in leadership is fragile, how are you cultivating transparency, accountability, and trust with your constituents?

But how do you personally balance preserving the legacy of Atlanta while also pushing it into the future?

Yeah, that's a delicate balancing act.

You want to highlight and really revere and respect the past, because the past is very valuable, while also preparing ourselves and launching into the future.

So I've, uh, I, I say moving Atlanta forward.

We're trying to move Atlanta forward, but we're not trying to forget our past.

We have so-- We're, we're blessed in Atlanta to have civil rights leaders that I get to see every day.

I literally was with Ambassador Andrew Young yesterday.

You know, Mayor Dickens, I, I teach leaders that there's this one thing that's the new currency with, with modern society, modern employees, and that's trust, right? So at a time where public trust and leadership is fragile, how are you cultivating transparency, accountability, and trust with your constituents?