Marci Collier Overstreet has deep ties to Southwest Atlanta, where she has served as the city councilwoman for District Eleven for eight years.
Her commitment to her community drives her current campaign for Atlanta City Council President following the announcement by Doug Shipman, the current City Council President, that he will not seek reelection.
At a recent visit to her alma mater, Benjamin E. Mays High School, Overstreet shared her cherished 1983 yearbook, the year she graduated.
This memento is a constant reminder for her of her roots in Southwest Atlanta and the foundational love she holds for her community.
Reflecting on her journey into politics, Overstreet expresses that she never intended to get involved initially, stating, “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’s campaign officially launched in April with a press release highlighting her belief in having the experience, expertise, and empathy necessary to improve the quality of life for all Atlanteans.
Central to her campaign is a commitment to community development, reinforced during her tenure as zoning chair.
“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,” she states, underlining her cautious approach to community planning.
Her campaign motto encapsulates her mission: “Action, Trust, and Legacy” (A-T-L).
Overstreet is dedicated to implementing practical solutions, building trust within the community, and crafting sustainable improvements for future generations.
As part of her platform, she has identified public safety and community policing, economic mobility, and transportation as her chief priorities.
“There is an economic gap in our city,” Overstreet acknowledges, stressing the need to address the significant wealth gap that exists in Atlanta.
She points out, “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.”
Emphasizing the importance of economic mobility, she adds that it can significantly affect the lives of those in her community and others who share similar backgrounds.
Overstreet’s leadership philosophy is rooted in her understanding of local conditions and needs, allowing her to devise targeted initiatives.
Notably, she has proposed a revitalization plan for Greenbriar Mall that includes the addition of workforce housing and a partnership with MARTA to establish a transit hub.
As she summarizes her approach, she emphasizes, “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.”
Overstreet draws inspiration from historical figures such as Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Atlanta’s first Black Mayor, and Ambassador Andrew Young.
She aims to reflect their narratives while concentrating on aiding the most vulnerable within the city.
Recalling her aspirations from her time as a high school student, she mentions her desire to work for Delta Airlines, inspired by Jackson’s vision for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
“Maynard had the vision to make Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport something amazing,” she says, illustrating how influential leadership can leave a lasting legacy.
Overstreet acknowledges the importance of the Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit system, established by Jackson in 1974 to promote citizen participation in the city’s Comprehensive Development Plan.
She asserts, “Everything that we do that changes the landscape of our city goes through, goes through our communities via NPU, and that’s all Maynard.”
She remains committed to realizing Jackson’s vision while also adapting to the needs of what she calls the “New Atlanta.”
Overstreet holds onto the hopeful vision of Atlanta becoming the “Beloved Community,” as famously described by the late John Lewis.
However, she emphasizes that achieving this is a collective responsibility that includes both politicians and citizens alike.
“It is up to us, and I accept this responsibility of helping the people that need it the most,” Overstreet declares, reinforcing her pledge to advocate for the underprivileged in her community.
By channeling the legacies of exemplary leaders like Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young, Overstreet believes she can foster a supportive environment where no one is left behind.
“Just like Maynard, just like Andy Young, I am open to everyone that needs anything,” she adds, reiterating her dedication to addressing the needs of Atlanta’s most vulnerable populations.
image source from：https://theatlantavoice.com/overstreet-council-president-run/
