Mayor Andre Dickens - Democratic Mayors

In his State of the City address, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens outlined the significant progress made during his first two years in office and emphasized his ongoing commitment to advancing the city’s prosperity and equity.

Mayor Dickens discussed the city’s initiatives to support youth development, emphasizing the success of the Year of the Youth program. He celebrated the program’s achievements in providing thousands of young Atlantans with work experience, scholarships, mentorship, and educational support. The Mayor expressed his commitment to making every year a Year of the Youth, highlighting the collective effort of partners in empowering Atlanta’s youth.

Another focus of Mayor Dickens’ address was public safety, underscoring the city’s achievements in reducing major crimes and homicides through a holistic approach beyond policing. The Mayor introduced initiatives, including the Diversion Center and the Community Assistance Responders Unit, to address non-emergency service calls and provide alternative responses to certain situations, allowing law enforcement to focus on more critical issues. He also highlighted the progress of the Public Safety Training Center, which aims to enhance training for first responders, including firefighters and EMTs.

Mayor Dickens addressed homelessness, sharing personal stories and highlighting the city’s efforts to provide housing and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness. He emphasized the importance of compassion and community-driven solutions in addressing this issue, showcasing successful interventions such as The Melody and the Ralph David House.

Watch Mayor Dickens’ full address here.

More State of the City Addresses

Akron, Ohio

Mayor Shammas Malik

During his third State of the City Address, Mayor Shammas Malik outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework.

Evansville, Indiana

Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mayor Paige Cognetti

Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti delivered her State of the City Address, outlining a six-year turnaround that has taken the city from the brink of financial distress to a position of stability and growth, while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and lower costs for residents. Mayor Cognetti also highlighted Scranton’s financial progress, including three credit rating upgrades since exiting financially distressed status in 2022 and achieving its current A- rating with a stable outlook.