On Oct. 30, Big Bethel AME Church was as packed as ever – but this time a lineup of Atlanta’s former mayors sat at the pulpit rallying the crowd for the so-called “Soul of Atlanta” as the city faces federal pressure to gut diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Former Atlanta Mayors Ambassador Andrew Young, Bill Campbell, Shirley Franklin, Kasim Reed and current Mayor Andre Dickens joined the rally. Valerie Jackson, the life of Atlanta’s first Black Mayor, the late Maynard Jackson, also attended.
It made for a lineup of almost every Black mayor that has led the city since Jackson was first elected in 1974 — Keisha Lance Bottoms could not attend. Together, they joined Big Bethel AME Church, Rev. Dr. Jonathan C. Augustine, or “Pastor Jay,” in a rallying cry: “The soul of Atlanta is not for sale.”
As President Donald Trump enacts sweeping funding cuts to “diversity” programs, deploys the U.S. Military, and tries to exert federal control on major American cities, worries that Atlanta is next on the list of destinations getting louder.
But Mayor Andre Dickens isn’t bowing to the pressure, and neither are other local leaders.
“Your presence here today says that we are aware that there is an autocratic leader who has been deliberate in targeting blue cities that are in red states that were led by Black mayors,” Augustine said.
The pastor said Atlanta has set a “benchmark of excellence” for inclusive business operations, and it can set an example for the rest of the country.
It’s a reference to recent news that Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport forfeited at least $37.5 million in July. The airport refused to follow terms from the Federal Aviation Administration that ban “any programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.”
The FAA is now withholding $57 million from the “world’s busiest airport,” and will give $19 million to Atlanta in the next budget year only if it agrees to the terms.
It’s not the only project to lose federal funds under the Trump administration. The Stitch highway-capping park project lost over $100 million in federal funds after Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” slashed project dollars. The city is at risk of losing more federal dollars if it doesn’t bend to Trump’s DEI ban, too.
“We’re here in support of this mayor with the vision cast by the former mayors to ensure that we address these problems as a community,” Augustine said.
Dickens compared himself to the legend of “David and Goliath” in the ongoing conflict, the biblical tale of the young shepherd David and the giant warrior Goliath – Trump. Dickens sees himself as an underdog, but he said he isn’t alone.
“Goliath does not stand a chance in Atlanta,” Dickens said.
The mayor said he’s working with nonprofits to supplement a lack of government funding, especially for early childcare programs like Head Start, a free education program for eligible kids up to age five.
He’s also working with nonprofit organizations to preserve SNAP benefits. Due to the government shutdown, thousands of Georgians are at risk of losing $130 million in benefits by Nov. 5.
Dickens said the federal government is “sitting on money that they receive from every single American and not feeding folks.” That’s where nonprofits step in. The Atlanta Community Food Bank has activated a $5 million crisis plan to offset the loss on Oct. 30.
Over the next four weeks, the food bank aims to purchase and distribute 6 million pounds of emergency food and partner with 700 local agencies to cast a wide net across the state. This will increase the food bank’s distribution by almost 85 percent.
“The City of Atlanta commends the Atlanta Community Food Bank and our partners for their leadership to support our most vulnerable residents during the government shutdown,” Dickens said. “In challenging times like these, we witness the true spirit of connection and compassion that defines Atlanta’s community leaders and strengthens our city.”
On October 30, Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta became the stage for a powerful show of unity as nearly every living Black mayor of the city—past and present—gathered to defend its legacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion.