Maynard Jackson: The First African American Mayor of Atlanta and the New South

Atlanta’s modern identity as a major Southern city with strong Black political leadership begins with one name: Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr.

In 1973, Jackson became the first African American mayor of Atlanta—and the first Black mayor of a major Southern city. His election reshaped local politics, business, and daily life in Atlanta in ways you can still see and feel across the city today.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or just want to understand how this turning point in history shaped the city, this guide walks you through:

• Who Maynard Jackson was
• Why his 1973 election mattered so much in Atlanta and the South
• How his leadership changed City Hall, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and neighborhoods
• Where in Atlanta you can connect with his legacy today

Who Was Maynard Jackson?

Maynard Jackson was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1938 but grew up in Atlanta, where his family had deep ties to education and public service. His grandfather, John Wesley Dobbs, was a key Black civic leader who pushed for voting rights and political representation in Atlanta.

Jackson attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, a historically Black college on the city’s Westside, and later earned a law degree. By the time he ran for mayor, he was already known as a young, energetic civil rights–minded attorney with a strong base of support among Black Atlantans and progressive white voters.

In 1969, he was elected Vice Mayor (City Council President) of Atlanta, setting the stage for his historic run for mayor in 1973.

The 1973 Election: Why It Was Historic

When Maynard Jackson ran for mayor in 1973, Atlanta was already calling itself the “city too busy to hate,” but political power at the top still did not reflect the city’s large Black population.

What Made His Election So Significant?

• First African American mayor of Atlanta
• First Black mayor of a major Southern city
• A sign that Atlanta’s Black residents were gaining real political power, not just cultural influence
• A major shift in how contracts, jobs, and city resources were shared

His victory marked a turning point in Southern urban politics. For many Atlantans, especially in historically Black neighborhoods like Sweet Auburn, West End, and Mechanicsville, his election confirmed that organizing, voting, and community leadership could lead to real change at City Hall.

How Maynard Jackson Changed Atlanta

Jackson didn’t just make history by being elected; he used the mayor’s office to reshape Atlanta’s economy, government, and national image.

1. Transforming Hartsfield into a Global Hub

One of Jackson’s most visible legacies is the world-class airport many Atlantans use regularly.

• Under his leadership, Atlanta expanded what is now Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• He pushed for minority participation in construction contracts, insisting that Black-owned and minority-owned businesses receive a meaningful share of the work.
• This stance was controversial at the time, but it ultimately helped grow a stronger Black middle class and business community in Atlanta.

Today, the airport carries Jackson’s name—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport—symbolizing cooperation between the old political order and the new.

2. Opening Up City Contracts and Opportunities

Before Jackson, city contracts—for construction, services, and supplies—were dominated by white-owned firms.

Jackson pushed for policies that:

• Increased minority business participation in city contracts
• Encouraged joint ventures between established firms and emerging Black-owned companies
• Helped create a more inclusive local economy, especially in construction and professional services

If you run or work for a small or minority-owned business in Atlanta today, the framework for competing for city business has roots in the changes Jackson advanced.

3. Shaping “The Atlanta Way” of Politics

Jackson helped solidify what people often call “The Atlanta Way”—a style of civic leadership built on negotiation among:

• Black political leaders
• White business leaders
• Civic organizations and community voices

While not perfect and sometimes criticized, this approach has often helped Atlanta avoid the most explosive racial conflicts that other cities experienced, even as hard debates over equity and growth continue.

4. Impact on Neighborhoods and City Government

As mayor, Jackson focused on:

• Hiring more Black professionals in city government and public safety
• Encouraging neighborhood-level input on planning and development
• Supporting improvements in infrastructure and services across a wider range of communities, not just in traditional business districts

If you’re involved in a Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) today, you’re participating in an Atlanta system that grew during the era when mayors like Jackson put more emphasis on local voices in city planning.

Timeline of Maynard Jackson’s Leadership in Atlanta

Here’s a quick overview of Jackson’s role in Atlanta government and how it fits into the city’s recent history:

Why Maynard Jackson Still Matters to Atlanta Today

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta now, Jackson’s impact isn’t just historical—it’s built into daily life:

• If you fly into or out of Hartsfield-Jackson, you’re experiencing one of his signature projects.
• If you work for or own a small or minority-owned business that competes for city contracts, you’re benefiting from systems shaped by his policies.
• If you see Atlanta described as a Black political and business capital of the South, Jackson is one of the central reasons why.

He also set the stage for future Black mayors, including Andrew Young, Shirley Franklin, Kasim Reed, Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Andre Dickens, making Black leadership at the top of Atlanta government feel normal rather than exceptional.

Where to See Maynard Jackson’s Legacy in Atlanta

If you want to connect with this history while you’re in the city, there are several meaningful places to visit and institutions to know about.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

• The hyphenated name honors William B. Hartsfield, a long-time white mayor who helped develop the city’s early aviation program, and Maynard Jackson, who modernized and expanded it and fought for equitable contracting.
• As you move through the terminals, you’ll often see displays, artwork, and exhibits that highlight Atlanta’s civil rights and political history, including Jackson’s role.

City Hall and City Government

Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-330-6000 (main city information line)

City Hall is where Jackson implemented many of his changes, particularly around:

• Procurement and contracting
• Hiring and promotion inside city departments
• Long-term plans for infrastructure and economic growth

If you’re interested in how city contracts work today, you can explore current policies through departments such as:

• Department of Procurement – oversees bidding and contracts
• Office of Contract Compliance – focuses on minority and female business participation

These systems reflect principles that go back to Jackson’s administration.

Historically Black Colleges and Westside Institutions

Jackson’s personal and political roots are tied to the Atlanta University Center, a consortium that includes:

• Morehouse College
• Spelman College
• Clark Atlanta University

These campuses sit in Southwest Atlanta and have long been centers of Black leadership and political thought. Jackson’s path from Morehouse graduate to mayor mirrors the broader role these institutions have played in producing civic leaders for the city.

If you’re visiting, walking or driving through this area connects you to a powerful pipeline of leadership that still shapes Atlanta politics.

How This History Shapes Today’s Atlanta Politics

Understanding Maynard Jackson’s story helps make sense of how Atlanta city politics feels today:

• Strong Black leadership: Voters in Atlanta are accustomed to seeing African American mayors, councilmembers, and county officials, which is directly connected to Jackson’s breakthrough.
• Business and politics are intertwined: Deals between City Hall and corporate leaders—around developments like the BeltLine, stadiums, and new housing—follow a model that matured during and after Jackson’s time.
• Ongoing focus on equity: Debates about gentrification, affordable housing, transportation, and economic inclusion still echo themes from Jackson’s tenure: Who benefits from development? Who gets contracts? Who has a seat at the table?

If you’re considering getting involved in local politics or community organizing in Atlanta, knowing Jackson’s legacy gives you context for:

• How coalitions tend to form
• Why collaboration between business and community groups is so central
• How race, power, and development are typically discussed in City Hall and neighborhood meetings

Key Takeaways for Atlantans and Visitors

• Maynard Jackson was the first African American mayor of Atlanta and the first Black mayor of a major Southern city.
• His election in 1973 marked a major shift in political power in Atlanta, with lasting effects on business, government, and civic life.
• He played a central role in expanding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and in opening up city contracts to minority-owned businesses.
• Much of Atlanta’s reputation as a Black political and business center and its style of negotiated civic leadership can be traced back to his time in office.
• You can connect with his legacy by exploring the airport, visiting City Hall, spending time around the Atlanta University Center, and paying attention to how the city still grapples with issues of growth and equity.

For anyone trying to understand Atlanta—not just as a place to live or visit, but as a Southern city with a distinct political identity—Maynard Jackson’s story is one of the most important starting points.