

Last Updated: 22 Sep, 2026 | Views: 7
Age: 56
Profession: Politician
Other Profession(s): Attorney
Higher Education: Florida A&M University (BA),Georgia State University (JD)
About (Profile/Biography):
Keisha Lance Bottoms is an American attorney and Democratic politician who served as the 60th mayor of Atlanta, Georgia, from 2018 to 2022. Born on 18 January 1970 in Atlanta, she grew up in a family connected to music and public life. Keisha earned a communications degree from Florida A&M University and later received her law degree from Georgia State University. Before becoming mayor, she served as an Atlanta City Council member and municipal court judge. During her mayoral term, she dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, protests over racial justice, housing concerns, and public-safety debates. Bottoms later joined the Biden administration as a senior adviser and directed the White House Office of Public Engagement.
Early Life And Education of Keisha Lance Bottoms
• Keisha was born in Atlanta and is the daughter of R&B singer Major Lance, connecting her childhood to a notable American music family.
• Bottoms studied communications at Florida A&M University before earning her Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law.
• She grew up in Atlanta and developed strong ties to the city before beginning her legal and public-service career in municipal government.
Legal And Political Career of Keisha Lance Bottoms
• Keisha worked as an attorney before becoming an Atlanta City Council member representing the city's 11th district in 2010.
• Bottoms also served as a municipal court judge, giving her experience across Atlanta's judicial and legislative branches of government.
• Her combined roles as judge, council member, and mayor made Keisha the first Atlanta mayor to serve in all three government branches.
Mayoral Career of Keisha Lance Bottoms
• Keisha won Atlanta's 2017 mayoral runoff and became the city's 60th mayor, succeeding Kasim Reed in January 2018.
• As mayor, Bottoms focused on affordable housing, economic opportunity, infrastructure, public safety, and building what she called “One Atlanta.”
• She decided not to seek a second mayoral term and left Atlanta City Hall in January 2022 after four years in office.
COVID-19 And Public Safety
• During 2020, Keisha became nationally visible while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and protests following the death of George Floyd.
• Bottoms publicly clashed with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp over Atlanta's local COVID-19 restrictions and mask requirements during the pandemic.
• Her administration also faced public scrutiny over crime and policing as Atlanta experienced intense debates about public safety during her term.
Biden Administration Career
• Keisha joined President Joe Biden's administration in 2022 as Senior Adviser and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.
• Bottoms also served as vice chair for civic engagement and voter protection at the Democratic National Committee for the 2021–2025 term.
• She left the White House role in 2023 after serving as a senior administration official and public-engagement director.
Major Controversy Around Keisha Lance Bottoms
• In 2020, Governor Brian Kemp sued Bottoms and Atlanta over local COVID-19 restrictions, creating a prominent dispute over government authority.
• Bottoms faced criticism over Atlanta's public-safety challenges during her mayoral term, particularly amid increased violence and policing debates.
• Her 2021 campaign also agreed to a $37,000 settlement concerning campaign-finance violations from the 2017 mayoral race.
Awards And Recognitions Received by Keisha Lance Bottoms
• Keisha received national recognition as Atlanta's first mayor to have previously served as both a judge and city council member.
• Bottoms was selected for leadership and public-service programs, including the University of Chicago Institute of Politics fellowship.
• Her work in Atlanta brought recognition from civic organizations focused on equity, community development, and public leadership.
Lesser Known Facts About Keisha Lance Bottoms
• Keisha's father, Major Lance, was a successful R&B singer whose recordings became associated with the Chicago soul music scene.
• Bottoms is related to Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson, a prominent civil-rights activist who was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
• She was a fifth-generation Georgian, giving her a longstanding family connection to the state and its political history.
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