Meet Kasim Reed: Atlanta's Next Mayor

Meet Kasim Reed: Atlanta's Next Mayor. See photos.

Ready to Lead - Kasim Reed, who was recently elected mayor of Atlanta with just barely over 50 percent of the vote, is the latest in a long line of Blacks chosen to lead the city since 1973. At 40, he is one of the nation’s youngest mayors. Reed is expected to serve from 2010 to 2014. His opponent Mary Norwood requested a recount. On December 9, Reed was declared mayor of Atlanta.

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Ready to Lead - Kasim Reed, who was recently elected mayor of Atlanta with just barely over 50 percent of the vote, is the latest in a long line of Blacks chosen to lead the city since 1973. At 40, he is one of the nation’s youngest mayors. Reed is expected to serve from 2010 to 2014. His opponent Mary Norwood requested a recount. On December 9, Reed was declared mayor of Atlanta.

History Maker - Reed is a former campaign manager for outgoing ATL Mayor Shirley Franklin. He’s been the youngest Democratic senator and served in the Georgia General Assembly in the late ‘90s.

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History Maker - Reed is a former campaign manager for outgoing ATL Mayor Shirley Franklin. He’s been the youngest Democratic senator and served in the Georgia General Assembly in the late ‘90s.

Jersey to Georgia - Born in New Jersey, Reed moved to Georgia with his family as a child. He developed a flair for entrepreneurship, starting a jewelry business at age 16. By his sophomore year at Howard University, he’d earned $40,000 from the enterprise.

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Jersey to Georgia - Born in New Jersey, Reed moved to Georgia with his family as a child. He developed a flair for entrepreneurship, starting a jewelry business at age 16. By his sophomore year at Howard University, he’d earned $40,000 from the enterprise.

Howard U. Alum - While at Howard, Reed’s gifts of leadership began to shine. As a student, he helped initiate a per-semester fee for enrollees that has since added millions of dollars to the university’s endowment since the fee was established in 1991. It was also during his time at Howard when Reed helped oppose Republican Lee Atwater’s resignation from the Board of Trustees.

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Howard U. Alum - While at Howard, Reed’s gifts of leadership began to shine. As a student, he helped initiate a per-semester fee for enrollees that has since added millions of dollars to the university’s endowment since the fee was established in 1991. It was also during his time at Howard when Reed helped oppose Republican Lee Atwater’s resignation from the Board of Trustees.

From Law to Politics - Reed earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1991. Four years later, he earned his juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law. He’s remained a member of Howard’s Board of Trustees.

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From Law to Politics - Reed earned his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1991. Four years later, he earned his juris doctorate from Howard University School of Law. He’s remained a member of Howard’s Board of Trustees.

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State Senator - Having been elected state senator in 2002 with 66 percent of all votes, Reed took a firm stand in 2003: He helped to successfully oppose an effort by the Georgia Senate to consider re-inserting a Confederate symbol into the official state flag’s design.

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State Senator - Having been elected state senator in 2002 with 66 percent of all votes, Reed took a firm stand in 2003: He helped to successfully oppose an effort by the Georgia Senate to consider re-inserting a Confederate symbol into the official state flag’s design.

Rising Star<bR>Under 40 - Reed’s leadership and community involvement has led to his recognition in Ebony magazine, the Washington Post, the New York Times and Black Enterprise. In 2001, Georgia Trend, named him one of the “40 under 40 Rising Stars.”

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Rising Star<bR>Under 40 - Reed’s leadership and community involvement has led to his recognition in Ebony magazine, the Washington Post, the New York Times and Black Enterprise. In 2001, Georgia Trend, named him one of the “40 under 40 Rising Stars.”

Major ATL Player - Following Mayor Shirley Franklin’s 2001 election, Reed was chosen as a co-chair of Franklin’s transition team. For years before his election last week, he was already a major player in ATL politics.

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Major ATL Player - Following Mayor Shirley Franklin’s 2001 election, Reed was chosen as a co-chair of Franklin’s transition team. For years before his election last week, he was already a major player in ATL politics.

Opposing Same&lt;bR&gt;Sex Marriage - Despite his influence and popularity, Reed’s career and candidacy have not been without controversy: On May 21, 2009, he caused a stir in Atlanta’s sizable gay community by stating that he opposes same-sex marriage. Four months later, he formally joined the mayoral race.

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Opposing Same<bR>Sex Marriage - Despite his influence and popularity, Reed’s career and candidacy have not been without controversy: On May 21, 2009, he caused a stir in Atlanta’s sizable gay community by stating that he opposes same-sex marriage. Four months later, he formally joined the mayoral race.

Slim Margin - While Mary Norwood, Reed’s opponent in the mayor’s race requests a recount due to the extremely slim margin of his reported victory – barely 1 percent – Reed says he’s poised to lead. If the results stand, he will become one of the most influential mayors of any large city in America.

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Slim Margin - While Mary Norwood, Reed’s opponent in the mayor’s race requests a recount due to the extremely slim margin of his reported victory – barely 1 percent – Reed says he’s poised to lead. If the results stand, he will become one of the most influential mayors of any large city in America.