From Campus to Classroom: Stories That Shape Education
- Keisha Lance Bottoms, a graduate of Florida A&M University, earned a broadcast journalism degree from FAMU’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication.
- As the 60th mayor of Atlanta, she led the city through the COVID pandemic, protests after George Floyd’s murder, and major public safety debates.
- First Atlanta mayor to serve as judge, city councilmember, and mayor; later joined the White House as a senior adviser.
- If elected, she would be Georgia’s first Black woman governor; the race is expected to draw national attention, major fundraising, and intense turnout.
Former Atlanta Mayor Moves One Step Closer To Making Georgia History
FAMU alumna Keisha Lance Bottoms has won the Democratic nomination for Georgia governor, setting up a major general election race in November and placing one of Florida A&M University’s most recognized graduates back on a statewide political stage. The former Atlanta mayor secured the nomination Tuesday, according to the Associated Press, and will now compete for a governorship that Democrats have not won in Georgia in more than two decades. The Associated Press reported that Bottoms’ victory also marks the third straight time Georgia Democrats have nominated a Black woman for governor.
Keisha Lance Bottoms Carries FAMU Legacy Into Statewide Race
Keisha Lance Bottoms is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University, where she earned her degree in broadcast journalism from FAMU’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. Her rise from Florida A&M University student to mayor of one of America’s most influential Black cities has long made her a standout figure among HBCU alumni in public service.
FAMU’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication has described Bottoms as one of its notable graduates, highlighting her path from communications student to national political leader. The school remains one of the most respected journalism and media programs among HBCUs, and Bottoms’ career adds another example of how FAMU graduates continue to shape politics, media, law, and civic life.
From Atlanta City Hall To National Politics
Bottoms served as the 60th mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022. During her time in office, she led the city through the COVID-19 pandemic, protests following the murder of George Floyd, major public safety debates, and a period of national attention on Georgia politics.
Before becoming mayor, Bottoms served on the Atlanta City Council and worked as a judge, giving her experience across multiple branches of government. Her campaign biography notes that she became the first mayor in Atlanta’s history to have served in all three branches of government: as a judge, city councilmember, and mayor.
After leaving City Hall, Bottoms joined the Biden administration as a senior adviser and director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. In that role, she worked with community leaders, elected officials, and organizations across the country. Her national profile grew as Georgia became one of the most closely watched political states in the nation.
A Historic Race Ahead In Georgia
Bottoms’ nomination sets the stage for a closely watched race in a state that has become central to national politics. Georgia helped deliver key victories for Democrats in recent presidential and U.S. Senate races, but the governor’s mansion has remained out of reach for the party.
The Republican side of the race is still developing. According to the AP, the Republican primary for governor is headed to a runoff between Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and health care executive Rick Jackson. The winner will face Bottoms in November.
If elected, Bottoms would make history as Georgia’s first Black woman governor. Her campaign is expected to focus on issues including health care, housing, education, economic opportunity, and steady leadership.
Another Major Moment For HBCU Alumni In Politics
Bottoms’ win adds to a growing list of HBCU alumni making major moves in politics and public leadership. From city halls to Congress, statehouses, the White House, and federal agencies, HBCU graduates continue to hold powerful roles that shape policy and community outcomes.
For FAMU, Bottoms’ victory is another reminder of the university’s reach beyond Tallahassee. The school’s alumni network has long included leaders in law, business, journalism, entertainment, education, and government. Bottoms now enters the general election as one of the most visible HBCU graduates in the 2026 political cycle.
Her campaign also comes at a time when HBCUs are receiving more national attention for their role in developing leaders who serve both Black communities and the broader country. Whether in politics, media, entrepreneurship, or public service, HBCU graduates continue to influence national conversations while carrying the legacy of their institutions with them.
Bottoms Looks Toward November
The November race will test whether Bottoms can build a winning statewide coalition in a competitive political environment. Georgia remains one of the most closely watched battleground states in the country, and the governor’s race is expected to draw national attention, major fundraising, and intense voter turnout efforts.
For FAMU supporters, Bottoms’ nomination is already a major milestone. She now has the chance to turn a historic nomination into an even larger victory this fall.
As the race moves forward, Bottoms will carry more than a political résumé. She will carry the legacy of Atlanta leadership, national service, and a FAMU foundation that helped shape her path.
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