Shirley Franklin

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5 out of 5

Executive Board Chair of Purpose Built Communities; Former Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia; Visiting Professor at The LBJ School

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Atlanta, GA, USA
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Shirley Franklin Biography

Shirley Franklin is the executive board chair of Purpose Built Communities, the former mayor of Atlanta, George, and a visiting professor at The LBJ School in Austin, Texas.

In 2022, she was inducted as a Georgia Trustee, an honor given by the Georgia Historical Society in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia to individuals whose accomplishments and community service reflect the ideals of the founding body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony from 1732 to 1752.

Franklin was the 58th Mayor of Atlanta and the first African American woman to hold the office of a major Southern city in 2002 where she served two terms until 2009. Prior to elected office, Franklin served in the executive position, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Operating Officer in the mayoral administrations of Mayors Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young completing 21 years of public service in 2010.

As Mayor and as city administrator, Franklin developed and led all aspects of local government of day-to-day municipal operation. Her record of accomplishment as a collaborator and partner with communities and businesses alike set the stage for the unprecedented growth of the city and region into the 21st century.

Ms. Franklin is best known for tackling major government operations, leading the city investment in critical water and airport infrastructure and promoting ethics reform. Her administration planned and executed over $5 billion in the improvements to the water infrastructure as well as Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. For example: In 2002, Franklin announced an initiative called "Clean Water Atlanta" to address and begin improving the city's sewer system. She led the acquisition of the Morehouse College Collection for the Martin Luther King Jr. Papers. Ms. Franklin is also known for launching the Atlanta Beltline and the Regional Commission on Homelessness by developing successful business and public sector partnerships and alliances.

Aside from her public appearance, Ms. Franklin has participated in Community Service for nearly 40 years. Most notably, she led the Board of Directors of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for 14 years.

Franklin serves on the Board of Directors of the Volcker Alliance and is a former board member of Mueller Water Products and Delta Air Lines. She is a contributor to several books: "Leaders on Ethics," "Real-World Perspectives on Today's Business Challenges," "Principles for a Successful Life," "Megaregions- Planning for Global Competitiveness," and "Investing in What Works for America's Communities."

In 2005, TIME Magazine named Franklin one of the five best big-city American mayors. In October of that same year, she was included in the U.S. News & World Report "Best Leaders of 2005" issue. Mayor Franklin was the recipient of Profile in Courage Award in 2005, issued by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. The foundation praised her management of the city of Atlanta during the critical period of enormous deficit and loss of public confidence in government.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/02/2025.

Shirley Franklin Videos

  • 2018 Dan Sweat Award: Shirley Franklin
    Shirley Franklin was elected the first African American woman mayor of a major southern city in 2002 and served two terms until 2009.
  • Shirley Franklin: The 2018 MLK Day Address
    Shirley Franklin H'09, former mayor of Atlanta, delivered the 2018 Martin Luther King Jr. address at LaGrange College. In 2002, Franklin was ...

Speaker Lists Featuring Shirley Franklin

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    Shirley Franklin generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Shirley Franklin is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Shirley Franklin for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Shirley Franklin generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Bushra Amiwala, Lolita Taub, Maya L. Harris, Rebecca Walker and Mona Das. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shirley Franklin for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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