Keisha Chapman

I am currently a freelance communications contractor, helping organizations with digital communications, project management, and customer engagement strategies. I also work as a substitute teacher in Fulton County, supporting classrooms and students while bringing leadership, organization, and encouragement to under-resourced schools. 

This combination allows me to apply my skills in both professional and community-focused settings.

Yes, I have been actively involved in East Point through a variety of roles. I currently serve on the Planning & Zoning Board and as president of the Williamsburg Neighborhood Association. I am the founder of TakeFlyt 101, an emerging passion project I am building to support youth as they transition from education to professional life.

I also previously served as Communications Director and owner of Market 166, volunteered as a youth volleyball coach with Up2Us Sports AmeriCorps, and served on the Norfolk State University Atlanta Alumni Association board. These experiences reflect my commitment to initiatives which serve, strengthen, and unite our community.

I am the best candidate for Mayor because of my hands-on service, leadership, and proven ability to get things done in East Point. In just under a decade, I’ve served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, held leadership roles with the Williamsburg Neighborhood Association (Ward D), and volunteered as Communications Director and owner of Market 166. I am also an on-call volunteer for East Point Parks and Recreation. These experiences have strengthened my understanding of our community and how to translate vision into action.

I bring extensive professional experience, education, and specialized training to local government. I hold a BA in Communications from Norfolk State University and an MA in Strategic Communications and Advertising from the University of Texas, along with a certificate in Instructional Design and Technology. I have also completed the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Community Planning Academy, a program designed to equip planners and decision-makers with tools to engage stakeholders and lead communities toward future goals, and Dale Carnegie Leadership Training, which enhanced my skills in leadership, communication, and team development.

Professionally, I have led teams, managed multimillion-dollar projects, and developed award-winning customer service platforms for companies including Delta Air Lines, Advance Auto Parts, Bank of America, American Express, and a financial technology credit union. I’ve also delivered keynote presentations and leadership training, covering topics such as communications strategy, team leadership, and navigating organizational change.

These experiences demonstrate I am qualified to execute, collaborate effectively, and achieve measurable results for East Point. My approach combines strategic planning, practical problem-solving, and people-first leadership, ensuring residents not only have a voice but also see real progress in our city.

As Mayor, I will work to ensure East Point grows with modern, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure, safe, inclusive, and transparent. I will champion walkable streets, bike lanes, expanded public transit, and smart investments in stormwater and green infrastructure, tracked with public dashboards so residents can see progress in real time. These improvements will align with housing stability, public safety programs, economic growth, cultural initiatives, and innovation hubs, ensuring every resident benefits. I aim to serve as a transparent, accountable, and trustworthy Mayor — one residents can rely on to represent the best qualities of our city.

At the same time, I want to be clear: as Mayor, I need the approval of City Council to execute this vision. I will not make campaign promises I cannot keep. My role is to provide oversight, propose budgets, set priorities, and appoint residents to boards and commissions, ensuring our city operates efficiently and decisions reflect the community’s needs.

Through initiatives like “Illuminate East Point” for safer streets, Neighborhood Association Portals for resident engagement, and public tracking of city projects and budgets, I will lead with transparency, collaboration, and accountability. My goal is to foster a city where residents thrive, businesses flourish, and East Point prospers for generations — but it will take partnership, oversight, and smart governance to make it real. Learn more at keishaforeastpoint.com.

No Opinion

First, I want to acknowledge everyone who lives, works, and does business in our city — from every ward to every department and all 38,000+ residents who make East Point home. We have much to be proud of, and our people are working hard every day.

Residents often feel we’ve fallen behind compared to neighbors like College Park and Hapeville, and I don’t want East Point to lose momentum or get stuck while others surge ahead. Like Blockbuster facing Netflix and Redbox, we must adapt, innovate, and keep moving forward — together.

As Mayor, I will work to retain what’s working, improve where possible, and set the tone for our future — putting people first, being business-friendly, and keeping East Point resident-ready. We are East Point. Together, we can continue to evolve and achieve anything.

Per the FY 2026 Capital Budget, our top priorities are based on research, reports, and measurable data, including:

• Water and sewer infrastructure improvements
• Enhancements to existing parks and recreation
• Upgrades to aging municipal buildings
• New paving and sidewalk improvements
• Removal of blight and substandard buildings

As Mayor, my role is to support data-driven decisions which can be measured, optimized, and scaled across all four wards, ensuring that our priorities reflect the needs of every resident. I see these initiatives as five fingers on the hand of our city — if we all raise our hands and step up, we can tackle East Point’s most pressing challenges.

Beyond these projects, I see an opportunity to strengthen transparency, build trust, and elevate morale among residents and staff. I am committed to bringing our community together, fostering collaboration, and encouraging pride in our city, working toward a unified, thriving, and accountable East Point where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

Looking ahead 5–10 years, a thriving, inclusive East Point will be a city that honors its history, embraces sustainable growth, and creates opportunities for all residents. Guided by our Comprehensive Plan, we will support small businesses, attract new investment, and create jobs, while maintaining transparency and accountability to build community trust. By preserving historic assets, honoring our legacy, and engaging residents in decision-making, we can balance economic development, equity, and progress, ensuring East Point grows in a way that benefits everyone. 

East Point has made progress in several areas. Our city remains financially stable with a triple-A bond rating, and public safety improvements — including faster emergency response, lower crime rates in some areas, and smart technology — are helping keep residents safe. We’re also investing in water, utilities, roads, and sidewalks to make East Point more reliable and resident-ready.

Local businesses are growing, workforce programs are expanding, and community programs — from youth sports to cultural festivals — continue to bring life to our city. At the same time, there is room to strengthen transparency, build trust, and enhance services. By investing wisely, acting with integrity, and working together, East Point can continue to grow, improve, and thrive for all residents.

When I chose to make East Point my home, I saw the potential and promise our city holds. I am inspired by our location, charm, and possibilities, and I know that our residents are our greatest asset. At the same time, responsible budgeting and economic growth are essential to creating opportunities, improving quality of life, and supporting a thriving community.

As Mayor, my role is to set the tone, advocate for residents, and champion initiatives that strengthen East Point. I will encourage respectful, constructive dialogue, where voices are used to promote solutions and positive outcomes. Together with City Council, the City Manager, and our community, I will support efforts to address challenges, build trust, and move our city forward — ensuring East Point remains a place where everyone can live, work, and thrive.

To me, servant leadership means putting the needs and expectations of our residents before personal gain. It’s about leading with purpose — investing our time, talents, and resources to ensure our leadership, staff, residents, and businesses have the tools they need to thrive.

It also means leading by example with transparency, integrity, and respect for the unique talents of others. True servant leadership empowers people — it includes, uplifts, and creates equitable systems where everyone has a chance to succeed.

In this day and age, we must also improve how we work. This means creating processes that go beyond individual capabilities and make the whole city operate more effectively. By embracing technology and smarter systems, we can make services more efficient, eliminate waste, and free up resources to innovate and serve our residents better.

As Robert K. Greenleaf said, “The servant-leader is servant first.” That’s the kind of leadership I strive for — one that empowers people, reduces waste, and moves East Point forward with purpose, unity, and progress.

Integrity starts with “I” — it begins within me, with accountability and transparency. Leadership isn’t about competing with others; it’s about challenging yourself and bringing people together. As captain of my volleyball team at Norfolk State, my proudest award was “Most Improved,” earned through consistent effort to better myself and support my team. This mindset guides how I would approach leadership in East Point.

I will use the resources and trust entrusted to me responsibly, aiming for decisions which create win-win outcomes for our city and its people. There’s no “I” in team, but there is a “me” — and as mayor, I will lead with moral courage, purpose, and accountability, setting a standard of honesty, commitment, and respect for our charter and residents, always seeking to unite rather than divide.

As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Leadership is about cultivating consistent habits that build trust, unity, and progress for East Point.

The best way to hold myself and Council members accountable is by following and upholding the City Charter. The Charter is a public document that sets standards for the actions of city officials and residents alike. Using it as a benchmark ensures that we maintain the city’s values, honor the community’s trust, and make decisions transparently and fairly. 

To work effectively with people while staying focused on what is best for East Point, I rely on the guidance of three key documents: the City Charter, which establishes the structure of government and the Mayor’s and Council’s responsibilities; the Code of Ethics, which sets standards for integrity, transparency, and accountability for city officials and staff; and Georgia’s Sunshine Laws, which ensure open meetings and public access to records. By following these frameworks, I can collaborate fairly and transparently with the “people” I am responsible for — including city employees, Council members, residents, business owners, and members of advisory boards — motivating them and keeping our focus on the city’s priorities.