From the moment I stepped out of my car into the Atlanta Civic Center on the crisp afternoon of what promised to be a historical event, my thoughts were confirmed as crowds of warmly dressed attendees filed into the auditorium eagerly awaiting the same monumental moment, the inauguration of Mayor Mohammed Kasim Reed. Greeted by Imam Plemon T. El Amin, who recently retired and passed the torch of leadership to a younger, promising Imam Mansoor Sabree of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, we were guided to our seats awaiting the program to commence. As I perused the room, many were still entering as my eyes caught the stage full of dignitaries and city leaders from Ambassador Andrew Young and Reverend Joseph E. Lowry who were later joined by Atlanta’s Superior Court Judges and City Council members. Seeing our newly ratified Imam Sabree in the midst of such historical figures was both a humbling and proud moment to witness the dynamic legacy and the bright future merging simultaneously.
As the program began, we were graced with the melodic hymns of the Howard University Choir, our Mayor’s Alma Mater, setting the tone for a community gathering rich with heritage, faith, and focus on a new way of getting the job done. Once the call to order was pronounced an invocation was given by Reverend Dr. Walter L. Kimbrough and followed by prayers for the City of Atlanta from Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple, Reverend Joanna M. Adams, who also recently retired after serving her community for 30 years, and Imam Mansoor Sabree, who reminded everyone their obligations as officials to “enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong”, and Reverend Jasper W. Williams, Jr. of Salem Bible Church. Having a representative from various faith groups was significant for this new administration to openly show their alliances with the faith communities.
It was a long stretch from where Mayor Reed began his ultimate road to victory, including a run off election to validate his win. However, an arduous path lies ahead with the challenges he stands to face as he attempts to fight crime, educate our young, reopen recreation centers and change them to “centers of hope” as he stated. His four pillars of responsibilities centered around his obligations to honor the prestigious past of Atlanta, a hopeful present to change the conditions our city currently faces, a brighter future requiring bold steps, and sharing in these responsibilities with others who stand to benefit from making sacrifices for the improvement of our city. He mentioned a promising meeting with Phil Kent of Turner Broadcasting who has agreed to donate a $1 from every visit to the CNN Center to help reopen recreation centers across Atlanta. Echoing the words of Mayor Reed, opportunity is limited only by our imagination. He reminded us of the African tradition that if we want to go fast, we should go alone, but if we want to go far, we must go together.
As I was returning to my car, I looked down at my son who was with me the entire time. Just moments before a distinguished looking gentleman asked me his name and said he may be the next mayor or next leader in Atlanta. I smiled knowing that who ever he decides to be, I would like for him to always walk with his head held high with dignity that he was alive during the leadership of President Barack Obama, Mayor Mohammed Kasim Reed, and Imam Mansoor Sabree. At that moment, I reflected on the powerful meanings of their names and their influential roles and thought to myself: We will be blessed! We will be praiseworthy! We will be victorious!