Mayor Dickens makes Atlanta’s case for the DNC during CBC brunch
By Tia Mitchell | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The latest round of Atlanta’s charm offensive in hopes of landing the Democratic National Convention in 2024 was held in Washington, D.C., over the weekend, coinciding with the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference.
A brunch at a posh waterside restaurant titled “ATL Influences Everything” was hosted by Mayor Andre Dickens and facilitated by his chief adviser, Howard Franklin. In between the buffet and mimosas, Dickens spelled out the case the city is making to party officials.
“We just won the FIFA World Cup, that’s going to be in our city,” he told the crowd. “We’ve also just announced to be the host of the national football championship for college football in 2025. And, of course, we did the Olympics. We do a lot of things ‘big,’ and we do them well.”
Dickens also spoke about Atlanta’s diversity, robust business community and recent designation by Money magazine as the “best place to live in the U.S.” Postcards distributed to guests focused on logistics, such as the city’s large convention center, abundance of downtown hotels and “an international airport with direct flights to anywhere in the country.”
Atlanta is one of four finalists for the convention alongside Chicago, Houston and New York City. Dickens, in his speech, pointed out that Georgia is the swing state among them, and helped Democrats win the White House and control of the U.S. Senate.
The Democratic National Committee said it won’t announce a winner until after the midterms.