Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms appointed Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim to serve as the City of Atlanta’s Chief Equity Officer, a senior-level cabinet position that serves as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of One Atlanta. Abdur-Rahim will work with City leadership to develop progressive policies and programs to address issues of equity, diversity, inclusion and sustainability. Specific areas of focus include economic and workforce mobility, housing affordability, health, education, youth engagement, and LGBTQ affairs.

“Qaadirah has extensive experience as a champion for marginalized communities in Atlanta and we are excited to have her join our team,” said Mayor Bottoms. “Our Administration’s focus on equity and opportunity is key to ensuring that all Atlantans benefit from the growing prosperity of our city.”

Prior to joining the City, Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim worked to break the cycle of generational poverty for nearly 17 years at Future Foundation—departing as the organization’s CEO. During her tenure, Abdur-Rahim increased the organization’s revenue by 432% and expanded its staff from two to fifty. Under this expansion, the organization grew to service 13 locations and 30,000 students. Abdur-Rahim also developed and deployed a toolkit on effective community and faith-based partnerships in collaboration with the Administration for Children and Families.

“My singular focus is to help break the cycle of generational poverty that plagues the communities in which I grew up, and by extension to make our city and our world a place where we all can thrive,” said Chief Equity Officer Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim.

Equity continues to be at the forefront of the Administration’s agenda, with Mayor Bottoms eliminating cash bail, prohibited the city jail from accepting federal ICE detainees, closing the city jail and transforming it into a center for community resources and moving $13.5 million from the Correction’s budget to the Office of Constituent Services to broaden investments in community-based initiatives.