Historic night in Decatur as Tony Powers becomes first Black man to serve as mayor

DECATUR, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The city of Decatur marked a historic milestone Tuesday night after the City Commission chose Tony Powers as the city’s next mayor.

Powers is the first Black man to serve as mayor since the city’s incorporation in 1823.

Applause filled the room as the city also reached another first: following the swearing-in of District 1 Commissioner Mark Arnold, a majority of Decatur’s commissioners were Black for the first time in the city’s history.

“This is the first time in our 200-plus year history that the majority of the commission is African American,” Powers said.

Powers called the moment “absolutely monumental.”

“We’re not just here to make history but we’re here to make sure we continue to do what’s right by our city,” he said.

District 2 Commissioner Cheryl Kortemeier was also sworn in during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Lesa Fronk was voted mayor pro tem by the City Commission. The pairing marks the first time Decatur has had both a Black mayor and a Black mayor pro tem.

According to U.S. Census data, Black residents make up 12.8% of the city’s population.

“I was actually wearing the jacket of the first Black mayor, Mayor Elizabeth Wilson,” Fronk said.

In Decatur, voters elect commissioners to serve four-year terms. The five commissioners then vote among themselves to select a mayor and mayor pro tem.

Those leadership positions are chosen on a year-by-year basis.

That process, however, is expected to change.

“Starting with the at-large position in 2027, the mayor will be elected by the people of Decatur,” Powers said. Under that change, the mayor would serve a four-year term and be chosen directly by the voters.

Former Mayor Patti Garrett, who led the city for about a decade and served on the Commission for nearly 17 years, said she supports the move, adding a four-year term provides more continuity of leadership.

“I agree with people who say, you know, it’s worked well for us, but I think this is a better way of electing a mayor,” Garrett said.

Powers said the City Commission approved the change to the city charter in December 2025. The next step is for state lawmakers to make the change official.

“We have already been in touch with our DeKalb delegation who will carry this important piece of legislation to the Georgia House. We are confident that will happen,” he said.

The Georgia legislative session begins Jan. 12. After that point, lawmakers are expected to take up the issue.

In the meantime, Powers said his top priorities in office include improving affordability and finding solutions for Decatur’s homeless population.