The City of South Fulton, Georgia, has entered a new chapter after Carmalitha Gumbs was sworn in on January 5 as the municipality’s first Black woman mayor.
A founding member of the City Council, Gumbs takes office following a period marked by political controversy and public mistrust under the city’s previous administration.
Her historic inauguration was widely seen as both a symbolic and practical turning point for the fast-growing Metro Atlanta city, signaling renewed emphasis on ethical leadership, inclusive governance, and community-focused development.
In her inaugural remarks, Mayor Gumbs pledged to restore confidence in city leadership while accelerating growth and revitalization across South Fulton.
She described the ceremony as more than a personal milestone, framing it instead as a reaffirmation of the city’s commitment to transparency, unity, and purposeful governance.
Gumbs succeeds former mayor Khalid Kamau, whose tenure was marred by allegations of financial mismanagement and legal disputes, including audit findings that he spent about $70,000 in city funds on unauthorized travel.
Kamau ultimately finished sixth in the November mayoral election, despite briefly reviving his reelection bid. Gumbs went on to defeat Mark Baker in a December runoff, securing nearly 60 percent of the vote.
As she begins her four-year term, the new mayor has signaled plans to position South Fulton as a regional hub for business, culture, and entertainment while rebuilding trust between residents and City Hall.
