Shirley Franklin

Shirley C. Franklin is former Mayor of Atlanta. She is currently the Barbara Jordan Visiting Professor in Ethics and Political Values in the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.  After Franklin left office in 2010, she was appointed to the William and Camille Cosby Endowed Chair at Spelman College and served until June 2011.  Franklin was elected the first African American woman mayor of a major southern city in 2002 and served two-terms until 2009. Aside from her role as a public official, her community service spans nearly 40 years in Atlanta and includes her active participation in the arts, homelessness and higher education.    In addition to the many other initiatives she led her leadership was critical on the annual city sponsored, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Percent for Art, Symphony in Park, Neighborhood Arts Center and the Bureau of Cultural Affairs grants program.  Franklin currently serves as the chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Purpose Built Communities, a national holistic community revitalization organization and President of Clarke-Franklin and Associates, Inc.  She co chairs the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta’s Regional Commission on Homelessness, serves as the chair of the National Center of Civil and Human Rights, and on the board of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s 2013 Commission to Build a Healthier America. Additionally, Franklin serves on the board of directors of Mueller Water Products, Delta Air Lines and The Volcker Alliance.  She is a contributor to several books including, “Leaders on Ethics,” “Real-World Perspectives on Today’s Business Challenges,” “Principles for a Successful Life,” “Megaregions-Planning for Global Competiveness” and “Investing in What Works for America’s Communities.”