Khalid Kamau is the mayor of South Fulton, Georgia, a city that was incorporated in 2017 and is now the blackest big city in America with a population that is 92 percent African-American. Kamau, who goes by the lowercase name Khalid (pronounced cuh-LEED) in the Yoruba tradition, is not only a politician but also an activist who has been involved in the Movement for Black Lives and other social justice causes.
He is also a self-proclaimed socialist who wants to make South Fulton a laboratory for economic, housing, and restorative justice policies aimed at improving the lives of African Americans.
Who Is Khalid Kamau?
Khalid Kamau was born in 1977 in South Fulton, Georgia, where he grew up on Old National Highway. He attended local schools and became interested in activism at an early age. He organized his first demonstration at 13 when he petitioned to include African nations in his middle school’s Olympics-themed “Field Day”.
Education & Early Career
He graduated from Ithaca College in New York and returned to Georgia, where he worked as a labor and community organizer. He was also active in Atlanta’s neighborhood planning units (NPUs) and participated in various protests and campaigns for racial and social justice.
In 2017, he decided to run for city council in the newly formed city of South Fulton, which was created after residents voted to secede from Fulton County and form their own municipal government. He won the election with 67 percent of the vote, becoming America’s first #BlackLivesMatter organizer elected to public office. He was re-elected in 2021 with 76 percent of the vote.
In December 2021, he ran for mayor of South Fulton against incumbent William “Bill” Edwards, who had been the city’s first mayor since 2017. Kamau campaigned on a platform of making South Fulton “Black. On Purpose”, which meant being unapologetic about the city’s demographics and moving on purpose to implement progressive policies that would benefit African Americans and other marginalized groups.
He also promised to move into one of the city’s most neglected apartment complexes, Camelot Apartments, to show solidarity with the residents and address their issues. He won the mayoral election with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the city’s second mayor and one of the youngest mayors in Georgia.
Why was Khalid Kamau Arrested?
Khalid Kamau, the mayor of South Fulton, Georgia, was arrested on July 8, 2023, on charges of criminal trespassing and burglary. The incident occurred when Kamau allegedly broke into a lake house that he coveted and confronted the homeowner. The homeowner called the police and reported the trespasser, and while on the phone with the police, Kamau yelled at the homeowner, stating,
“Do you know who the f–k I am? I’m the mayor, and I’ll wait for my police to get here and see what happens then”.
After his arrest, Kamau was taken to Fulton County Jail, where he was booked on charges of criminal trespassing and first-degree burglary. He was released later that same day on an $11,000 bond. As part of his bond conditions, Kamau was ordered to stay away from the home he allegedly trespassed and burglarized and undergo a mental health evaluation.
The specific details leading up to Kamau’s arrest have not been fully disclosed by law enforcement or city officials. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and authorities have not provided further information. The City of South Fulton released a statement expressing its commitment to upholding the law and ensuring fair and just treatment for all individuals.
Wife, Marriage & Children
- According to some media sources, Khalid Kamau is married to Dr. Naima Kamau, a clinical psychologist, and professor at Clark Atlanta University. They have two children, Khalil and Khalia.
- In an interview with Rolling Out magazine in 2017, Khalid Kamau said that his wife and kids are his biggest supporters and motivators. He also said that he tries to balance his family life and his political career by spending quality time with them and involving them in his work.
- In a Facebook post in 2019, Khalid Kamau shared a picture of his family celebrating his son’s graduation from high school. He wrote: “My son graduated from high school today. I’m so proud of him. He’s smart, kind, funny, talented, and handsome. He’s going to do great things in life. I love you, Khalil.”
- In another Facebook post in 2020, Khalid Kamau shared a picture of his daughter performing at a dance recital. He wrote: “My daughter is amazing. She’s beautiful, graceful, creative, and confident. She’s a star on the stage and in my heart. I love you, Khalia.”
What Are Khalid Kamau’s Accomplishments And Goals?
As a city councilman, Khalid Kamau fought to increase funding for the city’s Parks & Cultural Affairs Department, authored legislation to create a $1 million Pedestrian Safety Fund to install speed bumps in working-class neighborhoods, a Blighted Property Fund to demolish blighted and abandoned properties left standing for decades by county government and create a full, paid Election Day Holiday — making South Fulton the first city in the South, and one of the first in the nation to do so. He also created an annual event called the Electoral College to teach citizens how local and state government works.
He also wrote resolutions, passed unanimously by the council, to declare racism a public health crisis and make Juneteenth a paid city holiday. He sponsored legislation to secure $500,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for affordable housing; co-sponsored and supported legislation to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15/hr., decriminalize marijuana for less than an ounce, “ban the box” asking applicants for city jobs about their previous criminal history and eliminate Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous People’s Day.
As a mayor, Khalid Kamau has vowed to continue his progressive agenda and make South Fulton a real-life Wakanda that empowers its citizens’ success like the legendary African-American cities of Greenwood (Tulsa), Oklahoma, or Rosewood, Florida. His vision is to build a city that is not only diverse but inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. Some of his goals include:
- Creating a public bank that would provide low-interest loans and grants to small businesses, homeowners, and students
- Establishing a community land trust that would preserve affordable housing and prevent gentrification
- Implementing participatory budgeting that would allow citizens to decide how to allocate public funds
- Launching a universal basic income pilot program that would provide cash payments to low-income residents
- Expanding public transportation and green infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and improve mobility
- Reforming the criminal justice system to end mass incarceration and police brutality
- Supporting the arts and culture sector to foster creativity and innovation
- Partnering with local schools and colleges to improve education and workforce development
How Can You Connect With Khalid Kamau?
Khalid Kamau is active on social media and regularly posts updates on his work and personal life. You can follow him on:
Twitter: #KhalidKamau
Facebook: Mayorkhalidcares
Instagram: khalidkamau
You can also visit his official website: https://www.khalidcares.com/ where you can learn more about his biography, platform, achievements, and contact information.
Khalid Kamau BIO/WIKI: A Quick Overview
| Full Name | Khalid Kamau |
| Known As | Khalid |
| Date of Birth | 1977 |
| Age | 46 years (As of 2023) |
| Birth Place | South Fulton, Georgia, USA |
| Profession | Mayor of South Fulton |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | American Mixed |
| Current Location | USA |
| School | Local High School |
| Alma Mater | Local University |
| Highest Qualification | Graduate |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (approx) |
| Weight | 75 kg (approx) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
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