Hattie Portis-Jones in front of Fairburn City Hall

Meet Hattie

Since joining the City Council in 2014, Hattie Portis-Jones has worked to tackle the issues that matter most to the people of Fairburn, pushing hard for policies that positively impact residents by promoting wellbeing and preserving our quality of life. As a Council Member, she has succeeded in passing legislation that led to the creation of an 88-unit active senior living facility, as well as the Downtown amphitheater; expanding access to fresh, healthy foods for SNAP recipients through the Farmer’s Market; and implementing the award-winning Let’s Move campaign designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle and environment, to name a few. 

Results-Driven
Thought Leader

Councilwoman Portis-Jones also championed the passage of a collaborative traffic relief project and major economic development projects, creating hundreds of jobs and helping to get more cars off the roads. Additionally, she sponsored the Hate Crime Resolution in support of HB426 last June. And in the midst of a pandemic, as it became even more important to prioritize policy that promotes public health, Councilwoman Portis-Jones co-authored the City of Fairburn’s Pandemic Emergency Manual and supported a resolution requiring wearing a mask in public.

 
Hattie Portis-Jones in front of an American flag
Hattie Portis-Jones with a group of four women in T-shirts that say “Voter Registration”
 

Dedicated Public Servant

A 25-year resident of Fairburn, Councilwoman Portis-Jones is a veteran public servant with extensive municipal government and non-profit experience in administration, finance, public works and health. She has served on a Board of Directors for several non-profit organizations, locally, nationally and internationally. She earned her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from City University of New York-Baruch College and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Nationally Recognized Community Leader

Councilwoman Portis-Jones is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including recognition as one of the National Urban Fellows 50 Icons (2019); Woman of Courage in Government (2018); and Who’s Who in Black Atlanta (2017). She is a recipient of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development’s Region 3 Economic and Leadership Development Program and was recently awarded the Certificate of Distinction from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA). She has also served as a member of GMA Federal Advocacy Committee; a Leadership Council member of Water Now Alliance and EcoAmerica’s Path to Positive Communities; the legislative subcommittee of the National League of Cities Board of Directors; and chaired the NLC Energy Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

 
Hattie Portis-Jones standing onstage delivering a speech at the American Climate Leadership Summit 2019

Key Legislation

  • Co-authored Pandemic Emergency Manual

    Prioritized Fairburn residents’ safety by working to pass resolution in response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Sponsored Critical Hate Crimes Resolution

    Supported the passage of HB426, which affords greater protection for citizens against hate crimes.

  • Promoted A Healthier Lifestyle

    Expanded access to fresh foods for SNAP recipients, created an active senior living facility, and implemented the Let’s Move campaign.

  • Passed Much-Needed Congestion Relief Bill

    Championed several projects that focused on economic development, job creation, and traffic relief.