KEISHA WAITES
Putting People before Politics
Representative Keisha Waites was elected in 2012 and represented the citizens of District 60 in the Georgia
House of Representatives. District 60 includes Clayton County, Fulton County and is also home to the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International
Airport and Porsche Global Headquarters. Rep. Waites brings a broad record of civic
involvement, strong business acumen, and fresh ideas to the role of public service.

KEISHA WAITES
Atlanta City Council | Post 3 - At Large
A Georgia peach, Rep. Waites has devoted much of her time and resources to eradicating poverty and providing culturally enriching opportunities to disadvantaged youth.
Rep. Waites brings a broad record of civic involvement, strong business acumen, and fresh ideas to the role of public service. She has a proven background in crisis management and problem-solving. As a member of the Juvenile Justice committee, Rep. Waites was a sponsor and vocal champion of the Ban the Box legislation. She partnered and joined activists around the state in lobbying for passage of the bill, her efforts with other stakeholders garnered the support of Governor Deal, who later issued an executive order, signed into law in 2015. Such policies will allow formerly incarcerated individuals the opportunity to explain their unique circumstance in person to a potential employer.
As a freshman legislator, Rep. Waites, secured a community grant from the Home Depot Foundation, sponsored a regional Job Fair, and hosted numerous community cleanups. Rep. Waites secured in-kind sponsorships for socio-economically disadvantaged youth in the district at no cost to the students, parents, or taxpayers, thanks to the kindness and philanthropic generosity of the following sponsors: Georgia Aquarium, Lake Lanier Islands, Zoo Atlanta, High Museum of Art, Browns Mill Golf Course and Fern Bank Museum.
Rep. Waites has appeared on numerous panels, news and television broadcasts, including Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Lawmakers, to provide insights and analysis of political developments at the state and local levels. Rep. Waites has served on several legislative study committees, task forces and advisory councils. She is regarded as one of the most tenacious and effective state legislators serving in the General Assembly.
Public Servant
Following college, Rep. Waites gained insider knowledge of mortgage lending laws and
consumer finance while working for a major lending institution. One of her accomplishments includes assisting hundreds of families with obtaining the American dream of homeownership.
In 2005, Waites was tapped to travel to New Orleans and participate in the Long-Term Recovery Response and Operations for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Waites helped to coordinate disaster assistance to more than 25,000 evacuees from the coastal communities that fled to neighboring states. She gained hands-on experience of FEMA’s programs, response and recovery operations, and technical expertise to make recommendations and improve the capacity to build disaster resilient communities. Waites served as a liaison to members of Congress during presidential declared federal disasters and international incidents.
In 2010 following the earthquake in Haiti, Rep. Waites was selected by FEMA headquarters to travel to Washington, DC to assist USAID’s External Affairs and Public Affairs Team. Waites worked on-site to disseminate information to Members of Congress and the FEMA Emergency Response Team
deployed to help coordinate international US response and recovery assistance.
In Jan 2016, She was tapped to travel to Flint, Michigan support the Water Response efforts in conjunction with federal partners EPA, HHS, EPA and the State of Michigan. She helped to coordinate lead water testing for over 25,000 Flint residents and secure safe drinking water for over 90,000 Flint residents. This unique assignment provided the opportunity to apply concepts, theories, principles, and practices in emergency response, recovery operations and technical expertise to make recommendations and improve the capacity to build disaster resilient communities.
Prior to joining the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Rep. Waites served with the United States Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Assistance division. At the SBA, Waites facilitated disaster assistance loans to homeowners, small businesses, corporations, and non-profit organizations who had suffered catastrophic property damage to help them grow, create new jobs, and nourish the economy. During her tenure with the SBA, Rep. Waites gained a superior understanding of the needs of small and large business owners, and how to balance those needs with residential communities. This unique experience has allowed Rep. Waites to make an immediate and significant impact for small business owners and Georgia families. The SBA Office of Disaster Assistance will play a pivotal role in helping American families and small business owners recover following the impact of COVID19.
A tireless champion of underserved communities, Rep. Waites’ most monumental action as a legislator is authoring and sponsoring HB 18, legislation that ensures accessibility for the disabled and visually impaired. Rep. Waites’ collective efforts were the catalyst which prompted the Georgia Building Authority to adopt and implement HB 18 as internal agency policy, requiring that the State Capitol and legislative office buildings now be equipped with tactile and braille placards and be fully wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant.
Rep. Waites is also a champion of anti-bullying legislation. She authored and sponsored HB 40comprehensive legislation addressing bullying in which her efforts received the support and endorsement of the nationally renowned law firm Montlick and Associates and a plethora of national Anti-Bullying organizations.
Georgia On My Mind
Rep. Waites chose to remain in Georgia to continue her education at Georgia Southern University where she excelled as a political science major. As a college freshman she was selected from among an international pool of candidates to attend the Walt Disney World College Business Internship Program. She also attended Atlanta Metropolitan State College, Georgia Perimeter College, and holds degrees in both Criminal Justice and Political Science.
Rep. Waites is also a proud alumna of the University of Georgia - Carl Vincent
Institute: Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators and Georgia Legislative Leadership, the Georgia State University - Andrew Young School of Policy Studies: Legislative Health Policy Certification Program, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of
Government: Senior Executives in State and Local Government Leadership Program.
Rep. Waites was selected by the Council of State Governments as one of 48 members of the 2016 class of Henry Toll Fellows. The Toll Fellowship Program is a national leadership development program for state government officials to partake in an intensive “intellectual boot camp.”
CONTACT US
Thank you for your interest in joining our campaign and supporting our efforts. If you have a question, concern, or would simply like to request a yard sign, please provide us the information below.