About Beverly
“The International Mayor”
Mayor Burks is deeply humbled to be recognized by the Georgia House of Representatives with HB960 Resolutions for her work supporting Clarkston’s international community. This honor is a reflection of the city itself—one that welcomes the world, celebrates cultural diversity, and leads with compassion and collaboration. Being called “The International Mayor” is more than a title—it’s a responsibility she holds with great pride and gratitude.
About Mayor Beverly
Mayor Beverly H. Burks is a leader grounded in service and shaped by resilience. When she ran for mayor in 2020, she was completing treatment for breast cancer. She rang the bell in October, was elected in November, and sworn in on her birthday — a symbol of her commitment to perseverance, purpose, and progress.
Since taking office, Mayor Burks has:
Led Clarkston’s first Housing Summit in partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
Secured $1.35 million over the next 15 years from the DeKalb Housing Authority for Clarkston’s Housing Trust Fund
Secured major funding for public improvements:
$1 million from the Safe Streets for All grant
$438,000 federal security grant
$100,000 for soccer pitch field lighting
$272,000 Greenway Grant
$2.4 million in ARPA funding, which supported:
Weatherization programs
Small business recovery grants
Rental and housing assistance
Health outreach and workforce development programs
- $650,000 in rental assistance payments
- $200,000+ in LMIG funds for street resurfacing and sidewalk improvements
- SPLOST I funded municipal building repairs, drainage system upgrades, and safety improvements in public parks
- SPLOST II is currently supporting road paving, sidewalk expansion, public safety equipment, and downtown beautification projects
Advanced zoning reform to expand housing options (duplexes, triplexes, quadraplexes, ADUs, and more)
Championed the award-winning Clarkston Greenway project (recognized by ARC, Georgia Society of Landscape Architects, and Georgia Planning Association)
- Spearheaded city designation as AARP Georgia Age-Friendly Community
Created civic engagement initiatives like the Mayor’s Tots Town Hall and the Survivors Summit (now in their second year)
Achieved a 70.8% COVID vaccination rate, the highest among comparable cities in Georgia in partnership with Georgia State University’s Prevention Research Center
Leadership
Mayor Beverly currently serves in key leadership and advisory roles:
Board Member, Clarkston Downtown Development Authority
Vice President, District 3 East, Georgia Municipal Association
Policy Chair, DeKalb Municipal Association
Member, ARC Local Leaders Housing Advisory Committee
2024 Cohort Member, ARC Regional Leadership Institute
Chairwoman, DeKalb County Public Health Board
Member, GSU Prevention Research Center Community Advisory Board
Board Member, Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV)
Member, Climate Mayors
Member, U.S. Conference of Mayors
Member, African American Mayors Association (serving on Housing and Immigration & Migration Committees
Proclamations
- Black History Month
- Juneteenth
- Designating the City of Clarkston as part of the Georgia Mayor’s Reading Club
- African Immigrant Heritage Month (First City in Georgia)
- Muslim American Heritage Month (First City in Georgia)
- African American Women’s History Month
- Women’s History Month
- LGBTQ+ Month
- Asian American Pacific Islander Month
- Arab American Heritage Month
- Healthy Aging Month
- Read Across America
- Clarkston Kids Day, created by Mayor’s TOTS Townhall participants
- Congo Week
- National Hispanic Month
- National Public Works Week
- Energy Efficiency Day
- Recognition of Indian Creek Elementary Principal Stephanie Brown-Bryant as DCSD Principal of the Year
- Recognition of August 21st as Senior Citizens Day
- Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the 26th Amendment
- Recognition of August 26th as Women’s Equality Day
- Clarkston Redistricting Resolution
