The Rise and Fall of Bill Campbell

During the early 1990s, Atlanta was a metropolitan capital like most others, save for a few adverse distinctions. For instance, despite the fact that Atlanta-at the time-was a burgeoning city, seemingly rife with opportunities for growth, it suffered from a continuous population decline, which was a result of so-called "white flight," where whites moved into the suburbs and out of the city (Applebome 1993). Additionally, a substantial portion of the city's population lived below the poverty level; in fact, 15 percent of the population lived in public housing (Applebome 1993). Moreover, the incidence of crime was rapidly increasing. More specifically, firearm-related deaths reached record levels and the city, as a whole, had the highest rate of crime per capita in the country (NIJ 2006 and Applebome 1993). Finally, further complicating matters was the unexpected announcement by then-Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, who was a beloved figure and the city's first black mayor, that he would not seek re-election, citing health and financial issues (Applebome 1993). Jackson's sudden exit left Atlanta with yet another problem: a leadership void. Nevertheless, Jackson had an inkling of who his potential successor might be-or at least, who he wanted it to be. Exit Jackson and enter Bill Campbell.