Since Derek Bottoms, the First Gentleman of Atlanta, became public, it has been since his wife Keisha Lance Bottoms was sworn into office as Mayor of Atlanta. While Keisha’s leadership has earned her widespread recognition, she often credits Derek for the support he has given her throughout her political journey. His presence and commitment have played an important role in her personal and professional successes.
Derek has embraced this role with elegance as the First Gentleman of this city. He stands shoulder to shoulder through thick and thin with his wife as she goes through many ups and downs in her political career. Currently, with Keisha testing positive for COVID-19, Derek stands firm on all commitment related to her well-being and partnership that they have been nurturing. He still stands for his wife, supporting her in these not-so-easy times, like he has always done.
The bond between Bottoms is out of mutual respect and shared ambitions; Derek quietly championing Keisha’s success, all while juggling his own endeavors. He continued to play an integral part backstage, so Derek’s is a story of loyalty and devotion that makes him not only a pivotal figure in Keisha’s life but also right in the center of Atlanta’s political heartbeat.
Derek Bottoms’ Family
Derek Bottoms Is from Atlanta
Derek W. Bottoms was born on November 1, 1978, to Lawrence Bottoms Jr. and Celestine Bray Bottoms. Derek and his brother, Darian, are natives of Atlanta, Georgia.
His father, Lawrence, passed away on October 20, 2019. His mother, Celestine, is on the Board of Commissioners for the Atlanta Commission on Women.
Darian and his wife Karrie Bottoms’ 18-year-old son, Darius, was shot and killed in 2014. Keisha Lance Bottoms was a councilwoman when the victim was identified as her nephew.
Darius was reportedly mistaken as a rival gang member by the assailants, who were arrested and convicted on murder and gang activity charges. His case was featured in ATL Homicide in 2019.
Keisha Lance Bottoms and Derek Bottoms own residences in Atlanta. They also own a home in Martha’s Vineyard, which came under scrutiny during her mayoral campaign.
Derek Bottoms Met Keisha Lance in Law School
After graduating from Southwest High School in Atlanta, Derek Bottoms went to the University of Georgia and then the Georgia State University School of Law. Atlanta native Keisha Lance, who is the daughter of R&B icon Major Lance, went to Florida A&M University, before pursuing her law degree at Georgie State.
When Lance was in her first year at law school, she caught the eye of Bottoms, who was six years her senior. They dated for three years before marrying.
Bottoms proposed to her after she returned from a study program at Cambridge University. They married on October 22, 1994, at Atlanta’s Ben Hill United Methodist Church.
Bottoms and His Wife Adopted Four Children
Derek Bottoms and Keisha Lance Bottoms are parents to four kids: twins Lincoln and Lennox; Langston (born on March 2, 2008); and Lance (born on April 21, 2002). Lennox is the couple’s only daughter.
The couple struggled with fertility issues for a long time. With Derek’s encouragement, they decided to adopt their four children.
Now the Bottoms family members are major advocates for adoption. They’ve partnered with the nonprofit Family First, which helped them through their adoption processes.
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Derek Bottoms’ Career
Derek Bottoms acquired a BBA in finance from the University of Georgia. He later earned his JD from Georgia State in 1994.
Soon after marrying Lance, Bottoms embarked on his law career. He worked at the Powell Goldstein law firm from 1994 to 2000.
He handled contract disputes, divorces, personal injury, and some criminal defense cases at the firm. According to the incumbent Atlanta Mayor, Bottoms’ job paid the bills so she could pursue civic work.
For over 20 years, Atlanta’s First Gent has been employed by Home Depot. He started as an associate relations manager and was later promoted to senior counsel. Since 2012, he has been the VP of Employment Practices & Associate Relations at Home Depot.