“It is with immense enthusiasm that I write this letter of endorsement. I have had the pleasure of knowing Atiim Boykin for several years. We met soon after he and his wife moved to Portland over five years ago. He is a person who wastes no time in finding out how to get involved in his community. I have come to know the breadth and range of his skills and talent via his work on the Indigo Arts Alliance Advisory Circle. Atiim possesses a high degree of integrity, responsibility and compassion. He embodies what it means to be committed to social activism in all possible ways.
Atiim works to create positive change through direct advocacy, hands-on organizing of events, and utilizing his talents in the arts. He is a clear and effective communicator who cares deeply for the well-being of all people. His approach to problem solving deftly blends thoroughly researched history with insightful commentary on critical issues. His is an important voice with many years of experience to offer in service to the citizens of Portland.”
•• Márçia Minter
PhD hc | She, Her
“I met Atiim as part of the first class of Leadership Portland in 2020 - and since then I’ve come to know him as a great neighbor, leader, connector of people, and a talented artist. He’s helped to design and deliver programming that gets at the heart of Portland’s bigger issues around mental health, justice and housing. Atiim knows how to bring diverse voices and perspectives to the table professionally, culturally and socially and is a true collaborative leader. Portland deserves to have an empathic and fresh voice on our City Council.”
•• Carol Walker Aten
Tegwe Consulting
“Atiim Boykin represents all that is good in our communities. He carries that rare combination of skill & intelligence and empathy & compassion. In very stressful situations, Atiim shows great poise and the ability to strategize and get folks moving in the right direction. Atiim is a leader and, above all, a person who builds relationships with everyone he meets. He believes that every person has value and what they are saying and feeling has value. These traits help him address community challenges as a team, never going it alone.
He’s a busy man, but somehow he finds time to answer every call, text, and email. I often wonder if there are two Atiim's. His responsiveness, energy, and creativity make him an effective leader for Portland. He always reaches out to those with lived experience to better inform his decisions. Atiim's commitment to collective problem-solving ensures that everyone has a voice in tackling individual and community challenges. He is exactly the kind of leader we need on the city council.”
•• Bruce Noddin
Founder | Maine Re-entry Network
“Atiim Boykin is a thoughtful, community-driven leader who will listen to all voices and work collaboratively toward solutions that benefit everyone. It is with great enthusiasm that I offer him my full support for city council.”
•• Casey Oakes
Associate Director | Portland Ovations
"Atiim is a keen listener and builds genuine relationships. He brings people together and makes things happen."
•• Aimee Petrin
Executive Director | Portland Ovations
"Atiim and his family are our neighbors. Atiim is smart, compassionate, and committed to making Portland better for everyone. He’s a great listener and collaborator, and he will work tirelessly to address the challenges that we face. That is why I support Atiim for District 2, City Council."
•• Mark Tappan,
Prof of Education, Emeritus, Colby College
"I am writing to urge Portland residents in District 2 to cast their votes for Atiim Boykin for City Council. I met Atiim in January 2020 when he joined the “Leadership Portland” program and I was the Cumberland County District Attorney. From my first interaction with Atiim, I could tell that he is a critical thinker who cares about everyone in his community. Atiim has a wide variety of life experience that ranges from work in the criminal justice system and social services to the arts and music. Currently, he works as an intensive case manager for those with mental health and substance use disorder issues in Cumberland County. This is thankless work sometimes but it has a profound impact for everyone in the community since he helps guide our most vulnerable citizens through what can be difficult systems. We are lucky to have someone like Atiim working in our community and the City of Portland would be very fortunate to have him on the City Council. Please consider casting your vote for Atiim Boykin in District 2."
•• Jonathan Sahrbeck,
Former District Attorney, Cumberland County
“From day one, what I know of Atiim is that he consistently shows up in spaces with tremendous integrity, courage, and conviction. He is deeply committed to putting himself on the line in service to justice and the well being of his community. Without a doubt, Atiim is not only about cultivating shared vision — he is about vision-in-action and taking those steps together. I can’t imagine a more heartfelt leader and qualified voice to represent on City Council.”
•• Kim Weeter,
Volunteer, Jericho Circle Facilitator
“Atiim has been a truly lovely neighborhood presence. He genuinely seems to know everyone around the West End, and has a natural knack for connecting with people from all walks of life, organizing community gatherings, and remaining in tune with what’s going on in our neighborhood and around the city.”
•• Landis Hackett & Lily Green
Systems Operations Manager | Pasta Maker & Teacher
“Happy Wednesday, happy October and happy 20 days until Election Day!
We know that the Presidential and Congressional races are critical for our communities, but our local races are equally important and can have the most immediate impact where we live.
I’m very excited to share my support and endorsement for Atiim Boykin for Portland City Council District 2. Atiim has rich experience working in community, building relationships, creating connections and ensuring that when we make decisions we have everyone at the table.
I am very excited for Atiim’s leadership and hope you will join me in supporting his race for District 2!”
•• April Fournier
Portland City Councilor At-Large
“Home to Maine’s ONLY level one trauma center, the most densely populated residential neighborhoods in the city, and the working waterfront, it is critical that District 2 voters elect a city councilor that listens to all voices and understands the complex needs of residents (owners AND renters), business, and service providers.
Atiim’s professional experience plus his critical thinking skills check all the boxes for D-2 representation.”
•• Anna Bullett,
Portland City Councilor, District 4
“ My name’s James Copello I work as a Peer Support Specialist in Portland and I support Atiim.
When I think of Atiim, I think of a man with ideas that can change things for the better —he’s always working towards the positive and always away from the negative his outlook on the city that it could be is outstanding I can't wait to see how much better the city will be with him (owners AND renters), business, and service providers. Atiim’s professional experience plus his critical thinking skills check all the boxes for D-2 representation.”
•• James ‘Jimmy’ Copello,
Peer Suppor Specialist
“I believe that what Portland needs is City Councilors who are committed to listening to their constituents, who will ask important questions and think through all the implications of a decision, and who truly care about the past, present and future of the city. I absolutely see that in Atiim Boykin. His personal and professional background as well as his existing knowledge about the city and its most important issues as well as his continued interest in learning more are what will make him an excellent councilor. The citizens of District 2 would be lucky to have him as a councilor and he would make a great addition to the existing council.”
•• Rev. Devin Green,
Minister of Connection at The Connected Way
“Atiim has been a tremendous asset to the Cultural Alliance of Maine. Working alongside him, I witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment to championing the arts and cultural sector not just in Portland, but across the entire state.
Atiim brings a refreshingly positive and inclusive perspective to his community engagement efforts. He is deeply invested in addressing issues that affect all Mainers, making a concerted effort to build bridges between underrepresented groups and find meaningful solutions.
I cannot think of a more fitting candidate for City Council, as I am confident Atiim will ensure that all voices in the community are heard and represented. His passion, empathy and collaborative approach are exactly what our local government needs to move Maine forward in an equitable and inclusive manner.”
•• Ekhlas Ahmed,
Executive Director,
Chance to Advance (CTA)
“I've worked with Atiim in multiple contexts, and I've experienced a caring, smart, wide awake human who knows how to show up for his community. As a person who works at both the small rural and state levels, showing up is the most important commitment any of us can make to improving the lives of our friends, neighbors, and fellow community members. Atiim shows up. And when he shows up, his diverse background has prepared him for knowing what to do -- or he is going to listen, and learn. In other words, Atiim is my favorite kind of local leader: a man who shows up, listens, and gets things done.
I fully endorse him for any office for which he is running -- including Portland City Council.”
•• Linda L. Nelson
Co-Chair, Governor's Commission on Infrastructure Rebuilding & Resilience
Director, Economic & Community Development, Town of Stonington ME
