Bill White Celebrated as New U.S. Ambassador to Belgium

Atlanta, GA — Bill White, who once led an unsuccessful campaign to separate Buckhead from Atlanta, was celebrated Wednesday night as President Donald Trump’s new U.S. ambassador to Belgium. The toast took place at Bones steakhouse in Buckhead and included fellow honoree Herschel Walker, appointed as ambassador to the Bahamas.

White’s guest list was notable, including Kenyatta Mitchell, a key aide to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during the Buckhead City debate, and Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts, who opposed the secession effort. During toasts, White acknowledged both Dickens and Pitts, emphasizing a shift from past tensions to collaboration.

This moment contrasted sharply with White’s earlier comments at a 2021 news conference in which he described Atlanta as a “war zone” due to leadership failures. At that time, Keisha Lance Bottoms was the mayor, grappling with the pandemic and rising crime rates.

Following Dickens’ election, he worked swiftly to quash the Buckhead City initiative by engaging Republican leaders and enhancing local policing efforts. This political turnaround culminated in the dismantling of the secession proposal.

At the dinner, White expressed gratitude and presented challenge coins as mementos, symbolizing his reconciliatory efforts with former adversaries. He praised Dickens and remarked on the historical ties between Atlanta and Brussels.

Walker, meanwhile, reflected on his appointment, humorously connecting it to an interview earlier this year where he joked about needing a job. With ties to the Bahamas through family, he expressed his commitment to serve honorably.

As both men begin their ambassadorships, White aims to strengthen bilateral relations and attract Belgian investment to Georgia. He joked about returning to Atlanta in the future, promising to keep connections with his home state alive.

In this new role, White will engage in high-level diplomatic affairs, marking a significant pivot in his career from local politics to international relations. Wednesday’s gathering highlighted a newfound unity among those who were once rivals, signaling an important step forward in serving both their locales and the nation.