David Plazas
David Plazas staff image
David Plazas has served as the AJC's opinion editor since 2025. He writes and edits columns and sits on the editorial board, which makes decisions on institutional editorial positions. A national award-winning journalist and former Pulitzer Prize juror, he previously worked at USA TODAY Co. for 25 years in Tennessee and Florida, in roles ranging from breaking news and education reporter to statewide opinion and engagement editor, focused on creating authentic, sustained and productive relationships with diverse communities racially, ethnically, geographically and ideologically. He received his bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish and a master’s in journalism (Medill School of Journalism), both at Northwestern University, and his MBA from Florida Gulf Coast University. Plazas currently resides in Midtown with his husband and two dogs.
Latest from David Plazas
Activists opposed to redistricting

Georgia flinched on gerrymandering, but redistricting shouldn’t be rushed

Midtown MARTA

Readers: Here’s what’s wrong with MARTA and how to fix it

MARTA Breaks My Heart

MARTA keeps breaking my heart. I’ll keep riding and demanding change.

aajc 052026 gov dem

Keisha Lance Bottoms’ momentum and anti-Trump vote make her Atlanta past moot

Op-ed. Georgia Cities

America at 250: Georgia cities like Eatonton restore our faith in democracy

Atlanta Is Full

Atlanta’s not done growing. But to many residents, it sure feels full.

Plazas Peachtree Auburn

‘Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn’ still captures Atlanta’s spirit 30 years later

As part of its America at 250 series, the Free Press media organization presented a live recording of Coleman Hughes' podcast "Conversations with Coleman" at the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta on March 9, 2026. Coleman, left, interviewed Ambassador and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, center, and Pulitzer Prize winning MLK Jr. biographer Jonathan Eig on the theme of "Nonviolence in a Violent Age." (David Plazas/AJC)

Andrew Young’s nonviolence message saves communities and relationships

Jon Meacham Atlanta History Center event

Trump and Jon Meacham came to Georgia with different messages about America

Bad Bunny (left) accepts the award for album of the year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” during the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. Kid Rock (right) visits the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2025. (Chris Pizzello/AP and AP FILE)

Are you a Bad Bunny or a Kid Rock American? In U.S., be free to choose.