Positive Culture Shift for Atlantic City Employees Continues with Mayor Small’s ‘Great Day’ Event

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. has long said that to truly build Atlantic City, the transformation must begin from the inside out. Since becoming mayor in October 2019, he’s turned that vision into action, reshapingthe culture of City Hall and setting a new standard for local government. Fromhis first days in office, Mayor Small raised expectations for every departmentand made accountability a cornerstone of his administration. He’s expandedopportunities for advancement through internal mobility, promotions, andwell-earned raises, ensuring that dedicated employees see a future in publicservice. Just as importantly, he has invested heavily in training programs thatgive staff unprecedented professional development and the skills needed tobetter serve Atlantic City taxpayers.

That commitment came into full focus at this year’s Great Day 2025 event held at the Showboat Resort for a third straight year. This is the mayor’s signature initiative to strengthen workforce climate and culture, boostmorale, and unite City of Atlantic City employees as one team. It’s the onlytime each year every city worker gathers under one roof outside city buildings toreceive key organizational updates directly from the mayor and gain freshperspective from nationally recognized outside sources.

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This year’s motivational speaker was philanthropist Nehemiah Davis, who shared his inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Philadelphia—where he frequently found himself getting into trouble—to becoming a prominent figure dedicated to helping others transform their lives. Addressing City of Atlantic City employees, Davis encouraged them to write down the affirmation: “I’m committed and focused on making this the best year ever.” He emphasized how mindset shifts can lead to real change and challenged staff to stop saying, “I have to go to work,” and instead embrace the privilege of being able to say, “I get to go to work”— especially in a place like Atlantic City.

Great Day 2025 carried added significance this year, as it was held in memory of the late Chief of Staff Ernest Coursey. Known for his unwavering dedication as a public servant and his deep care for city employees, Coursey left a lasting legacy. In his honor, all staff wore commemorative shirts, and the city announced the upcoming launch of the Coursey Cares Health& Wellness Challenge, an initiative aimed at promoting small, sustainable lifestyle changes that employees can carry with them for life.

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Following the professional development portion of the day, employees get to relax and connect at Showboat’s Island Waterpark, and this year was no exception. With more than 700 employees spread across City Hall, the Public Safety Building, the Public Works Yard, and other locations, some staff members rarely cross paths, if ever. But on this one day a year, in the open, informal setting of the waterpark, colleagues can interact, bond, and build stronger relationships. Team building is a cornerstone of the Small Administration. It’s why each department is tasked with organizing its own annual retreat outside the Great Day event, and why Mayor Small personally leads a retreat for his directors.

A recent article from The Press of Atlantic City covering Great Day 2025 failed to spotlight the most critical component of the event, which is Mayor Small’s mission to raise expectations, invest in employee development, and celebrate the city's workforce. Mayor Small is demonstrating that a city government can evolve from within—and Great Day 2025 is a shining example ofthat transformation. His message is clear: when the workforce is motivated,well-trained, and connected, the entire Atlantic City community reaps the rewards.

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