Tennell Atkins was first elected in June 2007 to represent Dallas City Council District 8, the southernmost district of Dallas. He began his 7th term as a Dallas City Council Member in June 2021. As the Dallas City Council representative for District 8, the Council Member is committed to promoting economic development, including new business recruitment, enhanced human capital support, and infrastructure renewal.

Council Member Atkins serves as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Affairs, and Vice-Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He also serves on Government Performance and Financial Management Committee, Public Safety Committee, Ad Hoc Committee on General Investigating & Ethics and the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Recovery & Assistance.