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FLORIDA SENTINEL
OVER 76 YEARS SERVING TAMPA
SECTION FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022
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Notable Black Mayors Who Have Been Sworn Into Office In 2022
Representation is the most efficient path to change. If we are notintheroom,howcanwebea part of the conversation? Being represented in politics on the na- tional level is very important, but if we want to see the changes that we deserve in our communities, it starts at the local level.
In 2022, a list of 10 new may- ors was compiled by Newsone. Black men and women all over the country were elected to rep- resent their cities. Check out some of the Black mayors who have been sworn into an office in 2022.
Ken Welch – St. Petersburg, FL
Ken Welch is the Black per- son to be elected mayor of St. Pe- tersburg, FL and he will be the city’s 54th mayor. Due to a posi- tive COVID-19 test, his inaugu- ration has been postponed, although he is still scheduled to begin work in City Hall on Jan 10.
“Though we will not be able to celebrate in person, let us keep front of mind the significance of the day,” he said in an interview. “The day that we begin a journey together, as one community in one city, toward inclusive progress. We will have much more to celebrate together in the years to come.”
Andre Dickens – Atlanta, GA
Atlanta’s new mayor Andre Dickens was sworn in Monday, Jan 3, 2022, at his alma mater Georgia Tech. Dickens became the city’s 61st mayor.
Mayor Dickens faces many challenges ahead, but says he is ready to take them head-on. “Each mayor had their burden and mine is to bring us together
to form a safe and thriving city,” Dickens said during his inaugu- ration speech.
Dickens looks to make pub- lic safety his top priority. He al- ready has plans to beef up the lighting around Atlanta to make the city safer.
Dickens, 47, has already pledged to add 250 po- lice to the Atlanta Police Depart- ment in his first year in office. His plan called “SAFE Streets At- lanta,” will target violent gang leaders and create a task force that will tackle gun trafficking. The addition of more officers will also come with training every APD employee in racial sensitiv- ity and de-escalation technique.
Now Dickens looks to write a new chapter for the city of At- lanta. Young, energetic, and ready for change, his vision is de- manding but clear. Now Atlanta just needs action and hopefully, Dickens will bring it.
Eric Adams – Mayor Of New York City
Eric Adams was sworn in as the 110th mayor of the city of New York on January 01, 2022 in New York, NY. He is just the second Black mayor in the city’s history and the first Black mayor in over 30 years. Adams’ main focus will be helping the city get through its record number of COVID cases due to the omicron variant. The retired NYPD officer has also pledged to tackle the city’s transportation issues by building 150 miles of new bus lanes and 300 miles of protected bike lanes. He also wants to build 15,000 units of supportive hous- ing by 2025.
Jaime Kinder – Mayor Of Meadville, PA
Jaime Kinder was sworn in as mayor of Meadville, PA on January 3, 2022. She is the first woman and first Black person to ever serve as mayor since the city was incorporated in 1866. Mayor Kinder plans to priori- tize Meadville’s downtown busi- ness district, more transparency in city government, and housing.
“We want to make sure that
Meadville is about backing and promoting our downtown,” said Kinder during her press confer- ence. “They’re a priority here.”
Vivian McKenzie – Mayor Of Peekskill, NY
Vivian McKenzie was sworn in as the Mayor of Peek- skill, NY on New Year’s Day. She is the first Black woman elected mayor in the city’s history. Al- though McKenzie is new to the role, she isn’t completely green to its duties. She served as deputy mayor for the last two years and already has a vision for the city. McKenzie plans to provide better city services, safer streets, better care for seniors, and pursue economic develop- ment for better paying jobs.
“I am committed to working with the council to create a vision for our city to continue to move us forward. I will not be perfect, but I will be honest, humble and diligent in serving you, in this great city of Peekskill,” said McKenzie during her cere- mony.
LaRhonda Patrick – Warner Robins, GA
LaRhonda Patrick was sworn in as mayor of Warner Robins, GA on January 3, 2022. She is the first woman and first Black person to be elected as mayor of Warner Robins.
“Being the first of many al- ways comes with some pressure, and I feel the pressure, but I also feel the pride,” said Patrick dur- ing her swearing in ceremony.
“This is our city. This is our future. We’ve made history, but together we will write a beautiful future.”
Byron Brown – Mayor Of Buffalo, NY
Byron Brown was sworn in as the mayor of Buffalo. Brown’s agenda for the next four years in office include more development in Buffalo’s neighborhoods, affordable hous- ing, inclusion, and diversity. Al- though he is listed as a Democrat, Brown identifies as a centrist and hopes his ideas will help bring people together.
“I’ve always been a centrist,” said Brown during a press con- ference at his inauguration.
Ed Gainey – Mayor Of Pittsburgh
Ed Gainey was sworn in at the 61st mayor of the city of Pittsburgh on Jan 2, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. He is the first Black mayor in the city’s history. Gainey, who is dedicated to di- versity and inclusivity, says his main agenda is to make Pitts- burgh a safe, affordable and di- verse municipality. He also spoke about improving social safety nets, universal pre-kinder- garten, and mending relation- ships between the police and the community.
Melvin Carter – Mayor of St. Paul, MN
Melvin Carter was sworn into his second term as mayor of St. Paul, MN four years after
being elected the first Black mayor in the city’s history. With the city still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 riots from the death of George Floyd, Carter looks to raise the city’s minimum wage, as well as refocus resources to- wards public safety.
Elaine O’Neal – Mayor Of Durham, NC
Elaine O’Neal was actually sworn in as mayor of Durham, NC on December, 6, 2021. She is the city’s first Black female mayor. In her 100-day plan she stressed the importance of sup- porting the youth of Durham with recreational, physical, and mental health services.
Deqa Dhalac – Mayor Of South Portland, ME
Deqa Dhalac was sworn in as the mayor of South Portland, ME on December 6, 2021. She is the first Black Muslim mayor of South Portland and the first So- mali-American mayor in the United States. Dhalac won her election in a district that was 90% white.
“People will always have some kind of reservation ... but will get to know you, listen to you and see who you are through that,” she said during a speech at her inauguration.