Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser Receives Inaugural Marion Barry Jr. Award

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) awarded AAMA Board Trustee and Mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Bowser, as the inaugural recipient of the Mayor Marion Barry Jr. Award for Public Service. The award, named in honor of the last D.C. Mayor elected to a third term, was established to recognize leaders who have carried on the legacy of service and leadership to the community through sustained commitment to local government.

“I am honored to receive this award, named in honor of our Mayor for Life, Marion Barry, whose footsteps I followed on January 2 when I took the oath of office for a third time,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “A third term is a special opportunity because I have a mandate from the people to be bold, to think big, to push the envelope, and above all else, to win for Washington, DC. Now, the work continues to ensure every Washingtonian gets a fair shot.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser was selected due to her historic re-election for a third term to lead our nation’s capital. As the first Black woman elected to a third mayoral term of any large American city, Mayor Bowser has led her city through once-in-a-generation crises and challenges with masterful skill and unwavering grace.

“Mayor Bowser is a friend, a colleague, and a role model for young girls and women throughout our nation,” said AAMA President and Mayor of Little Rock, Frank Scott, Jr. “In recognition of her historic re-election to a third term, we proudly celebrate her long-standing leadership and incredible achievements. This award is a testament to dedicated public service and Mayor Bowser is well-deserving.”

Houston Mayor Sworn In As The New President of the African American Mayors Association

Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, Texas was sworn in (virtually) as the new President of the African American Mayors Association (AAMA). Turner takes over for outgoing AAMA President, Mayor McKinley L. Price, DDS of Newport News, Virginia.

“I am honored to lead the African American Mayors Association. The nation’s 500+ Black mayors play a crucial role in advancing our nation forward. We have a unique understanding of the needs of our local communities and the tailored policies necessary to address them. We are also deeply in tune with the challenges communities of color face and the support needed to overcome those obstacles,” said Turner. “As I look to the future of AAMA, I look forward to elevating our voices on the most pressing issues facing our nation. Black political leaders can and should be a driving force on climate change, voting rights, and so much more.”

As president of AAMA, Mayor Turner will uplift Black mayors’ voices on critical policy issues, particularly those that disproportionately affect communities of color. He will advocate for efforts to tackle climate change, support Black businesses, bolster funding for infrastructure, expand voting access, and address policing reform, among others. He will also elevate innovative, effective programs from Black mayors nationwide that bolster communities of color and can be replicated elsewhere.

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the only organization exclusively representing over 500 African-American mayors across the United States. AAMA seeks to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. The role of the AAMA includes taking positions on public policies that impact the vitality and sustainability of cities; providing mayors with leadership and management tools; and creating a forum for member mayors to share best practices related to municipal management.

Vice President Harris Meets with African American Mayors

Vice President Harris and Members of the national African American Mayors Association participated in listening session, with the focus being on the Biden administration’s proposed $1.9 trillion COVID relief package, dubbed the American Rescue Plan.

Watch the listening session below:

Black Mayors to Trump : Do Not Circumvent the Supreme Court on the Census Citizenship Question

The African American Mayors Association celebrates that the Supreme Court's decision requiring the Department of Commerce to remove the citizenship question from the 2020 Census will not be challenged by the Trump Administration.

African American mayors from across the country previously highlighted the danger of including a question like this in a letter to Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross; and director of the U.S. Census Bureau, Steven Dillingham. With the Trump Administration's attempts to circumvent the Court's ruling, AAMA cautions against any and all efforts to target vulnerable populations with citizenship data.

"We were happy to know that the highest Court in the land had struck down a flagrant attempt by the Trump Administration to undermine and undercount millions of people of color making their home in our country. The ruling reaffirmed the rule of law and the checks and balances that make our nation great," said AAMA President, Mayor Hardie Davis, of Augusta, Georgia. "Now is the time for the Trump Administration to comply with the letter and spirit of the ruling to prevent disenfranchisement for the communities we lead."

AAMA commends the advocates who are continuing to fight for a fair and accurate census. Latinos, Afro-Latinos, as well as those from the African and Asian Diasporas, deserve to have resources allocated fairly in their communities and have equitable representation in government. African American mayors will continue to fight to ensure we have an accurate census count and that citizenship data is not used to target vulnerable populations.

About AAMA

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the only organization exclusively representing over 500 African-American mayors across the United States. AAMA seeks to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. The role of the AAMA includes taking positions on public policies that impact the vitality and sustainability of cities; providing mayors with leadership and management tools; and creating a forum for member mayors to share best practices related to municipal management.

SOURCE African American Mayors Association