African American Mayors Association

03/08/2022

AAMA recognizes the need to transform our cities into more sustainable communities. The vitality of communities across the nation is at stake, and municipal governments have the unique opportunity to be dynamic forces at the forefront of such change. ⁠
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We are thrilled to have special guests Secretary Marcia L. Fudge (HUD), Secretary Pete Buttigieg (DOT), Secretary Marty J. Walsh (DOL), Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) join us for the . ⁠
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To register for this year's conference, visit the 🖇️ in our bio. ⁠
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02/10/2022

- AAMA President Mayor and Harris County Commissioner ⁠
introduced the ‘Special Events Task Force.’ The 10 appointed members will look at permitting, planning, and safety of events going forward. ⁠
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"Our decision to form the Task Force is about looking to the future and not back on any incident. We realize that by working together and bringing together many of the best individuals in event planning and safety, we can and must form stronger alliances." - ⁠
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To learn more, visit the 🖇️ in our bio.

02/10/2022

Mayors across the country sounded off in a new survey about the challenges brought on by Covid-19. AAMA mayors and had an opportunity to weigh in. ⁠
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To read the full article, visit the 🖇️ in our bio.

02/01/2022

— Pierre Caliste Landry, a former slave turned educator and minister, is noted as the FIRST African American to be elected mayor of a town in the Unites States.

In 1866, Landry, now freed by the 13th Amendment, changed his first name to Pierre and moved to the African American community in Donaldsonville, the former capital of Louisiana between 1829 to 1831. Within a year, he started two day schools and a night school for the children, built the first home owned by a former slave, and opened a small store.

Two years later Landry had become one of the town’s most prominent citizens and that year (1868), he was unanimously elected as Mayor of Donaldsonville, making him the first African American to be elected as mayor of a town in the United States. He served for one term, and additionally served as a Justice of the Peace, member of the Ascension Parish School Board, and Superintendent of Schools.

In 1870 he was elected President of the Police Jury and an appointed Tax Collector for his town. Two years later Landry was appointed Postmaster of his town by President Ulysses S. Grant and elected to the State House of Representatives. Landry was also responsible for founding the third African American College in Louisiana, New Orleans University, which later became Dillard University in 1935.

Pierre Landry became the State Senator for the 8th Senatorial District of Louisiana in 1874, where he served one term, and in 1879 he was elected to represent Donaldsonville as a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention.

Landry had a combined 50 years of service as a minister. He also practiced as a private attorney for 12 years.

Pierre Caliste Landry died on December 22, 1921, in the Algiers Section of New Orleans, Louisiana. He was 80.

(blackpast.org)

02/01/2022

As an African American organization that focuses on uplifting African American Mayors across the country, we celebrate our amazing community daily through our advocacy and policy work.

However, February is a month for us to shine our spotlight on past heroes that have laid the foundation for what you see today. Follow along this month as we share facts about African American historical mayoral figures throughout time.

12/09/2021

Walker's Legacy is pleased to announce the 2021 Legacy Makers Award recipients, in partnership with the African American American Mayors Association (AAMA).

The theme this year is Passing the Baton: Next Gen. Each awardee represents a woman who have championed the development of educational policy and programs to advance economic development; enabled entrepreneurship ecosystems including access and equity; and/or, supported job opportunities within their local communities. Truly, we can't thank you enough for your willingness and dedication to serve.

🥁 2021 Legacy Makers Awards recipients are:

• Jotaka Eaddy, Founder and CEO, Full Circle Strategies
• Bobbie Knight, President of Miles College
• Qaadirah Abdur-Rahim, Chief Equity Officer, City of Atlanta
• Tiffany Hamel Johnson, President, and CEO, Chicago United
• Marsha E. Murray, Director, City of Houston, Office of Business Opportunity
• Kesha Cash, Founder & General Partner, Impact America Fund
• Jessica Bain, CEO & Founder, Collective Society LLC

Join us as we celebrate and honor these women for this prestigious national award.🎖Congratulations to you all! 💫✨🙌🏽

To learn more about these women and their accomplishments, visit: www.walkerslegacy.com/

11/30/2021

is a global generosity movement that unleashes the power of radical generosity around the world.

This year, your generous contributions will support AAMA’s Future Leaders Fellowship (FLF). This fellowship is designed to provide undergraduate scholars with the opportunity to learn and navigate the functions of local government to inspire and develop the next generation of diverse community leaders. The mission is to advance the future of leadership in local government.

We couldn’t do this without you! If you would like to support AAMA and the Future Leaders Fellowship, visit our website and click the donation tab today!

11/25/2021

"Give thanks for a little, and you will find a lot." 🦃🍂

Happy Thanksgiving from the African American Mayors Association.

10/26/2021

Are you ready for season two of ? Tune in TOMORROW for S2.E1 “Reimagining Justice in America” w/ host Alaina Beverly, Asst. VP for Urban Affairs, University of Chicago ft. AAMA President, Mayor Sylvester Turner & Donna Epps, Sr. VP of Public Policy and Strategic Alliances at Verizon. To listen, download, and rate, visit http://ow.ly/KHRU50GyKqm.

10/26/2021

"Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program strengthens communities throughout our nation by helping us recruit and retain talented Americans in critical public service jobs. Our cities and local governments need this program to work well so that we can usher in the next generation of talent and deploy them where the country needs them most."

AAMA President, Mayor Sylvester Turner (Houston, TX) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program Op-ed is now live via CNN Business. To read more, visit http://ow.ly/s93i50GysKN

10/18/2021

Today, AAMA honors the life and legacy of one of America's greatest leaders, Colin L. Powell. Powell was a devoted public servant whose presence will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loves ones 🕊️.

10/15/2021

On Tuesday, October 26th, AAMA, in partnership with The Glenn College for Public Affairs at OSU, will host the third session of this year's Mayor's Institute. The session will focus on the "Governance of Policing and Community Safety." Special guests will include Carter Stewart, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League.

The discussion will be joined by Mayor McKinley L. Price (Newport News, VA), Immediate Past President of AAMA. During Mayor Price's leadership, AAMA adopted the Mayor's PEACE Pact in response to the social justice movement spurred by the killing of George Floyd.

Mayor Price will also be joined by Mayor Shawyn Patterson Howard (Mount Vernon, NY). While widely known for her groundbreaking work in HIV/AIDS, public health, criminal justice, education, housing, and urban development, Mayor Patterson-Howard has developed strong relationships with government and cross-sector leaders on a local, state, and national level.

This will be a closed session for mayors and mayors' staff. If you cannot attend, please encourage your staff and policy team to register and tune in. To register, click here https://t.co/I5YA9wkZ0B?amp=1

10/14/2021

Washington is in the midst of heated deliberations over a bipartisan infrastructure plan and the Build Back Better package. Mayor Sylvester Turner (Houston, TX), president of the African American Mayors Association (AAMA) and the Climate Mayors, issued the following above statement. To read the full statement, visit http://ow.ly/DLaP50GruNF.

09/24/2021

Today, AAMA’s 2nd VP met with the to discuss ongoing efforts to address the migration in Del Rio, Texas, and ongoing efforts to ensure that Haitian migrants are treated with dignity and respect!

09/23/2021

Using Our Voice: A Discussion on Voting Rights

Given the current national conversation and active legislation threatening voting rights in Black communities across the country, AAMA recognizes the importance of combatting voter suppression. Join us Thursday, September 23rd from 12-1:30 PM ET for "Using Our Voice: A Discussion on Voting Rights" a virtual roundtable discussion.

09/23/2021

Haitian migrant crisis update; Title 42 decoded; Voter ID hearing gets hot; Melvin Van Peebles dies

Yesterday, Phyllis Dickerson, AAMA CEO, met with to discuss the current Haitian migrant crisis and how AAMA President, along 500 Black mayors across the country are urging President Biden to speak out against the type of treatment the Haitian immigrants are being subjected to on the border.

Phyllis speaks: 25:30 - 28:40

To watch the full interview, visit http://ow.ly/qcTh50Gfh9g

9.22.21 : Haitian migrant crisis update; DHS allows some Haitian migrants to stay and places several border patrol officers on adminis...

09/23/2021

AAMA President, Mayor along 500 Black mayors across the country are urging President Biden to speak out against the type of treatment the Haitian immigrants are being subjected to on the border. This is a humanitarian crisis. Our leaders must devote more resources to helping Haitian immigrants in this country, as well as Haitians in their own country. And we must ensure that our immigration authorities treat people with justice and basic humanity, not violence.