Nigerian immigrant Yemi Mobolade has made history by becoming the first Black mayor in Colorado. Mr. Mobolade, a businessman and entrepreneur, was sworn in on Tuesday at the Pioneers Museum, officially assuming the role of mayor of Colorado Springs, the state’s second-largest city.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Governor Jered Polis, who expressed admiration for Mr. Mobolade’s inspiring story. Having immigrated to the United States 27 years ago as a student, Mr. Mobolade became a US citizen in 2017. He now owns two restaurants and leads a local church in his community.
In his speech, Mr. Mobolade reflected on his journey and the significance of his position, stating, “I am a Black leader. I am a Black mayor. I am an immigrant mayor. Why that matters is because there are a lot of young black kids and minority kids that find inspiration and hope in my story.”
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During his election campaign, Mr. Mobolade focused on several key issues, including the recruitment of more police officers, the creation of affordable housing, water conservation, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for businesses.
As a father of three and husband to a nurse, Mr. Mobolade moved to Colorado Springs over a decade ago to establish a church. Over the years, he co-founded a cafe and restaurant and served in city government roles, contributing to economic development and supporting small businesses.
Yemi Mobolade succeeds John Suthers, Colorado’s former attorney general, in the mayoral position. His historic achievement marks a significant milestone in Colorado’s political landscape and serves as an inspiration for marginalized communities.
