The Rise of African-Born Mayors in the United States

African-born mayors in the United States are shaping local politics in new ways. Their stories come from different corners of the continent, yet they share one point of connection: each one reached an American city hall through community work, long-term involvement, and steady public service.

 

Zohran Mamdani – New York, New York (Born in Kampala, Uganda)

New York’s next mayor arrived in the city at age seven, long before politics entered the picture. His political career began in the New York State Assembly as a Democrat, but his ambition didn’t stop there. Mamdani was elected Mayor of New York City in November 2025, securing the top job in America’s largest city. His term begins in January 2026, making him the first Muslim to lead the city. His election sends a clear message about New York’s changing political energy.

 

 

Yemi Mobolade – Colorado Springs, Colorado (Born in Lagos, Nigeria)

Colorado Springs first met Yemi Mobolade as a business owner, not a politician. He moved to the United States at 17 and built a reputation through community work, entrepreneurship, and church leadership. Voters supported him in May 2023, electing him as the city’s first Black mayor. He ran as an independent candidate with no party backing, yet despite the odds, his story became one of triumph. Mobolade’s election shows that community trust can matter more than party identity. His current term runs through 2027.

 

 

Nadia Mohamed – St. Louis Park, Minnesota (Born in Somalia)

Nadia Mohamed arrived in the United States at age ten as a refugee. Her family settled in St. Louis Park—the same community she now leads. She entered local politics with a clear focus on representation, and residents responded by electing her mayor in November 2023. Her win marked the first time a Somali-American became mayor of any U.S. city. Her administration continues to emphasize youth involvement and accessible local governance, showing how lived experience shapes policy at the city level.

 

 

Wilmot Collins – Helena, Montana (Born in Monrovia, Liberia)

Wilmot Collins reached Montana in 1994 after fleeing the Liberian civil war. He went on to serve the community through his work in child protection and the U.S. Navy Reserves. Voters elected him in 2017, making him the first Black mayor in Montana’s history, and re-elected him in 2021. His two terms demonstrate how African-born leaders earn long-term legitimacy in rural and predominantly white states. His current term will be his last, as he did not seek re-election for a third term.

 

Gavin Buckley – Annapolis, Maryland (Born in Boksburg, South Africa)

Gavin Buckley grew up in South Africa and Australia before moving to the United States in his twenties. He entered politics after years as a restaurateur in Annapolis. His popularity as a local business figure helped propel him into his first mayoral win in 2017. He secured a second term in 2021. Due to term limits, Buckley will be unable to run for a third term, and his current term ends in December 2025.

 

 

Mboka Mwilambwe – Bloomington, Illinois (Born in Kinshasa, Zaire)

University studies brought Mboka Mwilambwe to the United States, and public service kept him in Bloomington. He spent ten years on the city council before winning the mayoral race in 2021. He became the city’s first Black mayor and served until 2025, when he lost his re-election bid. His tenure reflects the broader trend of naturalized citizens stepping into executive roles in Midwestern cities.

 

 

Moises Rodrigues – Brockton, Massachusetts (Born in Cape Verde)

Brockton recognizes Moises Rodrigues as a long-time community leader. Born in Cape Verde, he moved to the United States as a teenager and held several roles in local government before serving as acting mayor. He later won a seat on the city council. His involvement places him among the growing group of African-born leaders shaping municipal politics in the Northeast.

 

Across these cities, their stories run on different tracks. Some arrived as refugees, others as students, and others as young workers building new lives. Along the way, each one became a trusted local figure. Together, they show how African-born mayors in the United States now stand firmly within the country’s political mainstream. Their presence signals a shift in what local leadership looks like—and how immigrant communities shape public life.