Albany & Syracuse Elect First Black Mayors

History was made in New York on November 4th as two Black women, Sharon Owens and Dorcey Applyrs, were elected as the first Black mayors of Syracuse and Albany, respectively. These groundbreaking victories mark significant milestones for both cities and the state.

A New Era for Syracuse

Sharon Owens, a 62-year-old with a 40-year career in public service, has been elected as Syracuse’s 55th mayor. This historic win makes her the first Black mayor in the city’s 177-year history. Owens secured a decisive victory, garnering over 73% of the vote against her Republican and independent opponents.

In her powerful victory speech, Owens acknowledged the long wait for this moment, speaking directly to the elders in the community. ‘To the elders of this community, you who for decades looked to the future of a time when there would be a mayor that looks like you,’ she said, promising to work hard to make them proud and to understand their struggles, hopes, and aspirations.

Albany Welcomes Its First Black Mayor

In New York’s capital city, Dorcey Applyrs has been elected as the first Black mayor in over 300 years. Applyrs, who walked out to Jay-Z’s ‘Run This Town’ after her victory, promised to be a leader who represents all of Albany. She emphasized that ‘this is our moment’ and that ‘we earned this moment.’

Applyrs brings a wealth of public service experience to the role, having served six years as the Common Council representative for the 1st Ward before being appointed chief city auditor in 2020 and winning the title unopposed in 2021. She thanked those who paved the way and expressed her commitment to ensuring every young person in the city knows they belong and can build a future there.

A Significant Shift in New York Politics

These elections place Syracuse as the fourth-largest city in New York to elect a Black mayor, and Albany as the sixth. The victories signify a changing political landscape and a growing representation for Black leaders in prominent positions across the state.