HBCU Student Jayden Williams Launches Campaign To Become Youngest Mayor In His Hometown
Source: HBCU Buzz / Jayden Williams, HBCU Buzz
You may have to be at least 35 years old to become president of the United States, but the barrier of entry to enter the mayoral race isn’t entirely as restricting.
Enter Jayden Williams, the 21-year-old who kicked off his quest to become the mayor of Stockbridge, Ga.
He’s currently a planning commissioner for his hometown and a student at HBCU Clark Atlanta University. Politics runs in his family because his grandmother is Henry County Commissioner Vivian Thomas. Even though he knows he’s on track to graduate soon, he wants voters to know his political hopes and dreams now.
“Although I will graduate from Clark Atlanta University before the election in November, it was important for me to announce my candidacy as an undergraduate,” Williams told HBCU Buzz. “Public service is just as essential as education—fulfilling our civic duties holds the same weight as attending class.”
Williams is a Stockbridge native, and he’s noticed plenty of the issues surrounding him, including the lack of affordable housing and the skyrocketing cost of living. Still, he wants to remedy it in an environmentally sustainable way with energy efficiency to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
“If we fail to address these issues, we risk losing the sense of community that makes Stockbridge unique and jeopardizing our environmental future,” he said.
Despite the city’s shortcomings, he believes his town has much potential, including public safety and the support of arts and youth programs. He wants to implement those initiatives but also needs the community’s help through engagement like town halls because he says, “at the heart of my decision-making process because the best solutions come from those directly affected by the issues we face.”
With all that work, Williams has other plans, but he hopes that what he puts in will set his town up for success decades after he’s gone.
“My goal is to ensure Stockbridge continues to grow and succeed long after my tenure—10, 15, or even 100 years from now,” he added. “Together, we can create a brighter and more inclusive future for our city.”
As the youngest mayoral candidate, you can check out his initiatives and donate to his campaign here before the election on Nov. 4.
