18-Year-Old Becomes the Youngest Black Mayor in American History
Photo from Facebook/Jaylen Smith
Most teenagers are busy thinking about passing tests and writing papers. But, for one teen, becoming a mayor captured his imagination earlier than most.
Black history continues to be made in the 21st century, as it was recently announced in December 2022 that Jaylen Smith, an 18-year-old college freshman, was elected as the mayor of Earle, Arkansas.
Smith, who recently graduated from Earle High School, is the youngest Black mayor in United States history.
According to BlackNews.com, Smith was elected mayor of Earle, a small rural town with a population of 1,831.
Smith won against Earle’s street and sanitation superintendent, Nemi Matthews, by 235 votes to 185.
“I didn’t run to make a name for myself,” Smith told CNN. “I ran because I wanted to help my community and move my community in the direction that it needed to be moved in.”
Frank Scott Jr., the mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, and someone who Smith sought advice from, shared his thoughts on the teen’s significant accomplishment with CNN.
“I’m excited for Jaylen and the entire community in Earle as he becomes the youngest-ever African American mayor elected in the country. I’m proud of his willingness to enter into public service at such a young age and his aspirational goals for the City,” said Scott, who also serves as president of the African American Mayors Association.
Smith’s interest in politics originates from his involvement in leadership positions at Earle High School, including being the president of the school’s student government association. During his senior year, the teen decided to run for mayor.
Smith will officially be sworn into office in early January and has plans to remove abandoned homes, provide jobs for the youth, have the town’s police department operate 24 hours, and offer public transportation to grocery stores.