EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) – Darrell Davis is now the primary black man to carry the workplace of Mayor in Edmond.
Some say it’s a transfer a century within the making.
As soon as a sunset city, Edmond now has voted in its first African American mayor.
“I really feel nice town continues to be welcoming of me and that’s what introduced me right here over 32 years in the past,” stated Darrell Davis.
The previous metropolis councilman received his election Tuesday night time and can develop into the primary black mayor in Edmond historical past.
“We have to at all times embrace it. We don’t want to cover it and we have to search for alternatives to be taught from that,” stated Davis, referring to Edmond’s report on race relations.
African People helped settle the city within the late 1800 however…
“Between about 1920 and 1970, black folks weren’t residing right here. It was even known as a 100% white city,” stated Amy Stephens of the Edmond Historic Society and Museum.
Edmond additionally known as a sunset city.
“If you’re African American, you aren’t allowed in our city after darkish, however in the course of the day they’d come and work,” stated Stephens.
However the tides began to show within the Fifties when black college students have been first admitted to what’s now the College of Central Oklahoma.
“It was solely by means of UCO that African People have been capable of come to Edmond after 1920,” stated Chris Lehman.
Lehman, an Edmond native, is a Professor of Ethnic Research and the son of Paul Lehman, the primary black professor at UCO in 1969.
Paul needed to commute from Oklahoma Metropolis till the household was lastly capable of get a house in Edmond in 1976.
He says town has come a good distance because the 20s.
“I’m very proud, that is actually a very long time in coming. To see an African American be the mayor a complete century later its exceptional,” stated Lehman.
As for Davis, the retired Tinker worker desires to be a job mannequin.
“For me to develop into the primary black mayor in Edmond, it is only a fantastic feeling. With Edmond and its earlier previous, this can present folks sooner or later that you just nonetheless have a possibility on this city to succeed, and I wish to be that instance for everybody,” stated Davis.
Davis says he desires to advertise all Edmondites being concerned in native authorities. He say he desires folks be proactive not reactive.
The Edmond Historic Society simply launched an Edmond Black Historical past on-line exhibit.
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