EDMOND—Darrell Davis was elected mayor of Edmond in Tuesday’s election, turning into the primary Black to carry the place.
Some have stated his election was a full century within the making.
Mr. Davis defeated home-builder Nathan Walters for the place.
He can be sworn-in on Could 3.
As soon as a “sunset city,” Edmond now has made historical past with Mr. Davis’ election. (“Sunset cities” required Blacks to not be seen in town’s streets after sunset.)
“I really feel nice town remains to be welcoming of me and that’s what introduced me right here over 32 years in the past,” the newly-elected mayor stated Tuesday night time.
“We have to all the time embrace it,” he went on, referring to Edmond’s race relations. “ We don’t want to cover it and we have to search for alternatives to study from that.”
Paradoxically sufficient, Blacks helped settle the city within the late 1800’s.
“However between about 1920 and 1970, Blacks weren’t residing right here,” defined Amy Stephens of the Edmond Historic Society & Museum.
“Edmond was even known as a one hundred pc white city
Between about 1920 and 1970, black individuals weren’t residing right here. It was even known as a 100% white city.”
She added one other piece of historical past relating to Edmond’s “sunset city” historical past.
“If you happen to have been Black right here in Edmond, you weren’t allowed on the town after darkish, however Blacks have been welcome through the day to work right here,” she stated.
However the tides began to show within the 1950’s 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 Blackswere in a position to come to Edmond,” stated Chris Lehman.
Paul Lehman needed to commute from Oklahoma Metropolis till his household may get an Edmond dwelling in 1976.
Edmond has come a great distance because the 1920’s, Prof. Chris Lehman commented.
“I’m very proud. That is definitely a very long time in coming,” Chris Lehman remarked. “To see an African-American develop into the mayor after a century is exceptional.”
As for as newly-elected mayor Davis is anxious, he desires now to be a job mannequin.
Mr. Davis is a retired employee at Tinker U.S. Air Drive Base.
“For me to develop into the primary Black mayor in Edmond, it’s only a fantastic feeling,” he stated.
“With Edmond and its earlier previous, this can present individuals sooner or later that you simply nonetheless have a possibility on this city to succeed.
“I wish to be that instance for everybody.”
Mr. Davis stated he desires to advertise all residents to develop into concerned in native authorities.
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