Meet Jaylen Smith: The Youngest Black Mayor in U.S. History

Jaylen Smith, Elected Mayor of Earle, Arkansas

By: Adonis Armstrong

Meet Jaylen Smith, the youngest Black mayor elect in U.S. history. This will too make him one of the most youthful mayors of any race within the U.S. Smith who is 18, and a fresh high school graduate, defeated his opponent, Nemi Matthews Sr., in a runoff race to rise as the mayor of Earle, Arkansas. Smith accumulated 235 votes, compared to Matthews’ 185, according to race results.

“Citizens of Earle, Arkansas, it’s official!! I am your newly elected Mayor of Earle, Arkansas… It’s Time to Build a Better Chapter of Earle, Arkansas. I would like to thank all my supporters for stepping up getting people to the polls. I am truly grateful for you all.” - Jaylen Smith

To get ready for the election, Smith counseled with a few former leaders in Arkansas to gain knowledge and a better understanding of the task at hand. He will be sworn in during this week of January, and he said his extreme objective is “to show the people of Earle results.

“I didn’t run to make a name for myself. I ran because i wanted to help my community and move my community in the direction that it needed to be moved in.” Smith told CNN.

Smith’s mayoral priorities include: making strides open security and transportation, crisis readiness, beautifying the city, and tending to the nourishment leave in Earle.

This is a major accomplishment by Smith, who could start a new trend of younger voices in leadership roles. I hope more continue to follow in his footsteps to run in more governor and mayor roles.

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