ELYRIA, Ohio — “Black History Month, to me, is about more than 28 days. It’s about the legacy of African Americans in this country and what we’ve overcome," said Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield. "Every day, we are making history."

What You Need To Know

  • Frank Whitfield is the first African American mayor to be elected in Elyria

  • Whitfield hopes his path to serving in local government encourages others to follow in his footsteps

  • Whitfield believes the new vice president will inspire more women to run for office

Whitfield is Elyria's first African American mayor. He believes the future looks bright as people of color have made advances in society, despite the barriers African Americans have endured for centuries.   
 
“The story of African Americans coming here on slave ships, the journey through Jim Crowe, to what we’ve struggled with still today," Whitfield explained. 
Whitfield says he had to pave his own path to win the mayor’s seat in Elyria and hopes future candidates of color will not have to face the same obstacles. 
 
“Being the first in anything isn’t easy because there’s not necessarily a model to look to on how to make it happen," Whitfield said.

Whitfield considers Vice President Kamala Harris a shining example for his own children. Harris' historic inauguration has raised the profile of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). One of Whitfield's daughters attends an HBCU.   

"It’s an exciting time for our family and it’s an exciting time for the country, and I’m excited to see what the future holds,” said Whitfield.

Watch the rest of Spectrum News' interview with Whitfield above.