18-year old Jaylen Smith Becomes the Youngest Black Mayor in the U.S

18-year old Jaylen Smith, a college freshman, has been elected as the youngest black mayor in the  U.S history after beating out his opponent for the position in Arkansas town.

On Tuesday, he was voted in to lead the rural town of Earle, a town close to Memphis, Tennessee. Smith who recently graduated from Earle High School, reportedly won the election with 218 votes, while his opponent, Nemi Matthews Sr. won 139 votes.

Speaking on his victory on Facebook, Smith wrote, “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.”

As mayor, he plans to repair the city’s drainage system, lift the people from poverty, focus on transportation, safety, and bringing a major grocery store to the city. He said that the old one closed down a long time ago and it is difficult for people to get to the nearest one.

Visit www.africanpridemagazine.com for more stories.