Building on the Legacy of Black History Month

Mayor Bianca Motley Broom’s Inauguration Speech delivered on Feb. 3, 2024

Thank you. I want to take the time to extend my appreciation to the Black History Committee and the entire community for their hard work to make today possible.

As we gather at the start of Black History Month, I am honored to address you as the first Black and female mayor in College Park's storied history, embarking on my second term.

When I took office in 2020, I made a promise to you – to not just make history but to build on it. This promise was not about me but about us, about our beloved city. Together, we've achieved significant milestones that have defined College Park's trajectory. As the first new mayor in 24 years, I've strived for advancement and innovation, and the results are evident.

We prioritized transparency and accessibility, ensuring the timely availability of city council meeting agenda packets and fostering direct engagement with you, our residents. We've bolstered our financial stability and invested heavily in public safety, parks, and senior support. We've opened doors for young minds through the Promise Career Institute and facilitated crucial public health services. We've championed inclusion through programs like In Her Hands. And we've driven economic development, ensuring opportunities for minority-owned businesses to thrive.

We’ve transformed challenges into opportunities, and now the promise of College Park's future shines brighter than ever. But this was only the beginning.

As we celebrate this month, marked by the collective achievements that shaped our nation, state, and city, we must recognize that making history is not enough. The rich and diverse histories of all who call College Park "home" should be the foundation we build upon – not the peak of our ambitions.

Friends and neighbors, our success in progressing past historic moments is intertwined. When we lift each other up, we lift our entire community. Lifting each other to build on Black history’s collective action and resilience is the only way to secure the promises set before us.

This is our moment to accept our call to action – a call to join together to forge pathways of empowerment and access. Treating each other with dignity and respect is not just something nice to do but the only way we will unlock our collective potential. This is the potential I’ve seen shining throughout College Park.

Building as one city requires us to turn away from trivial and divisive acts that diminish our combined strength and undermine confidence in our city, its leaders, and the laws that enable us to operate effectively. It requires empowering our neighbors and creating access for everyone. Building together ensures every resident, city employee, and stakeholder feels valued, seen, and heard. It's about creating a College Park where opportunity thrives, not just survives.

As we move forward, let us not accept "making history" as the prize. It’s our time to take ownership and pride in our current and future actions to build on that history.

My vision for College Park remains bold. It’s anchored in an immovable commitment to progress - not merely doing things the way we used to do them. This moment in our collective history requires us to look forward and think broader than ever before. I sincerely hope that our city council and community leaders share this vision. I’m optimistic we can work together to advance homeownership and housing accessibility and continue the successes of projects like South Park Cottages, Diamond College Park, and Somersby. Safety and security will remain paramount, ensuring competitive wages for public safety professionals and continued resource investments.

As your mayor and a steadfast supporter of good government, I will continue to make myself available to you. You can always connect directly with me. I also invite you to stay informed and inspired through the updates and stories shared on my website and newsletter.

My commitment extends beyond earning accolades for making history; it involves actively shaping it with each of you – together. Let’s build a legacy that transcends time – one worthy of many generations to come.

Thank you, College Park, for entrusting me with the honor of serving you. As we strive to continue to build the community we deserve, I commit to persistently choosing the path of unity, collaboration, and empowerment. The best is yet to come; our future is bright because we are building it together.