After an extended legal battle, Patrick Braxton took his place as Newbern’s first Black mayor on Saturday, August 3. Leaders and dignitaries from throughout the region and state were on hand to congratulate Braxton at the historic occasion.
The Rev. James Williams, who is the pastor of First Baptist Church, Newbern as well as president of the Tuscaloosa chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, gave the opening remarks.
Local leaders who were a part of the program included Hon. Johnny Washington, Mayor of Greensboro, who was a speaker, and Greensboro City Councilmember Mary Bragg, who performed a special musical selection.
Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins administered the oath of office.
The event was sponsored by the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors. Hon. Lawrence “Tony” Haygood, mayor of Tuskegee, the president of that organization, and vice president Hon. Bobby Scott, mayor of Center Point, both spoke to congratulate Braxton, as did Hon. Vickie Moore of Slocomb, C.E.O. of the organization.
Hon. Johnny Ford of Tuskeegee, founder of the orld Conference of Mayors, presented Braxton to the audience to be sworn in.
After he was inaugurated, Braxton held a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Newbern Town Hall.
Following the ceremony, the Alabama Conference of Black Mayors held a press conference with Braxton at First Baptist Church of Newbern.
