Detroit, you showed up, you showed out, you stood strong and raised your voices towards a future that we all can believe in.
And when some said that it couldn't be done, when some said that it was not the time, Detroit, you said,"Uh-uh. Together we can. Together we will." And tonight, together we did.
Tonight, this victory belongs to all of us. Detroit, you have spoken loud and clear from every corner of this city. That's right. Thank you. And I am reminded tonight that all things are possible to the one who believes.
As I stand here as your mayor-elect,
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I want to first extend my deepest gratitude to the residents of this great city. You all have welcomed me into your homes, your neighborhoods, everywhere throughout this city. And I will never forget the memories and the times that we've shared throughout this campaign. Thank you for your support, your prayers, your trust, and your confidence, and for believing in a vision that we share for this great city.
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To every Detroiter that is watching tonight, whether you voted for me or not, I am here to listen to you, to fight for you, and to serve you, because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing — a Detroit that works for everyone.
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This journey was not walked alone. There are so many incredible people who have shaped this moment and walked alongside me.
First, to my family — to my father, who has always instilled strength and faith; to my 88-year-old grandmother, who came out of retirement just to help me on the campaign — we thank her for her wisdom and her grace. To my beautiful mother, who is no longer with us but watches over me and guides my steps daily. And to all of my family that is here today, thank you for grounding me, shaping me, and loving me into this very moment.
To the best campaign team on the planet — you all worked with heart, with grit, and brilliance. I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
To my campaign manager, Chris Scott.
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Danielle Elamine.
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Taylor Harrelle
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Rayshawn Sanders.
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David Bowser.
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And we had the best field game — led by John Clark and Chantelia Watkins.
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I have to thank Molly Goldberg, who helped lead the finance for this campaign.
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To our campaign chair, Ricardo Solomon.
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To Dennis Archer, a special adviser who's always been there for me as well. To Greg and Linda Matis, who have been here the entire campaign. Let's give it up for Judge Matis and his wife.
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To the women chairs of our women’s coalition — Char Goulby, Monica Anthony, Sharon Madison — and my brothers who always keep me lifted, Ferry Brent, Daryl Wood, and Danny Marandi.
There are so many people that I can thank tonight, but I want you all to know that this would not have happened without each and every one of you.
To the tireless volunteers, coalition leaders, union leaders, faith leaders, and every single person who took the time to knock doors, pass out flyers, make phone calls, whisper your prayers of support, and pour your heart into this victory — you carried this campaign forward. This victory belongs to all of us.
Over the past 330 days, we built more than a campaign. We built a movement — a movement that has proven that we are stronger when we all stand together as one Detroit.
I've seen it on the east side, the west side, and every block in between — neighbors who are organizing block by block, small businesses lifting up communities, and young people demanding a future they can believe in.
This is the spirit of our city — the spirit that carried us here to this moment in Detroit. Let's not forget who we are. We are a city of innovators, of champions, of change makers. We put the world on wheels. We created the hometown sound. We built the nation's first public highway. We powered the arsenal of democracy. And from these Detroit streets came freedom — from the Underground Railroad to the fight for civil rights. This is the home of the labor movement — the birthplace of America's middle class.
Nearly sixty years ago, my grandfather, Horace Sheffield Jr., stood on the front lines during the Walk to Freedom, demanding jobs, dignity, and justice for every Detroiter. And now, almost six decades later, his granddaughter stands here — ready, equipped, and prepared to continue that fight for all Detroiters.
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And so tonight, our city adds another chapter to its great history. Throughout Detroit's 324-year history, seventy-five mayors have led this city. Not one has been a woman.
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But tonight, Detroit, you changed that.
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I think back to that 8-year-old girl from the west side of Detroit whose third-grade teacher, Mrs. Papus, wrote on her evaluation that she saw a gift for leading others. That little girl dared to dream that she too could make a difference. And tonight, she stands here proudly as the first woman ever elected to lead this great city.
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And now I have the awesome responsibility of ensuring that I will not be the last. I stand on the shoulders of so many warrior women who have prayed and sacrificed just for us to be here in this moment — a torch carried from one generation to the next. And so I say to every little girl watching tonight and to every child in this city — never doubt yourself.
You are gifted.
You are powerful.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
No mountain is too high for you to climb.
No dream is too big for you to realize.
If you believe — truly believe — all things are possible.
So tonight, Detroit, we step forward together into this next great chapter. And I’ve heard you loud and clear: “Don’t forget about the neighborhoods.” And I’m going to tell you that we won’t. Together, we will invest in every corner of our city, rebuilding our neighborhoods and investing in our commercial corridors.
Every family will feel supported. Every child will have a path to reach their full potential. And every resident will have access to transit they can count on.
We’ll work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our communities block by block — focusing on prevention first, strengthening community and police relations, and treating gun violence like the public health crisis that it is.
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We’ll guarantee safe and affordable housing for every Detroiter — increasing access to home repairs, creating opportunities for home ownership, and achieving real property tax reforms.
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We’ll champion our small businesses, giving them access to capital and stability to grow and stay rooted here in Detroit. We’ll make Detroit the best place in America to grow and start a business.
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We’ll be more involved in our educational system — creating coordinated transportation, increasing after-school programs, and providing wraparound services so that every child can succeed. Because when our youth rise, Detroit rises.
In this administration, everyone will have a seat at the table — from block clubs to nonprofits, faith institutions, unions, and the voices of our most vulnerable. Because this city belongs to all of us. It will take all of us working together in unity and love for us to truly rise higher.
Generations ago, it was right here in Detroit where our grandmothers and grandfathers came to build lives of dignity and pride — to find good-paying jobs, buy homes, raise families, and imagine a better tomorrow.
They saw Detroit as a destination city, a world-class city. That has always been the promise and hope of this city. And we, Detroit, will continue to march boldly toward that promise once again.
So tonight, we celebrate this historic and monumental victory. But tomorrow, we go to work — shoulder to shoulder with our city council, with our regional partners, our civic and business community, our labor family, and most importantly, with each and every one of you. Because the work now begins — the work of rebuilding our neighborhoods, creating great jobs, lifting every Detroiter out of poverty, attracting and retaining our young people, and reclaiming Detroit’s rightful place among the world’s greatest cities.
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Together we made history, Detroit.
Together we will build a brighter future.
Together we will rise higher.
Thank you, Detroit. I love you all. God bless you. Let’s finish the work.
Neither the Catt Center nor Iowa State University is affiliated with any individual in the Archives or any political party. Inclusion in the Archives is not an endorsement by the center or the university.