Yemi Mobolade is the first African American mayor of Colorado Springs, CO, and the first non-Republican candidate to be elected mayor since the city began electing mayors by popular vote in 1979. As the executive director of the city government, Mobolade is responsible for representing the city at the local, state and national levels. He has been acknowledged for his efforts in the new municipal structure by the League of Women Voters and the Colorado Springs House and EDC. Mobolade has a long history of public service in Colorado Springs. As president of the Colorado Springs Housing Authority, he was instrumental in restoring the Lowell School, which sparked the revitalization of the southeastern downtown area.
He also served as the city's small business development manager and as vice president of business retention and expansion for the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation Chamber & Co. In a surprising turn of events, Mobolade defeated Wayne Williams in the second round of mayor of Colorado Springs and became the city's first elected black mayor. He has expressed his ambition to make local history by creating an inclusive atmosphere for all Colorado Springs residents. To that end, he has promised to put local businesses first by reducing red tape, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, and prioritizing policies and programs that expand economic opportunities. Recently, KRCC and Colorado Public Radio transformed a building in downtown Colorado Springs into a state-of-the-art space. This is just one example of how Mobolade is striving to make Colorado Springs an inclusive, culturally rich, economically prosperous, safe and vibrant city on a hill that shines brightly.
