Racial barriers have been falling across this country for many years. The latest racial barrier to fall locally happened with the election of the first African American, Derek Slaughter, as Mayor of Williamsport in 2019.

 In keeping with Black History month Webb Weekly asked Mayor Slaughter to reflect upon his milestone and what follows are his complete remarks.

“Being the first person of color to serve as mayor of the City of Williamsport is truly humbling. It is an honor and privilege to serve the citizens and taxpayers of our community in this capacity. I take pride in the fact that I can inspire or motivate other people of color, or anyone, to chase their dreams and to strive to become a better version of themselves.”

He continued, “I firmly believe that representation across varied social, economic, ethnic groups is instrumental in the structural foundations of success. As a society, we need to embrace our collective similarities and differences in order to continue to make positive strides. As government leaders, we have a responsibility to be constantly evolving: developing better responses, finding better tools, looking for ways to better the lives of those to whom we are responsible. Our organizations would be better my children and to those around me. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. told us that we can serve. ‘Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve’ he says. ‘You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.’”

Slaughter is the latest in a line of racial barrier breakers for the City of Williamsport, including the late Councilwoman Marlyne Whaley, the first person of color elected to Williamsport City Council, and the late Curley Jett, who was Williamsport’s first African American police chief.

We will have more about Curley Jett and his accomplishments in the City of Williamsport next week.