Two Black Women Make History as the First Black Mayors of Albany and Syracuse, New York
Sharon Owens and Dorcey Applyrs made history in New York’s Nov. 4 election by becoming the first Black mayors of Syracuse and Albany, respectively. Owens, with over 73% of the vote, is Syracuse’s 55th mayor and has a 40-year career in community and local government service. Applyrs, who won by a wide margin, is Albany’s first Black mayor in over 300 years and aims to ensure every young person in the city knows they belong and have a seat at the table. Their victories mark a significant milestone for representation and leadership in New York.