Federal overreach seeks to undermine the success of America's Black Mayors

To Be Equal

- Marc H. Morial

American cities reflect the soul of the nation.

From their skylines and cultural institutions to their small businesses and neighborhoods, cities are where American identity is built, tested, and transformed. They are global symbols of innovation, diversity, and resilience, and their leadership is central to the nation's future.

For generations, Black mayors have shaped that future by fighting for equity, accountability, and justice. Their leadership has centered marginalized communities and expanded access to opportunity. Today, that legacy is as vital as ever.

This past week, misleading statements from national leadership describing the District of Columbia as overtaken by "violent gangs," "roving mobs of wild youth," and "drugged-out maniacs" evoked a familiar and troubling pattern. Once again, fear-based narratives are being used to justify federal overreach and to undermine local governance, particularly in cities led by Black mayors. These attacks are not only factually inaccurate, but they are also politically motivated, racially coded, and historically rooted.

Across the country, Black mayors are demonstrating that community-based leadership is effective and transformative. The work of mayors past and present illustrates a sustained commitment to justice, even in the face of systemic barriers and public criticism.