WASHINGTON, D.C.—The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) recently held its 2025 Annual Conference, emphasizing innovative leadership, community empowerment, and urban development throughout American cities. Numerous city officials participated, representing over 500 Black mayors who govern communities, both large and small, serving more than 25 million people across the country. The conference, themed “The Power of Now,” included notable appearances, policy dialogues, networking events, and a summit aimed at fostering new leadership.
“The African-American Mayors Association is the best professional development conference for a Black mayor in the United States,” Benton Harbor, Michigan Mayor Marcus Muhammad told The Final Call. AAMA is the only national organization exclusively representing African American mayors. It remains essential in promoting public policies that support various communities, offering leadership and management resources to local leaders, and establishing forums for sharing ideas and strategies.
“I have been a member since 2016, which was reestablished by (now former) Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento, California. I can attest to the fact that the relationships, workshops, guest speakers, White House administrations, business community, and the camaraderie as an attendee have empowered me in my three terms as mayor of the city of Benton Harbor and president of the Black Mayors of Michigan.”
“This was a time for African American mayors to come together and let others know that they’re not by themselves, (with) the issues that they’re having, we’re having. But as a team, when we work together, we get these issues solved. But we must be together. That’s what I took as the biggest takeaway, the part of togetherness. What affects one affects all of us, such as funding. There are cities that are bigger, but money is still the same issue. We must stand together. If a mayor calls on you from another state or the city, we need you to show up,” Mayor Glenda McDonald of Highland Park, Michigan, told The Final Call.
The three-day conference held April 16-18 featured workshops and plenaries that included discussions on innovation, trust and safety, public health challenges, climate concerns, technology, and leveraging AI (artificial intelligence) to improve government efficiency.
“Another takeaway was what was shared about the housing crisis,” Mayor McDonald said. “The housing crisis affects African Americans more than it does any other race in this country. There is a crisis in this country on housing and adequate housing. There isn’t enough affordable housing and African Americans feel the burden.”
During the conference, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson was appointed AAMA president. “As we continue to build on the legacy of the African American Mayors Association and advocate for the needs of the over 500 mayors within our growing organization, I am delighted to welcome Mayor Van R. Johnson II as our new president,” said AAMA CEO Phyllis Dickerson.
“Mayor Johnson’s dedication to public service and his innovative approach to city leadership make him a perfect choice to lead our organization into the future. We are eager to support his vision for our member cities and communities. I also want to thank Mayor Steven Reed (Montgomery, Alabama) for his incredible service to our cities and our organization this past year.”
Mayor Reed was celebrated for elevating the organization’s national profile and expanding its reach through bold initiatives centered on equity and opportunity. He convened AAMA’s inaugural Voting Rights Summit in partnership with When We All Vote, brought a delegation of Black mayors to Silicon Valley to forge connections with tech and venture capital leaders, and launched The Forum with the Black Economic Alliance Foundation to accelerate Black economic mobility.
“Serving as president of the African American Mayors Association has been one of the most fulfilling roles I’ve ever taken on. Together, we advanced bold ideas around economic mobility, fairness, and innovation—because our communities deserve nothing less,” said Mayor Steven Reed. “As I pass the baton to Mayor Van Johnson, I do so with pride and optimism. He brings the leadership, passion, and vision needed to take this organization to even greater heights.”
Mayor Johnson has served as mayor of Savannah since 2020. Previously, Johnson served four terms as alderman for the Savannah City Council’s 1st District. Before his election as AAMA president, Mayor Johnson served as the organization’s treasurer and has been an active member of the Board of Trustees.
“I am deeply honored to serve as president of the African American Mayors Association,” said Mayor Johnson. “I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to advocate for the needs of our cities at the national level. Together, we will continue to address the pressing challenges facing our communities, from public safety and economic opportunity to health equity and infrastructure investment.”
His goals for AAMA during his one-year term as president include focusing on strengthening public safety, supporting minority-owned businesses, fostering workforce development, and championing equitable infrastructure investments. He also plans to enhance collaboration with federal partners and drive forward policies that improve the quality of life for residents in cities across the country.
The conference included a kickoff session that featured “Good Morning America” anchor Michael Strahan, who replaced University of Colorado head football coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, who was unable to attend. There was a news conference, a welcome luncheon, a Legacy Awards Session, and the Legacy Awards Gala. The conference ended with the Kevin Johnson Scholars Summit, an exclusive gathering for college students from across the country. The summit offers an opportunity to engage with mayors and industry professionals on critical policy issues while helping students build networks and gain practical insight into leadership and public service.
“We are proud to bring together mayors who are on the frontlines of transformative change in their cities,” AAMA leadership stated at the news conference. “This conference is not just a celebration of Black leadership, but a launchpad for the policies and partnerships that will shape the future of our cities.”