Jay Williams has attracted national and international attention since he became the first African-American to be elected mayor of Youngstown, Ohio in November 2005. Williams who was 34 years old when elected, was also the city’s youngest mayor.
His election as the city’s 47th mayor was an historic and stunning upset, and viewed by many political observers as a watershed event in the changing political landscape of the community. He was also the first independent candidate to win the mayoral seat in more than 80 years.
Youngstown has moved progressively under Mayor Williams’ leadership. The city’s planning and development efforts have been recognized and rewarded by a number of notable national organizations including, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times Magazine, USA Today, the American Planning Association, and Governing Magazine to name a few. The city’s achievements have also been featured on National Public Radio.
Youngstown has garnered significant international attention recently. Mayor Williams and his staff have hosted officials and media representatives from various countries, including Japan, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The overseas representatives that called upon Youngstown, have sought to examine how many of the city’s progressive strategies might be transferable to European and Asian cities undergoing redevelopment challenges similar to Youngstown.
More important than improving the national and international reputation of the city, Mayor Williams also is leading efforts that have a direct impact on improving the quality of life for the citizens of Youngstown. He remains a strong proponent of the city’s award winning Youngstown 2010 citywide planning initiative, a project in which he played a leading role.
Under his leadership, neighborhoods are being revitalized and aggressive policies are targeting crime. The city has also increased investment in its economic development programs, taking special care to enhance those programs designed to assist female, minority, and disadvantaged business entities. Youngstown is also advancing a regional agenda intended to facilitate more productive economic cooperation throughout the metropolitan area.
Mayor Williams is the recipient of the 2007 John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award. The JFK Library Foundation, in conjunction with the Harvard University Institute of Politics, annually recognizes two exceptional young Americans, under the age of 40, whose contributions in elective office, community service or advocacy demonstrate the impact and value of public service in the spirit of President John F. Kennedy.
Prior to being elected, Mayor Williams spent five years as the Director of Community Development for the city. Before transitioning into public service, Mayor Williams enjoyed a distinguished career in banking, which included stints at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and First Place Bank, as a vice president.
Mayor Williams was born and reared in Youngstown. He graduated from Youngstown State University with a B.S.B.A., majoring in finance. He resides in Youngstown with his wife Sonja.