At just 21 years old, Jayden Williams has become the youngest mayor in Stockbridge history, marking a powerful moment for both his city and the HBCU community. A senior political science major at Clark Atlanta University, Williams’ victory represents a generational shift in leadership — proof that today’s HBCU students are stepping up to lead cities, drive innovation, and amplify the voices of young Black changemakers.
Williams’ campaign theme, “Ready to Lead Together,” resonated with voters who were eager for fresh leadership and new energy in local government. “I’m asking for leadership and a new direction,” Williams told The Atlanta Voice. “I’m happy to be the youngest candidate in this race.”
From Clark Atlanta to City Hall
Before becoming the youngest mayor in Stockbridge history, Jayden Williams had already built a strong record of service. At Clark Atlanta University, he served as Freshman Class President and Student Government Treasurer, showing an early passion for civic engagement. Beyond campus, he led as State Conference President for the Georgia NAACP Youth & College Division and served as Chairman of the Stockbridge Planning Commission — experiences that taught him how to blend student advocacy with local policy work.
Williams also credits his grandmother, former Henry County Commissioner Vivian Thomas, for inspiring his dedication to public service. “She taught me that leadership is about service,” he shared in an interview with The Atlanta Voice.
His Vision for Stockbridge
Mayor Williams’ agenda centers around growth, inclusion, and economic development for all residents. His top priorities include:
- Affordable housing to ensure working families can remain in Stockbridge
- Support for small and marginalized businesses as the city’s “economic heartbeat”
- Youth engagement programs that connect education, technology, and community leadership
“Our small business owners and young people are the foundation of this city,” Williams told Blavity. “If we fail to invest in them, we risk losing the sense of community that makes Stockbridge unique.”
What His Election Means for HBCUs
Jayden Williams’ rise from CAU’s campus to City Hall underscores the deep impact of HBCUs in shaping civic-minded leaders. HBCUs have long produced trailblazers in politics, from Kamala Harris to Keisha Lance Bottoms. Williams now joins that lineage, representing a new generation of mayors inspired by their HBCU roots.
His leadership also signals a call to action for young people nationwide: that change doesn’t wait until you’re older — it starts when you’re ready to lead.
A Win Beyond the City
For Stockbridge, this is a milestone moment. For HBCUs, it’s proof that institutions like Clark Atlanta continue to produce visionaries equipped to shape the future. “It’s not about age,” Williams said after his victory. “It’s about the heart to serve, the courage to lead, and the will to make change happen.”
His story reminds us that when HBCU students rise, communities rise with them.