First African American Man To Serve As Santa Cruz Mayor Sworn In

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Justin Cummings, a biologist and the first African American man to serve at the city's helm — was sworn in as mayor at Tuesday's city council meeting. Cummings, formerly the vice mayor, was sworn in alongside new Vice Mayor Donna Meyers.

Cummings was sworn in to heavy applause from an enthusiastic audience. In remarks delivered shortly after, he reflected on musings that came out of a pair of retreats city council members attended earlier this year. They held a shared vision for Santa Cruz: a community inclusive of all people, family-friendly, environmentally sustainable, affordable and safe.

"As the mayor of Santa Cruz, I am committed to working with you, the community, for continuing to make this vision our reality," he said.

Cummings said he was committed to finding common ground with those who have differing perspectives and working within the city's means. Cummings, a Democrat, spoke of a need to find solutions for homeless people that balance compassion with public safety, create programs that keep tenants housed but still allow landlords to make a profit, increase density, provide incentives for those who create affordable housing and make the city more environmentally sustainable.

He spoke of his pride for a community that elected the first openly lesbian woman and first two African American to the council in 2018, even though a fraction — 1.4 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau estimates — of its residents are black or African American. Cummings said he followed in the footsteps of Mayor Martine Watkins, the first biracial woman to serve in the city's highest office.

"This truly reflects our commitment as a community to electing officials not based on their race, age or gender, but based on the content of our character," Cummings said.
He ended his remarks by encouraging young people to get civically engaged, apply for commissions and speak up at city council meetings.

His term is set to expire May 2022.