Stockbridge, Georgia, has made history, and the future of the city just got a lot younger.
22-year-old Jayden Williams, a current political science student at Clark Atlanta University, has been elected mayor, becoming both the youngest mayor in the city’s history and the youngest African American mayor in the state of Georgia.
Williams’ path to leadership didn’t begin on Election Night. His record of service dates back to his school and community years.
At Clark Atlanta, he served as Freshman Class President and was recognized twice as a White House Scholar. Prior to college, he helped shape civic programming for young residents as Youth Mayor Emeritus of Stockbridge’s Youth Council and as Chairman Emeritus of the Youth Leaders of Henry.
In Tuesday’s election, Williams unseated incumbent Mayor Anthony Ford, a retired Army Colonel who has served the Stockbridge community since 2010, first as a councilmember and later as mayor.
Williams’ win, while historic, represents a growing national trend, one where younger voters and candidates are not waiting to inherit leadership; they’re stepping directly into it.
Following his victory, Williams released a statement on social media acknowledging the weight and responsibility of the moment:
“Yesterday, we made history — becoming the youngest mayor in our city’s history and the youngest African-American mayor in Georgia. I’m deeply grateful to my family, friends, supporters, and especially my campaign team, the ones who worked day and night to connect with every voter across our community. This victory belongs to all of us. I’m committed to building a better, stronger Stockbridge, and now that we’re elected, we’re going to do it together. We’re all in for Stockbridge. Let’s get to work.”
With his term ahead, Williams will balance coursework with governing — a rare combination that signals a new generation of civic leadership: educated, present, and rooted in community.
For Stockbridge, this is more than a political milestone. It’s a reflection of what it looks like when young leadership, local engagement, and belief in possibility meet at exactly the right time.
And Jayden Williams is just getting started.
