Philadelphia elected its first Black mayor on this week in Philly history

Philadelphia Elected Its First Black Mayor

Wilson Goode, a 45-year-old Democrat, made history as the first Black mayor in Philadelphia’s more than 300-year history. Born in a small town in North Carolina near the Virginia border, Goode stood before thousands of cheering supporters in a major Northeastern city, celebrating his victory.

Historic Election Victory

Goode was only the second Black individual to be elected mayor of a major Northeastern city, nearly 120 years after the Civil War ended. At a packed Civic Center, supporters chanted, “Goode!” as he raised his arms in triumph.

“I intend to be the mayor of all the people,” Goode declared amid cheers.

He won with 55% of the vote, defeating Republican John Egan and independent Thomas Leonard. Voter turnout was remarkably high at 70% in a city of 1.6 million residents.

Vision for Philadelphia

“All of us, from all neighborhoods, from all walks of life — white, Black, Asian, Hispanic — all of us, working together, can solve the problems facing our city,” Goode said.

Background

At age 15, Goode moved with his family to Southwest Philadelphia during the Great Migration, leaving behind the oppressive Jim Crow South. His father, a sharecropper, sought better opportunities for his six children in the North.

Summary

Wilson Goode’s election as Philadelphia’s first Black mayor marked a historic milestone, reflecting unity and a vision to address the city’s challenges inclusively.

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The Philadelphia Inquirer — 2025-11-07