Charlottesville put the spotlight on race relations in the United States last year when a woman was killed during a white supremacist rally held in the city. After the violent rally, the city's mayor argued that he was not to blame for any failures to protect his citizens, placing the blame on the city's chief of police.

Now, as 2018 rolls in, the city's leadership has changed hands.

Charlottesville City Council members elected Nikuyah Walker as the city's new mayor and Heather Hill as the vice mayor this week, according to the Cavalier Daily.

Walker is the city's first black woman mayor. Furthermore, Walker is the first independent to be elected to Charlottesville City Council since 1948.

Charlottesville operates a "council-manager" form of government, where the elected council or governing body elects the mayor and vice mayor rather than those officials being elected by the residents' popular vote. Walker and Hill were elected by the people to city council in November.  

Walker gracefully accepted the council's nomination, and though she faced challenges during her initial campaign, she said that she is ready to take on the new position knowing that she and Hill will make a great team. 

"I'm learning, this is all new, but again running a campaign was new, I have been successful," said Walker via NBC Charlottesville.

For her part, Hill said, "I certainly believe that we are in a community that is looking for change and I would look forward to the opportunity to partner with Ms. Walker."

We salute Nikuyah Walker for making history! Black excellence's reign continues!