St. Paul, MN now has its new mayor and it's a history-making mayor! Melvin Carter, the city's first African American mayor was sworn in on Tuesday at noon, bringing in the new year with black history. Carter will be taking over for Chris Coleman, who served as St. Paul's mayor for 12 years.

According to FOX Minneapolis, Carter got the privilege to be sworn in at his alma mater, Central High School. 

"I am honored to accept this great responsibility as Mayor of the City of Saint Paul," said Carter in his inauguration address. "I am humbled by the enormous work ahead; and ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with you to guide this city forward. We the people, will build a city that works for all of us. We the people, are the ones we’ve been waiting for. And we, the people, ain’t gonna let nobody turn us around."

Photo: GIPHY
SAY THAT! 

Before Carter was sworn in on Tuesday, he knew the work ahead would be challenging to say the least. 

“The work ahead of us is huge,” said Carter on Monday morning in City Hall, per Star Tribune. “The focus for me is saying, ‘I don’t have to do that work by myself.’ ” The 38-year-old ran on policies such as implementing a city-wide $15 minimum wage and directly involving the community in hiring city department directors.

Incoming City Council President Amy Brendmoen, who shares plans to reduce gun violence with Carter, is eager to see what Carter's administration will bring. “Obviously, there’s been some anxiety because change is change,” said Brendmoen. “I think that in spite of that anxiety and in spite of all the ‘what-ifs’ and all the questions that we’ve been bandying around, that people are really excited and ready to get to work.”

It's time to get to work, indeed! Congrats to Melvin Carter! 

black in politicsFirst-Black-MayorMelvin CarterSt. Paul, MN