Three Black mayors from three Black-led cities opened Thursday’s conversation with clarity, conviction, and a shared understanding of what it means to govern while Black in America. From Montgomery to Atlanta to New Orleans, they brought their blueprints to Detroit—just as this city prepares to elect its next mayor. And on the ballot, no matter the outcome, Detroit will choose a Black mayor. That reality shaped the room on the 16th floor of One Campus Martius, where the Michigan Chronicle hosted its third Pancakes & Politics forum, inviting a deeper look at what’s working, what’s failing, and what’s next for Black leadership in urban America.
The room filled early. Elected officials stood. Candidates stood. And then, a rarely extended invitation went out to former officials who still carried the scars and wisdom of leadership. It set a tone that was both reflective and forward-facing. This forum, themed “Cities of Tomorrow: A Blueprint for Progress,” marked a pivot. For the first time, the conversation wasn’t limited to Michigan. Three nationally recognized mayors took their seats: LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, Andre Dickens of Atlanta, and Steven Reed of Montgomery, AL.
The conversation opened with Dennis Archer Jr. at the forefront, with an acknowledgment of Mayor Reed’s unique trajectory—a former judge, the first Black probate judge in Montgomery, now its first Black mayor. His presence tied directly to Detroit’s political lineage. The Detroit-Atlanta connection also took center stage with Mayor Dickens, praised for a strengthened relationship between the two cities, in large part thanks to civic leaders like Mark Hardy.
But the warmth of introductions quickly gave way to the realities of governance. A mass shooting in Washington, D.C. had unfolded just hours earlier. The federal debt was projected to rise another $4 trillion. The room wasn’t here for theoretical debates—this was a conversation about how to lead cities under pressure, when constituents demand confrontation but strategy often demands compromise.
Mayor Cantrell started the discussion on navigating federal dynamics with clear lines. Her tenure began during the Trump administration. As a Black woman leading a blue city in a red state, she detailed what it meant to govern with less than 1% of $2.4 billion in recovery funds spent when she took office. Her administration not only spent those funds but did so strategically, leveraging both Trump- and Biden-era opportunities without changing her commitment to her residents. For her, leadership meant consistency, especially when targeted from day one for both her identity and her approach. The attacks on DEI and other state-level preemptions are not new, she said, but an extension of the same systems she’s had to push against since 2018.
Reed spoke next, anchoring his experience in Montgomery, a city shaped by protest but now challenged to prioritize profit. He broke down what it means to run a city as a CEO with limited support from a Republican-controlled state government. His job, he said, is to deliver results while balancing white political fear and Black community expectation—an equation that defines his daily work. He called out the risks of political posturing: “You can attack the governor and feel good about it,” he said. “But he can block 50 things that you never see.”
Dickens, who followed Cantrell and Reed into his role three years ago, reminded the audience that legacy plays its own role in how cities operate. Atlanta has had seven consecutive Black mayors. He inherited relationships with the federal government that opened doors quickly after election night. But even with access, he said the work doesn’t get easier. Atlanta’s billion-dollar airport project, with over 37% of contracts awarded to minority-owned businesses, is under constant threat from the Republican state legislature. They want to take control of the airport, not because of mismanagement, but because it’s the largest economic driver in the southeast.
The conversation moved toward economic inclusion and the growing attack on diversity-focused policies. Cantrell laid out how her city restructured tax flows to directly benefit cultural communities rather than just marketing to tourists. New Orleans now reinvests into the very artists, musicians, and culture-bearers who drive the economy. Dickens emphasized that despite the political attacks on DEI, his administration’s focus on equity hasn’t shifted. Strategy might change, but not the goals.
Reed added that developers don’t enter negotiations thinking about impact. They think about return. The job of mayors, he said, is to meet them there and demand more.
Detroit’s upcoming mayoral election also came up. With the possibility of a Black woman leading the city for the first time, each mayor was asked what advice they would offer the next person to take office.
Dickens didn’t hesitate. The next mayor must be a CEO. Someone who understands how to deliver core services and navigate business relationships while being rooted in community. “Time’s up for folks who just yell well,” he said. “We need mayors who can move contracts, manage staff, and get permits out the door.”
Reed urged the future administration to build on what works. Every new mayor comes in with ideas, but not every campaign promise should override programs that are delivering. “Not everything is broken,” he said. “Integrate your vision, but understand that momentum matters.”
Cantrell turned her comments toward the community, especially if a Black woman is elected. “Support her,” she said. She reminded the room that celebration can quickly turn to crucifixion. Without consistent community backing, Black women in leadership are left exposed to coordinated attacks. She urged Detroit not to throw out existing leaders and businesses just because they were tied to a previous administration. Build the ecosystem, she said, don’t dismantle it with every transition.
Mayor Cantrell stood rooted in her truth—unapologetic, sharp, and grounded in the lived experience of leading while being doubted every step of the way. As she spoke about the challenges of governing in a red state, facing targeted attacks, and being constantly scrutinized not just for her decisions but for daring to lead as a Black woman, the room leaned in. She reminded the crowd that when Black women lead with conviction, it’s too often labeled as aggression rather than passion. Her words didn’t just land—they settled deep, especially among Black women in the audience who knew that dual reality all too well. And while Cantrell’s voice was forceful and firm, it wasn’t isolated. Both Mayor Reed and Mayor Dickens brought the same confidence to the table—each grounded in their own cities, each clear on what it means to lead in the midst of cultural and political pressure. What connected them all was a shared refusal to shrink in the face of criticism, and a commitment to delivering for their people even when the path isn’t made clear.
As the panel neared its close, Lathrup Village mayor, Kelly Garrett, asked how the three leaders maintained resilience in the face of scrutiny. Reed said grounding himself spiritually and surrounding himself with honest, supportive people kept him focused. Cantrell, who survived a recall effort after being re-elected with 65% of the vote, told the room she stayed steady by showing up at departments throughout the city. Her visible commitment to the work reminded her staff that distractions would not derail progress.
Before leaving, the mayors addressed the nationwide challenge of development without displacement. The answers varied, but all returned to a shared thread: intentionality. Cantrell spoke about a mixed-use project in New Orleans that will house over 280 families and center clean energy jobs, paired with direct training for residents. Reed called out predatory capitalism in development deals. “You want incentives from the city? Then tell me what my residents get.”
Dickens, who had to leave early, earlier laid out a strategy of preparing residents for infrastructure jobs that already exist, rather than training them for outdated industries. Atlanta’s approach includes direct pipelines from trade schools into high-demand careers, matching business forecasts to citywide training efforts.
Several of Detroit’s mayoral candidates were present—quietly taking in the exchange, listening as the mayors on stage detailed what real leadership requires. It wasn’t posturing. It was a chance to witness how those already governing are driving their cities with strategy, discipline, and a clear sense of responsibility. For those seeking Detroit’s top seat, it offered something more valuable than applause: a lesson in what this role truly demands.
Forum III ended with clarity. The next Detroit mayor will step into a seat defined by legacy, expectation, and scrutiny. What they do with that seat depends on whether they show up ready to serve—not just speak. If Thursday’s panel made anything clear, it’s that the blueprint for the future already exists. The real question is whether we will follow it with the discipline it demands.
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