8 www.minorityreporter.net |JANUARY 6 - 12 | 2014
COVER
A
By Delani Weaver
Almost every seat in the Auditorium
Theatre was filled with Rochester
residents, community leaders and
elected officials as Lovely Warren
was welcomed as the new Mayor
of Rochester. The inauguration for
the first African-American female
to be elected Mayor of Rochester
was an emotional event with several
attendees either laughing or in tears
throughout the event.
The inauguration began with a
slideshow of pictures of different
events and appearance throughout
Warren’s campaign. Following the
slideshow, the Master of Ceremonies,
Ron Thomas thanked outgoing Mayor
Thomas Richards for his work as mayor
and his support of Mayor Warren
after his announcement to end his
campaign.
Several students from the Rochester
City School District participated in the
event, including the national anthem
which was sang by School of the Arts
student Timothy Mitchum, children
from The Montessori Academy led
the Pledge of Allegiance, a dance
performance by the Borinquen Dance
Theatre, a tribute to Warren from her
high schools’ step team The Wilson
Pearls and a d ance by School of the Arts
student Hajah Fisher accompanied by
music from Timothy Mitchum.
“It is a great day for Mayor Lovely
Warren,” said New York State
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer.
“…Lovely Warren, no one put a silver
spoon in your mouth. You got here the
old fashioned way. You earned it.”
The first woman and African-American
to be elected onto the Monroe County
Board of Supervisors Constance
Mitchell said, “She needs us to become
a community of family, looking out for
each other and looking out for her.
Today I pass the torch to Lovely. I wish
her well, I wish her success and I pray
that God leads her down a successful
path. Seeing Barack Obama become
Lovely Warren
the first Black President, seeing Bill
Johnson become our first mayor of
color, seeing you (Warren) become
our first female mayor. What a blessing
that’s been.”
Scott Fearing, acting Executive Director
of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee
Valley said, “We look forward to
working with Mayor Warren to create
a Rochester that focuses on livability…
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
people are part of all identities.”
New York State Assemblyman David
Gantt, who Warren previously worked
for and refers to as a father said, “There
are those who are saying, she’s just
gonna be a David Gantt clone. Believe
me, those are people who don’t know
Lovely Warren…I did not get her to run
for mayor. She did it on her own.”
Mayor Warren was presented with
the family bible by Mary McClaryHill and took the Oath of Office with
Judge Teresa Johnson in place of Cecil
New York State Assemblyman David Gantt
McClary, Sr.
In a stirring speech that left many
in tears, Mayor Warren gave thanks
to the community of Rochester, her
family, friends and volunteers who
have supported her throughout her
campaign and shared her plans for
the city of Rochester. She dedicated
her speech to her grandfather Cecil
McClary, Sr., who passed last week
after witnessing Warren being sworn
in as Mayor of Rochester from his
hospital bed.
“I am truly and deeply honored that
you are her to share this special day
with me,” Warren said. “On March 22,
2013 I stood a few miles from here and
said that together, we have the power
to make history. Rochester, you did it.
We did it…I know this isn’t going to be
easy, but I am going to fight for changes
and outcomes with the fierceness of a
parent defending their child, because
I am.”
Borinquen Dance Theatre, Inc.