The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) stands as the only organization exclusively representing African-American mayors in the United States, created to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. Together, these leaders reflect the strength, vision, and commitment of local government at its best. Each of these leaders represents progress, purpose, and the power of representation.
Origins: The Southern Conference of Black Mayors
Thirteen Black mayors, newly elected in the South, were the visionaries who founded the Southern Conference of Black Mayors (SCBM) in 1974. They were elected following enactment of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965. Passage of this landmark legislation dramatically increased the number of African Americans elected to public office within a short time, especially at the local level in the South where the number of mayors multiplied fivefold.
A small group of Black mayors from several southern states met informally in Fayette, Mississippi in 1972 where they discussed the possible development of a program of mutual benefit to their respective communities. A year after meeting in Fayette, a second meeting of 15 Black mayors was held in Tuskegee, Alabama. Their discussions led to the founding of SCBM. In 1974, 20 Black mayors gathered in Santee, South Carolina and voted to officially incorporate the organization. The group hired its first executive director and opened a headquarters office that year in Atlanta, Georgia.
By the occasion of its first annual convention in 1975 in Grambling, Louisiana, SCBM had identified various funding sources, performed several economic development and water systems studies, and developed an extensive technical assistance program.
The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM)
The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) was incorporated in 1974 and was originally organized as the Southern Conference of Black Mayors (SCBM). The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) represents more than 641 African American Mayors across the United States; collectively its membership represents over 48 million citizens. NCBM is a leader in the redevelopment of our most vulnerable communities and works towards the empowerment of leadership on the local level.
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Founded in 1974 with the mission to enhance the executive management capacity of its member mayors, NCBM articulates public policy positions and serves as a clearinghouse on information pertinent to municipal development and financing. The same year, NCBM obtained tax-exempt status as a 501(c)3 organization and presented a series of municipal management clinics in local communities, producing a number of proposals that led to a significant increase of public support to member communities.
Three significant black mayors elected after the Civil and Voting Rights acts were: Carl Stokes of Cleveland, Ohio; Kenneth Gibson of Newark, New Jersey; and Richard G. In April 1990, Unita Blackwell was elected the first woman president of the association.
NCBM articulated public policy positions and served as a clearinghouse on information pertinent to municipal development and financing for forty years. NCBM provided technical and management assistance through cutting-edge research, best practices, and partnerships that enabled its mayors to challenge and overcome grappling issues that erode the vitality and sustainability of the nation’s cities.
In later years, the NCBM suffered from financial difficulties, and filed for bankruptcy in early 2014 after the controversial tenure of Kevin Johnson, then mayor of Sacramento, as NCBM president.
Examining Whether or Not Black Mayors Improve Urban Policy
The African American Mayors Association (AAMA)
The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) was launched on May 1, 2014 in Washington D.C. by a dynamic group of black mayors led by Sacramento, CA Mayor Kevin Johnson. AAMA was founded on the principles of transparency and accountability, which honors the rich legacy of black mayors including Maynard Jackson (Atlanta, GA), Ambassador Andrew Young, (Atlanta, GA), A.J. Former Mayor of St. Cedric B. William V.
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AAMA was launched in 2014 in Washington D.C. by a group of black mayors as an alternative to NCBM, with a focus on founding principles of transparency and accountability. In 2016 AAMA purchased the NCBM’s assets after bankruptcy and their naming rights, becoming the successor to its history and practices.
The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the only organization representing African American mayors in the United States. AAMA exists to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. The role of the AAMA includes:
- Taking positions on public policies that impact the vitality and sustainability of cities.
- Providing mayors with leadership and management tools.
- Creating a forum for member mayors to share best practices related to municipal management.
The AAMA serves African-American mayors and collaborates with other mayors’ associations to enhance its impact and address common challenges through:
- Networking and Partnerships
- Policy Advocacy
- Coalitions and Alliances
- Research and Data Sharing
- Joint Initiatives
Recent Initiatives and Activities
In April 2025 AAMA announced a new initiative in partnership with the American Beverage Foundation to provide grants to seven cities with African American mayors to help improve community health. The cities include Atlanta and Savannah, GA, New Orleans, LA, Dumfries, VA, Maywood, IL, Earle, AR, and Rankin, PA. Mayors in these cities will use the funds for projects and resources such as community gardens, food pantries, and healthy family cooking classes.
Back by popular demand! It's time for cities to apply for the Nutrition Access, Affordability, and Education Grant program, presented by the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America and AAMA. Seven cities will be awarded a total of $600,000 for innovative, inclusive programs and initiatives that focus on closing the gap in disparities in nutrition access, affordability and education. Grant recipients will be recognized at the 2026 AAMA Conference in Washington, DC in April. The Deadline is November 28th.
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“As mayors, we are witnessing firsthand the pain and uncertainty this government shutdown is inflicting on our cities,” said Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II, President of AAMA. “The expiration of SNAP benefits is a crisis for millions of families, children, and seniors who now face the prospect of going hungry ahead of the holiday season.
“The court has already made clear that these benefits must be restored, and this partial measure does not go far enough. SNAP is a lifeline for working families and our most vulnerable residents. Its elimination means more children will go to school hungry, more seniors will skip meals, and entire communities will face deepening economic hardship.
Thank you, Essence, for celebrating AAMA Mayors Brandon Scott of Baltimore and Frank Scott, Jr. of Little Rock, AR in your 2025 Power Players list.
The application period for the 2026 Policy Internship program is NOW OPEN! If you’re an undergrad with an interest in policy, civic engagement, or local government, this internship is for you. From January to May 2026, this immersive experience will proved firsthand insight into how policies are developed, advanced, and implemented.
| Organization | Year Founded | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Conference of Black Mayors (SCBM) | 1974 | Addressing the needs of Black mayors in the South |
| National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) | 1974 | Enhancing the executive management capacity of Black mayors nationwide |
| African American Mayors Association (AAMA) | 2014 | Empowering African-American mayors and advocating for policies impacting cities |
