And now, the 76th mayor of the city of Detroit, Mary Sheffield

“The success of this city cannot be measured by the progress of a few — it must be measured by the well-being of all.” — Mayor Mary Sheffield

“I stand before you all deeply, deeply humbled and honored to serve as the 76th mayor for the great city of Detroit.  And I am deeply grateful to be the first woman to lead this city in its 324-year history. We did it.” With those words, Mayor Mary Sheffield opened what she called a new chapter for the City of Detroit as part of her investiture ceremony. 

The event featured the Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Choir performing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” four faith leaders offering prayers and blessings, the swearing in of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, City Clerk Janice Winfrey and the Detroit City Council, and a poetic tribute from Detroit Poet Laureate Jessica Care More. 

Near the end, Sheffield underscored the theme of her remarks: “This was a very historic election — 77%. That’s not bad. But it was not a mandate for me alone. It was a mandate for possibility. It was a reminder of the strength that we hold and a call to dream big for Detroit.” 

Before swearing in Mayor Sheffield, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Denise Page Hood encouraged Detroiters to support the new mayor. 

“Mary, this is your day. It’s a historic day,” Hood said. “You’re ready for this day. You dreamed of it. You worked for it. You deserve it.

“Today, you stand on a family legacy of political and community support. Today, you stand on a legacy of women who came before you—who worked in the home, the factory, city council, school board, Congress, the governor’s office, and almost the White House. You worked for this day, and we’re very proud.

“Detroiters, it’s your day too. You overwhelmingly voted for Mary Sheffield to be the mayor of Detroit. Now is the time for you to support her leadership as mayor. And that’s a big job—so you have a big job to do in supporting her.”

Sheffield’s remarks followed. They moved from the religiously grounded, to the politically practical,  to the inspirational. 

“I want to first start off by giving honor to God because before I was even formed in my mother’s womb, he knew me. Amen. He had a plan, a purpose, and a calling over my life. And throughout this journey, I didn’t always know every step ahead, but I trusted the calling, and I kept moving forward.

“And if this moment today means anything, I hope that it reminds every Detroiter of this truth: that every single person gathered here today—every Detroiter across this city—has a purpose, has a unique gift, one that no one else can offer in quite the same way.

“And when we choose to walk in that purpose, when we choose faith over fear, courage over doubt, and we choose to say yes even when the path is not always clear, extraordinary things can happen.

She expressed gratitude for her family’s support and recognized participating city officials, including outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan and many community leaders at the event, saying, “I look forward to working with each of you as we move this entire city and our region forward together.

To the many elected officials, public servants at the local, county, state, and federal levels; to our business, philanthropic, faith, and community leaders who are all gathered here today: thank you all for your service. This is what a unified Detroit looks like. I look forward to working with each of you as we move this entire city and our region forward together.”

She went on to say: “And to the people of Detroit—the soul and heartbeat of this city—today we begin a new chapter. I gratefully accept the trust that you all have placed in me and I embrace the responsibility of this historic moment.

“But this moment does not belong to one person. It belongs to every neighborhood in this city — from the east side to the west side to southwest Detroit; to every first responder and every essential worker; to parents working hard every single day; to our brothers and sisters in labor; to our seniors and our retirees; and to the children of Detroit watching this moment unfold from classrooms and their homes, seeing what is possible when a city believes in itself and in its future.

Detroit, we reached this moment together. You are the reason that we are here today. I say thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Detroit.”

She acknowledged learning from her parents — a nurse and an educator — that “public service is a sacred responsibility—one that calls us to lead with integrity, to act with humility, and remain rooted in purpose. …They taught me that service means believing in something greater than yourself.”

Growing up, as a little girl standing on the front line of civil rights protests, she said she “witnessed extraordinary leaders who led with strength, purpose, and love.”  

It is that same spirit that will carry the city forward in this next chapter, she said.

“In this next chapter, we draw our strength from the prayers, the purpose, and the power of generations who came before us—t hose who understood that improving the quality of life for all Detroiters is not the work of one leader, but the responsibility of an entire city. Here in Detroit, Dr. King first shared his dream, calling this city and this nation to become a beloved community. And that call is still relevant today. And it calls on all of us — not just those in elected office, but every resident, every community leader, every neighborhood, every institution that is gathered here today — to do our part.

“Detroit, our futures are bound together. The success of this city cannot be measured by the progress of a few, but it must be measured by the well-being of all. Progress is only real when it reaches every block, every family, in every community in this city. So the question before us is clear: where do we go from here?

“Detroit, in this next chapter, we must commit ourselves to the work of building a beloved community — one that is rooted in dignity, justice, and opportunity for every Detroiter.”

She reiterated her campaign promises — strengthening and investing in neighborhoods, expanding access to programs and city services, and ensuring that every Detroiter truly feels the resurgence of our city through safe and affordable housing; good-paying jobs that support our families; reliable transit that connects Detroiters to opportunity; safety rooted in prevention and accountability, championing the city’s legacy and our startup businesses, making Detroit “the best place to start and grow a business and empowering and supporting Detroit’s young people.

“We will be a city where Detroiters choose to stay and build families. A city where ambition is welcome and opportunity is shared, and home still matters,” Sheffield said.

She brought her remarks to an end, saying, “So as we leave here today, let this moment remind us of our strength, our resilience, and what is possible when we move forward together with shared purpose. And so, my fellow Detroiters, on this very historic day, I ask you all to join me in renewing our commitment to the city that we all love — a Detroit where every person can dream big and every Detroiter can rise higher.”