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Woodfin Inaugurated as Birmingham’s 30th Mayor

Randall Woodfin takes the oath of office as Birmingham's 30th mayor as his parents -- Ralph Woodfin and Cynthia Woodfin-Kellup look on. Judge Nakita Blockton administered the oath during the ceremony at Linn Park.

Randall Woodfin, a 36-year-old former Birmingham school board member, was inaugurated Tuesday as the city’s 30th mayor. Hundreds looked on from Linn Park as Woodfin took the oath of office. He defeated William Bell in a runoff on Oct. 3. The celebration continued with a reception including the mayor and City Council at the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Here’s a glance at the event:

 

Who was on stage

Woodfin was joined on stage by his parents, siblings, senior staff members and city council members.  Former mayors Richard Arrington  and Bernard Kincaid were seated in the front row, along with nationally syndicated  commentator Jeff Johnson, who supported Woodfin throughout the campaign. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell was also on stage. Former Mayor William Bell did not attend, but Woodfin acknowledged him in his comments.

Who prayed

The Rev. John Cantelow III, Woodfin’s pastor at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church, offered the opening prayer and benediction. The Rev. John Cox from the Church Without Walls in Houston, Texas gave the invocation. Cox was one of Woodfin’s college roommates at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Cox’s father gave the invocation in 1979 when Richard Arrington was inaugurated as mayor.

Who was in the VIP seats

Woodfin is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Dozens of his brothers worked in this campaign and were on hand wearing black and gold ties Tuesday. The Jefferson County Commission members, judges and other county officials were also seated in the white chairs reserved for special guests.  Morehouse president, Harold Martin Jr. and the alumni director, Henry M. Goodgame, one of of Woodfin’s mentors, came from Atlanta for the inauguration.

Speech themes: unity and transparency

Woodfin said he will work with the council because that’s what residents want.

“We will work together to build a stronger city, a safer city, a more just city – not because it’s practical, but because the 10 of us believe it is the right thing to do,” Woodfin said.

 

 

 

 

Randall Woodfin’s road to inauguration

Randall Woodfin’s road to inauguration

Randall Woodfin is set to be sworn in later today as the new mayor of Birmingham. We take a look back at the events of the past year, from Woodfin’s announcement of his candidacy to his runoff victory in the mayoral race.

  1. A WBRC Fox6 News poll shows Mayor William Bell leading in his bid for re-election, followed by building contractor Chris Woods and Birmingham School Boardmember Randall Woodfin. Find out how the candidates stack up when it comes to raising funds. wbhm.us/64113
  2. Randall Woodfin: “It’s time to have a Mayor we can trust”
  3. The rhythm of Randall Woodfin’s mayoral election party is dance, cheer encouraging results (now leading with 73% of Birmingham precincts reporting), dance more.
  4. Birmingham voters decide today: Will Randall Woodfin become the city’s new mayor or will William Bell win another term? Here’s one for Bell. pic.twitter.com/6XYHI5iM6F
  5. Randall Woodfin has “youthful energy.” You know, like @CoryBooker. Woodfin challenges Mayor William Bell in today’s municipal runoff. pic.twitter.com/0j1Mzd8DZI
  6. About 10% of Birmingham precincts reporting.
    Bell 51%
    Woodfin 49%
  7. Randall Woodfin will be Birmingham’s next mayor. William Bell expected to make his concession speech momentarily.
  8. Birmingham has a new mayor: Randall Woodfin.
  9. Voters sent Mayor-Elect Randall Woodfin to the mayor’s office in Tuesday’s municipal runoff election in Birmingham. The 36-year-old will be the youngest mayor in more than 120 years.
  10. I was on WBHM this morning talking about our historic campaign and the future of Birmingham under my administration.  https://news.wbhm.org/feature/2017/woodfin-shocked-old-guard-now/ 
  11. For more than a year now, we’ve seen and heard Randall Woodfin, but who is this 36-year-old lawyer who will be sworn in next week as Birmingham’s 30th mayor? Listen to this piece from WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart to learn more.

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