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.
Edit
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.
-
Randall Woodfin to Run for Mayor of Birmingham | WBHM 90.3His campaign is set to officially kick off Saturday, August 27, at the North Birmingham Recreation Center, close to where he went to elementary school. -
Focus on Birmingham Mayor’s Race as Election Revs Up | WBHM 90.3Between the mayor’s race, city council and school board – 19 seats in all are up for grabs in the Birmingham City Elections set for August 22. -
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
-
2017 Birmingham Mayoral Debate | WBHM 90.3WBHM and the Birmingham Business Journal partnered to present the 2017 Birmingham Mayoral Debate. We hear from the top three candidates in Birmingham’s race for mayor as determined by public polling: incumbent Mayor William Bell, and challengers Chris Woods, and Randall Woodfin. -
Birmingham Mayor’s Race Goes to a Runoff | WBHM 90.3Birmingham Mayor William Bell and challenger Randall Woodfin will head to a runoff. The runoff will take place October 3. -
Selfies and Handshakes and Smiles, Oh My! Birmingham Mayor’s Race Heats Up | WBHM 90.3The Birmingham city election runoff is less than two weeks away, and in the mayor’s race, almost any street, coffee shop, boutique or park can turn into a battleground for votes. -
It’s 60-40 for Woodfin right now over Bell. This is 32% of boxes. https://twitter.com/4newzscoop/status/915389165235310592 …
-
WBHM Politics: A New Mayor for Birmingham | WBHM 90.3WBHM reporter Sherrel Wheeler Stewart and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discuss the results of Tuesday’s election that make Randall Woodfin Birmingham’s next mayor. -
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/ …