Colorado Springs: From the desk of Mayor Yemi: A Birthday Reflection on Leadership, Unity, and Hope

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~ As the nation celebrates the shared birthday of President Abraham Lincoln and Mayor Blessing "Yemi" Mobolade of Colorado Springs, it is a time for reflection on the weight of leadership during difficult times.

President Lincoln is remembered for his leadership during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history. The country was divided, with states seceding and families torn apart. Trust was fractured and the future of the Union was uncertain. Mayor Mobolade acknowledges that this may sound familiar to many Americans today.

In his statement, Mayor Mobolade, who is also an immigrant from Lagos, Nigeria, reflects on the sacrifices made by courageous and empathetic leaders who held the country together during its darkest moments. He recognizes that his own story as an immigrant who became an American citizen and now serves as the first elected Black and immigrant mayor of Colorado Springs would not have been possible without their sacrifices.

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As February marks Black History Month, Mayor Mobolade emphasizes its special meaning to him. He acknowledges that he stands on the shoulders of those who were denied freedom, dignity, and voting rights but refused to give up on America. He also highlights President Lincoln's role in setting in motion the freedom of enslaved Black Americans through the Emancipation Proclamation and his support for voting rights for Black soldiers.

Mayor Mobolade acknowledges that Colorado Springs is not immune to the tensions of our current divisive era. The rhetoric is sharp, ideological lines feel deep, and many people are frustrated, anxious, and tired. However, he reminds us that America has endured harder seasons than this before.

He believes that good leadership is essential in carrying a nation through difficult times. Leadership does not erase disagreement but steadies people through it. It does not inflame fear but anchors hope. And it does not exploit division but works to bridge it.

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On his birthday, Mayor Mobolade expresses both gratitude for living the American Dream as an immigrant and a responsibility to lead in a way that honors the sacrifices that made it possible. He renews his commitment to leadership rooted in courage, empathy, and humility. He urges the community to seek understanding over making noise, build bridges instead of walls, and remember that they are stronger together than apart.

Mayor Mobolade believes that Colorado Springs is capable of a third way – one where people can disagree without dehumanizing each other and have debates without division. He asks for the gift of hope on his birthday – not naïve optimism but grounded hope that history justifies. The kind of hope that says we have been through difficult times before and made it through, and we will again.

As the nation celebrates its 250th year of independence and Colorado marks its 150th year of statehood, Mayor Mobolade reminds us that there is no celebration without good leadership. And on this shared birthday with President Lincoln, he asks for hope for the nation, the state, the city, neighborhoods, and families. With hope as their guide, Mayor Mobolade believes that they can move onward and upward together.

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