Stockbridge Elects Youngest Mayor in City History: 22-Year-Old Jayden Williams
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The City of Stockbridge has made history by electing its youngest mayor ever: 22-year-old Jayden Williams, a political science student at Clark Atlanta University. Williams also becomes the youngest African-American mayor in Georgia.
Williams unseated incumbent Mayor Anthony Ford, a retired Army Colonel who had served Stockbridge since 2010. Ford began his political career as a councilman in 2014, became mayor pro tem in 2016, and ultimately rose to mayor.
Williams brings a strong record of youth leadership and public service. He was twice appointed a White House Scholar, served as Freshman Class President at Clark Atlanta University, held the position of Youth Mayor Emeritus for the City of Stockbridge Youth Council, and was Chairman Emeritus of the Youth Leaders of Henry.
In a statement posted on Facebook following his election, Williams said:
“Yesterday, we made history — becoming the youngest mayor in our city’s history and the youngest African-American mayor in Georgia. I’m deeply grateful to my family, friends, supporters, and especially my campaign team, who worked tirelessly to connect with every voter across our community. This victory belongs to all of us. I’m committed to building a better, stronger Stockbridge, and now that we’re elected, we’re going to do it together. We’re all in for Stockbridge. Let’s get to work.”
Born and raised in Stockbridge, Williams emphasized that his age would not define his leadership. “I prayed, and one of the things I tell everybody is that I’m not here to please people. I’m here to be pleasing in the Lord’s sight,” he said.
Williams’ path to leadership has been marked by engagement in local governance from an early age. “I watched a few council meetings and said, this is not the standard I left when I went to Clark Atlanta,” he recalled. “I knew we needed some change, and I decided to jump in for mayor.”
With his election, Williams aims to focus on his vision for Stockbridge and inspire a new generation of civic engagement while navigating the responsibilities of the city’s highest office.
