Blessing Adeyemi Mobolade (born February 12, 1979)[1][2] is a Nigerian-American businessman and politician. He is the 42nd mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado, being sworn in on June 6, 2023.
Early life and career
Mobolade was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria.[3] Mobolade's father worked in finance for ExxonMobil while his mother was a high school teacher. He has an older brother and two younger sisters.[4] In August 1996, Mobolade immigrated to the United States. He graduated from Bethel University in 2001.[5] He earned a master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in management and leadership and a Master of Divinity from the A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary at Simpson University.[4][6]
In 2010, Mobolade settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He co-founded two restaurants, founded a church within the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and was a ministry leader at the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs between 2015 and 2017.[4] Mobolade was the vice president of business retention for Colorado Springs' chamber of commerce from 2017 to 2019 and small business development manager for Colorado Springs from 2019 to 2022.[4][7]
Mayor of Colorado Springs
Mobolade announced his candidacy for mayor of Colorado Springs in the 2023 election as an independent politician in April 2022.[8] In the nonpartisan blanket primary, held on April 4, Mobolade finished in first place in the 12 candidate field with 29 percent of the vote, advancing to a runoff election against Republican Wayne W. Williams, former secretary of state, who received 20 percent.[9] Mobolade defeated Williams in the runoff election on May 16, 57 percent to 43 percent, to become the first Black person elected mayor of Colorado Springs[a][11] and the first elected mayor to not be affiliated with the Republican Party.[10] He was sworn into office on June 6.[12]
Personal life
Mobolade became a United States citizen in 2017. He met his wife, Abbey, in Indiana; they have three children.[4][13]
See also
Notes
- ^ Leon Young, who was a black Democrat, served as interim mayor of Colorado Springs in 1997.[10]
References
- ^ Finley, Bruce (May 17, 2023). "Colorado Springs residents for first time elect Black mayor". Denverpost.com. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ "Colorado Springs mayoral candidate questionnaire: Blessing "Yemi" Mobolade". KRCC. March 17, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ Keith, Tony (March 3, 2023). "In-depth interview with City of Colorado Springs mayoral candidate Yemi Mobolade". Kktv.com. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Jent, Breeanna (May 10, 2023). "Colorado Springs mayor's race: Yemi Mobolade looking to blaze a new trail as 'an agent of good disruption'". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Diaz, Lissa (October 1, 2016). "Business Stories". Bethel University. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "Yemi Mobolade - SimpsonU". Simpsonu.edu. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Lewis, Helen (April 4, 2022). "Yemi Mobolade announces bid for Colorado Springs mayor". Colorado Springs Indy. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ Shinn, Mary (April 4, 2022). "Yemi Mobolade, a Colorado Springs entrepreneur and former business development administrator, launches bid for mayor". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ Zubeck, Pam (April 5, 2023). "Mobolade faces Williams in Springs mayoral runoff". Colorado Springs Indy. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Jent, Breeanna (May 17, 2023). "Yemi Mobolade makes Colorado Springs history, becoming city's first elected Black mayor". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Fish, Sandra (May 16, 2023). "Yemi Mobolade elected mayor of Colorado Springs". Coloradosun.com. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
- ^ Harrison, Scott (June 6, 2023). "WATCH: Colorado Springs Mayoral Swearing-In Ceremony". KRDO News. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Rascoe, Ayesha (May 21, 2023). "Colorado Springs Mayor-elect Yemi Mobolade reflects on his historic victory". NPR. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
