Political Black Girl Magic: The Elections and Governance of Black Female Mayors

Political Black Girl Magic explores black women's experiences as mayors in American cities, examining deracialized campaigns and how they govern. Case studies include Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Compton, and Washington, DC, identifying the most significant obstacles black women have faced.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 02 June 2023
Publisher: Temple University Press,U.S.

Political Black Girl Magic delves into the captivating experiences of black women as mayors in American cities. This comprehensive volume, curated by the editor and a team of contributors, explores the intricate dynamics of black female mayoral campaigns and elections, where race and gender play pivotal roles, and where deracialized campaigns have garnered support from a diverse range of voters, including white, Hispanic, and Asian American individuals.

The chapters within this interdisciplinary volume examine various aspects of black female mayors' governance, encompassing their pursuit of economic growth, their utilization of power to enact positive reforms, and the challenges they face in catering to neglected communities. Case studies featured in this book provide insights into the political contexts of female mayors in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Chicago, Compton, and Washington, DC, among other cities. Spanning from the 1960s to the present, Political Black Girl Magic identifies the most significant obstacles black women have encountered as mayors and mayoral candidates, while also seeking to understand the profound impact of race, gender, or their combination on these individuals.

Contributors to this remarkable work include a diverse group of accomplished individuals, including Andrea Benjamin, Nadia E. Brown, Pearl K. Dowe, Christina Greer, Precious Hall, Valerie C. Johnson, Yolanda Jones, Lauren King, Angela K. Lewis-Maddox, Minion K.C. Morrison, Marcella Mulholland, Stephanie A. Pink-Harper, Kelly Briana Richardson, Emmitt Y. Riley, III, Ashley Robertson Preston, Taisha Saintil, Jamil Scott, Fatemeh Shafiei, James Lance Taylor, LaRaven Temoney, Linda Trautman, and the editor. Their collective contributions enrich the narrative and shed light on the remarkable journeys of black women in politics.

Political Black Girl Magic is a groundbreaking exploration that empowers black women and amplifies their voices in the realm of urban leadership. It serves as a testament to the resilience, determination, and transformative power of black women in politics, highlighting their invaluable contributions to shaping the future of American cities.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781439920282