Elm City elects first Black woman mayor, first majority-Black board of commissioners

The newly elected leaders are looking to turn around a community that’s fallen on hard times.

Located eight miles north of Wilson, the town of Elm City had never had a black woman at the head of its local government.

On Tuesday night, that changed.

“This is a history-making moment,” Elm City Mayor-Elect Tawanda Moore said. “No one like me has sat in this seat before, but someone like me should have sat in this seat a long time ago.”

Current town commissioner Tawanda Moore beat out incumbent Grady Smith in the mayoral election, winning 70 percent of the vote.

Three of the town’s five commissioners board seats also went to Black candidates.

The 57% Black community now has the first majority-Black Board of Commissioners in Elm City history.

“We were discussing things that we didn’t like and things that we thought could be better, but in order to make a change you’ve got to be involved in the change,” Commissioner-Elect Timothy Bridgers said.

The new leaders told WRAL News the past 30 years have been rough on Elm City, with most downtown businesses leaving for greener pastures.

Commissioners said they would look to do a better job marketing their town to new industries and young people, as Elm City’s location and affordability have made it a great option for remote workers.

“People who grew up here in Elm City that had to move away to Raleigh or Wilmington or Fayetteville or wherever, they could be coming back here because it would be a draw there,” Commissioner-Elect David Greene said.

Five years from now, the new leaders see downtown Elm City as full of energy, boasting events, thriving businesses and living space.

But they’re also taking time to revel in the week they made history together.

“Growing up as a country girl in Elm City, I would have never imagined being in this position,” Commissioner-Elect Tammie Atkinson said. “But I am honored.”

The newly elected Elm City leaders will come into office in January.