November 25, 2025 • 9 mins
Former Detroit City Council member and newly elected Mayor Mary Sheffield talks exclusively with BIN News anchor Misty Jordan about her political career, her plans for the city of Detroit, and what it's like to be the first Black female Mayor of America's Motor City.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
For the first time in more than three hundred years,
Detroit elected a black woman as mayor.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Elected.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Mary Sheffield sat down with our own Misty Jordan for
a candid conversation about her political history and her future
plans as the mayor.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Joining the Black Information Network, I have Detroit Mayor elect,
Miss Mary Sheffield. Good morning, Good morning. It is so
great to see you. Congratulations. I'm beyond happy for you.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
I'm excited about all that is ahead and leading our
great city to the best place that it can be.
So Detroit has a lot of potential. We've been a
lot of great work in Detroit, and now it's time
for us to go hire.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
You've had a long list of first in the city
of Detroit. Let's go back a little bit and talk
about some of your history. You became the youngest member
of City Council in twenty fourteen, and then you were
elected the president of City Council, the youngest person to
hold that position. And now you are the first woman
mayor elect of Detroit. Did young Mary, growing up on
(01:02):
the West side of Detroit see this in her future?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
No, I mean I always loved leadership.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I always loved serving.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
And community and people and in justice organizing because of
the family that I came from, But I never envisioned
serving in public office until I was in my early twenties,
and then once I got elected, I really loved the
ability to change people's life and to really bring a
people focused type of leadership and public office. I think
(01:30):
it was needed, and so I've been honored to be
able to serve for twelve years on the city Council
and now being able to be elevated as mayor to
really ensure that government is working for everyday people. Detroit
has changed a lot, and we're at a point where
Detroit can either grow and exclude people and displace or
it can grow and be a place where we're.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Inclusive of everyone.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
And that is the Detroit that I want to build,
a Detroit that works for everyone, really focusing on building
up our neighborhoods, creating good jobs, reducing crime, and ensuring
that housing is affordable for every family here in our city.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Talk to me a little bit about election, Tach.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
I saw on Instagram you were going to vote, you
had your family with you, and then when you took
the podium, your father, grandmother with you.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
What was going through your head.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
You know, it was just the work that myself, my
team that we put in to reach you know, to
achieve the moment. Also all of the women who have
paid the way for me to be here today. In
this moment, I thought about, you know, people who made
sacrifices for us to be here. And then the young
the young girls, right, the youth that were looking up
(02:37):
to me to aspire to be what they wanted to
be in life. And so it was a lot flowing
through my mind in that moment. And then also what
am I getting into?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Right?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
I mean I won now, so now the work really begins,
because winning was seventy seven percent of the vote, really
was a mandate, you know, it was a clear indication
that a trait wants me to lead. And so now
it's about, yeah, we made history. Yes I'm the first,
but now it's like I have to execute and deliver
for the residents of our city. So I felt a
(03:06):
huge weight of responsibility in that moment as well, but
definitely just very grateful and honored to be elected as
the mayor of Detroit. So let's talk a little bit
about now that we're moving forward, Let's talk about Rise
Higher Detroit, your transition initiative.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Talk to me a little.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Bit about what this is about, what is the idea
and where are you going moving forward?
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Yeah, so Rise Higher is the boldest, most inclusive and
rigorous transformation that we've had in Detroit. As it relates
to our transition period, we are really focusing in on
making sure that this process is people centered, that we're
assembling the best and the brightest for me to take
office day one and have one hundred day actionable items
(03:48):
that my administration can implement. So we're really focused on
two things, and as one is attracting and recruiting the
best talent for my cabinet that really aligns with my
vision and my priority that I've laid out th WAILTFIC campaign.
And then secondly, we just want to make sure that
we have actionable items day one so that when I
step into office, I have things that we can announce
(04:10):
and accomplish immediately. And so we've broken up a transition
into various committees. We have eighteen committees on housing and Infrastructure,
small businesses, public safety, and then those committees are comprised
of experts in those fields that will look at my
vision that will look at best practices nationally and they'll
they'll bring their own expertise and then make recommendations to
(04:32):
me and my administration on what we should accomplish within
that first one hundred days. So we're all about action.
The rise Hired Detrade is really about action. We know
that me coming in as the first woman mayor, there's
a lot of expectations that people are going to have
for me, and I really just want to be able
to deliver. So the rise Hired to Trade transition is
about assembling the best and the briders to ensure that
(04:54):
this administration is prepared day one.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
If you're just joining us, I'm speaking with Detroit mayor elect.
Mayor Sheffield. How did you standing up on a podium,
your father's here, your grand grandmother's here.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
How did you not get emotional? Mary? Because I was
watching it, I was emotional.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
I got emotional, but I also got emotional a lot
before I came on stage, so I got some of
that out the way a little bit. But it was
very It was a very emotional moment, and it's still emotional.
To be honest with you, it still has not all
the way I havn't processed right.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Like that, I'm the bear. I think that takes time.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
And I was talking to the current mayor yesterday and
he said it took him about a year for it
to really like sit with him, like, you know, I'm
running things around here, so I.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Think it's a process.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
And then after I won, I was, you know, right
back to work assembling my team. Eight days after the election,
we announced the rise hairty trade transition efforts. So we've
been working really really hard. But you know, for me,
I'm just all about execution and delivering and inspiring and
because so many people believed in me, now, I feel
like I have to really ensure that we are doing
(05:58):
what's best for our So I'll let me tell you this,
you may or may I remember, but we were in
Los Angeles and we were at a friend's house, mutual friend,
and I remember, you know, we were all kind of
in a transitional space what's next for us, and we
were all just kind of I don't know, maybe this,
maybe this, but I remember you specifically were like service.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
You were kind of tossing around a couple of.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Ideas maybe this, maybe this, but you were like, but
this is what I feel like, and that was.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
I don't even know how long I wasn't married over eleven.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and it was before you were city council.
And so now just to watch this, this was already
you know in the stars.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
I do feel that my path was has been ordered
in a lot of ways. It has been a part
of me fulfilling what I believe God has ordained for
my life. But I always say I always believe that
in light of that calling, I always put the work
in as well, right, and so you know, purpose and
hard work, no one can all be bad, you know,
so excited to be here, excited about you know what
(07:05):
we have in store for Detroit, because Detroit, I think
oftentimes is not get the credit it deserves as being
a world class city among others. And that is my
job is to raise the perception in the reputation of
our city and to grow it. Most importantly, detroit as
are really authentic people. I worked in radio there for
(07:25):
a little while, and so what I hear most and
what I see most is that people love your accent
from Detroit.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
They're like, yeah, she's one of us. Seventy seven percent
of vote certainly speaks for itself. I feel happy that
the city feels like they're really embracing you because you
can see that and you can feel that. And I
think that Detroit is not a place you can trick people,
and you great.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
I mean, we love authenticity.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
And I will say one of the things that I
think has resonated with so many people is that people
don't see me as a politician.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
They just see me as Mary.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
I agree, and that has taken me a long way
in my you know, public service is that I've always
tried to be humble. I've always to be accessible, stay
true to who I am, lead the way that I lead,
and I think that has really served me a lot,
because again, people stop me all the time like, we
don't even see you as a politician. We just see
you as Mary, someone who cares, who has compassion, who
(08:13):
loves community. She's always in the community, she's helping people,
and I think we need more of that in public
office right to inspire people to get involved as well.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Detroit Mayor Elect Mary Sheffield, you officially take office January first,
and the holiday season is just about here. So what
does the end of twenty twenty five look like for you?
Just before you take office? Officially.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Yeah, so we are.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
The transition period will go all the way up into
January one, so my holidays will primarily be focused on
transition work. We have to ensure that we have my
cabinet in order and my administration selected within the next
two or three weeks, so that's going to take up.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
A lot of my time. But outside of.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
That, I'm getting married, so I'll be newly married going
into the top of the year, so that's going to
be like the highlight of my of my holidays.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Congratulation yep, yep, that's awesome. That's awesome.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
I remember we talked about that when we ran Alexis wedding.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
Yep, we did, and I one day we got to
catch up on you too, girl.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Yes, congratulations Mary, you are deserving And here's the three
words that I love most. Ready, equipped and prepared, come on,
come on, Yes that you are.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
You absolutely are.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Congratulations, Thank you, missy, and hopefully I'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
You gotta come and visit a trade
For the first time in more than three hundred years,
Detroit elected a black woman as mayor.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Elected.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
Mary Sheffield sat down with our own Misty Jordan for
a candid conversation about her political history and her future
plans as the mayor.
Speaker 3 (00:14):
Joining the Black Information Network, I have Detroit Mayor elect,
Miss Mary Sheffield. Good morning, Good morning. It is so
great to see you. Congratulations. I'm beyond happy for you.
Thank you so much.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
I'm excited about all that is ahead and leading our
great city to the best place that it can be.
So Detroit has a lot of potential. We've been a
lot of great work in Detroit, and now it's time
for us to go hire.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
You've had a long list of first in the city
of Detroit. Let's go back a little bit and talk
about some of your history. You became the youngest member
of City Council in twenty fourteen, and then you were
elected the president of City Council, the youngest person to
hold that position. And now you are the first woman
mayor elect of Detroit. Did young Mary, growing up on
(01:02):
the West side of Detroit see this in her future?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
No, I mean I always loved leadership.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
I always loved serving.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
And community and people and in justice organizing because of
the family that I came from, But I never envisioned
serving in public office until I was in my early twenties,
and then once I got elected, I really loved the
ability to change people's life and to really bring a
people focused type of leadership and public office. I think
(01:30):
it was needed, and so I've been honored to be
able to serve for twelve years on the city Council
and now being able to be elevated as mayor to
really ensure that government is working for everyday people. Detroit
has changed a lot, and we're at a point where
Detroit can either grow and exclude people and displace or
it can grow and be a place where we're.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Inclusive of everyone.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
And that is the Detroit that I want to build,
a Detroit that works for everyone, really focusing on building
up our neighborhoods, creating good jobs, reducing crime, and ensuring
that housing is affordable for every family here in our city.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Talk to me a little bit about election, Tach.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
I saw on Instagram you were going to vote, you
had your family with you, and then when you took
the podium, your father, grandmother with you.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
What was going through your head.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
You know, it was just the work that myself, my
team that we put in to reach you know, to
achieve the moment. Also all of the women who have
paid the way for me to be here today. In
this moment, I thought about, you know, people who made
sacrifices for us to be here. And then the young
the young girls, right, the youth that were looking up
(02:37):
to me to aspire to be what they wanted to
be in life. And so it was a lot flowing
through my mind in that moment. And then also what
am I getting into?
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Right?
Speaker 4 (02:45):
I mean I won now, so now the work really begins,
because winning was seventy seven percent of the vote, really
was a mandate, you know, it was a clear indication
that a trait wants me to lead. And so now
it's about, yeah, we made history. Yes I'm the first,
but now it's like I have to execute and deliver
for the residents of our city. So I felt a
(03:06):
huge weight of responsibility in that moment as well, but
definitely just very grateful and honored to be elected as
the mayor of Detroit. So let's talk a little bit
about now that we're moving forward, Let's talk about Rise
Higher Detroit, your transition initiative.
Speaker 2 (03:21):
Talk to me a little.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Bit about what this is about, what is the idea
and where are you going moving forward?
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Yeah, so Rise Higher is the boldest, most inclusive and
rigorous transformation that we've had in Detroit. As it relates
to our transition period, we are really focusing in on
making sure that this process is people centered, that we're
assembling the best and the brightest for me to take
office day one and have one hundred day actionable items
(03:48):
that my administration can implement. So we're really focused on
two things, and as one is attracting and recruiting the
best talent for my cabinet that really aligns with my
vision and my priority that I've laid out th WAILTFIC campaign.
And then secondly, we just want to make sure that
we have actionable items day one so that when I
step into office, I have things that we can announce
(04:10):
and accomplish immediately. And so we've broken up a transition
into various committees. We have eighteen committees on housing and Infrastructure,
small businesses, public safety, and then those committees are comprised
of experts in those fields that will look at my
vision that will look at best practices nationally and they'll
they'll bring their own expertise and then make recommendations to
(04:32):
me and my administration on what we should accomplish within
that first one hundred days. So we're all about action.
The rise Hired Detrade is really about action. We know
that me coming in as the first woman mayor, there's
a lot of expectations that people are going to have
for me, and I really just want to be able
to deliver. So the rise Hired to Trade transition is
about assembling the best and the briders to ensure that
(04:54):
this administration is prepared day one.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
If you're just joining us, I'm speaking with Detroit mayor elect.
Mayor Sheffield. How did you standing up on a podium,
your father's here, your grand grandmother's here.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
How did you not get emotional? Mary? Because I was
watching it, I was emotional.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
I got emotional, but I also got emotional a lot
before I came on stage, so I got some of
that out the way a little bit. But it was
very It was a very emotional moment, and it's still emotional.
To be honest with you, it still has not all
the way I havn't processed right.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Like that, I'm the bear. I think that takes time.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
And I was talking to the current mayor yesterday and
he said it took him about a year for it
to really like sit with him, like, you know, I'm
running things around here, so I.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
Think it's a process.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
And then after I won, I was, you know, right
back to work assembling my team. Eight days after the election,
we announced the rise hairty trade transition efforts. So we've
been working really really hard. But you know, for me,
I'm just all about execution and delivering and inspiring and
because so many people believed in me, now, I feel
like I have to really ensure that we are doing
(05:58):
what's best for our So I'll let me tell you this,
you may or may I remember, but we were in
Los Angeles and we were at a friend's house, mutual friend,
and I remember, you know, we were all kind of
in a transitional space what's next for us, and we
were all just kind of I don't know, maybe this,
maybe this, but I remember you specifically were like service.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
You were kind of tossing around a couple of.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
Ideas maybe this, maybe this, but you were like, but
this is what I feel like, and that was.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
I don't even know how long I wasn't married over eleven.
Speaker 3 (06:32):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, and it was before you were city council.
And so now just to watch this, this was already
you know in the stars.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
Yep.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
I do feel that my path was has been ordered
in a lot of ways. It has been a part
of me fulfilling what I believe God has ordained for
my life. But I always say I always believe that
in light of that calling, I always put the work
in as well, right, and so you know, purpose and
hard work, no one can all be bad, you know,
so excited to be here, excited about you know what
(07:05):
we have in store for Detroit, because Detroit, I think
oftentimes is not get the credit it deserves as being
a world class city among others. And that is my
job is to raise the perception in the reputation of
our city and to grow it. Most importantly, detroit as
are really authentic people. I worked in radio there for
(07:25):
a little while, and so what I hear most and
what I see most is that people love your accent
from Detroit.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
They're like, yeah, she's one of us. Seventy seven percent
of vote certainly speaks for itself. I feel happy that
the city feels like they're really embracing you because you
can see that and you can feel that. And I
think that Detroit is not a place you can trick people,
and you great.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
I mean, we love authenticity.
Speaker 4 (07:45):
And I will say one of the things that I
think has resonated with so many people is that people
don't see me as a politician.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
They just see me as Mary.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
I agree, and that has taken me a long way
in my you know, public service is that I've always
tried to be humble. I've always to be accessible, stay
true to who I am, lead the way that I lead,
and I think that has really served me a lot,
because again, people stop me all the time like, we
don't even see you as a politician. We just see
you as Mary, someone who cares, who has compassion, who
(08:13):
loves community. She's always in the community, she's helping people,
and I think we need more of that in public
office right to inspire people to get involved as well.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Detroit Mayor Elect Mary Sheffield, you officially take office January first,
and the holiday season is just about here. So what
does the end of twenty twenty five look like for you?
Just before you take office? Officially.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Yeah, so we are.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
The transition period will go all the way up into
January one, so my holidays will primarily be focused on
transition work. We have to ensure that we have my
cabinet in order and my administration selected within the next
two or three weeks, so that's going to take up.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
A lot of my time. But outside of.
Speaker 4 (08:53):
That, I'm getting married, so I'll be newly married going
into the top of the year, so that's going to
be like the highlight of my of my holidays.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Congratulation yep, yep, that's awesome. That's awesome.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
I remember we talked about that when we ran Alexis wedding.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
Yep, we did, and I one day we got to
catch up on you too, girl.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Yes, congratulations Mary, you are deserving And here's the three
words that I love most. Ready, equipped and prepared, come on,
come on, Yes that you are.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
You absolutely are.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Congratulations, Thank you, missy, and hopefully I'll see you soon.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
You gotta come and visit a trade
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