Wayne Messam has several roles: small businessman, dad, husband, and also holds the distinction of being the first Black elected mayor to the growing, diverse city of Miramar. The entire commission, for the first time, in history is all Black. Messam was first elected to the commission in 2011, and ran for the mayoral seat in 2015 against incumbent Mayor Lori Moseley, who had served on the commission for several terms.
“The decision to invest in a difficult time is paying huge dividends now, for many positive things that will take place in the future,” Messam said.
Messam, as a small businessman, speaks about the private sector in the city, and is glad to see that it is very active. He said that Miramar has attracted many companies into its fold, and one of the initiatives supported by he, and his fellow commissioners, is an upcoming Let’s Talk Job Forum, which will be held in the Commission Chambers. It’s a way to connect small businesses with appropriate job applicants, he said, and to see whether they are a good match.
“We will have some of those companies right here on our campus,” said Messam, “and they will share with our residents what they are looking for in their candidates, and provide information on how people can be a candidate for one of their available positions. We’re very excited to partner with the private companies, and give the residents every opportunity to find a great job.”
Messam also noted that he, as a small businessman, has an affinity for small business owners, and understands what it was like to own and operate a business and hire talented employees for that business. Miramar, he said, also is a very desirable place for companies to move to, and he hopes it will continue to be a growing hub for businesses from many backgrounds.
“As a small business owner and entrepreneur,” I understand what it’s like to own a business, said Messam. “ “As mayor, I hope I can use that knowledge and use that experience. We do as much as we can to help businesses to be successful.”
Messam credits his dad as one of his role models, and one of the main people who gave him the drive to be the kind of person he is today. One of his other role models is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Messam says he wants to serve with integrity and honor, much like these two men. Dr. King, said Messam, put his life on the line for what he felt was right, and had the courage and conviction to put himself in danger for the country. Messam said his dad was an awesome role model for him, and that he hopes he is as good a role model for his family. Messam also noted that he won’t be the first Black mayor, nor will he be the last.
“We have a huge responsibility to govern with integrity and civility,” said Messam. “I am not the first Black mayor in the community. We have a huge responsibility to govern with civility and integrity, which I always try to do. Hopefully my example will set the pulse for whoever will succeed me.”
Messam said that it his, and the commission’s responsibility, to work with whomever is in charge in Washington, D.C. Regardless of whom is in the White House, he said, it is his responsibility to make sure that Washington and Tallahassee understand the needs of the city of Miramar, and to make sure that they do right by the residents in the community.
“At the end of the day,” said Messam, “as a mayor and leader of this community, I have the capacity and the ability to work with whoever sits in the governor’s seat as well as the president’s office, and the various agencies that we rely on to make sure this is a successful community.”