Hope Mills makes history with swearing-in of first Black town manager
Monday's Hope Mills Board of Commissioners meeting was filled with a sea of men dressed in purple and gold, the signature colors of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
The men were in attendance to support one of their members, Chancer McLaughlin, who took his oath of office as the first Black town manager of Hope Mills in the town's 133-year history.
McLaughlin, the town's former planning and economic development planner, had served in an interim capacity since the former town manager, Scott Meszaros, resigned in February 2023.
Among those in attendance were Fayetteville City Councilman D.J. Haire, also a member of Omega Psi Phi. Traditionally, the oath of office is administered by the mayor, but Mayor Jessie Bellflowers made way for McLaughlin’s father, Robert, Wagram, town commissioner and former mayor, to swear his son into office. The elder McLaughlin and Bellflowers served together as colleagues in Wagram.
Before McLaughlin was sworn in, Bellflowers addressed concerns that residents had about the fact that the town manager position was not advertised publicly.
“The best way to deal with any kind of pushback is progress," McLaughlin said about his appointment.
In addition to his previous role with the town, McLaughlin has experience working in Greensboro and Atlanta.
Another first
Back in 2019, the town of Hope Mills elected Kenjuana McCray as the first Black woman to serve on the town’s board.
McLaughlin said he does not take his position lightly and understands the importance of creating a legacy.
“You build a path for the people behind you,” he said, recalling advice from his father.
Commissioner Bryan Marley praised the board for its decision to appoint McLaughlin and reassured town staff and residents that they would see progress with the current board.
Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com.
More from Rakeem Jones: Fayetteville journalist, activist Keem Jones: Telling our stories
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Hope Mills swears in Chancer McLaughlin as first Black town manager
