Justin Bibb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justin Bibb
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| 58th Mayor of Cleveland | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Frank G. Jackson |
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| Born |
Justin Morris Bibb
April 26, 1987 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | American University (BA) Case Western Reserve University (JD, MBA) |
Justin Morris Bibb (born April 26, 1987) is an American politician. He is the 58th mayor of Cleveland, Ohio. He started his term in January 2022.
Before becoming mayor, Bibb worked with leaders and groups across the country. He was the Chief Strategy Officer for Urbanova. This company helps make cities safer, healthier, and stronger. Bibb also co-chaired Teach for America – Ohio. He served on the boards of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and Destination Cleveland.
On January 12, 2021, Bibb announced he would run for mayor. He won the primary election with 27% of the vote. This allowed him to move on to the general election. There, he faced Kevin J. Kelley, the President of Cleveland City Council. On November 2, 2021, Bibb won the election. He defeated Kelley with 62% of the votes. He became Cleveland's fourth African American mayor. He is also the second youngest mayor the city has ever had.
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Early Life and Education
Bibb was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. He also lived on the southeast side in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Bibb went to Trinity High School.
After high school, he attended American University in Washington, D.C. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Urban Studies. During his studies, he spent time at the London School of Economics. There, he studied Social Policy and Economics. In 2014, he came back to Cleveland. He attended Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He earned both a law degree (Juris Doctor or JD) and a business degree (Master of Business Administration or MBA).
Career Journey
In 2007, Bibb worked as an intern for Senator Barack Obama. In 2011, he started working for Cuyahoga County. He was a Special Assistant for Education and Economic Development. He helped create a program called the Cuyahoga County Public Policy Fellowship Program.
Bibb then spent two years working for Knowledge Generation Bureau. After that, he took senior roles at Gallup, Inc.. By 2015, he was the Head of Global Cities Practice. He worked in New York and Washington, D.C. In 2019, he returned to Cleveland. He became a Vice President at KeyBank. Later, he worked as the Chief Strategy Officer at Urbanova. This company uses technology to help cities. In 2014, he also co-founded Hack Cleveland. This group uses technology to push for changes in the justice system.
Mayor of Cleveland
Becoming Mayor: The Election
2021 Mayoral Race
Justin Bibb officially announced he was running for mayor in early 2021. He promised new leadership for Cleveland. He also said that public safety would be his top goal. His campaign raised a lot of money, which was impressive for a first-time candidate.
To be on the ballot, candidates needed 3,000 valid signatures. Bibb submitted his petition on June 10, 2021. He was one of seven candidates approved to run.
Bibb gained support after a strong performance at a forum on criminal justice. He also spoke out against property owners who were taking advantage of Cleveland residents.
On August 8, 2021, Bibb was endorsed by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. This is Cleveland's main newspaper. Later, two former Cleveland mayors, Michael R. White and Jane Campbell, also supported him.
On September 14, 2021, Bibb won the primary election. This meant he would face City Council President Kevin Kelley in the general election. Many important Black pastors endorsed Bibb. These included Revs. Otis Moss Jr. and E. T. Caviness. Other candidates who lost in the primary, Zack Reed and Sandra Williams, also supported him.
On November 2, 2021, Bibb won the general election. He received 62.86% of the votes. He won 12 of Cleveland’s 17 wards. This included winning 9 of 10 East Side wards with over 70% of the vote.
Mayor Bibb's Time in Office
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On January 3, 2022, Justin Bibb was sworn in as the 58th Mayor of Cleveland.
Housing Plans
In September 2023, Mayor Bibb introduced the "Residents First" plan. This plan aims to fix housing problems in the city. It will make housing rules stricter. It will also add fines for breaking these rules. The plan also focuses on empty properties. It tries to stop good homes from sitting empty.
In February 2023, Bibb announced his "Home for Every Neighbor Policy." This policy helps people who do not have homes find permanent housing.
Economic Growth
The Bibb administration used $50 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. This money went into a "Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund." This fund will help turn empty lots and old industrial sites into places ready for new businesses. This could create many new jobs in Cleveland.
Mayor Bibb also shared a new plan for the city's lakefront and riverfront. This plan aims to connect the city's core to its waterfronts. In March 2024, the City Council approved a plan for Downtown Cleveland. This plan is expected to bring in billions of dollars over the next 42 years. This money will help with new projects and growth.
The Bibb administration also created new tax credits for businesses. This is a new way to help the city's economy grow.
City Budget and Money
Mayor Bibb has passed balanced budgets for 2023 and 2024. This means the city's spending did not go over its income.
In September 2022, Moody's Investors Service improved Cleveland's credit rating. This was the first time in 12 years. A higher rating makes it easier for the city to borrow money for improvements.
New Appointments
Mayor Bibb has appointed many people to important city roles. In March 2023, he appointed Calley Mersmann and Jeffrey Weston Sleasman. They joined the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority.
In June 2023, he appointed Robert Briggs and Diana Welch Howell. They joined the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board of Education. He also reappointed three existing members: Sara Elaqad, Leah Hudnall, and Denise Link. Sara Elaqad became the new board chair.
In July 2023, Bibb appointed Andrew Sargeant to the Cleveland City Planning Commission. He named Michael Sanbury and Dr. Regennia Williams to the Cleveland Landmarks Commission. Bibb also appointed Luz Pellot, Robert Render III, and Jay Westbrook to the Cleveland Community Relations Board. Roland Muhammad and Rev. Charles Lucas were also reappointed to this board.
Family Life
Justin Bibb's father was both a police officer and a firefighter. His first cousin-once removed is the well-known journalist Leon Bibb.
Images for kids
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Justin Bibb
