Nikuyah Walker facts for kids

Nikuyah Walker served as the mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, from 2018 to 2021. She made history in January 2018 by becoming the city's first Black female mayor. This happened after she was elected to the Charlottesville City Council.

About Nikuyah Walker

Early Life and Education

Nikuyah Walker was born and grew up in Charlottesville. She finished Charlottesville High School in 1998. Later, she earned a college degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004. Nikuyah Walker is a mother to three children.

Her Path to Mayor

Running for City Council

Nikuyah Walker started her campaign for the City Council in March 2017. Her campaign became more well-known after a big event in August 2017. She spoke up and asked the City Council and the mayor at the time, Michael Signer, important questions. She wanted to know why a permit was given for the event. She also asked why the city leaders were not dealing with issues that came up because of it.

Nikuyah Walker and Heather Hill were both elected to the City Council. Walker received 29% of the votes, and Hill received 28%.

Becoming Charlottesville's Mayor

Nikuyah Walker was the first Independent candidate to be elected to the City Council in Charlottesville since the 1940s. This means she did not belong to one of the main political parties.

One of her main goals as mayor was to help create more affordable housing in the city. This would make it easier for people to find homes they could afford.

Mayor Walker also took part in The National Memorial for Peace and Justice. This memorial remembers people who faced great injustice in the past. She honored the memory of John Henry James. He was a person who was unjustly killed near Charlottesville in 1898.