Albany, Syracuse Elects First Black Women Mayors in Historic Double Victory!

Upstate New York just made history — and it’s about time. Dr. Dorcey Applyrs in Albany and Sharon Owens in Syracuse are about to become the first Black women to ever hold the mayor’s office in their cities, marking a new era of representation and leadership. Both women bring an abundance of knowledge and expertise in public service, further cementing their influence on local politics and their unwavering commitment to uplifting the community.

It seems folks are on board, as more than 52 percent of voters backed her run, per WAMC.

Applyrs’ Background

Applyrs has spent decades building a career grounded in public service and accountability. She was appointed as Albany’s Chief City Auditor on January 1, 2020, before she served on the Albany Common Council representing the First Ward, elected in 2014 and re‑elected in 2018, per Higher Heights. As Chief Auditor, she launched a racial bias audit of the city police department and introduced a “30 Minute Download” community audit report initiative to increase transparency per Albany, and has emphasized inclusive leadership throughout her career.

“Standing on this stage is a culmination of a dream,” Applyrs stated on winning night, per Spectrum News. “A dream whose seeds were planted so many years ago of people who believed in me. I’m here because others believed, pushed and kept going, even when it was extremely hard,” Applyrs said.

Who is Sharon Owens?

Sharon Owens has been putting in the work long before her name hit the ballot. A lifelong advocate for equity and opportunity, the award-winning politician has spent decades shaping Syracuse from the inside out. As Deputy Mayor under Ben Walsh, Owens helped steer major initiatives around community building and leadership, per Owens of Syracuse. Her focus centers the people who too often get left out of policy conversations, and on the night of her historic win — where voters gladly gave her 73 percent of the vote — she thanked God.

“To God be the glory for the great thing He has done,” Owens said, per Syracuse. “I thank God, I thank God, I thank God!”

Owens’ Background

A Syracuse University graduate, Owens began her public service at the Dunbar Center on the city’s South Side, where she developed her lifelong commitment to community empowerment, per WAER. As deputy mayor, she oversaw departments including police, fire, and neighborhood development, helping to secure a $50 million federal grant to transform East Adams and improve housing access, per Syracuse NY.

With Dr. Dorcey Applyrs and Sharon Owens stepping into history, Upstate New York is witnessing a new chapter of leadership — one defined by vision, resilience, and community-first action.