Rock Center
At just 24-years-old, Svante Myrick is the youngest mayor ever elected in the city of Ithaca, New York.
The Cornell University graduate began serving on Ithaca's City Council while still in college. He garnered the endorsements of seasoned politicians in his bid for mayor, but it seems his upbringing really resonated with the town's voters.
Myrick's family was at times homeless when he was young. He was raised by his mother and grandparents in upstate New York. Myrick is biracial, the son of a white mother and African American father. His upbringing and early political success has drawn comparisons to President Obama. While Myrick shies away from the comparison, he acknowledges that the president did inspire him.
"Well, if this, you know, guy with that name and those ears can do it, then a guy with this name and these ears can do it," Myrick said.
Rock Center's Kate Snow met up with Myrick during his first day in office.
Editor's Note: Kate Snow's full story, 'Mr. Mayor,' airs Wednesday, Feb. 29 at 9/8c on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams.
Leave a Comment:
Svante is that rare person who inspires others to reach higher, go further, and help make the world a better place. Go Svante Go!
Great story, but the real story will be how he does while in office - will he stay above board? Will he always do the right thing? OR will he be guilty of the closed door, under the table deal making so common among our so called leaders? I hope for the very best for his constituents.
I'm truly inspired by this young man! Too bad more young people don't aspire to reach beyond the negativity in their lives to to achieve their true potential.
I am truly inspired by this young man. Too bad more young people don't reach beyond the negativity in their lives to achieve their true potential.
I was horrified, at the end of Kate Snow's discussion of this with Brian, when she said, apologetically, about Myrick, something like: "Of course, he's a Democrat and has set ideas."
I can't believe NBC feels such a need to pander to the right. I call on Brian Williams to disavow this kind of partisanship.
I was horrified when Kate Snow, in her wrap-up with Brian, said apologetically of Myrick: "He's a Democrat, of course, and has, uh, set ideas." (The video as posted here does not include that section.)
I call on Brian Williams, known for his integrity, to publicly disavow this kind of pandering to the extreme right.
I was horrified when Kate Snow, in her wrap-up discussion with Brian (not included in the online video), said of Myrick, sort of apologetically, "Of course he's a Democrat and has, uh, set ideas."
I call on Brian Williams, known for his integrity, to publicly disavow this kind of pandering to the right.