El Paso, TX (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 February marks Black History Month, and El Paso is celebrating by exploring its own black history. <\/p>\n
Mayor Renard Johnson, El Paso’s first black mayor and the first for any U.S.-Mexico border city, shared his journey and reflections. <\/p>\n
“My family, we moved here in the late 1960s,” Johnson said. “I was seven months old when I got here.” He emphasized the significance of his election, noting, “We were a community that elected the first black mayor in El Paso, Texas.” <\/p>\n
Johnson, who graduated from Andrew’s High School in 1984, reminisced about his time there, saying, “This is home. This is what my memories are.” Reflecting on his historic role, Johnson said, “The first first is not easy,” adding that he believes El Paso chose him for his leadership skills. <\/p>\n
Despite challenges, including doors being “slammed on me” during his campaign, Johnson remains optimistic about the community’s support. He encourages young African-Americans in El Paso to “get outside your comfort zone” and seize opportunities.<\/p>\n
El Paso’s first black mayor reflects on historic role during Black History Month<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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