As the calendar turned over to a new year, Mayor Brandon Johnson stepped into 2025, once again pointing out to the city’s leadership the challenges that African American politicians like himself often encounter. Johnson kickstarted the year by sharing a Crusader paper published a few months earlier in October with Charles Smith, his business liaison. The article’s title questioned whether African American mayors in the US were being singled out – a relevant thought echoed by many. Through a set of text messages to Smith, Johnson did not only wish him a prosperous new year but also ignited an intriguing discussion.
In various texts he exchanged in January, the Mayor drew parallels between the present-day city and the Reconstruction era—a historical time that witnessed an intensified but eventually thwarted progress for African Americans after the Civil War. Through his messages, Johnson allowed a glimpse into his mindset and approach, halfway through his term; they reveal an inaugural leader who, after facing numerous struggles and criticisms of his leadership over the past two years, is becoming more resolute in his role as an African American mayor.
His perspective appeared to be shaped within a time where the solid Black and progressive coalition that had helped him ascend to the mayor’s desk in 2023 was beginning to show early signs of wear. He embarked on a more focused effort to rally voters from the Southern and Western sides of the city. His recent path mirrored that of his predecessor, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who had navigated the same route but fell short of winning her reelection.
Public and private remarks by Johnson demonstrated his belief that dissatisfaction among Black residents of Chicago stemmed from lack of awareness of his successful undertakings. He was of the opinion that the Black community needed to know more about his accomplishments. He expressed this to Ald. William Hall in an exchange of text messages, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and community building to ensure a just society.
Just prior to this exchange, Johnson had faced a week full of difficulties. His political committee had been scrutinized due to recent irregularities in his campaign funds. Also, his 2025 budget resulted in a downgrading of the city’s credit rating. Regardless, Johnson continued to express his commitment to community building and creating an environment of ‘Re-Reconstruction’.
Among African American figures in Chicago, there remains a degree of skepticism towards Johnson. Noted businessman Willie Wilson, a thrice mayoral candidate, regularly finds Black community members voicing their grievances regarding the mayor’s policies. They question his prioritization of undocumented immigrants over residents and his break from his campaign pledge of refraining from property tax hikes.
Their grievances mainly arise from Johnson’s handling of the migrant crisis that impacted his first year in office, causing significant upset among his core Black constituents who felt overlooked. Wilson voiced their sentiment, stating that Johnson appeared to be failing his own, the community that brought him to power. The issue, seen by many as one of Johnson’s significant political shortcomings, is not denied by Wilson, who believes the Mayor has already caused considerable damage to his reputation.
In his defense, Johnson contested that his actions resulted in the Black Chicagoan community receiving significantly more funding compared to the financial support provided for the migrants. He accused mass media of deliberately withholding this information from the community, causing a false understanding of his endeavors in their favor. He expressed frustration over this, labeling it as intentional.
To aid the increasing number of migrants arriving from Texas, Johnson had secured $638 million in public funds for feeding and housing these asylum seekers starting from 2022. The city’s share of these funds tallied up to $268 million, while the remainder came through county, state, and federal contributions. Johnson’s spokesperson shared additional details with planned private investments totaling $13.6 billion, including projects like the PsiQuantum Center, the United Center 1901 Project, and a new Advocate Health Care site in the Southeast Side.
Further, the $426 million federal disaster relief provided by President Joe Biden’s administration for West Side flooding, the $1.25 billion housing and economic bond initiated by Johnson leading to city projects, and the reopening of two mental health clinics were part of the Mayor’s achievements. He highlighted his success in reducing violence in the city, expanding the youth summer jobs program, and others during the groundbreaking of the new west campus of Malcolm X College.
Johnson’s work outside the office also became more noticeable through a speaking tour that began this year, primarily visiting African American churches. At one such stop at the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, Johnson made a compelling argument about the actual reasons behind the backlash following his decision to cease the city’s ShotSpotter gunshot detection system the previous year; he singled out the media’s role in exacerbating the situation.
Despite reservations towards Johnson within the Black Chicagoan community, Rev. Marshall Hatch, associated with the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park, spoke in favor of uniting behind Johnson’s reelection bid in 2027. He cautioned the community of the flip side—potentially seeing the mayor’s post reclaimed by someone outside their community.
Racial divide in politics is not specific to Chicago, but exists across the nation. The 2023 mayoral race exemplified this reality. Johnson managed to clinch the Black vote in the runoff and has continued to place him as the representative of the community ever since, in both his campaigns and private communications.
A testament to his ever-present vigor for activism, Johnson reached out to Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps. His message bluntly stated the civilizational significance of the ongoing ‘battle’. His call to action met positive affirmation from Stamps indicating collective responsibility and unwavering support.
Johnson’s term thus far has been filled with peaks and troughs. His intentional positioning as a leading figure for the African American community, despite swirling challenges and criticisms, is a testament to his resilient and hopeful spirit. His journey indicates the importance of fostering understanding within politics and the citizenry of an intricately diverse city like Chicago.