On January 9, 2026, the City of Detroit held a historic investiture ceremony to install Mary Sheffield as its 76th Mayor, marking the first time a woman has led the city in its 324-year history. The event featured the swearing-in of the Board of Police Commissioners, City Clerk Janice Winfrey, and the full Detroit City Council led by President James Tate. The ceremony included national anthems, invocations from four faith leaders, and remarks from poet laureate Jessica Kerr Moore. Following the oaths, Mayor Sheffield delivered an inaugural address emphasizing a "beloved community," economic justice, and a mandate to lift every Detroiter out of poverty, while Council President James Tate committed to a partnership grounded in accountability and resident-focused outcomes.
And to serve you. Because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing. A Detroit that works for everyone. We are a city of innovators, of champions, of change makers. Tonight, Detroit, we step forward together in this next great chapter. Together, we will invest in every corner of our city. Rebuilding our neighborhoods, creating great jobs, lifting every Detroiter out of poverty, and reclaiming Detroit as its wifeful place among the world's greatest things. Together, we made history, Detroit. Together, we will build a brighter future. Together, we will rise higher. Hi, welcome to the Rise Higher Detroit Transition Office. I am proud to announce that we are headquartered right here in our neighborhood at the beautiful Mary Grove campus. It's a new day. And I'm feeling good. You know how I feel. You know how I feel. It's a new life. Butterflies are having fun. You know what I mean? Sleep in peace when day is done. That's what I mean. And this old one is a newer and a boa. She stands here proudly. As the first woman ever elected to lead this great city, whether you voted for me or not. I am here to listen to you. To fight for you and to serve you. Because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing. A Detroit that works for everyone. We are a city of innovators, of champions, of change makers. Tonight, Detroit, we step forward together in this next great chapter. Together, we will invest in every corner of our city, rebuilding our neighborhoods, creating great jobs, lifting every Detroiter out of poverty, and reclaiming Detroit as its wifeful place among the world's greatest things. Together, we made history Detroit. Together, we will build a brighter future. Together, we will rise higher. Hi, welcome to the Rise Higher Detroit Transition Office. I am proud to announce that we are headquartered right here in our neighborhood at the beautiful Mary Grove campus. It's a new sun. Dragonfly out in the sun. You know what I mean, don't you know? But the flies are having fun. You know what I mean? Sleep in peace one day is done. That's what I mean. And this old one is a newer in a boat. She stands here proudly as the first woman ever elected to leave this great city. Whether you voted for me or not, I am here to listen to you. So fight for you and to serve you. Because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing. A Detroit that works for everyone. We are a city of innovators of champions of change makers.