Mondale Robinson visited the Politics Done Right set at Netroots Nation 2024 to discuss his journey from grassroots activism to becoming the mayor of Enfield, NC, transforming his community through inclusive, progressive leadership.
Mayor Mondale Robinson visits.
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In a time where many politicians focus on their self-interests rather than serving the communities that elected them, Mondale Robinson stands as a refreshing and inspiring exception. As the recently elected mayor of Enfield, North Carolina, Robinson’s journey back to his hometown is a testament to the power of grassroots activism and the importance of community-based leadership. His story is not just about winning an election; it’s about transforming a community, challenging entrenched power structures, and rewriting the narrative around Black political participation, particularly among Black men.
Robinson’s return to Enfield was not just a political move but deeply personal. Enfield, his hometown, had fallen prey to gentrification and neglect, with one of the nation’s poorest and blackest communities facing displacement and disenfranchisement. Recognizing the situation’s urgency, Robinson ran a campaign that defied conventional political strategies. He didn’t rely on ads, billboards, or mailers. Instead, he won by engaging directly with the people, particularly those often overlooked and taken for granted by the political establishment.
Robinson’s campaign was a model of grassroots activism, a campaign truly “for the people, by the people.” His victory, in which he defeated an incumbent by a staggering 53 percentage points, underscores the potential of mobilizing disenfranchised voters and the power of community-focused leadership. This victory was not just a political win; it was a reclaiming of his hometown from forces that sought to profit at the expense of its most vulnerable residents.
One of the most pressing issues in Enfield was the gentrification threatening to push out long-time residents. Enfield, the eighth poorest town in America, is a predominantly Black community where the average household income is just $22,000. Yet, developers were building homes priced at $300,000, far beyond the reach of most residents. Robinson took action to protect his community, finding a builder and a bank willing to create opportunities for affordable homeownership. Enfield’s residents now have access to smart homes priced at $125,000 through his efforts, making the dream of homeownership a reality for those who previously had little hope of achieving it.
Robinson’s approach to leadership is not about maintaining power but about making a tangible difference in the lives of the people he serves. He acknowledges that leaders prioritizing power and money over people is the root of many political failures. For Robinson, the true measure of success is not whether he remains in office but leaves his community better off than when he started. His actions, including the removal of a Confederate monument that had stood in Enfield since 1923, demonstrate his commitment to confronting the symbols and systems of oppression that continue to harm Black communities.
Beyond his work as mayor, Robinson founded the Black Male Voter Project, an organization dedicated to empowering Black men in the political process. This organization was born out of Robinson’s frustration with the political establishment’s disregard for Black men, who are often invisible in political discourse and policy-making. The Black Male Voter Project is Robinson’s “love letter” to Black men, a recognition of their power and a call to harness it in the fight for justice and equality.
The mainstream media often perpetuates the narrative that Black men are moving toward conservatism and support for figures like Donald Trump. However, Robinson vehemently challenges this narrative, pointing to historical voting data that shows Black men have consistently rejected conservative ideologies and candidates. The percentage of Black men voting for Trump decreased in 2020 compared to 2016. The narrative of a Black male shift toward Trump is not rooted in reality but is a convenient story for those looking to divide and conquer.
Robinson’s work highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by Black men in the political process. His efforts to engage and mobilize Black men are not about creating divisions but rectifying a long-standing injustice. The political system has historically ignored and marginalized Black men, and Robinson’s work seeks to change that by creating spaces where their voices can be heard, and their votes can make a difference.
In a political landscape where many leaders are content to play by the old rules, Robinson is rewriting them. His leadership in Enfield and his broader efforts through the Black Male Voter Project offer a blueprint for how to build political power from the ground up, rooted in community and committed to justice. Robinson’s story is a powerful reminder that real change comes not from the top down but from the grassroots, where people are engaged, empowered, and ready to fight for a better future.
Robinson’s vision extends beyond Enfield and the Black community. He recognizes the common struggles shared by marginalized communities across the country, whether in Black neighborhoods, Appalachia, or other regions facing economic and social challenges. Inspired by leaders like Reverend William Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign, Robinson’s work is part of a broader movement for economic justice and political empowerment that transcends racial and geographic boundaries.
As Robinson continues his work as mayor and through the Black Male Voter Project, the question he poses to the political establishment is clear: When will you start putting the people first? His actions in Enfield demonstrate what is possible when leaders prioritize the needs of their communities over their political ambitions. His work challenges all of us to think about how we can create a political system that truly serves everyone, particularly those who have been left behind for far too long.
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