URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – History was made on Saturday, May 3, as DeShawn Williams was sworn in as the 50th mayor of Urbana—and the city’s first Black mayor—in an uplifting ceremony at Lincoln Square Mall. The milestone event drew hundreds of residents and community leaders who gathered to witness a defining moment in Urbana’s history.
Dozens of members of Mayor Williams’ extended family, including his wife Tracy and their children, filled the front rows of the ceremony, proudly watching as he took the oath of office. Many in attendance described it as a long-overdue moment of representation and progress for Urbana.
The ceremony featured performances by the Urbana High School Jazz Band, who received a standing ovation for their stirring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Outgoing Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin, Champaign County Executive Steve Summers, State Senator Paul Faraci, Champaign Mayor Deb Frank Feinen, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, and Champaign County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Ingram were in attendance.
Saturday evening, the newly opened Hotel Royer in downtown Urbana hosted to the Mayoral Ball, the first major banquet event to be held at the venue since it opened its doors just under two weeks ago. More than 200 guests attended the sold-out black-tie gala, which doubled as a fundraiser for the C-U Schools Foundation. Several grants were awarded during the evening to support local classrooms and educational equity initiatives.
The significance of his victory was not lost on Mayor Williams. “This is a momentous day for Urbana. I am honored to serve this community and committed to working together to build a brighter future for all. This is just the beginning of the work we’ll do—together.”
Atha Winston, a friend of the Williams family, representing State Senator Paul Faraci’s office, reflected on the larger implications of the day. “To see Mayor Williams sworn in, with his family at his side, in front of a diverse crowd from every corner of our city—it’s powerful,” Winston said. “It sends a message that leadership in Urbana can and should reflect the community it serves. This is not just a personal victory; it’s a milestone for our entire region.”