Shortly after James Young was declared the winner in the mayor's race, news that Philadelphia had elected its first African-American mayor was widespread over the Internet and by week's end stories had appeared in newspapers throughout the country as well as such places as India and the United Kingdom.
In his first live interview with CNN Thursday afternoon, Young said hard work, many prayers and a change of attitude in the community were the key things that made his election possible.
Young's interview with Kyra Phillips was broadcast live on CNN from the law offices of Edward A. Williamson.
After airing footage from the movie "Mississippi Burning," Phillips quizzed Young about improvements in race relations here.
"I think the shift began a few years back as we cleared some of those hurdles that have been so embedded in our community," Young said.
"Right now, we have just a more open minded group of people. Our nation has changed, the state is changing and it's trickling down to the small towns all over the state of Mississippi. Good people willing to move forward with change has made this happen today."
When asked how he was able to garner a large portion of the white vote, Young said people knew him from his over 30 years service to the county hospital, as a member of the Board of Supervisors and through other community programs.
The history of racism wasn't brought up that much during the campaign, he said.
"They knew me, they knew the person that I was and I think I have a very good platform of moving Philadelphia forward," he said.
Young said his platform focused on four key areas: an attitude of change; economic development; the community coming together as one to help promote prosperity; and the realization that if he were elected, it would send the message that a lot of conscious had been changed in the community and the state.
"It happened in Philadelphia, Miss., a lot of bad things," Young said. "But yesterday, being certified as mayor of Philadelphia ushered in a whole new day of attitude and opinions about our city. It's all positive. It's all good and I'm enjoying it at this time. I'm a little bit overwhelmed but I am happy the people have trusted in me to give me an opportunity to serve."
Phillips asked if Barack Obama's presidential election may have inspired him or influenced voters.
"I think throughout the black community, hope always begets hope, positive things beget positive things. By him becoming president, it allowed us to think beyond our normal mode of thinking and if it can happened in America, it can happen in Philadelphia, Miss. It did. I'm living proof that Mississippi is moving forward right now," he said.
Young said his campaign walked about 90 percent of Philadelphia, going door-to-door and looking voters in the eyes.
"They supported me. They trusted me and I will not let that trust fall on deaf ears or on idle hands," he said.
Phillips told Young that CNN writer Tony Smith (see related story, page 1A) was born and raised in his area.
"He is pretty excited about this. A lot of efforts to put this together were because of him," Phillips said.
Young spoke by cellphone with Smith, who was in the Atlanta CNN office, following the interview.
