While we often remember figures of the past during Black History Month, one Binghamton woman made history of her own less than a decade ago. Lea Webb became the first African-American person to hold a seat on the city council. But as Vince Briga explains, she says her work is far from over.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- About 10 years ago, a Binghamton woman took a shot at history. In 2007, Lea Webb decided to throw her hat in the race to represent District 4 on Binghamton's City Council.
She would go on to defeat the president of the council in the election, and become the youngest person, and first African-American, to ever serve on the council.
"I really wanted to ignite the possibilities for change in folks, and so I wasn't doing it by myself," said Lea Webb, now the Binghamton University Diversity Education Coordinator.
Before serving eight years on the council, Webb created anti-racism and racial justice trainings, as well as the Binghamton Neighborhood Assemblies Project. She says her win was about much more than herself. It was about reminding others that they too could make a difference, regardless of skin color.
"It was very empowering, and also it reminded me that we have a lot of work to do to make sure that everyone is included in the decisions that impact them," said Webb.
Webb, who reached her term limit last year, says now it's up to the next generation to make a difference.
"It's important to put yourself out there and network, because you'd be amazed at how many other folks are in the same mindset, but they're just waiting for someone to kind of catalyze the movement," said Webb.
While great strides have been made both locally and nationally, Webb says society still has a long way to go. She says issues like racial and gender inequality can only be turned around by bringing everyone to the table.
"Considering the climate that we're in right now where there's a big push for divisiveness, I think one of the key messages is that we need to collaborate and collectively work together to make sure that we all do better,” said Webb.
Webb hopes to continue serving in her community despite no longer holding a seat in office.
Webb's seat was filled by Binghamton University student Conrad Taylor. He is now the youngest person to ever serve on the council.