TEXAS — The city of Fort Worth is making history. 

Voters there elected Mattie Parker as its first Millennial mayor.

This election season proves that times are changing, and some believe more change is expected. Even if voters selected Deborah Peoples, the other candidate running in the race, history still would have been made.

Peoples is a Black woman and despite losing in a runoff to be the mayor of Fort Worth, she says her mentality is that of "lost the battle, win the war."

“While the outcome may not have been what many wanted, I think we’ve furthered the discussion, and that’s what this whole campaign was about,” said Peoples. 

Political ideas aside, Peoples is an “almost-mayor” who moved mountains as a Black woman. If things ended in her favor, we’d be talking about how she is the first Black mayor that “Cowtown" has had. For Peoples, that is a win itself, especially for women and anyone of color. 

"This campaign was never just about me," she said. "This campaign was always about these amazing voices that don’t get heard. So, I am happy to have started the conversation to have opened the door."

Speaking of representation, two other cities in North Texas are making history just the same. North of Dallas in Little Elm, the town of about 53,000 people now has Curis Cornelious as its first Black mayor. Also, for the first time in Frisco, a Black woman holds a seat on city council. Her name is Angelia Pelham. 

“I think it’s amazing," Allie Lamb, a supporter of Peoples. "I have two daughters who are both Native American, and just for them to be not only women, but women of color who are in a position of influence and power… I just think with the vice president… I think it’s been just a sweet time amidst so much adversity and divisiveness. I think it’s just really awesome."

Black leaders who are becoming "firsts" means political experts and voters alike are opening up discussions on the change. 

“We have lifted the dialogue in this city, and people are taking notice," said Peoples. "So, I can’t be anything but elated and happy about it and I’m going to continue to work."

With everything happening, this means that down the line, more doors could open for the next generation.