Jayden Williams, current commissioner of Stockbridge, and a student at Clark Atlanta University is just 21 years old. Williams, the youngest candidate to run for mayor in Stockbridge, hopes to bring fresh ideas to the community he’s called home.Williams told The Atlanta Voice he is focused on making Stockbridge a model for growth and opportunity, prioritizing economic development, public safety, housing, and arts & youth programs, all while preserving the city’s close-knit spirit.He said the reason he’s running for mayor is because he’s “seen what Stockbridge was and what Stockbridge is to come. Running for mayor was something I definitely prayed about. I spoke with some of the constituents about it and it’s time for a change because we need new direction, new leadership as to where Stockbridge is going in the future.”On becoming the youngest candidate to run for mayor, Williams said, is invigorating and the community support, questions being asked, shows how engaged the Stockbridge community is and will be in the future.“We’ve already started on the campaign trail, and you can also clearly tell they’re in search of a candidate/mayor that wants to move in a different direction and to move forward,” he said. “I’m happy to be the youngest candidate in this race and I’ll be even more happy when we win.”Williams (above) credits his great-grandfather and his grandmother for inspiring and motivating him to run for office. Photo by Kerri Phox/The Atlanta VoiceIf elected mayor, Williams says although he appreciates what the current Stockbridge Mayor Anthony S. Ford has done over the course of his term; his main goal is to look at Stockbridge’s housing strategy and see how they can discuss new strategies.“I want to dive into our economic development and pour into our small businesses here in Stockbridge,” he said. “I want to ensure we’re encouraging and pushing for young people to get engaged in liberal arts and STEM in any type of extracurricular to make them local advocates and mobilize in our community.”With the housing strategy, Williams said he wants to go from unlimited townhomes and apartments to building a balance. He also says he wants to build a renewal combat team, which would be members of the community eager to combat climate change in the Stockbridge community.“Our small business owners and marginalized business owners are the heartbeat of our city and the epicenter of what brings Stockbridge together,” he said. “We don’t have many corporations in our area, so a lot of our economic development comes from our small businesses.” Also, some values Williams said he’d carry over as mayor would be a sense of direction.“It’s about to be my last semester at Clark Atlanta University and I’ve definitely learned different opportunities in leadership, and that gives me the opportunity to set myself apart.”As an example, Williams said when he was in the Student Government Association (SGA) he had to advance through budgeting when he had to toggle $100,000 budget for the university. Williams says this gives value to leadership/cooperation strategy and that’s what he wants to bring to office.As to why people should vote for Williams, he says it’s time for a change in Stockbridge. When he asks people to vote and their support, he’s asking for a new energy and vibrancy to come through the city.“I’m asking for leadership and a new direction when it comes down to the next generation of leaders, not specifically focusing on the fact I’m 21, but focusing on the next generation after this one that will have to pour into our community, so I’m asking for support,” he said.He also said he’s asking for empowerment from Stockbridge’s small businesses, empowerment from their marginalized groups, and empowerment from the next generation who are ready to vote and mobilize.Additionally, he says with Stockbridge becoming the next home of the first senior county STEM school, he wants to ensure they have opportunities for students to also engage in the community.Leadership and service run in Commissioner Williams’ blood, his grandmother, Vivian Thomas was the former commissioner for Henry County District 4, and her dedication to public service has inspired him to build upon their family’s legacy of creating meaningful change.Williams credits his great-grandfather and his grandmother as inspirations that motivated him to be in this position.“My great-grandfather laid the foundation when many of our family moved out of Georgia. He saw opportunities in Georgia for his family that many did not see, so my grandmother did something huge, which led into what I love, and that’s community service and passion for public service,” he said.Williams said his grandmother was one of the first black graduates from Georgia state and his great grandfather would always tell her to never stop in Henry County for gas.“My family is originally from Hawkinsville, Georgia and they’ll say, ‘never stop for us in Henry County, it’s one of the most racist communities in the south metro Atlanta area’,” he said. “Looking today and almost five years ago, where she had been an incumbent as the first black and first female to sit on the county commission for that district, it shows history, mileage, and compassion.”Furthermore, what Williams wants readers to know about him and the campaign is it’s time for change in the city and time for leadership that’s moving with the time just as fast as Stockbridge is moving.“It’s time we bring in real leadership, dedicated leadership that has transparent and efficient government,” he said.His vision for Stockbridge, he says, is quite simple and that’s to build a community where people can live, work, and play where they have a thriving community and can also be engaged and involved.For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/jaydenforthepeople/.The post “It’s Time for a Change,” says Stockbridge Commissioner Jayden Williams  appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.