Wes Moore: THE GOVERNOR WHO'S REDEFINING LEADERSHIP
If the onus of leadership is service to the people, then history must be chasing Wesley Watende Omari
Moore, the vibrant governor of the State of Maryland, United States of America, who recently became the first Black American to be elected governor by the people of Maryland, and only the third in the United States.
Moore’s track record is a blend of fine education and gallant military service, making it no wonder how he’s bringing honor into the murky waters of contemporary politics while attracting more trust in his leadership of one of the most heterogeneous communities in America.
His political career has continued to gather a huge fan base, gaining good momentum following a series of well- executed people agendas-one of which has currently sent the entire Marylanders, especially the African immigrants community, into songs of praises for Mr. Moore.
“He’s tackling the key issues head-on, taking the kind of inconvenient decisions that set great leaders apart,”
one excited Marylander quipped shortly after Moore announced the month of September as African Heritage Month, on September 10, 2024, at the Maryland State House.
WE EMBRACE DIVERSITY
“In our state, we don’t shy away from our diversity-we embrace it,” that was part of the words governor Moore used to drive home the point that Maryland’s population is a complex configuration of multi-ethnic nationalities-all working for a greater State of Maryland.
For Governor Moore, diversity is a strength and not a weakness to Maryland, and he’s making no qualms about it – that every small component of the state is very important.
On his part, Vincent Iweanoge, chair of the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs, described Governor Moore as the epitome of a true leader, “not someone who is just a politician.”
He clarified that “Politicians are the ones that work for the next election and do the things that are not controversial. But the leaders are the ones that do the things that are necessary even if it’s not popular”.
For the observers, the declaration of African Heritage Month in Maryland is a good encouragement to the African community given the increasing influence of African immigrants in the region over the past decades. Accordingly, it is expected that this move will also promote more commitments from Africans in the state, with big returns possible for the economy.
While the Africans in Maryland appear exceedingly proud of the support and acknowledgment which the declaration affirms, they are also well aware of their significant contributions to the economy of the State of Maryland. According to the American Community Survey (ACS) 2019 estimates, about 8.6% of Maryland’s population was born in Africa and approximately 28.3% of Maryland’s foreign-born population was born in Africa making them an important part of Maryland’s development matrix.
On a retrospective journey to the period of his governorship election campaign, Mr. Moore had given the assurance that when he is elected as the governor of Maryland, he will be accessible to all the people, and also, that Marylanders will not need to remind him of his promises before he keeps them. To this end, many are saying the Moore/Miller leadership is doing well.
They are putting the state’s money into projects with profound effects on the quality of life for the majority.
They are keenly building a robust and competitive economy while prioritizing the safety of its citizens and services that will expand opportunities for family units.
From supporting micro businesses to encouraging better wages for workers and investing in apprenticeship programs, to promoting green infrastructures and supporting healthcare, Maryland’s governor is playing by the promise card, keeping every detail of his “I wills” to the people and the state.
Governor of Maryland Wes Moore and Vincent Iweanoge chair of the Gover- nor’s Commission on African Affairs, during the September 10 Declaration of African Heritage Month.
