Mayor Neeley hosts statue unveiling for Flint’s first Black mayor

FLINT, Michigan — Mayor Neely, the Community Foundation leadership, and family members of Floyd J. McCree cordially invite the Flint community to the official unveiling ceremony of the Floyd J. McCree bronze statue on the front lawn of Flint City Hall at 2 p.m. Monday, April 4, 2022. The occasion recognizes McCree as being the City of Flint’s first Black mayor.

“This is a long-overdue honor for the City of Flint’s first African-American mayor, Floyd McCree. He is one of our great pillars in the community that continued to serve the residents of Flint long after his term ended, “ said Mayor Sheldon Neeley. “This statue to be permanently placed on the lawn in front of City Hall will forever represent Floyd’s local and nationwide steadfast fight for justice and equality. I want to thank artist Joe Rundell for his amazing work in sculpting the McCree statue.”

Floyd J. McCree became the mayor of the City of Flint in 1966 and served until 1968. He became recognized as the first African American mayor of a major metropolitan city in addition to Flint. As mayor, McCree advocated for fair housing, and equal employment opportunities in Flint changed the trajectory of fair housing in the nation.

To honor McCree’s legacy, grandson Kyle McCree founded and created the Floyd J. McCree Legacy Fund to strengthen the commitment and partnership of the Community Foundation and the City of Flint to Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation.

“The Community Foundation is honored to work in partnership with the McCree family, generous donors, and the city. Seeing this statue come to life, and the educational opportunities to follow, creates a transformative moment for our community,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, president, and CEO of CFGF.

Parking will be free in front of City Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. courtesy of the Downtown Development Authority.