City's first black mayor wants to modernise role
BBCA DJ who has become a city's first black mayor in the role's 798-year history has said he is determined to "modernise the mayoralty".
Independent councillor Adrian Graham has become the 546th person to take up the role as mayor of Gloucester.
The 39-year-old, who represents the Matson, Robinswood and White City ward, previously worked as a care worker and pub landlord.
He said: "Representation matters. If a young child sees me and thinks that could be me one day, that is everything to me. I want to help the community and I want to modernise the mayoralty."
"But I do want to be judged on what I do this year rather than anything else," he told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"It's a big responsibility, but it is also an honour as well."
Born in Peterborough, Graham moved to Gloucester with his mother aged four, where they stayed in a refuge for victims of domestic violence.
He said the experience made him see the city as his "safety net".
"I didn't understand it until I was older, and I realised what it was and that made me who I am today," he said.
He said he would begin planning next week for events which will be staged throughout his year in office.
"I'm writing posts on social media that are getting a lot of feedback and views, a lot of charities' suggestions for places to visit, using social media to connect with people and getting young people involved too," he added.
Graham is also Gloucester's first independent mayor.
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