Public Servant · Storyteller · Community Builder
Mike
Elliott
Former Mayor of Brooklyn Center — the first Black mayor in the city's history. Building communities forward through service, advocacy, and story.
A Letter From Mike
“We each have a part to play in the places we call home.”
I came to Brooklyn Center at eleven years old, a refugee from Liberia's civil war. Two decades later I became its mayor — because this community opened its doors to my family, and I've spent my life opening doors for others.
When I first ran for office, it was with a simple belief: the people closest to a community know best what it needs. Serving as mayor taught me that real change is built neighbor by neighbor — listening first, then leading.
Whether I'm serving in office, speaking on a stage, or writing the next chapter of this work, the goal stays the same: to open doors and help people turn their potential into power.
Thanks for stopping by — I hope you find what you came for, and I hope you'll stay involved.
— Mike Elliott
The Record
Mayor of Brooklyn Center 2019 – 2023
Mike arrived in Brooklyn Center at age eleven, a refugee of Liberia's civil war. Two decades later he was elected its mayor — the first Black and first Liberian-American mayor in the city's history.
In April 2021, after the killing of Daunte Wright, he led the city through a national crisis — meeting neighbors in the streets, holding listening sessions outside City Hall, and guiding the council to pass landmark public-safety reform: unarmed civilian traffic enforcement, mental-health first responders, and an end to custodial arrests for low-level offenses.
The ACLU called it “a model for cities across the country” — and it was later cited in a submission to the United Nations on systemic racism in policing.
“Brooklyn Center couldn't have asked for a better mayor.”— Katie Wright, mother of Daunte Wright
2002
Founded Fastforward Education to drive student achievement at Brooklyn Center High School.
2018
Elected Mayor — the first Black and first Liberian-American mayor in the city's history.
Apr 2021
Led the city through the crisis following the killing of Daunte Wright — taking listening sessions to the streets and holding council meetings outside City Hall.
May 2021
Championed the Daunte Wright & Kobe Dimock-Heisler Community Safety and Violence Prevention Act — passed 4–1, and called a national model by the ACLU.
2022
Named a Bush Foundation Fellow for work on systemic public-safety change.
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“A model for cities across the country.”
ACLU — on the Community Safety & Violence Prevention Act
“Brooklyn Center's mayor is a superstar.”
Star Tribune — Readers Write
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The Book
The forthcoming book — from Liberia to City Hall. Join the list for pre-order news.
Join the list2018 Archive
The historic “It Starts Today” mayoral campaign, preserved in full.
View archiveAbout & Bio
The story, the record, and a downloadable bio for press and events.
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Workshops, facilitated conversations, and cohort programs on leading through crisis.
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Public record, career history, and citations.
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Speaking
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Keynotes, panels, commencements, and community events — Mike speaks on leadership through crisis, community-centered public safety, refugee and immigrant experience, and building cities that work for everyone.
- Leading a city through crisis — lessons from 2021
- Community safety that starts with community
- From refugee to mayor — the long road to City Hall
- Local government as a laboratory for change
Watch & listen
TODAY — “We’ve seen this far too many times”
National morning interview, April 13, 2021
CNN — The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer
“It’s not safe to drive in Minnesota while you’re Black”
MSNBC — All In
“We’re grieving,” says the mayor in wake of the shooting
NBC News NOW
Calling on Minnesota’s AG to investigate the shooting
KARE 11 — At the scene with Rep. Omar
Speaking from the Daunte Wright shooting scene (starts at 35:45)
With AG Keith Ellison
Joint address to protesters outside Brooklyn Center PD
WCCO — Leading a city through crisis
In-depth interview on the weeks that followed
Public Safety Reform Update
CCX Media — on the Community Safety & Violence Prevention Act
The Book
From Liberia to City Hall
Mike's forthcoming book — the journey from a refugee camp to the mayor's office, and the fight to reimagine public safety in America. Pre-order opens soon.
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