Albany Mayor Elect Dorcey Applyrs discusses action plan after historic win

ALBANY, N.Y. (News10)-- It’s a historic day in Albany after the very first Black mayor was elected. Mayor Elect Dorcey Applyrs says that in her first one hundred days in office, she’s prioritizing diverse voices across the Capital Region.

“This is really about setting the tone that my team and I are already at work," Applyrs stated.

This morning, she addressed the media ahead of her celebratory breakfast at Hattie's Culinary Lab. Joined by her transition team, she focused heavily on governance, and the importance of representation in local politics.

“When you don't see leadership that reflects your background, oftentimes you feel that, 'I can't do that, or 'that's not something for me," Applyrs explained. "As I tell my own daughters, you could do anything you desire to do if you work hard enough and you first believe in yourself. To all of those young girls out there, I am just honored to be able to inspire them, and through action, demonstrate that the sky is the limit.”

Applyrs launched her Activate Albany committee this morning, comprised of a diverse group of local leaders. The initiative is an effort to engage the community in her action plan for the next four years.

"That team will be instrumental in helping us launch the most innovative and inclusive survey that this city has seen to solicit input from our residents, businesses, and other stakeholders," Applyrs stated. "Those details and the feedback that we receive will inform an action plan that will serve as my north star and compass as it relates to my administration's mandate and policy priorities to serve the city of Albany."

Applyrs also talked about her plan to address food insecurity. Made worse by the longest standing government shutdown.

“I used to serve on the board for the Regional Food Bank, and I know that during times like this, many people from our philanthropic community and others really step up in a major way to make investments so that others in our community who don't have access to food may have," Applyrs noted. "I look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with our community partners, our faith community, to ensure that we are helping to protect and serve our most vulnerable residents.”

Applyrs will be formally sworn into office on January 1, 2026, taking the place of outgoing Albany Mayor, Kathy Sheehan.