When Yemi Mobolade ran for mayor of Colorado Springs, not many gave him a chance.
“I shocked myself, too. I think we were all shocked,” said Mobolade.
The city just 50 miles south of Denver has traditionally been a conservative stronghold and Yemi is a Nigerian immigrant who is unaffiliated. But he says deep down he always knew he was the right man for the job.
“I think we put forward something that transcends political ideology, political party, coupled with… there’s a hunger for a leadership that really connects with the people,” said Mobolade.
Mayor Yemi, as he likes to be called, says he found his calling in college. He came to the United States to pursue a career in computers.
“I’m like, ‘OK I could make good money,’ but I learned quickly during my internship that I was designed for something different, especially in the arena of leadership,” said Mobolade.