Mayor W. James Jr.

Mayor Walter Lee James Jr.

The honorable Walter Lee James, Jr. served in his fourth term as the Mayor of the Town of Bladensburg. He was first elected to the Office of Mayor in October 2005. Prior to being elected Mayor, he served on the town council from October 2003 until his election to Mayor in 2005. He is the youngest to serve in elected office in the history of the Town of Bladensburg.

Mayor Walter James has accolades from various community groups, schools, cities from around the United States of America, for his commitment and dedication to the people he serves with a spirit humility and strength. At the age of 16 years old, The Walter Lee James, Jr. Spirit of Volunteerism Award was created to recognize his commitment to community service. Under Mayor James leadership, the Town of Bladensburg received the distinct designation as one of eight cities in the entire State of Maryland to receive the Sustainable Town Designation.

He hold memberships in many organizations such as the Washington Council of Governments, the National League of Cities, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, The Harvard University Alumni Association, The Howard University Alumni Association, the Maryland Municipal League, Maryland Mayors Associations, the Maryland Black Mayors, Inc., and the Mayor Black Mayor Community Development Corporation just to name a few.

Mayor James currently serves as the Treasurer for the Maryland Black Community Development Corporation, Inc. He is also the Past President of the Port Towns Community Development Corporation. Mayor James also served as the Deputy Director of the Prince George’s County Office of Community Relations. He also served as the Executive Director of the Prince George’s Human Relations Commission.

In 2012, Mayor Walter James was selected to serve as a member of a Delegation of US Mayors to Nigeria for an ALGON Conference, wherein he conferenced with Nigerian Local Government Chairmen, visited local Health Care Centers and schools, in order to build partnerships to enhance the quality of life for the Nigerian community. In 2008 Mayor James received a Presidential appointment to serve on the US War of 1812 Commission serving under the direction of the US Secretary of the Interior.

Mayor James is a graduate of Howard University with a B.B.A degree in International Business. He is also a graduate of the Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Education program, and the University Of Maryland Academy Of Excellence in Local Governance.

Mayor James has a vision for our community that stimulates and promotes growth through home ownership, youth and seasoned citizen involvement, public safety, job creation, and a healthy eating and active living lifestyle which in return, creates a sense of appreciation and a character of responsibility. He believes that in order for any community to prosper; the people of that community must be equipped and empowered to make a positive difference, socially and economically; in a safe environment.  Mayor Walter James is a Servant Leader.  He believes that you lead by serving, you motivate positive change through positive example and that you love your neighbor as yourself.