US Midterm Elections: African-American Wes Moore Makes History as Maryland's First Black Governor

• African-American and Democrat, Wes Moore, has become the first Black governor in the state of Maryland
• He won the governorship in the US midterm elections, becoming the only third Black governor elected in the nation's 246-year history
• Moore is a best-selling author, businessman, and former head of the anti-poverty organisation Robin Hood

African-American Wes Moore has become the first Black governor in the state of Maryland after winning the governorship in the US midterm polls.

He defeated his Republican opponent, Maryland Del. Dan Cox, putting the governorship back in Democrats' hands after two terms of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

The longtime businessman and philanthropist ran on a platform of eliminating childhood poverty and ensuring Maryland remains a state dedicated to reproductive rights.

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Wes Moore joins list of history makers

Moore joins only Douglas Wilder of Virginia and Deval Patrick as the third Black governor elected in the nation's 246-year history, the BBC reported.

Ahead of the midterm polls, he garnered the endorsement of national Democrats and celebrities, including President Joe Biden, former president Barack Obama, and Oprah Winfrey.

Wes Moore celebrates historic win

Moore, 44, celebrated his historic win and the lieutenant governor-elect Aruna Miller, an Indian-American woman who will become the first immigrant to hold statewide office in Maryland.

Per NPR, Moore has made it clear that his primary concern is to make history in his governance.

We're not in this race to make history. We're in this race because we have a unique opportunity to make child poverty history [...] We have a unique opportunity to make the racial wealth gap history, he told supporters last month.

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African student becomes first black valedictorian at top US school

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that a Nigerian identified as Timi Adelakun has made history at South Broward High School in Florida, by being the school's first black valedictorian and for having a 5.6 GPA - the highest ever in the school’s history.

Reacting to the feat, Adelakun said it was a good thing that he made history in the school. He expressed gratitude to the school that helped him academically, Black News reports.

Briefly News notes that Timi said:

“I’ve been taking over 20 college courses worth of credit, and because of that, my AP credits, my Ace credits, and my dual enrolment credits boost my GPA."

Source: YEN.com.gh