Mayors often deliver a “state of the city” speech, which highlights accomplishments of the past year and sets goals for the future. While these speeches are typically focused on issues, they can also be used to highlight community leaders or special events.
In 2024, Mayor Cherelle Parker reflected on her first year in office and discussed her plans for Philadelphia’s future in her State of the City address. She cited crime reductions and a new park as some of her successes and unveiled a plan to expand youth initiatives, create schoolyard gardens and connect Section 8 households with homes.
Similarly, in 2019, Mayor Eric Adams highlighted his City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan and a new effort to connect unhoused expectant mothers with apartments. He also mentioned e-scooters and social media as areas that required attention.
In 2019, some mayors included a specific focus on civic engagement, encouraging citizens to participate in the political process or municipal election reform. Others gave significant coverage to the economic development subtopic, which encompassed everything from attracting companies to a city to implementing opportunity zones.
Before delivering a mayor speech, it’s important to understand your audience and tailor the message to their needs. This does not mean stereotyping an audience based on their identity; however, it is a good idea to consider what information would be most helpful for various groups within your city. For example, if your city’s working class is worried about their children’s safety at the local playground, you may wish to spend more time explaining how the new park will improve neighborhood safety.