Demetrius Chatman, a South Carolina State University administrator and longtime public servant, will be sworn in as the first Black mayor of his hometown on July 1, capping a journey defined by resilience, public commitment and a deeply personal battle.
Elected on April 1, Chatman will become mayor of Winnsboro, South Carolina, the town where his passion for service first took root.
“I got involved because I believe in the potential of Winnsboro,” Chatman said. “I’ve always seen the town as a place where everyone can thrive, and I’m committed to making that vision a reality.”
His election follows years of municipal leadership, including service as a councilmember since 2019, mayor pro tempore and chair of the Finance Committee. His style of governance has always started with listening.
“True leadership begins with listening, understanding the needs of the people, and committing to solutions that bring lasting change,” he said.
His commitment to Winnsboro runs in parallel with his career at SC State, where he has worked since 2007. Beginning as a program assistant in the Title III office, he steadily rose through the ranks and now serves as program manager, administering federal funds meant to support and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities.
“Managing these funds and seeing their positive impact on the university — whether through infrastructure upgrades, student support, or faculty development — has been incredibly rewarding,” Chatman said.
