Meet the first African-American mayor in this Mississippi county

Pelahatchie is about 60 percent white, and come July 1, the city will have its first African-American mayor.

Ryshonda Harper Beechem, 37, also will become the first African-American mayor in Rankin County.

For some, Beechem pulled off a surprise in winning the June 6 general election in her hometown of Pelahatchie by defeating two other candidates. 

Beechem has heard a lot of people express surprise that she won the mayoral race.

“It was by the grace of God,” Beechem said.

Outgoing Mayor Knox Ross said it’s no big surprise to him that Beechem won because it was a three-candidate race in a nonpartisan general election with no runoff..

Ross, who has been mayor since 2001, didn't seek reelection. He said it was time to step aside and give someone else an opportunity to lead Pelahatchie, a town of about 1,340 residents off I-20 about 20 miles east of Jackson.

“In politics, we have a problem that some people stay around forever,” Ross said.

He said Tuesday that he wishes the new administration well. He didn’t endorse or get involved with the campaigns of any of the candidates seeking to replace him, but he said he will be available to help Beechem's administration if she seeks his advice.

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Elected officials in small towns and cities are really public servants because they don’t get paid a lot, Ross said.The Pelahatchie mayor's salary is $1,000 a month. The mayor and Board of Aldermen meet once a month.

"A lot of people came out,” Beechem said, responding to a question of how she won the race.

Beechem said Tuesday in an interview she didn't know what the pay is for the part-time job.

Beechem, who identifies herself as an independent, campaigned on people working together to move Pelahatchie forward.

"One thing I can assure is she will be fair to all races and she is qualified," said Adrian Allen of Pelahatchie, who has known Beechem all her life. "I consider her a Christian young lady."

Beechem's campaign message was “It’s time for progress: Expect more.”

One of her first priorities will be to finish construction on Milltown Park because she said citizens have indicated they want the recreation facility for children in the community.

Milltown Park, on the south end of town, includes playground equipment; ballfields; a half-mile, 10-foot-wide asphalt diversified use trail; and a 3,536-square-foot FEMA Community Safe Room capable of protecting 612 people, according to the town's comprehensive plan.

“I am looking forward to working with the many wonderful residents, the continuous building of our parks and recreation and the growth of the town as a whole,” Beechem said. “I am ready to help inspire our town to be the great town of Pelahatchie that I grew up to know.”

Beechem has a degree in accounting from Jackson State University. She and her husband, Rod Beechem, are the parents of a 2-year-old daughter. They own the accounting firm HBG & Associate Inc.; HBG Academy Inc., a Jackson childcare center; and StaTuned Multimedia, which creates commercials. Beechem also coaches a girls dance team and is the dance instructor for her church’s youth inspiration dance team.

Beechem said she doesn't see color. She has always had friends of different races.

"When I decided to run, I didn't have African American on my mind; I just want to give back to the town that produced me," Beechem said while sitting in her soon-to-be office at City Hall.

Beechem said she decided to run because Ross wasn't seeking reelection. She said she wouldn't have run against him.

"I felt the time was now and the opportunity presented itself," Beechem said.

Naturally, you have some people who are ecstatic that a black woman has been elected mayor of a predominantly white town, but you also have some who are concerned about the direction her administration will take, Beechem said.

"I think the unknown scares people more than anything because we have had a great mayor in place for 16 years," Beechem said, "so with that being said, I would hope being an African American doesn't play a factor in that. I love everybody in this town."

Pelahatchie resident Linda Copeland, who is white, said Beechem's being African American isn't a factor to her if she can do the job

"I'm willing to give anyone a chance," she said while standing the parking lot of Fairway grocery store:

Copeland said she would like to see the incoming mayor work on improving infrastructure, water and sewer lines, in Pelahatchie. Also, she said it would be great for the town to get more businesses.

Beechem said that with her being a product of Pelahatchie, and wanting to see the town do well, it should be a plus.

"This is our town and you chose me to represent you, and I plan to represent you well," Beechem said of her message to Pelahatchie residents.

Beechem said she hasn't made any promises to anyone; only that she plans to work hard as mayor to serve residents.

"I ask the people of Pelahatchie to give me an opportunity to work for them," Beechem said.

Beechem said she believes she has what it takes to move Pelahatchie to the next level and believes her election can be a bridge to bring people together to work for the good of the town.

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at 601-961-7212 orjgates@gannett.com. Follow him onFacebook andTwitter.