ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A day to celebrate for Melvin Carter, a man born and raised in St. Paul.
Carter, 38, a married father of five, was sworn in as the city's first black mayor on Tuesday. It was a historic day that many felt Carter was destined for, including Governor Mark Dayton, who said he's watched Carter evolve on St. Paul's city council, then as one of his advisers.
"Melvin turned those life experiences - both positive and negative - into the courage, conviction, and compassion which will hallmark his public career," said Governor Dayton.
A mayoral career that became official Tuesday at Carter's former high school - St. Paul Central - where 20 years ago, his classmates voted him "most likely to succeed."
"Is Central in the house?" laughed Carter, on stage in front of a packed gymnasium, during his inaugural address.
Last November, his city felt the same way, electing him mayor.
"We have work to do to fulfill St. Paul's promise for every person in every part of our city," said Carter. "That work will center around three pillars: public safety, education, and economic justice."
And, Carter's asking for your help.
"We'll invite you ... don't clap if you're not going to help!" laughed Carter. "Our City Hall won't be designed to simply lift my voice, but to lift every voice."
For Carter, the work starts right away.
"I will work with Chief (Todd) Axtell to review and revise our police department's use of force policies. I will propose a partnership between business, philanthropy and nonprofit leaders to start every child born in St. Paul with $50 in a college savings account. And because no one who works full time should ever be stuck living in poverty, I will work closely with the City Council to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour for every worker in our city as soon as possible."