In Memory of Hyattsville Mayor Kevin Ward

Courtesy of City of Hyattsville

Hyattsville Mayor Kevin Ward, the first the first African-American man to serve in that position, died on Tuesday, January 25. The city released an announcement about his death earlier today.

Ward, who was elected in May after serving as interim mayor and two-term city council member, was a longtime advocate for making the city more welcoming, promoting measures such as allowing non-citizens to vote in municipal elections, designating Hyattsville as a sanctuary city for undocumented immigrants and renaming the city’s largest park after the late African-American artist David Driskell.

In his campaign for mayor, he called for helping local businesses hurt by the pandemic, promoting affordable housing, enhancing community policing and focusing on sustainability and environmental awareness, among other things.

In June, Ward received the inaugural LGBTQ Excellence in Government Award from Prince George’s County Pride at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. during the city’s first pride parade, which took place at the same time as the Capital Pride Walk and Rally.

Ward moved to Hyattsville with his husband and two sons in 2014.

On his campaign website, he described himself as a down-to-Earth person who liked to engage with other people.

“I like the roar of a V8 as much as I like the whir of an electronic car. And I like a sneaker more than I like a dress shoe,” he wrote. “I am equally apt to listen to Stevie Nicks as Meghan Thee Stallion. And I believe laughter is the best medicine.”

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text TALK to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

Community members in and around the Hyattsville area in need of grief counseling or mental health support are encouraged to contact Community Crisis Services, Inc.: call 800-273-TALK; or the Affiliated Sante Group crisis support line: 301-429-2185.

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7 responses to “In Memory of Hyattsville Mayor Kevin Ward”

  1. Kathrin Black says:

    I am so very sorry…..

  2. Lise Nau says:

    A terrible blow for Hyattsville, and we will miss our neighbor!

  3. Sallie McElrath says:

    So very sad. Suicides are on the rise. Just today Maryland’s Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense lobbied in District 22 and statewide to demand common sense gun legislation. With the emotional stresses in our society, too readily available guns and still, taboos around mental health, tragedies like this are happening more and more. Deep condolences to his family and friends. And thank you Allison for the sensitive report.

  4. Lindsey Mendelson says:

    This is devastating. I’m so sorry to hear about this. He was such a kind and generous man and I admired him.

  5. Sallie McElrath says:

    I didn’t know our mayor at all and feel my remark about mental health was presumptuous in regards to his death and I apologize. Mainly I was highlighting my concern about guns and suicides which was sadly discussed yesterday in meetings I attended. I found this positive article about how mental health is slowly becoming less taboo. Peace to all. https://www.psychreg.org/mental-health-taboo-subject/

  6. Marita Roos says:

    Thank you Alison, for recalling the many beautiful ways of Kevin Ward for those of us who did not know him. My deepest condolences to his family.

  7. Gil says:

    Just came across this unfortunate news and I am terribly sorry for your loss. He was the kind of person the world needs more of🙏🏾

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