Wednesday May 21, 2025
The new Lord Mayor of Sheffield Safiya Saeed. Sheffield Council
Sheffield, United Kingdom (HOL) — Safiya Saeed has been appointed the 128th Lord Mayor of Sheffield, becoming the first Black woman wearing a hijab to hold the city’s ceremonial title.
Saeed, a Labour Party councillor for Burngreave since 2021, was inaugurated during Sheffield City Council’s Annual General Meeting on Monday. Her family, including relatives who travelled from Somaliland, attended the ceremony at the Sheffield Town Hall.
“I am honoured to be the first black woman wearing a hijab to take this role,” Saeed said in her acceptance speech. “I came to Sheffield in 1985, and this city has truly become my home, a place where I have always felt I belong.”
Saeed is a single mother of five and founder of Reach Up Youth, a community project focused on empowering young people, particularly those from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. The initiative provides leadership training, professional development, mental health support, and opportunities to reduce isolation.
“Today, this gives me the platform to grow and give back to my community,” she said.
In her speech, Saeed emphasized the importance of inclusive representation. “I want every voice, no matter how quiet, to feel heard in the heart of this city.”
Her theme for the year centers on building networks and fostering civic partnerships. “I hope to turn Sheffield into a thriving hub where investors, entrepreneurs, charities, and residents can build partnerships and support each other, looking to gather Sheffield’s stories, amplify its voices, and proudly represent the spirit of our city,” she said.
During her tenure on the council, Saeed has held several roles, including Deputy Lord Mayor and North East Local Area Committee Chair.
The position of Lord Mayor in Sheffield is ceremonial, with no executive powers. Still, the role plays an essential ambassadorial function, representing the city at official events and promoting civic pride.
Saeed closed her speech by reaffirming her vision for inclusion and collaboration: “I want every voice, no matter how quiet, to feel heard in the heart of this city.”