At Tuesday night’s Committee of the Whole Meeting, the city of Aurora honored a longtime City staff member, community stalwart, and Aurora advocate as he embarks on the next chapter of his star-studded career.
City of Aurora government Facebook video screenshot
Clayton Muhammad, Aurora’s chief engagement and equity officer, is set to depart from City Hall May 23.
Mayor John Laesch commemorated Muhammad’s exemplary service to the community by proclaiming July 22, Muhammad’s birthday, as “Clayton Muhammad Day” in the city of Aurora.
“The fingerprints that Clayton has left all over this City, and these huge shoes to fill…it’s just incredible,” mayor John Laesch said. “You’ve had an incredible tenure here in Aurora.”
Muhammad was named the City’s first-ever director of communications in 2013, and served in multiple senior roles throughout his tenure in Aurora. Before his time with the City, Muhammad served as the director of community relations and district spokesman for East Aurora School District 131. He began his professional career as a sixth-grade teacher at Waldo Middle School, before transitioning into administrative roles with the Quad County Urban League.
Muhammad also founded the nationally recognized, Aurora-based Boys II Men organization, which brought together young Black and Latino men in the Aurora area to build a bond of brotherhood and to redefine manhood.
“As a child born and raised in Aurora, I love this City tremendously,” Muhammad said. “Someone once said, ‘the best prayer is simply the two words thank you.’ Tonight, I give that prayer to all of you. Thank you so much.”
— Jon Zaghloul, communications manager for the city of Aurora