‘Everybody can be a leader’: Dunstable’s first Black mayor reflects on her year in office
Cllr Sally Kimondo has looked back on her year as the first Black mayor of Dunstable, describing the experience as a privilege.
The outgoing mayor handed over the ceremonial chains to Cllr Richard Attwell, who became the new mayor earlier this week.
We spoke with Cllr Kimondo about what this year has meant to her.
The senior social worker focused on bringing communities together while holding the title in 2025/26.
She had discovered the roles played by volunteers and organisations that quietly support the town.
Cllr Kimdono said: “We have so many people who volunteer their time and give back to the community. Some of them you wouldn't know of if you aren't the mayor, because they don't advertise themselves. I was glad I could raise people up and get them recognition for what they do.”
She stressed that she wanted to show that leadership roles can be for anyone: “Political leadership is not defined by a certain class. Everybody can be a leader.”
Cllr Kimondo had the chance to share her story of coming to the town and studying at the University of Bedfordshire as a mature student with a child, with students on the Luton campus.
She explained: “I didn’t go back as a former student, I went back as a mayor. I failed… and I graduated with that help at the university. A failure does not mean it’s the end of the road.”
She encouraged more people like her to get into leadership roles: “You just need to be you as an individual. You don’t have to change the person you are. The space is so big for each one of us.”