Ron Bacon Understands Gravity of Being First Black EL Mayor

This is the third in a series of articles catching up with members of the East Lansing City Council. ELi wanted to remind readers of the goals councilmembers initially campaigned on, the challenges they see for East Lansing and their goals for the future of the city.

Ron Bacon is the first Black man to be elected mayor of East Lansing by the City Council after he won a two-year term on City Council in November 2021. 

“I did understand the gravity of what was taking place,” he said. “It has been a guiding principle for me to make sure I’m being cognizant of the differences and sameness. I have a little bit of a different perspective than others.”

Bacon has a number of icons who have been his inspirations and examples of public servant leadership.

“My parents, the people of Jackson, Michigan, our very own Robert L. Green, John Lewis,” he listed before adding, “we have a rich tradition in Michigan of both justice and civil rights. Our history is unrivaled in that.”

When he ran for City Council, after being appointed to serve out the remainder of a term resulting from council resignations, he chose to go for a two-year term, saying that East Lansing was at an inflection point.

“There’s always a temptation to do things the way you’ve always done them,” he said. “Systems resist change inherently because they’re designed to protect themselves. That’s what systems do. But we can make sure our systems are fair, economically viable, [we can] make sure that they’re progressive and work for everyone to the best of their abilities.”

Bacon had three priorities when he ran for his council seat: supporting small business, fair budgeting and regional partnerships. He believes the city is moving in the right direction on all fronts.

The latter issue of regional partnerships is one in which the mayor takes special pride.

“We’ve been working with the tri-counties, Lansing and Meridian [Township],” he said. “We’ve got growing support for regional transportation and are working together to attract larger companies and organizations to the area. It’s a synergy like we’ve never had before. We are a strong economic region.”

He believes this strength is just one element that attracts people to East Lansing.

“The schools, the parks, Michigan State [University], they’re all making this a place you can live, grow and stay, and then the next generation can stay,” he said. “We’re trying to look at better retention and keeping our youth here longer and permanently, 

Bacon hints that the council will be moving on housing in the coming months.

“We’re going to be looking at the expansion of employment,” he said, “and housing puts a cloud over that as to whether people can afford [to live in the community].

“But we don’t know what the economy will do, with inflation. We can be nimble and reactive to what the economy does next, but some of that will be dictated by things outside of our control. We will try to be as smart as possible.”

Nevertheless, he is optimistic about the future.

“It’s an exciting time,” he said. “I want everyone to get involved. We have a really big election coming up. Another one of those ‘most important elections of our lifetime.’ We do better when everyone is involved and, whether [or not] we agree on everything, I want everyone to do their part.”

When asked about his plans after his time on City Council, he is quick to squash any consideration of higher elected office, saying he wants to “keep out of the rigmarole.”

“I prefer the kitchen table issues that we work on as a city council,” he said. “I don’t have those ambitions or that ego to make me consider anything like that.”

The first councilmember profiled was Dana Watson, followed by George Brookover. The next, and final, profile will be of Councilmember Lisa Babcock. Mayor Pro Tem Jessi Gregg declined to be featured.