Wes Moore sworn in as 1st Black governor of Maryland

Oprah Winfrey was at the inauguration to show support
Wes Moore sworn in as 1st Black governor of Maryland
Wes Moore poses for a selfie with his son James (Image source: Facebook – Wes Moore)

On Jan. 18, Wes Moore, an Army veteran and former nonprofit executive, was sworn in as Maryland’s first Black governor.


“It’s impossible not to think about our past and our path. We’re blocks away from the Annapolis docks, where so many enslaved people arrived in this country against their will,” Moore said in his inaugural speech.


Moore was introduced by Oprah Winfrey before his speech, who endorsed him during the election. Winfrey called him a “man I so trust,” and says she trusts his vision and leadership.

“Maryland is full to the brim with opportunity,” Winfrey said. “It was back then; it is now. And I know that with Wes Moore as your governor, Maryland’s best days lie ahead.”


During his speech, Moore also addressed key policy priorities including child poverty, the economy and crime. He expressed that it’s unacceptable that 1 in 8 children live in poverty in Maryland, despite the state having a high median income.

“We do not have to choose between a safe state and a just state,” Moore said. “Maryland can, and will, be both.”

When speaking about the economy, Moore said the state does have to choose between a competitive economy and an equitable one. On the topic of crime, Moore brought up a memory when he was handcuffed at 11 years old, and says he understands what it feels like to stand with families and mourn the victims of violent crime.

On Moore’s first full day in office, he released the $3.5 million in funds provided under the Abortion Care Access Act.

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