Appointed First Black Vice Mayor of Coral Springs, Joshua Simmons Steps into New Role

Coral Springs, Florida – Joshua Simmons has been appointed as vice mayor by the city commission on Wednesday, making him the first Black vice mayor in the city’s history.

Simmons is taking over for Vice Mayor Joy Carter after she served in the appointed seat for two years.

“I wish I could hear news this good every day,” Simmons said after receiving warm congratulations from Mayor Scott Brook and his fellow commissioners, which included newly elected Commissioner Nancy Metayer.

Simmons also bears the distinction of being the first elected Black commissioner of Coral Springs when he won Seat 4 in 2018.

Vice Mayor Simmons is a history teacher at Coral Springs High School and is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University, where he earned a BA in political science.

A new father to daughter Caleigh Blake Simmons, born to he and wife, Cheyenne, in June, the vice mayor has been one of the main architects of inspiring and unifying projects during the COVID-19 outbreak.

He not only worked with the commission to bring free food to those in need during the pandemic, but he also wrote and signed letters of congratulations to seniors graduating from Coral Springs high schools while schools were shut down. Simmons penned a heartfelt letter to his constituents, entitled: ‘We will absolutely get through this together.”

He was elected by residents in 2018 after knocking on over 4,000 doors to win their vote. His new title of vice mayor is effective immediately.