Clayton Muhammad, Aurora’s chief engagement and equity officer hailed as “the voice of Aurora,” is set to leave his role at the city.
Over more than 10 years, Muhammad has acted as one of Aurora’s main spokespersons and promoters. At a city meeting on Tuesday, he was honored for his service to Aurora both within and outside of city government.
“The fingerprints that you’ve left all over the city, and these huge shoes to fill — just incredible,” Mayor John Laesch said.
In a proclamation naming “Clayton Muhammad Day” as July 22, his birthday, Laesch said Muhammad has been a “dedicated and distinguished public servant” who has done the job “with unwavering commitment, integrity and professionalism.”
Since joining the city as the first Director of Communications in 2013 under former Mayor Tom Weisner, Muhammad has played a “vital role” in the city’s engagement, community outreach and communications efforts, according to the proclamation.
Laesch also said during the event that Muhammad has earned the respect of his colleagues, elected officials and community partners because of his “love of Aurora, institutional knowledge and tireless work ethic.”
Videos shown at Tuesday’s meeting featuring city employees and community members talking about Clayton backed up the proclamation’s claims. Multiple people in one of the videos, when asked for one word to describe Muhammad, said he is “phenomenal.”
“He is known far and wide, and beloved. I don’t know if I’ve ever come across someone who didn’t like Clayton,” Aurora Assistant Chief of Staff Nicholas Richard-Thompson said in a video.
Others featured in the video spoke of Muhammad’s work ethic, his care for others and the impact he has had on so many throughout the city.
Representatives from Chicago area media were also among those who spoke highly of Muhammad in videos played at the Tuesday meeting.
“You really put Aurora on the map locally,” NBC 5 Chicago’s Christian Farr said to Muhammad in a video played at Tuesday’s meeting.
Muhammad said at the meeting that, having been born and raised in Aurora, he loves the city. His 12 years working at the city, plus his 10 years working as the spokesperson of East Aurora School District 131, has been “the honor of a lifetime,” he said.
Before working as the director of Community Relations and district spokesman for East Aurora School District, Muhammad was first a sixth-grade teacher at Waldo Middle School in the district and then worked at the Quad County Urban League.
Muhammad also founded the Boys II Men organization, an Aurora-based mentoring group.
According to Laesch’s proclamation, Muhammad leaves behind a “lasting legacy of excellence in public service.”
For his efforts, the city of Aurora also presented Muhammad with a custom-made brooch officially declaring him “The Voice of Aurora.”
rsmith@chicagotribune.com
