City Of District Heights Mayor's Office

The municipal offices are closed for these observed holidays: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Day President's Day Memorial Day
Columbus Day Independence Day Labor Day Veteran's Day Thanksgiving Day Day After Thanksgiving Christmas Day

Office of the Mayor

Dr. James L. Walls, Jr.

The Honorable James L. Walls, Jr., was re-elected Mayor of the City of District Heights, Maryland on May 3, 2010. He is the youngest person in the City's History to be elected as a Mayor, as well as the youngest person to ever serve as Vice Mayor and City Commissioner.

Mayor Walls has received accolades from many Cities and States from around the United States and the World for his outstanding commitment and dedication to public and community service. In 2008, Mayor Walls received the Distinguished "Martin Luther King Foundation" of Prince George's County, "Civic Engagement Award".

He holds memberships in many organizations such as the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., National League of Cities, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO), Maryland Municipal League, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Conference of Black Mayors, World Conference of Mayors, Inc., Maryland Black Mayors, and the Maryland Mayors Association to name a few.

Mayor Walls serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO). He is the Past President of the Maryland Black Mayors Association.

In 2003, Mayor Walls received a United States Presidential Appointment to serve on the United States Selective Service Board for Maryland. In 2010, he was appointed by the Maryland State Governor to the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code Advisory Council and is a former member of the Maryland State Board of Foresters. In 2011, he was elected the youngest President of the World Conference of Mayors, Inc., and also serves as Chairman of the International Affairs Committee for the National League of Cities-National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO).

Mayor Walls is an Alumnus of the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) and a Member of the US Department of State Alumni. Mayor Walls has traveled and Headed delegations to West Africa, Eastern Europe, Central America, and the Caribbean. In 2003, he was selected out of National, State and Local elected official candidates to travel with a U.S. delegation to the Republic of Hungary and the Republic of Romania in Eastern Europe. In 2005, he was asked to serve as a US Representative to the Balkans for the first historic Europe & Eurasia Young Leaders Conference in Macedonia. The conference concluded with the dedication of a "Liberty Pavilion" at Southeast European University, erected as a symbol of democracy to commemorate this pioneer gathering of Young political leaders working to expand freedom's frontier across Europe and Eurasia. In 2011, President Adoulaye Wade of the Republic of Senegal designated Mayor Walls as a Goodwill Ambassador for the African Renaissance during the Historic 3rd World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures. Mayor Walls has been honored to be made an Honorary Citizen of Osun State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has fostered sister cities international agreements with the Republic of the Congo, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Republic of Haiti.

Mayor Walls is a graduate of Bowie State University with a BA degree in History & Pre-Law. He has also graduated and earned certificate's in Leadership Development from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, University of Maryland-Academy of Excellence in Local Governance and the National League of Cities-Leadership Training Institute.

Mayor Walls attended the Richmond Virginia Seminary. He has a Masters of Arts in Theology and a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling. He is also a Licensed and Ordained Baptist Minister. He serves as an Associate Minister of Forestville New Redeemer Baptist Church in Forestville, MD.

Mayor Walls formerly worked in the Maryland House of Delegates as a Legislative Director for the 25th Legislative District and is the Former City Manager of the City of District Heights and Town of Fairmount Heights, Maryland.

Mayor Walls is working hard to make a difference in our community, especially in the pursuit of his primary issues of seniors, youth, family, housing, economic development, and global cultural enrichment. He is a public servant who is committed to serving the needs of the residents of the City of District Heights, Maryland and the State of Maryland.

Mayor Walls can be reached via email at wallsj@districtheights.org