Marshall Pitts, Jr. was the first African American mayor of Fayetteville, North Carolina, serving two terms from December 2001 to December 2005.
As a child, Pitts moved to Fayetteville with his parents, Marshall Sr. and Carol, from Carrollton, Georgia. He attended local schools and graduated from Westover High School, where he was recognized as a track and field All-American and an All-Academic Student-Athlete in 1982. After graduation, he enrolled at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1987. He then attended North Central University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1990.
Following his graduation from law school, Pitts returned to Fayetteville to practice law. From 1993 to 2000, he taught criminal justice at Fayetteville State University. In 1997, he entered politics and ran for a seat on the Fayetteville City Council, narrowly losing by just 66 votes. In 1999 he ran again, won, and became the first African American to serve on the council in 20 years. During his tenure, he also served as Vice Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore.
In 2001, Pitts ran for mayor against incumbent Milo McBryde. His campaign slogan, “Change is Coming,” highlighted the need for economic diversification in Fayetteville, which had long depended on nearby military installations. Pitts won the election with 56% of the vote and was sworn in as mayor on December 3, 2001, becoming the first African American to hold that position in the city’s history. He was re-elected in 2003 under the slogan “Change is Now.”
As mayor, Pitts addressed local racial tensions and Fayetteville’s lingering image as a “grubby” town, an association rooted in its past as a hub for bars and entertainment catering to military personnel. His administration expanded affordable housing, developed recreational facilities, and revitalized the downtown area. Notable achievements included the establishment of Festival Park, the Mazarick Park Bike Trail, and various enrichment programs for senior citizens.
Pitts also championed the annexation of land adjacent to Fayetteville, a move intended to increase the city’s population and tax base. The annexation, which added 43,000 residents, was controversial and faced strong opposition from those in the affected areas. Despite its unpopularity, the measure passed.
During his time as mayor, Pitts served on the executive board of the North Carolina Cities Coalition and on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Transportation Committee. In 2004, he was appointed to the board of directors of ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., which oversees policy for municipally owned utilities.
In 2005, Pitts ran for a third term but was defeated by Tony Chavonne. The annexation issue played a major role in the election, with many of the newly annexed residents voting against Pitts.
After leaving office, Pitts remained active in public service and community affairs. He was named Fayetteville State University’s Teacher of the Year in both 1994 and 1996. In 2009, the university honored him with its Humanitarian Award. From 2007 to 2011, he served on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.
Marshall Pitts founded the Law Offices of Marshall B. Pitts, Jr., specializing in personal injury, Social Security, and wrongful death cases. In 2011 he was selected by Fayetteville’s Readers’ Choice as “Best Lawyer.” In 2014 the North Carolina Bar Association recognized Pitts with their “Citizen Lawyer Award.”
He and his wife, Talesha, have one son, Myles.
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