The Honorable Dwan B. Walker is a lifelong Aliquippa resident and the first African American elected Mayor of the City of Aliquippa, currently serving his fourth term. His administration is focused on fiscal stability, revitalization, and long-term community development.

Mayor Walker is a graduate of Aliquippa High School (1994) and earned a B.A. in Communications from Robert Morris University (1999), which later 2020 awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his leadership and public service.

His leadership has been widely recognized through honors including the Beaver County NAACP Human Rights President’s Award, Jefferson Award for Community Service, Talk Magazine’s 101 Influential Pennsylvanians, BME Award, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinator Award, Dignity and Respect Champion Award, 50 Men of Excellence Award, the 2021 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence, the 2026 Ja’Quan Lavender Foundation Community Pillar Award, and the 2026 Pennsylvania State Mayors Association Mayor of the Year Award.

A committed mentor, Walker coached Little Quips football for 12 years, reflecting his long-standing investment in youth development and community engagement.

A hallmark of his administration was achieved in December 2023, when Aliquippa successfully exited Pennsylvania Act 47 distressed status after 36 years. Under his leadership, the city has advanced approximately $21 million in revitalization initiatives, including demolition and blight removal, playground restoration, remediation of the former Legacy Brick site, and riverfront redevelopment.

In 2024, Mayor Walker represented Aliquippa and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the national stage at the Democratic National Convention Roll Call in Chicago alongside Governor Josh Shapiro.

He is the devoted husband of Kelly Walker, father of Aryonna, Alexis, Aliah, Roman, and Angelina, and grandfather to Ameyah and Kendrick. He credits his foundation to his parents, Donald “Chuckie” Walker and Sharon “Chedda” Walker, and maintains a close bond with his twin brother, Donald C. Walker III, a longtime City Council member and finance chair.

Mayor Walker’s leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to service and the belief that Commonwealth’s strength lies in its people and its future remains full of promise.

🎥 Videos & Interviews

• “Build it Here: Mayor Dwan Walker” — YouTube / U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio
  A recent feature focusing on Aliquippa, its steel/manufacturing history, and Mayor Walker’s leadership. Watch “Build it Here: Mayor Dwan Walker”⁠
• CBS Pittsburgh — Pennsylvania delegation at the DNC
  Mayor Walker represented Aliquippa during the 2024 Democratic National Convention and spoke about Aliquippa’s football legacy. CBS Pittsburgh video⁠
  There is also a written CBS article covering his DNC appearance. CBS Pittsburgh article — Dwan Walker at DNC⁠
• NBC10 Philadelphia — Pittsburgh-area voters & Mayor Dwan Walker
  October 7, 2024 interview concerning the presidential race and important issues. Watch the NBC10 interview⁠
• Beaver County Radio — “Aliquippa Mayor Dwan Walker Sees Change, Wants Change”
  March 11, 2022. A substantial interview about Aliquippa’s redevelopment and Mayor Walker’s vision for the city. Watch/read Beaver County Radio interview⁠
• Beaver County Radio — “From Home Rule To The Holidays”
  November 18, 2022. Mayor Walker discussed Home Rule, Aliquippa’s financial recovery, Washington, D.C., infrastructure funding, and community development. Watch/read the interview⁠
• CBS Pittsburgh — New steel mill coming to Aliquippa
  Mayor Walker discusses the return of steel manufacturing to Aliquippa and the significance of the site to his family and the community. CBS Pittsburgh video/article⁠

📰 Major Articles

• WTAE — Aliquippa sheds distressed-city status
  December 1, 2023. This is one of the most important stories about Mayor Walker’s administration. It covers Aliquippa’s exit from Pennsylvania’s Act 47 distressed-municipality program after nearly 36 years. Read the WTAE article⁠
• New Pittsburgh Courier — $3 million investment in Aliquippa
  January 21, 2018. An early major article on Mayor Walker’s efforts to rebuild Aliquippa and attract investment. Read the New Pittsburgh Courier article⁠
• CBS Pittsburgh — Mayor helps take armed suspect into custody
  April 13, 2015. An early article showing Mayor Walker personally assisting during a situation near Aliquippa High School. Read the CBS article⁠
• Washington Week/PBS — 2020 Election coverage
  Mayor Walker was interviewed about Aliquippa, the area’s economic history, the steel industry and the 2020 presidential election. Watch/read PBS coverage⁠

🏆 2026 — Mayor of the Year

This is particularly important because it is very recent:

• Beaver County Radio — Mayor Dwan Walker named 2026 Pennsylvania State Mayors Association Mayor of the Year
  Published July 22, 2026. Mayor Walker received the 2026 Pennsylvania State Mayors Association Mayor of the Year award at the association’s conference in Bethlehem. Read Beaver County Radio article⁠
• The Big K Morning Show — Mayor Walker interview
  August 2026. Mayor Walker joined the program following his Mayor of the Year recognition. The episode is approximately eight minutes. Listen to the interview on Apple Podcasts⁠
• Beaver County Chamber — Mayor Walker named Mayor of the Year
  Beaver County Chamber post⁠

📺 More recent news appearances

I also found coverage involving Mayor Walker concerning:

• the 2025 Aliquippa Junior High football-team bus crash, where he spoke publicly and urged the community to pray for the students and families.
• a 2026 Aliquippa police incident involving a 10-year-old, where Mayor Walker provided information to KDKA. KDKA report⁠
• Aliquippa’s water/infrastructure projects and the city’s new water-filtration investment. WPXI coverage⁠
• National Night Out and Mayor Walker’s work with young people in Aliquippa. WPXI coverage⁠

📚 Official Mayor Walker sources