Mayor Henry Espy is serving in his fourth term
as Mayor, having been elected in 1989, 1993, 2001
and 2005. Prior to being elected Mayor in 1989, Mayor Espy
served as a Trustee for the Clarksdale Separate Municipal
School District from 1971-1973 and was a Clarksdale City
Commissioner from 1973-1987. In his many years in public life,
Mayor Espy has worked diligently to represent and uplift the entire City. Under his leadership Clarksdale annexed a substantial area, remodeled and relocated City Hall, recently paved over 26 miles of streets, added numerous housing units, purchased new fire trucks and upgraded equipment, improved rubbish collection, expanded the Police Department and partnered with the United States Attorney’s office with Project Safe Neighborhoods, which has led to a dramatic decrease in violent crimes, thereby making Clarksdale safer.

In the early 1990's, Mayor Espy recognized the importance of Blues music to Clarksdale and the world and was instrumental in having the City supported Delta Blues Museum relocated to the old railroad freight station along with the building of the Delta Blues Museum Stage. Recently, Mayor Espy spearheaded the effort to revitalize Downtown Clarksdale and coordinated a collaborative effort of the City of Clarksdale, Coahoma County, Clarksdale Public Utilities and private parties to form and support the nonprofit Clarksdale Revitalization, Inc. to promote a redeveloped Downtown Clarksdale and develop the Sunflower River as a local and tourist attraction.

In addition to his public service, Mayor Espy, a native of Yazoo City and a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been a successful businessman as President of Century Funeral Home. Mayor Espy served two terms as President of the National Conference of Black Mayors and is a member of the Mississippi Municipal League Hall of Fame. Mayor Espy is a member of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church.