Wayne Messam, the mayor of Miramar, Florida, suspended his presidential campaign in November after failing to gain any traction in the Democratic race.

Messam is the first black mayor of Miramar, a city of 140,000 people near Miami. The son of Jamaican-born immigrants, he played college football at Florida State and was part of the school's national championship team in 1993.

"My father came to this country from Jamaica ... chasing the American dream, and I'm living that American dream," Messam told CNN's "New Day" in March. "But I see that American dream slipping away for a lot of Americans."

He is serving his second term as mayor. Before that he was on the Miramar City Commission. Messam also is a general contractor who owns a construction business with his wife.

Messam posted this childhood photo to Facebook in December 2018. He grew up in South Bay, Florida, and was the fourth of five children.
Messam posted this childhood photo to Facebook in December 2018. He grew up in South Bay, Florida, and was the fourth of five children.
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Messam played college football at Florida State. He was a wide receiver from 1993-1996.
Messam played college football at Florida State. He was a wide receiver from 1993-1996.
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Messam hugs Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden after a big win over Miami in 1996.
Messam hugs Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden after a big win over Miami in 1996.
Phil Coale
Messam joins other dignitaries in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new FBI field office in Miramar in April 2015. Messam had just become the city's new mayor.
Messam joins other dignitaries in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new FBI field office in Miramar in April 2015. Messam had just become the city's new mayor.
Wilfredo Lee/AP
Messam posted this photo to Facebook in April 2018. "The cities that embrace cultural, spiritual and social diversity will always have a competitive advantage over those that build walls," he wrote.
Messam posted this photo to Facebook in April 2018. "The cities that embrace cultural, spiritual and social diversity will always have a competitive advantage over those that build walls," he wrote.
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Messam poses for a photo with his family. He and his wife, Angela, have three children: son Wayne II and twin daughters Kayla and Kyla.
Messam poses for a photo with his family. He and his wife, Angela, have three children: son Wayne II and twin daughters Kayla and Kyla.
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Messam and radio personality Jill Tracey attend the American Black Film Festival in Miami in June 2017.
Messam and radio personality Jill Tracey attend the American Black Film Festival in Miami in June 2017.
Thaddaeus McAdams/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Messam laughs with Stephen Turrisi while touring JL Audio's offices in Miramar in March 2019. It was a day after Messam announced his presidential aspirations.
Messam laughs with Stephen Turrisi while touring JL Audio's offices in Miramar in March 2019. It was a day after Messam announced his presidential aspirations.
Brynn Anderson/AP
Messam is interviewed while giving a tour of Miramar in March 2019.
Messam is interviewed while giving a tour of Miramar in March 2019.
Brynn Anderson/AP