LA CROSSE, Wis. — La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey has been in office for one week now after being elected earlier this month. 

He spent time Tuesday on Spectrum News 1 talking about his plans for the city

"I've been in this community for about 17 years now," said Washington-Spivey. "I've always considered myself to be a community organizer, someone who's big in grassroots organizing... I just felt it was time to have a leader of our city who understood the need of being on the ground and doing the work, serving the people and hearing what their needs, wants and desires are."

Upon his election, Washington-Spivey became the city's first Black and openly gay mayor. He said that is not lost on him, as he settles into his new role, both as mayor and as a trailblazer.

"I was aware about [becoming] the city's first Black mayor," Mayor Washington-Spivey said. "To be honest with you, even before recognizing the historical nature of this race, it was really about truly being a mayor of the people and making sure we had someone who could represent everyone from every walk of life."

Watch the full interview above.