Lilian Seenoi-Barr had already made history when she became the first black politician to be elected to any public office in Northern Ireland in 2023.

On Monday, she will go one step further, becoming mayor of the city she arrived in as a refugee 14 years ago.

It has been quite a journey from her native Narok in southern Kenya to Londonderry’s Guildhall.

When Ms Seenoi-Barr receives the mayoral chain of office, she will become Northern Ireland’s first black mayor and only the third on the island of Ireland.

A delegation of Kenyan political representatives and Ms Seenoi-Barr’s four siblings will be present at the ceremony on Monday.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Ms Seenoi-Barr said it was “humbling” to be nominated.

“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, something you don’t prepare for,” she said.

“I am delighted that I have been given the opportunity to serve my community.

“Derry has given me so much. A family, a husband and a place I call home.”

She said she wanted to be “a mayor for everyone” and wanted to show that Derry and Strabane district was a place that was welcome and where “anyone who comes to Northern Ireland, regardless, of their background can thrive”

A fall-out over the mayoral selection process which led to two party colleagues resigning and racist abuse including death threats followed the announcement of Ms Seenoi Barr being chosen for the role.

She said her sole focus was now on a successful 12 months as mayor.

“It’s not lost on me what this means and being the first [black mayor] is a big responsibility to carry,” she said.

“I hope it will inspire others from minority communities, young people and women who feel politics is not their place.

“That they can see someone who looks like to me, to get an opportunity to do what they want to do.

“Nothing is impossible. Dreams are valid and you can achieve it”.

Ms Seenoi-Barr has been a councillor for the Foyleside ward since 2021 when she was co-opted by the Social Democratic and Labour Party before retaining her seat in the 2023 election.

Originally from Kenya, she previously worked to promote gender rights issues for Maasai women, focusing on forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

She came to Derry in 2010 with her son Brian and was granted refugee status.

In 2012, she founded the charity North West Migrants Forum which supports migrants and asylum seekers.

She was involved in organising the June 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in Guildhall Square.

For those from a minority ethnic background in Northern Ireland, Monday’s mayoral appointment is seen as a landmark moment in terms of representation and visibility in public office.

Andy George joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1999 and is in his second term as president of the National Black Police Association.

He is the first Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer to hold the role.

There are just over 40 PSNI officers from ethnic minority backgrounds in a police service of just under 7,000 people.

“Lilian becoming mayor is a beacon of hope for the future and long overdue” he said.

“We have one of the most under-represented police services anywhere in the UK.

“The visibility of a mayoral role allows others from ethnic backgrounds to see how they can thrive.

“If you see it, you can be it. This is a moment in history”.

Derry nurse Beverly Simpson said seeing Northern Ireland’s first black mayor was highly emotional.

“It means everything. It means difference, change, inclusion, diversity and acceptance,” she said.

“I came to NI in 2005 and there weren’t many other black people.

“To see the growth from then until now with political inclusion is very significant.

“It’s a big journey for Northern Ireland.”

Beverly’s 15-year-old daughter Jada, agreed.

“I feel so happy about it,” she said.

“When I was younger and even now, you rarely see black people represented at all so for a black woman to be become mayor is a really big step.

“I feel it will inspire others to get into politics and positions of influence and help Northern Ireland become a better place.”

Derry doctor Mukesh Chugh also works as a community volunteer in the city.

“This is a testament to the progress Northern Ireland has made in embracing diversity,” he said.

“I am delighted to see a step forward for better representation.

“I hope this period will be remembered not only for the first ethnic minority mayor but also one of the best mayors for the city”.