Despite the various contributions made by Black people to the city of Chicago, the Windy City has only had one Black mayor. The late Harold Washington served as Chicago’s mayor for one full term, and was set to embark on his second when he died unexpectedly while still in office. Born April 15, 1922, […]
Mayor Alvin Brown, (pictured) the first African-American mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, is leading in the polls and has steadfast support from former President Bill Clinton. But he still takes nothing for granted. “I’m out every day engaging people and making sure they turn out to vote,” Brown said in an interview with BlackAmericaWeb.com. “I’m talking […]
Just 16 miles north of Miami, the region where the city of Miami Gardens rests was once viewed as a crime-ridden and run-down. The city’s fortunes changed when the unincorporated area in Miami-Dade County was incorporated in 2003 and elected its first mayor, Shirley Gibson. Ms. Gibson worked as a Miami-Dade police officer for 16 […]
Stephen K. Benjamin made history as the first Black mayor of South Carolina and continues to break down many barriers in the growing state. “It’s a lot of love down here,” Benjamin says of his historic appointment. We’ve had a really good run. But it’s political and public life in America so you’ve got […]
Lee P. Brown enjoyed a stellar career in law enforcement, leading the cities of Atlanta, New York and Houston to lowered crime rates with an emphasis on community policing.Dr. Brown made history in 1997 by becoming Houston’s first Black mayor, serving in the post for three terms. The 77-year-old Brown was born in Oklahoma […]
WASHINGTON (AP) — The only son of Marion Barry, a onetime popular mayor of the nation’s capital who died last year, is seeking his late father’s seat on the D.C. Council. Marion Christopher Barry, 34, picked up nominating petitions Monday at the District of Columbia Board of Elections. His father died last November at age […]
Henry L. Marsh made history in 1977 by becoming the first Black mayor of Richmond, Va., but his achievements before then are also noteworthy. Marsh, who just celebrated his 81st birthday, is a prominent activist and champion of civil rights. Marsh was born December 10, 1933 under modest circumstances. His mother died when he […]
Former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry was one of the city’s most beloved figures, despite a scandal during his tenure that rocked the nation. Barry’s resilience and support from the African-American community earned him the distinction of being known as the city’s “Mayor For Life.” He died early Sunday morning after battling an illness. […]
Ivy Taylor made history over the summer by becoming the first Black woman to serve as mayor of San Antonio. After serving the “River City” as a three-time councilwoman, Mrs. Taylor’s appointment to the seat could signal bigger things to come. Taylor grew up in New York and attended Yale University for her undergraduate […]
Jacksonville’s Alvin Brown made history in 2011 by becoming the city’s first Black mayor. Mayor Brown won his election in a tight race during a time where Tea Party Republicans were surging, pulling off a major upset. Brown, born December 15, 1961, grew up in Beaufort, S.C. He came to the “River City” to attend […]
Samuel “Sam” Jones is the first Black mayor of Mobile, Ala. After years of serving in a smaller public office role, Jones took the city’s top job in 2005 before losing an reelection bid in 2013. Jones, a native of the city, gradated from Central High School. He attended college in Jacksonville, Fla., graduating […]
Richard Arrington, Jr. made history on this day in 1979 after winning a run-off election to become Birmingham, Ala.’s first African-American mayor. For twenty years, Arrington led the city to a new level of prominence and provided grand opportunities for people of color during his tenure. Born October 19, 1934 in the town of Livingston, […]
