African American mayors in California

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The following is a list of current and former African American mayors in the State of California. Since Edward P. Duplex was elected in 1888 as mayor of Wheatland, California, [1] [2] numerous African Americans have been elected or appointed to the post of mayor in California.

Contents

Antioch

Population (2020): 115,921

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Mayor Wade Harper with mural.jpg Wade Harper 2012–2016First African-American mayor of Antioch [3]
Lamar Thorpe, mayor of Antioch.jpg Lamar Thorpe 2020–Present

Berkeley

Population (2020): 124,321

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Warren Widener, mayor of Berkeley.jpg Warren Widener 1971–1979First African-American mayor of Berkeley
Gus Newport, mayor of Berkeley.jpg Gus Newport 1979–1986

Carson

Population (2020): 95,558

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Gilbert Smith, mayor of Carson.jpg Gilbert D. Smith 1970–1971
1974–1975		First African-American mayor of Carson [4]
Clarence A. Bridgers, mayor of Carson California.jpg Clarence A. Bridgers 1975–1976
1980–1981		 [4]
Thomas G. Mills 1982–1986 [4]
Daryl Sweeney, mayor of Carson.jpg Daryl W. Sweeney 2001–2003 [4]
Lula Davis-Holmes, mayor of Carson.jpg Lula Davis-Holmes 2020–Present [4]

Compton

Population (2020): 95,740

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Douglas Dollarhide, mayor of Compton.png Douglas Dollarhide 1969–1973First African-American American mayor of Compton
Doris A. Davis, mayor of Compton.png Doris A. Davis 1973–1977
Lionel Cade, mayor of Compton.png Lionel Cade 1977–1981
Walter Tucker - Compton Unified Board of Trustees - 1973.jpg Walter R. Tucker Jr. 1981–1993
Walter R. Tucker.jpg Walter R. Tucker III 1993–1995
Omar Bradley 1993–2001
Eric J. Perrodin 2001–2013
Aja Brown 0021.jpg Aja Brown 2013–2021
Emma Sharif, mayor of Compton.jpg Emma Sharif 2021–Present

Cotati

Population (2020): 7,584

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Robert Coleman-Senghor 2010–2011First African-American mayor of Cotati

East Palo Alto

Population (2020): 30,034

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Barbara Mouton 1983–1986First African American mayor of East Palo Alto
James E. Blakey Jr.May 1, 1987 – 1988 [5] [6]
John Bostic1988–1989 [7]
William Vines1989–1990
Warnell Coats1991 [8]
Pat Johnson1992 [9]
Sharifa Wilson, mayor of East Palo Alto.jpg Sharifa Wilson 1992–1995
1999–2000		 [10] [11] [12]
Rose Jacobs Gibson, mayor of East Palo Alto.jpg Rose Jacobs Gibson 1995–1997 [13] [14] [15]
R.B. Jones1997–1998 [16]
Myrtle Walker2001 [17] [18]
Duane G. Bay2002 [19]
Patrica Foster, mayor of East Palo Alto.jpg Patricia Foster2003
2008		 [20] [21]
Donna Rutherford, mayor of East Palo Alto.jpg Donna Rutherford2004
2016		 [22]
David E. Woods, mayor of East Palo Alto.jpg David E. Woods2005
2007
2010		 [23]
Lisa Gauthier, mayor of East Palo Alto.jpg Lisa Yarbrough-Gauthier2015
2019
2023
Regina Wallace-Jones, mayor of East Palo Alto.jpg Regina Wallace-Jones2020

El Centro

Population (2020): 44,322

ImageMayorYearsNotes
DuBois McGee, mayor of El Centro.jpg DuBois McGee1966–1972First African-American mayor of El Centro [24]

Fontana

Population (2020): 212,704

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Acquanetta Warren, Mayor of Fontana, Calif (August 18, 2014).jpg Acquanetta Warren 2010–PresentFirst female and African-American mayor of Fontana [25]

Hawthorne

Population (2020): 88,083

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Chris Brown-Mayor, City of Hawthorne 2013-11-29 15-23.jpg Chris Brown 2013–2015First African-American mayor of Hawthorne

Inglewood

Population (2020): 107,762

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Edward Vincent Jr., mayor of Inglewood CA.jpg Edward Vincent Jr. 1983–1997First African-American Mayor of Inglewood
Roosevelt F. Dorn, mayor of Inglewood CA.jpg Roosevelt F. Dorn 1997–2010
Daniel K. Tabor, mayor of Inglewood CA.jpg Danny Tabor 2010–2011 [26] [27] [28]
A headshot of James T. Butts, Jr., mayor of Inglewood, California.jpg James T. Butts Jr. 2011–Present

Lake Elsinore

Population (2020): 70,265

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Thomas R. Yarborough 1966–1968First African-American mayor [29]

Lemon Grove

Population (2020): 27,627

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Racquel Vasquez, mayor of Lemon Grove.jpg Racquel Vasquez 2016–PresentFirst African-American female mayor in San Diego County

Lynwood

Population (2020): 67,265

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Robert Henning 1985–1986
1991–1992		First African-American mayor of Lynwood [30]
Evelyn Wells 1986
1989–1990
Paul H. Richards, mayor of Lynwood California.gif Paul Richards 1986–2003 [31]
Louis Byrd, mayor of Lynwood.jpg Louis Byrd1999–2000
2006–2007

Oakland

Population (2020): 440,646

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Lionel Wilson (21632784174).jpg Lionel Wilson 1979–1993First African-American mayor of Oakland
Elihu Harris.jpg Elihu Harris 1993–1999
Official portrait of Ron Dellums.jpg Ron Dellums 2007–2011

Los Angeles

Population (2020): 3,898,747

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Tom Bradley, 1980.jpg Tom Bradley 1973–1993First African-American mayor of Los Angeles
Mayor Karen Bass official portrait (alt crop).jpg Karen Bass 2022–PresentFirst female African-American mayor of Los Angeles
2nd African-American mayor

Menlo Park

Population (2020): 33,780

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Billy Ray White 1980–1981
1982–1983
1985–1986		First African-American mayor of Menlo Park
Cecilia Taylor, mayor of Menlo Park.jpg Cecilia Taylor 2019–2020
Drew Combs, mayor of Menlo Park.jpg Drew Combs 2020–2021

Milpitas

Population (2020): 80,273

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Ben F. Gross 1966–1968First African-American mayor of Milpitas [32]

Oceanside

Population (2020): 174,068

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Terry Johnson 2000–2004First African-American mayor of Oceanside [33]

Palm Springs

Population (2020): 44,575

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Mayor Ron Oden.png Ron Oden 2003–2007First African-American mayor of Palm Springs

Pasadena

Population (2020): 138,699

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Loretta Thompson-Glickman, 1982.jpg Loretta Thompson-Glickman 1982–1984First African-American mayor of Pasadena
Chris Holden, California State Assembly (2012).jpg Chris Holden 2014–2016

Richmond

Population (2020): 116,448

ImageMayorYearsNotes
George Carroll, Judge, former mayor of Richmond CA.jpg George D. Carroll 1964–1965First African-American mayor of Richmond
George Livingston, mayor of Richmond.jpg George Livingston 1969–1970
1985–1993		First elected African-American mayor of Richmond [34]
Nathaniel Rubin Bates, mayor of Richmond CA.gif Nat Bates 1971–1972
1976–1977		 [34]
Booker T. Anderson, mayor of Richmond, California.jpg Booker T. Anderson 1973–1974 [34]
Lonnie Washington Jr. mayor of Richmond California.jpg Lonnie Washington 1978–1979 [34]
George Livingston, mayor of Richmond.jpg George Livingston 1985–1989*
1989–1993		First elected African-American mayor of Richmond
*appointed in 1985 to finish Thomas Corcoran's term.
Won election in 1989 becoming Richmond's elected first African-American mayor [34]
Irma L. Anderson, mayor of Richmond CA.gif Irma Anderson 2001–2006First elected African-American female mayor of Richmond [34]

Sacramento

Population (2020): 524,943

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Sacramento, CA, skyline of Sacramento.jpg Kevin Johnson 2008–2016First African-American mayor of Sacramento

Santa Monica

Population (2020): 93,076

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Nat Trives, mayor of Santa Monica.jpg Nat Trives 1975–1977First African-American mayor of Santa Monica

San Francisco

Population (2020): 873,965

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Willie Brown by Gage Skidmore.jpg Willie Brown 1996–2004First African-American mayor of San Francisco
London Breed.jpg London Breed 2017–2018First African-American woman mayor of San Francisco

San Ramon

Population (2020): 84,605

ImageMayorYearsNotes
H Abram Wilson Mayor of San Ramon (2020).jpg H. Abram Wilson 2002–2008First African-American mayor of San Ramon

Seaside

Population (2020): 32,366

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Oscar Lawson, mayor of Seaside California.jpg Oscar Lawson 1976–1978First African-American mayor of Seaside [35]
Stephen E. Ross, mayor of Seaside California.jpg Stephen E. Ross 1978–1980 [35]
Lancelot McClair, mayor of Seaside California.jpg Lancelot McClair 1982–1994 [35]
Don R. Jordan, mayor of Seaside California.jpg Don R. Jordan 1994–1998 [35]
Jerry C. Smith, mayor of Seaside California.jpg Jerry C. Smith 1998–2004
Ian N. Oglesby, mayor of Seaside California.jpg Ian Oglesby 2018–Present

Stockton

Population (2020): 320,804

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Michael Tubbs (34490285296).jpg Michael Tubbs 2017–2021First African-American mayor of Stockton
KevinLincoln.jpg Kevin Lincoln 2021–Present [36]

Thousand Oaks

Population (2020): 126,966

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Lawrence E. Horner, mayor of Thousand Oaks.jpg Lawrence E. Horner 1976–1977
1981–1982
1984–1885
1988–1989

Wheatland

Population (2020): 3,712

ImageMayorYearsNotes
Edward P. Duplex 1888First African American mayor in the state of California [1] [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 Lapp, Rudolph M. (1977). Blacks in Gold Rush California. New Haven: Yale University Press. pp. 112, 189, 253, 259. ISBN   0-300-01988-2.
  2. 1 2 Gardner, Eric (31 May 2013). "Duplex, Edward P." . Oxford African American Studies Center. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.36744. ISBN   978-0-19-530173-1 . Retrieved 2022-07-30.
  3. ↑ Burgarino, Paul (December 5, 2012). "Antioch's first black mayor, Wade Harper, looks to lead city after years of racial unrest". The Mercury News . said Harper, 48, who is retiring as a police lieutenant in Tracy
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Past Elected Officials". Carson City government website. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Task force prepares to pitch East Palo Alto site for Giants". The San Francisco Examiner . February 13, 1988 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Bowles, Edith H. (May 21, 1987). "City Breaks Ground On New Era". Peninsula Times Tribune . pp.  A-1, A-12 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Three of five reportedly ready to oust Bostic". Peninsula Times Tribune . July 18, 1988. pp.  A-3, A-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Tight elections, council member recalls, revolving managers, revolting crimes, and redevelopment - 20 years of East Palo Alto". Palo Alto Weekly . September 10, 2003.
  9. ↑ "East Palo Alto: Things Looking Up". The San Francisco Examiner . March 1, 1992 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Schevitz, Tanya (February 28, 1995). "Sharifa Wilson helps tame streets with hands-on spirit". San Francisco Gate . serving first as a councilwoman in 1990 and 1991 and then as mayor from 1992 through this past January. She has turned the often-maligned city from the murder capital of the country in 1992, when 42 people were slain in the city of 23,000, to one that had only eight homicides last year.
  11. ↑ "Rainbow/Push Plans Bay Office". The San Francisco Examiner . December 14, 1999 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Clinton Hi-Tech and Equality". The San Francisco Examiner . April 18, 2000 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "East Palo Alto marks start of a new era". Ravenswood High School alumni. June 16, 1995.
  14. ↑ Speier, Jackie (December 18, 2012). In Recognition of San Mateo County Board Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson by Hon. Jackie Speier in the House of Representatives. Congressional Record. p. 17923.
  15. ↑ "Rose Jacobs Gibson - 2013". Women's Hall of Fame - San Mateo County. 2013.
  16. ↑ "City and County Government List". The San Francisco Examiner . February 9, 1997 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ Kazak, Don (September 14, 2001). "Mayor claims colleagues are trying to oust her - Walker says she is not involved in recall effort". Palo Alto Weekly .
  18. ↑ Jouvenal, Justin (May 25, 2001). "East Palo Alto keeps Title of Most Youthful in Bay Area". Oakland Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Mayor & City Council". cityofepa.org. Archived from the original on August 6, 2002.
  20. ↑ Zalev, Suzanne (May 9, 2003). "Bay Area Police Chief Accused of Misconduct". Oakland Tribune – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Mayor & City Council". cityofepa.org. Archived from the original on April 8, 2003.
  22. ↑ "Mayor & City Council". cityofepa.org. Archived from the original on June 4, 2004.
  23. ↑ Carpenter, Ed (September 9, 2005). "Dozens arrested in drug sting". The San Francisco Examiner – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ Writer, SANDY SIERRA | Staff (January 19, 2015). "In 1966, El Centro welcomed the city's first African-American mayor". Imperial Valley Press Online.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ↑ "Acquanetta Warren Mayor, City of Fontana". San Bernardino Countywide Oversight Board. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  26. ↑ Taylor, Francis (September 2, 2010). "Inglewood's Mayor: Danny Tabor". Los Angeles Sentinel .
  27. ↑ Gregg, Reese (December 15, 2010). "Tensions shroud Inglewood in the wake of homicides". Our Weekly Los Angeles.
  28. ↑ Green, Nick (November 3, 2010). "Tabor cruises to win in Inglewood mayoral race". San Gabriel Valley Tribune .
  29. ↑ Kabbany, Jennifer (June 26, 2010). "Lake Elsinore: Juneteenth celebration draws families, friends". The San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  30. ↑ "Lynwood : First Black Mayor Selected". The Los Angeles Times . December 12, 1985.
  31. ↑ Marosi, Richard (September 24, 2003). "Lynwood Voters Recall Councilman". The Los Angeles Times .
  32. ↑ McCarthy, Guy (February 22, 2013). "City of Milpitas Tribute to Former Mayor Ben F. Gross: Civil Rights, Union Leader". Patch .
  33. ↑ Sherman, Lola (December 7, 2020). "From the Archives: First Black mayor in county history took office 20 years ago". The San Diego Union-Tribune .
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS CITY OF RICHMOND 1961 to 2018". City of Richmond . Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  35. 1 2 3 4 "Past Mayors". Seaside, California government website. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  36. ↑ Beam, Adam (November 18, 2020). "Stockton mayor who pushed guaranteed income isn't reelected". Associated Press . Voters chose Lincoln, a 40-year-old Republican who is Latino and Black.
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