1967 – First Black Mayor of Cleveland Elected in Primary

On May 10, 1967, Carl B. Stokes won the Democratic primary for mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, placing him on the path to becoming the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city. His victory was a landmark moment in American political history, as it challenged longstanding racial barriers in urban leadership. Stokes, a former lawyer and state legislator, campaigned on issues of civil rights, police reform, and equitable economic development. His ability to build a multiracial coalition of support showcased a shifting political landscape during the Civil Rights era. Stokes went on to win the general election that November. His victory inspired a generation of Black political leaders across the country and proved that African Americans could lead in positions of high executive authority. His legacy remains tied to progress in urban governance and civil rights advocacy in American cities.