1973 – Tom Bradley Becomes First Black Mayor of Los Angeles

On May 21, 1973, Tom Bradley made history by becoming the first African American elected mayor of Los Angeles, defeating incumbent Sam Yorty in a historic run-off election. A former police officer and city councilman, Bradley\’s victory shattered racial barriers in one of America’s largest cities and represented a turning point in Black political power on the West Coast. His platform emphasized racial unity, urban development, and economic reform. Bradley would go on to serve five terms, the longest of any Los Angeles mayor, and helped bring the 1984 Olympics to the city. His success paved the way for future Black leaders in major urban centers and symbolized growing Black political agency post-Civil Rights Movement. May 21 stands as a landmark in the evolution of Black leadership and civic power in urban America.