A C Wharton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
A C Wharton Jr.
|
|
|---|---|
.JPG)
Wharton in 2002
|
|
| 63rd Mayor of Memphis | |
| In office October 26, 2009 – December 31, 2015 |
|
| Preceded by | Willie Herenton Myron Lowery (pro tem) |
| Succeeded by | Jim Strickland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 17, 1944 Lebanon, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ruby Wharton |
| Alma mater | Tennessee State University (BA) University of Mississippi (JD) |
A C Wharton Jr. (born August 17, 1944) is an American educator, politician, and lawyer. He served as the 63rd mayor of Memphis, Tennessee. Before that, he was the mayor of Shelby County. He was the first African American to become mayor of Shelby County.
Contents
Early Life and Education
A C Wharton was born and grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee. His first name is simply the letters "A" and "C." It does not stand for anything else.
He went to Tennessee State University. There he earned a degree in political science. Later, he earned a law degree from the University of Mississippi. After finishing school, he taught at the university for 25 years.
In 1980, he became the Chief Public Defender for Shelby County. He cared about people with mental health issues in the justice system. He started the Jericho Initiative to help them. This program became a model for other places across the country. He also worked to reduce overcrowding in jails. He found new ways to do this while keeping the public safe.
Mayor of Shelby County
In 2002, Wharton was elected as the first African-American mayor of Shelby County. He joined a group called the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition. This group works to make communities safer by removing illegal guns.
Mayor Wharton started "Operation Safe Community." He also created a program to help prisoners learn skills. These skills would help them succeed after release and support their families. He worked to make communities safer and help victims of crime.
Wharton also improved the county's Head Start Program. This program helps young children get ready for school. His changes were so good that the United States Congress asked him to share his ideas. Many of his suggestions were later used to improve public policy. He strongly supported "Books from Birth." This program gives books to over 28,000 children in Memphis and Shelby County every year.
Between 2008 and 2009, Wharton led a community effort. This effort created "Sustainable Shelby." It was a plan to make the county more environmentally friendly.
Mayor of Memphis
Election to Office
In June 2009, Wharton decided to run for mayor of Memphis. There was a special election to find a new mayor. The election happened on October 15, 2009. Wharton won with 60 percent of the votes. He was one of 25 candidates.
Wharton officially became mayor on October 26, 2009. He was the fourth African American to serve as Mayor of Memphis. He was the second African American to be elected to that position.
Time as Mayor
In 2010, Mayor Wharton promised to build over 50 miles of bicycle lanes in Memphis. Memphis had been ranked as a difficult city for cycling. The Memphis Greenline was finished, and bike lanes were added across the city. There are plans to add even more with federal help. In 2010, Wharton hired the city's first Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator.
He also created the city's Office of Talent and Capital in 2010. This office worked to help people find jobs in the city.
In 2013, a report praised Memphis. It said the city was a great example of a government focused on creating jobs and improving the economy. The report highlighted strategies created by Wharton's "Innovation Delivery Team."
Wharton worked hard to create jobs and help the economy grow. He believed these efforts would benefit everyone in the city.
On October 8, 2015, A C Wharton ran for re-election. He lost to Jim Strickland. His last day as mayor was December 31, 2015.
Personal Life
Wharton lives in the Glenview neighborhood of Memphis. He lives with his wife, Ruby, who is also a lawyer. They have three sons together. They also raised three other boys. The Whartons have seven grandchildren.
