Byron Brown facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Byron Brown
62nd Mayor of Buffalo
In office January 1, 2006 – October 15, 2024
Preceded by	Anthony Masiello
Succeeded by	Christopher Scanlon
Chair of the New York Democratic Party
In office May 23, 2016 – January 14, 2019
Preceded by	Sheila Comar
Succeeded by	Jay Jacobs
Member of the New York Senate from the 60th district
In office January 8, 2003 – December 31, 2005
Preceded by	Mary Lou Rath
Succeeded by	Marc Coppola
Member of the New York Senate from the 57th district
In office January 1, 2001 – January 8, 2003
Preceded by	Al Coppola
Succeeded by	Patricia McGee
Member of the Buffalo Common Council from the Masten district
In office January 1, 1996 – January 1, 2001
Preceded by	David Collins
Succeeded by	Antoine Thompson
Personal details
Born	Byron William Brown (1958-09-24) September 24, 1958 (age 66) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (1995–present) Buffalo Party (2021)
Spouse	Michelle Austin
Children	1
Education	Buffalo State College (BA)

Byron William Brown II (born September 24, 1958) is an American politician. He served as the 62nd mayor of Buffalo, New York. He held this office from 2006 until his resignation in 2024.

Brown was the first African-American mayor of Buffalo. He was also the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Before becoming mayor, he represented Western New York in the New York State Senate. He also served on the Buffalo Common Council. He was the first African-American elected to the New York State Senate from outside New York City. He was also the first minority member to represent a mostly white State Senate district. Brown announced his resignation in September 2024. His term ended on October 15, 2024. Christopher Scanlon is now the acting mayor.

Brown was born and grew up in Queens, New York. He started his political journey by working for local leaders. He served as an aide in different government bodies. Later, he became a director for Equal Employment Opportunity in Erie County.

Early Life and Education

Brown grew up in Hollis, New York. His family shared a duplex home with his grandparents. His grandparents were immigrants from Montserrat, an island in the Caribbean. He still has family living in the area. As a kid in Queens, he was a fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks sports teams.

Brown was a Boy Scout at Hollis Presbyterian Church. He was also active at the Central Queens YMCA. He went to Public School 134 and PS 109 for junior high. He played the trumpet in the band at August Martin High School. Byron and his sister, Andrea, were the first in their family to go to college.

After high school, Brown attended Buffalo State College. He played junior varsity basketball for one year. He graduated in 1983 with degrees in political science and journalism. He also completed a special program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Starting His Career

After college, Brown worked for Bristol-Myers as a sales representative for a year. He then became Chief of staff for George Arthur, who was the Buffalo Common Council President. He worked for Arthur for two years. Next, he spent two years as an aide to Erie County Legislator Roger Blackwell. He also worked for two years with Arthur Eve, the Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly.

For eight years, Brown directed the Erie County division of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He worked under Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski. In 1993, he left this job to run for public office.

During his early career, Brown joined Grassroots. This was a political group started by block club leaders in 1986. Brown eventually became a vice president of this organization.

In 1989, Ebony magazine featured Brown as one of the "30 Leaders of the Future." In 1991, he received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for community service. Business First also honored him in 1993. He received other awards, including the "Voice of Power Award" in 2001 and "Citizen of the Year" in 2004.

In 1992, Brown was a delegate to the 1992 Democratic National Convention. He supported Bill Clinton for president. In 1993, he was invited to Clinton's Presidential Inauguration.

First Steps in Elected Office

Brown first ran for public office in 1993. He sought a seat in the Erie County Legislature but did not win.

In 1995, Brown won the Democratic primary for the Masten District Buffalo Common Council seat. He then won the general election, defeating David Collins. In his re-election campaigns in 1997 and 1999, he won easily. Starting in 2000, Brown was part of the first-ever African-American majority on the Buffalo Common Council.

The Buffalo News newspaper described Brown as "Buffalo's Julian Bond" in 1996. In 1999, the newspaper called him "bright, creative and hardworking."

Serving in the State Senate

In 2000, Brown ran for the New York State Senate 57th District. He won the Democratic primary by a large margin. When he was sworn in on January 1, 2001, Brown made history. He became New York's first African-American State Senator elected from outside New York City. He was also the first minority member to represent a district that was mostly white.

During his time in the State Senate, Brown supported New York Governor George Pataki's plan. This plan allowed up to three casinos to be built on Seneca Indian land in Western New York. Brown believed the casinos would help the local economy.

By 2003, Brown was seen as a rising political star. Many thought he might run for Lieutenant Governor of New York or become Buffalo's first black mayor. By 2004, it was clear he was interested in the mayor's office.

Becoming Mayor of Buffalo

In February 2005, Brown announced he would run for Mayor of Buffalo. The current mayor, Anthony Masiello, decided not to seek another term. Six candidates entered the race. Brown gained many endorsements and support from labor unions.

New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer helped Brown's campaign. Buffalo had many more Democratic voters than Republican voters. Brown's State Senate district covered most of Buffalo. Brown won 59% of the vote in the Democratic primary on September 13, 2005.

He then faced Kevin Helfer in the general election. Brown was the sixth African-American to win the Democratic primary for mayor. However, all previous African-American candidates had lost the general election. Brown raised much more money than Helfer. He defeated Helfer with 64% of the vote.

First Term as Mayor

Brown was sworn in as mayor on December 31, 2005. On his first day, he visited the Buffalo Waterfront. He wanted to show his commitment to developing the area. Work began to restore the spot where the Erie Canal met the Great Lakes. The Erie Canal Harbor officially opened on July 2, 2008.

In 2006, the Seneca Nation planned to build a third casino. Brown worked with the Seneca Nation to agree on terms for the casino. This included marketing and hiring local residents. The casino opened on July 3, 2007.

Brown in 2008

In 2008, when Tim Russert, a famous Buffalo native and journalist, passed away, Brown ordered flags on city property to be lowered. This was a special honor for a civilian. Brown called Russert one of Buffalo's best ambassadors.

Second Term as Mayor

On September 15, 2009, Brown won the Democratic Primary for his second term. He won by almost two to one. Since there were no other major party candidates, Brown ran unopposed and won the general election.

Brown had strong political connections. He was a close advisor to Andrew Cuomo, who later became Governor of New York. During the 2008 United States presidential election, Brown supported Hillary Clinton. He was also considered for a U.S. Senate seat when Clinton resigned in 2009.

Third and Fourth Terms

Brown was elected for a third and fourth term, winning easily each time. During these terms, he worked on important projects. He successfully pushed for a new Amtrak station. He also announced changes for the Buffalo Police Department after protests.

He oversaw a period of growth in Buffalo. This was after the Buffalo Billion program was passed. In 2016, Brown led the creation of the Buffalo Green Code. This plan updated the city's zoning rules.

2021 Mayoral Election

In 2021, Brown ran for an unusual fifth term. However, he lost the Democratic primary on June 23, 2021, to India Walton.

After losing the primary, Brown decided to run as a write-in candidate in the general election. He gained support from some local Republican officials. On November 2, 2021, Brown won the general election as a write-in candidate. He received 58.8% of the votes. Brown called his victory "one of the greatest comeback stories in our history."

Resignation from Office

On September 30, 2024, Brown held a press conference. He announced he would resign as mayor. He was leaving to become president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. His resignation became official on October 15. Christopher Scanlon, the president of the Buffalo Common Council, is now the acting mayor.

Personal Life

Byron Brown is married to Michelle Austin. They have a son named Byron III, who is sometimes called Byron Jr. Their son enjoys basketball and played for City Honors School.

The Brown family attends St. John Baptist Church. As mayor, Brown has performed wedding ceremonies there. Byron Brown is a chapter president of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He was also a past President of the Buffalo State College Alumni Association Board. He served on the Board of the Boy Scout Council of Western New York. Brown collects tropical fish and has an aquarium in his office.

Electoral History

2021 Buffalo Mayoral General Election

Images for kids

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  Brown sits next to Sen. Hillary Clinton and Rep. Brian Higgins while Sen. Charles Schumer speaks at Erie Canal Harbor opening ceremony on July 2, 2008.

See also

In Spanish: Byron Brown para niños