Cedric Clarke facts for kids

Cedric Clarke is a British politician who is now retired. He made history by becoming the first black person to serve on the Leeds City Council. He was a councillor from 1980 to 1990. In 2016, he was given a special title: Honorary Alderman of Leeds. This was to celebrate his important work in the city.

Early Life and Community Work

Before becoming a councillor, Cedric Clarke worked as a plasterer. He lived in Chapeltown, a part of Leeds, with his wife and three children. He was very active in his local community.

Mr. Clarke volunteered with probation services, helping people who had been in trouble. He also trained to be a preacher at Roscoe Methodist Church. He helped start the United Caribbean Association. This group was created with Arthur France, who founded the famous Leeds West Indian Carnival.

Becoming a City Councillor

In 1980, Cedric Clarke was elected to represent the Chapel Allerton ward. This made him the first African-Caribbean councillor in Leeds. A councillor is someone elected to make decisions for their local area.

He worked on many important projects for the council. For example, he led the Equal Opportunities Committee. This committee worked to make sure everyone in Leeds had fair chances.

Making a Difference in Leeds

Within just three years of being elected, Cedric Clarke and other councillors achieved a lot. They helped build 220 new houses in the area. They also made sure streets were cleaned regularly.

They created homes for elderly people and new nursery units for young children. They also supported small businesses in the community. Even with these successes, he lost his council seat in 1990.

Special Recognition

In 2016, Cedric Clarke received a special honour. He was named an Honorary Alderman of Leeds. An alderman is a senior member of a local council. This title recognized all the hard work he did for the city.

Related Topics

• Alison Lowe
• Leeds West Indian Carnival