Cleveland Colbert facts for kids
Cleveland Moland Colbert (born October 6, 1906 – died January 23, 1962) was an important African American leader in the 20th century. He worked as a community organizer, ran for political office, and wrote a book. In the 1940s, he was the president of a group called the Afro American National Economical Society (AANES). In 1942, he was almost the second African American to serve in the Wisconsin State Assembly, but a recount changed the election results.
Contents
About Cleveland Moland Colbert
Early Life and Work
Cleveland Moland Colbert was born on October 6, 1906, in a place called Old Spring Hill, Alabama. His parents were Minnie Cook and George Moland Colbert. He and his family lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in a neighborhood known as Bronzeville.
Colbert had many different jobs throughout his life. He worked as a musician, someone who fixes furniture (an upholsterer), a crane operator, and even a pilot. For a few months in the 1930s, Colbert worked as a pilot during the Spanish Civil War. He had expected to be flying for a commercial company.
Leading the Community
In 1940, after returning to the United States, Colbert became the president of the Afro American National Economical Society (AANES). This group helped the African American community in many ways. They encouraged industrial businesses and also worked to meet civic, charitable, and social needs.
Running for Office
Colbert was very active in local politics. He won the primary election against three other people. In October 1942, Colbert was first announced as the winner of the election for the 5th district seat in Wisconsin. However, the results were later changed.
After a recount of the votes, Philip Markey was declared the winner. Markey won by only a few votes, sometimes as little as 10 votes. Colbert was given $200 for the money he spent during the recount time. Colbert was a member of the Republican Party.
Lucian H. Palmer was the first African American to serve in the Wisconsin state legislature. If the recount had not changed the results, Colbert would have been the second. Later, LeRoy Simmons became the second African American to serve in the Wisconsin House of Representatives.
Authoring a Book
Cleveland Moland Colbert also wrote a book called The Afro-Americans’ Problems and Solution. It was published in 1951 by Dell and Dell Publishers. You can find a copy of his book in the Special Collections Department at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
See also
