Edward Vaughn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed Vaughn
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| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 4th district |
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| In office January 11, 1995 – December 31, 2000 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph F. Young Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Mary D. Waters |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 8th district |
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| In office January 10, 1979 – December 31, 1980 |
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| Preceded by | Daisy Elliott |
| Succeeded by | Daisy Elliott |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Edward Vaughn
July 30, 1934 Abbeville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | October 2024 (aged 90) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Fisk University (BA) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
Edward Vaughn (born July 30, 1934 – died October 2024) was an important American politician, businessman, and activist. He served in the Michigan House of Representatives twice. His first term was from 1979 to 1980. He served again from 1995 to 2000.
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Ed Vaughn's Early Life and Schooling
Edward Vaughn was born in Abbeville, Alabama. He went to Fisk University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied history and government there. He also attended the University of Illinois College of Law for one year.
Ed Vaughn's Early Career and Activism
Vaughn moved to Detroit in 1956. He served in the United States Army. After that, he worked for the United States Postal Service. He also worked at local restaurants and sold books from his car.
Vaughn later opened a bookstore that focused on Black Power ideas. A minister and writer named Albert Cleage supported this store. It became a very important place for the Black Power movement. The store was badly damaged during the Long, hot summer of 1967. People have called Vaughn an "understated Black Power icon."
Ed Vaughn helped start the Pan-African Congress-USA in Detroit. This group worked to build connections with African countries. It also supported freedom movements against white minority rule in Africa. The organization also had a scholarship program. It helped some students from Africa go to college in Detroit.
One of these students was Godfrey Mwakikagile from Tanzania. He became a well-known scholar. He wrote many books about African history, economics, and politics.
Ed Vaughn was also a main African American delegate at the Sixth Pan-African Congress. This big meeting happened in Dar es salaam, Tanzania, in June 1974. Other important people like C.L.R. James and Amiri Baraka were also there.
This conference was the first of its kind to be held in Africa. Tanzania's President Julius Nyerere was the main speaker. The last Pan-African Congress before this one was in Manchester, England, in 1945. Future African leaders like Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta attended that meeting. They later became the first presidents of their countries.
Ed Vaughn was one of the delegates who met with President Nyerere. C.L.R. James also had meetings with Nyerere.
Amiri Baraka also spoke privately with President Nyerere. Ed Vaughn also knew Malcolm X. They first met in Detroit in 1963. Malcolm X gave a speech at Wayne State University in Detroit that same year.
Vaughn also met and talked to Ugandan leader Idi Amin when he was in Africa in 1974. This was mentioned by Godfrey Mwakikagile in his book.
Vaughn also taught history in Detroit. He taught from a perspective that focused on Black nationalism. For many years, he gave talks on many topics important to Black people in the United States and Africa.
Ed Vaughn's Political Career
On November 7, 1978, Vaughn was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. He represented the 8th district. He served from January 10, 1979, to December 31, 1980.
On November 8, 1994, Vaughn was elected to the state house again. This time he represented the 4th district. He served from January 11, 1995, until December 31, 2000. He could not run again because of term limits.
Vaughn ran for mayor of Detroit in 1997 but did not win. He also worked as an executive assistant for Detroit's first Black mayor, Coleman Young. In 2001, he ran for a Michigan Senate seat but was not successful.
In 2000, Vaughn took part in a discussion hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus. In this forum, he spoke in favor of reparations for slavery. This meant seeking ways to make up for the harm caused by slavery.
In 2018, Vaughn's writings were collected. They were given to the library at Wayne State University.
Ed Vaughn's Personal Life and Death
Vaughn had six children. He passed away in October 2024, at the age of 90.
