George L. Forbes facts for kids

George Lawrence Forbes, born on April 4, 1931, is an American politician. He was a leader in the Democratic Party. From 1974 to 1989, he was the president of the Cleveland City Council. He also led the Cleveland branch of the NAACP. Today, he is mostly retired from his law career.

Early Life and Education

George Forbes was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1931. His father was a sharecropper. Forbes served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his service, he went to Baldwin-Wallace College. He used the G.I. Bill to pay for his studies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957.

Later, he studied law at Cleveland State University College of Law. He received his law degree in 1961. After passing the Ohio bar exam, he started his career as a lawyer. George Forbes is married to Mary Forbes. They have three daughters: Lauren, Mildred "Mimi," and Helen Forbes Fields. He also has three grandchildren: William, Camille, and Brandon.

Leading the Cleveland City Council

In 1963, George Forbes became a councilman for Ward 27 in Cleveland. At that time, he was one of ten African Americans on the thirty-member council. He played a key role in helping Carl Stokes become the first African American mayor of a major U.S. city. In 1967, Forbes led "Operation Registration." This program helped register African American voters.

In 1971, Forbes helped start a law firm. It was one of the largest law firms owned by minorities in Ohio. Today, it is known as Forbes, Fields & Associates Co., L.P.A.

Forbes was elected president of the Cleveland City Council in 1973. He took office in 1974. He was a very skilled politician. He even helped train future Cleveland mayor, Michael R. White.

During the time Dennis Kucinich was mayor, Forbes worked with banking groups. Later, when George Voinovich became mayor in 1980, he worked well with Forbes and the council. Some people thought Forbes had too much power because of his strong personality.

Forbes was known for speaking his mind. He often spoke passionately about issues affecting African Americans and people in need. He sometimes had strong disagreements with other council members and the media.

In 1989, Mayor Voinovich decided not to run for re-election. Forbes entered the race for mayor. He made it through the first round of voting. However, he lost the main election to his former student, Michael R. White. It was a very competitive campaign. After this, Forbes decided to leave politics and return to his law practice.

Forbes later shared that he believed his strong personality on a local radio show might have contributed to his loss.

After City Council

In 1992, George Forbes returned to public life. He was elected president of the Cleveland branch of the NAACP.

In 1995, then-Governor Voinovich appointed Forbes to a state commission. This commission oversaw workers' compensation. Forbes resigned from this commission in 2005. This happened after it was revealed that his daughter worked for a company that managed funds for the commission.

Community Involvement

George Forbes was a long-time member of the Baldwin-Wallace College Board of Trustees.

He received the Louis Stokes Community Visionary Award. The city of Cleveland renamed a summer and winter camp for youth after him. It is now called Camp George L. Forbes. The camp is located in Highland Hills.

In 2008, Forbes helped bring together African American ministers. They agreed to stop their efforts to cancel Cleveland's Domestic Partner Registry ordinance.

On June 20, 2009, Forbes received the highest award for service from the NAACP.

See also

• List of Baldwin-Wallace College people