James McClinton facts for kids

James A. McClinton (born 1961) is an American politician from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as the mayor of Topeka, Kansas, from January 2004 to April 2005. He was chosen by the city council to replace Butch Felker, who stepped down. McClinton had previously served on the Topeka city council. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Life and Education

James McClinton was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He later moved to Helena, Arkansas, and then to Topeka, Kansas. After finishing high school at Washburn Rural, he attended Washburn University. There, he earned degrees in psychology and criminal justice. He later received a master's degree in public administration from the University of Kansas.

Mayor of Topeka

McClinton's time as mayor was important for several reasons. He was the first African-American mayor of Topeka. He was also the first mayor to be chosen by the city council. The council picked him from 40 candidates.

However, he was also the last mayor to have full power. In 2004, people in Topeka voted to change their city government. This change meant a new city manager and the city council would hold most of the power. The mayor's role became more ceremonial. Because of this change, McClinton decided not to run for a full term as mayor.

Key Achievements as Mayor

During his time as mayor, Topeka celebrated its 150th birthday. The city also welcomed important visitors like President George W. Bush. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and Senator John Kerry also visited. They celebrated the anniversary of the important Brown v. Board of Education decision. This decision ended racial segregation in schools.

Mayor McClinton also worked on several community projects. He created a group to plan for the development of the city's riverfront. This plan was later approved by the city council and the Kansas Legislature. He also started new programs to improve inner-city areas. These programs even received an award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. McClinton also worked with other mayors and the White House to help end homelessness.

After Being Mayor

After leaving office in 2005, Mayor McClinton continued to work on city development. He helped a developer improve inner cities in several states. In 2007, he moved to the Dallas area in Texas.

Today, McClinton is the Director of Community Development and Housing for Tarrant County, Texas. This is a very large county in the United States. He also owns his own company, McClinton Consulting. James McClinton has two daughters, Jameika and Tawana, and six grandchildren. In 2020, he was a delegate for the Biden/Harris campaign at the Democratic National Convention.

Honors and Awards

James McClinton has received several honors, including:

• Trumpet Awards Foundation Seat of Distinction
• Who's Who in the World
• Marquis Who's Who In America
• Washburn University Alumni Fellow
• Washburn Rural High School Hall of Fame Inductee
• Outstanding Young Men of America