National Conference of Black Mayors facts for kids
| Abbreviation | The NCBM |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1974 |
| Dissolved | 2016 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Legal status | Defunct, succeeded by the Conference of Black Mayors and the African American Mayors Association |
|
Region served
|
United States |
|
Membership
|
650+ mayors, 32,000 global political leaders of color |
The National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) was an important group for African American mayors in the United States. It started in 1974 to help these leaders work together. The organization aimed to improve cities and communities across the country.
Contents
About the National Conference of Black Mayors
The NCBM was first known as the Southern Conference of Black Mayors. It was founded by thirteen mayors in 1974. These mayors were elected after important laws were passed. These laws were the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These acts helped ensure equal rights and voting access for all citizens. The first meeting was held in Santee, South Carolina.
Early Black Mayors in the U.S.
After the Civil and Voting Rights acts, several key black mayors were elected. These included Carl Stokes of Cleveland, Ohio, and Kenneth Gibson of Newark, New Jersey. Also, Richard G. Hatcher became mayor of Gary, Indiana. In 1973, Maynard Jackson was elected in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the first black mayor of a major southern U.S. city. By 2005, many large U.S. cities had elected a black mayor.
Women Leaders in the NCBM
In April 1990, Unita Blackwell made history. She was elected the first woman president of the NCBM. Blackwell was also the first black woman mayor in Mississippi. She was elected mayor of Mayersville in 1976. By November 2013, 138 black women were serving as mayors across the United States.
Changes Over Time
In its later years, the NCBM faced some money problems. In 2014, the group filed for bankruptcy. This happened after Kevin Johnson, then mayor of Sacramento, was president. Johnson and other mayors later left the NCBM. They formed a new group called the African American Mayors Association (AAMA). By the end of 2016, the AAMA bought the NCBM's assets and naming rights. This meant the AAMA continued the work of supporting black mayors.
Notable Members and Presidents
Many important leaders were part of the NCBM. They helped guide the organization and its mission. Here are some of the notable members and presidents:
- Marion Barry, president, Washington, D.C.
- Unita Blackwell, president, Mayersville, Mississippi
- Charles Evers, founding member SCBM, Fayette, Mississippi
- Johnny Ford, president, Tuskegee, Alabama
- Clarence Lightner, charter member, Raleigh, North Carolina
- James L. Usry, president, Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Wellington E. Webb, president, Denver, Colorado
- Kevin Johnson, president, Sacramento, California
See also
- United States Conference of Mayors
