Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Carl Burton Stokes (1927-1996) / Cleveland's Mayor Stokes
Carl Burton Stokes (1927-1996). Carl Stokes was born in Cleveland on June 21, 1927. Recognized for his trailblazing service as a public official, Stokes is one of the few American politicians whose career spanned all three branches of state government. Over 30 years, he served 3 terms as an Ohio legislator (1963-1967), 2 terms as Cleveland's mayor (1967-1971), and 8 years as a municipal court judge (1983-1994). In 1972, he became the first Black anchorman for a television station in New York City. After a decade working in television, Stokes returned to Cleveland to work as an attorney for the United Auto Workers. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles. While serving as Ambassador, he was diagnosed with cancer. Carl Stokes died, in Cleveland, on April 3, 1996.
Cleveland's Mayor Stokes. When Carl Stokes was elected mayor of Cleveland in 1967, he became the first African American mayor of a major American city. At the time, Cleveland ranked as the 8th largest city in the nation. During his tenure, Stokes fought for the city's Black population, securing more jobs than any time previously. He was emphatic that Black businesses receive city contracts and that banks lend money to Black-owned businesses. His Cleveland NOW! antipoverty program sought and won funding from federal, state, local; and private sources for urban development. Despite significant challenges, including a shootout between Black Nationalists and Cleveland police, Stokes persevered and served two full terms before deciding not to run again in 1971. As Cleveland's mayor, Stokes "transformed the energy of the civil rights movement into a model of black political power.
Erected 2022 by The Ohio History Connection / Cleveland Restoration Society. (Marker Number 148-18.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Government & Politics • Labor Unions. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 3, 1996.
Location. 41° 30.303′ N, 81° 41.574′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. Marker is on Lakeside Avenue East west of East 9th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 601 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland OH 44114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cleveland City Hall Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker); Casimir Pulaski (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ohio AFL-CIO (within shouting distance of this marker); Dennis Donahue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Burnham Mall (about 500 feet away); Seltzer Way (about 800 feet away); Slovenians, Thomas Jefferson and The Declaration of Independence (approx. 0.2 miles away); To Commemorate 300 Years of German Contributions (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on November 5, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 5. submitted on July 15, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.