Salisbury in Rowan County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Wiley Immanuel Lash
Businessman - Political Activist - Humanitarian
— First African-American Mayor of Salisbury —
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, July 20, 2023
1. Wiley Immanuel Lash Marker
Inscription.
Wiley Immanuel Lash (1908-1995), son of the Reverend Wiley H. and Mayzonetta "Mary" Grundy Lash received his education at a local black parochial school and Livingstone College. He rose to political prominence in the Negro Civic League where he spearheaded a drive to register voters and worked for better facilities, jobs, and schools for black citizens. Widely respected in the community, Lash advocated peaceful integration in the 1960s. After serving 15 years on the Board of Education, he was elected to the City Council in 1979 and was appointed mayor pro tem, Lash became mayor in 1981 and upon finishing his term in 1985, he was named Salisbury's first honorary mayor. , For years Lash owned and operated a self-service grocery at 129 East Council Street. The store was an informal hub for political activism and a place where the deserving poor were never turned away. , , Let us start anew, and so live that all our ties will bind us to the life that is noble for ourselves and for humanity. , -Wiley Lash
Wiley Immanuel Lash (1908-1995), son of the Reverend Wiley H. and Mayzonetta "Mary" Grundy Lash received his education at a local black parochial school and Livingstone College. He rose to political prominence in the Negro Civic League where he spearheaded a drive to register voters and worked for better facilities, jobs, and schools for black citizens. Widely respected in the community, Lash advocated peaceful integration in the 1960s. After serving 15 years on the Board of Education, he was elected to the City Council in 1979 and was appointed mayor pro tem, Lash became mayor in 1981 and upon finishing his term in 1985, he was named Salisbury's first honorary mayor.
For years Lash owned and operated a self-service grocery at 129 East Council Street. The store was an informal hub for political activism and a place where the deserving poor were never turned away.
Let us start anew, and so live that all our ties will bind us to the life that is noble for ourselves and for humanity.
-Wiley Lash
Erected 2008 by Salisbury History & Art Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical year for this entry is 1979.
Location. 35° 40.102′ N, 80° 28.137′
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W. Marker is in Salisbury, North Carolina, in Rowan County. Marker is at the intersection of Council Street and North Main Street (U.S. 29), on the right when traveling south on Council Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 NC-150, Salisbury NC 28144, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2023, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
