Kenneth A. Gibson, who became the first African American mayor of a major American city, died this past week at the age of 86. After decades of Italian political rule, Gibson fashioned a coalition of blacks and other groups to ascend to the mayor’s office in Newark, New Jersey in 1970. He served four historical terms, leaving office in 1986.
Gibson’s political ascension followed the tumultuous 1967 Race Riot that engulfed the city in flames for several days, as angry Blacks took to the streets to vent their frustration with the way they were treated in Newark. Within several weeks, riots broke out in other major U.S. cities, including Detroit, Cleveland, Atlanta, and many more. That ‘67 riot’s aftermath encouraged many Blacks to vote in the 1970 election, which took Gibson to power.
A native of Alabama, Gibson was an engineer by trade, and served in that capacity for both the New Jersey Highway Department and the Newark Housing Authority before he became mayor. He was considered such an astute political operative that many of today’s well known politicians, including New Jersey Senator and American presidential contender Cory Booker, have followed Gibson’s path and plans to elected office.
Gibson’s daughter is Joyce Bryan, a friend and former city commissioner in the South Florida City of Margate. When I spoke with Bryan prior to her leaving Florida for Gibson’s funeral this week, I told her that when I was an urban affairs consultant, I traveled to work on the problems of many cities, including Newark, and knew her Dad. When I told her that I am sure he was proud of her for following his footsteps into politics, she added, “He was my mentor, and guided my campaign for city commissioner from day one.”
Elaborate funeral arrangements included Gibson’s body Lying in State at the Newark City Hall on Thursday, April 4 for six hours, so that the residents of the city could see the man for the last time. Then, funeral services that evening were held at the spacious Newark Symphony Hall.
Rest In Peace Mayor Kenneth Gibson, and may GOD Bless You.