Richard Arrington Jr.
Richard Arrington Jr. | |
|---|---|
Arrington is at a microphone, possibly for a news conference. | |
| 25th Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama | |
| In office November 13, 1979 – 1999 | |
| Preceded by | David Vann |
| Succeeded by | Bernard Kincaid |
| Member of the Birmingham City Council | |
| In office 1971–1979 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1934 Livingston, Alabama |
| Spouse(s) | Barbara Jean Watts (1954–1974) Rachel Reynolds (1975–) |
| Children | Anthony, Kevin, Kenneth, Angela, and Erica |
| Residence | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Alma mater | Miles College (BA) University of Detroit (ME) University of Oklahoma (Ph.D) |
| Profession | College Professor |
Richard Arrington Jr. (born October 19, 1934 in Livingston, Alabama) was the first African American mayor of the city of Birmingham, Alabama (U.S.) and the second African American on the City Council. He served on the council for two terms from 1971 to 1979 and was mayor of the city for 20 years from 1979 to 1999. While in office as mayor and on the City Council, Arrington worked to end police brutality, rebuild the city's economy, and promote equality for all minorities. Throughout his political career, Arrington faced racial harassment and multiple investigations by the FBI and IRS for the changes he made to the city. He replaced David Vann as mayor and, upon retiring after five terms in office, installed then-City Council president William A. Bell as interim mayor. Bell went on to lose the next election to Bernard Kincaid.