City Declares June 30 as Carl B. Stokes Day
Cleveland is now officially celebrating Carl B. Stokes Day every June 30. This new tradition honors the city’s former mayor, who made national history.
Carl Stokes was elected in 1967 and became the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city. His leadership came during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement, and his work still inspires people today.
Family and Leaders Celebrate His Legacy
Stokes’ family joined Cleveland’s current leaders at City Hall to mark the special day. His granddaughter Jevonne Stokes and her children were part of the celebration, standing proudly to remember him.
“My father… did set the political climate as the mayor and I’m just so proud of him,” said Cordell Stokes, Carl’s son. His words reflected the pride felt by many during the event.
A Leader Who Changed the Game
Before becoming mayor, Carl Stokes served in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was the first Black Democrat to do so. As mayor, he focused on police reform, public housing, and rebuilding neighborhoods.
One of his major programs was “Cleveland: Now!” — a public-private effort to help rebuild city communities. His leadership made people across the country take notice of Cleveland’s rising political power.
A Celebration with Purpose and Pride
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb described the day as a powerful reminder of Stokes’ impact. “Starting today, the world is going to know that Cleveland is the birthplace of Black political power in this country,” he said.
Councilmember Richard Starr also spoke, calling on everyone to live out the values Stokes believed in — equity, justice, and unity. “Let today be a heartfelt reminder of how far we’ve come,” he said.
A Life of Firsts Beyond City Hall
Stokes didn’t stop making history after his time as mayor. He went on to become the first Black anchorman at WNBC-TV in New York City. Later, he returned to Cleveland to serve as general counsel for the United Auto Workers and as a judge.
His life and work will be featured in an upcoming documentary titled Stokes’ Dilemma. The film will dive into the challenges and victories of his time as a leader.
