David Dinkins

David Norman Dinkins (born July 10, 1927) was the Mayor of New York City from 1990 through 1993, the first (and to date only) African American to hold that office. In World War II he served in the United States Marine Corps.

"David N. Dinkins is Professor in the Practice of Public Affairs. He also serves on SIPA's Advisory Board, chairs the Earth Institute's NYC Sustainable Development Initiative, and hosts the annual Dinkins Leadership and Public Policy Forum. In 2003, the David N. Dinkins Professorship in the Practice of Urban and Public Affairs was established at Columbia University.

"The 106th Mayor of the City of New York, Mr. Dinkins began his career in public service in 1966 in the New York State Assembly. He was president of the New York City Board of Elections, then City Clerk before his elections as President of the Borough of Manhattan in 1985 and Mayor of the City of New York in 1989.

"Mayor Dinkins instituted "Safe Streets, Safe City: Cops and Kids," the model criminal justice plan for reducing crime and expanding opportunities for the children of New York City, and established the Beacon schools. Mr. Dinkins is a founding member of the Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus of New York State, the Council of Black Elected Democrats of New York State, and One Hundred Black Men. He was vice president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and is a Member-at-Large of the Black Leadership Forum.

"He serves on the boards of several non-profit and charitable organizations, many of which assist children and young people: Association to Benefit Children; Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN); Children's Health Fund; Nelson Mandela Children's Fund; Posse Foundation; Coalition for the Homeless; and the Amadou Diallo Foundation.

"He is chairman emeritus of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and the Constituency for Africa (CFA), and serves on the steering committee of the Association for a Better New York. He serves on the International Advisory Board of Independent News & Media and New York City Global Partners, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is an Honorary Life Trustee of the Community Service Society of New York, an Honorary Trustee of the Friends of Harlem Hospital and a Lifetime Member of the NAACP."


 * 1990 Earth Day Honoree, Earth Society Foundation
 * Cofounder, Black Americans in Support of Israel Committee

New York Major
Preceded by:Edward Koch Mayor of New York City 1990—1993 Succeeded by:Rudolph Giuliani

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