Coleman Young
Coleman Young | |
|---|---|
Young circa 1972 (age 54) | |
| 66th Mayor of Detroit | |
| In office January 1, 1974 – January 3, 1994 | |
| Preceded by | Roman Gribbs |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Archer |
| 40th President of the United States Conference of Mayors | |
| In office 1982–1983 | |
| Preceded by | Helen Boosalis |
| Succeeded by | Richard Fulton |
| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 4th district | |
| In office January 1, 1965 – 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Charles S. Blondy |
| Succeeded by | David S. Holmes, Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Coleman Alexander Young May 24, 1918 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | November 29, 1997 (aged 79) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Marion McClellan
(m. 1947; div. 1954)Nadine Baxter
(m. 1955; div. 1960) |
| Children | Coleman Young II |
| Profession | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | |
| Years of service | 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Unit | 477th Bombardment Group |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Coleman Alexander Young (May 24, 1918 – November 29, 1997) was an American politician who served as mayor of Detroit, Michigan from 1974 to 1994. Young was the first African-American mayor of Detroit and has been described as the "single most influential person in Detroit's modern history."
Young had emerged from the far-left element in Detroit, but became an advocate for business interests after his election as mayor. He called an ideological truce and gained widespread support from the city's business leaders. The new mayor energetically promoted downtown redevelopment with major projects like the Joe Louis Arena and the Renaissance Center. Facing intense manufacturing flight, Young worked to keep major plants in the city, most notably General Motors' Poletown project and Chrysler's Jefferson North assembly. Some opponents said that he pulled money out of the neighborhoods to rehabilitate the downtown business district, but he said "there were no other options."
In 1981, Young received the Spingarn Medal for achievement from the NAACP.