David Dinkins, New York City’s First Black Mayor, Dies at 93

New York City’s first and only Black mayor, David Dinkins, dies at age 93. 

What We Know: 

• The NYPD received a call from Dinkins Upper East Side residence of an unconscious person having difficulty breathing. Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed Dinkins’ death to The New York Times. 
• Born in 1927 in Trenton, New Jersey, he graduated from Howard University and later received a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Additionally, Dinkins is a veteran, serving as a Marine in Korea. 
• Dinkins introduced himself into politics, becoming a district leader. He became a Harlem state assemblyman, president of the Board of Elections, City Clerk, and then the Manhattan Borough President.
• Dinkins served as New York City’s 106th mayor. He served from 1990 to 1993. Dinkins served as New York City’s 106th mayor. He served from 1990 to 1993. He broke barriers in the 1989 election. He became New York City’s first and only black mayor. His election occurred right after the Central Park Five case, where five black youths were wrongfully convicted of assault and rape of a white woman jogger. This case led to much tension in the city and helped Dinkins win the election.  
• Dinkins defeated three-three incumbent Ed Koch during the democratic primaries. He then defeated Republican Rudolph Giuliani with the narrowest electoral margin in New York City’s history. He ran for reelection in 1993 but lost to Giuliani. Giuliani went to Twitter to extend his condolences. Giuliani said of Dinkins, “He gave a great deal of his life in service to our great City. That service is respected and honored by all”. 
• According to NYC.gov, in his inauguration speech, Dinkins promised to be “mayor of all the people of New York,” declaring, “We are all foot soldiers on the march to freedom.”
  
• As mayor, he supported anti-apartheid sanctions against South Africa. However, many criticized his handling of tensions in New York’s neighborhoods.  

Up until his passing, Dinkins remained active in politics. He hosted a weekly radio show and reached public affairs at Columbia University.