David Dinkins | |
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Dinkins in 2007
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106th Mayor of New York City | |
In office January 1, 1990 – December 31, 1993 |
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Preceded by | Ed Koch |
Succeeded by | Rudy Giuliani |
23rd Borough President of Manhattan | |
In office January 1, 1986 – December 31, 1989 |
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Preceded by | Andrew Stein |
Succeeded by | Ruth Messinger |
Member of the New York State Assembly from District 78 |
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In office 1966–1966 |
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Preceded by | New district |
Succeeded by | Edward A. Stevenson, Sr. |
Personal details | |
Born |
David Norman Dinkins July 10, 1927 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Joyce Burrows |
Alma mater |
Howard University Brooklyn Law School |
Religion | Episcopalian |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | U.S. Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1945–1946 |
Battles/wars | World War II |
David Norman Dinkins (born July 10, 1927) is an American politician who served as the 106th Mayor of New York City, from 1990 to 1993. He was the first and, to date, only African American to hold that office.
Before entering politics, Dinkins served in the U.S. Marine Corps, graduated cum laude from Howard University, and received a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He served as Manhattan borough president before becoming mayor. Under the Dinkins administration, crime in New York City decreased more dramatically and more rapidly than at any time in previous New York City history. After leaving office Dinkins was named professor of public affairs at Columbia University. Dinkins was a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Tennis Association, and a member of The Jazz Foundation of America. He serves on the boards of the New York City Global Partners, the Children's Health Fund (CHF), the Association to Benefit Children and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF). Dinkins is also on the Advisory Board of Independent News & Media and the Black Leadership Forum, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.
Dinkins was born in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of Sarah "Sally" Lucy and William Harvey Dinkins, Jr. His mother was a domestic worker and his father a barber and real estate agent. He was raised by his father, his parents having separated when he was six years old. Dinkins moved to Harlem as a child but returned to Trenton and attended Trenton Central High School, where he graduated in 1945 in the top 10 percent of his class. After graduation, Dinkins attempted to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, but was told that a racial quota had been filled. After traveling the Northeastern United States, he finally found a recruiting station that had not, in his words, "filled their quota for Negro Marines". He became a Marine, but World War II was over before Dinkins finished boot camp. He served in the Marine Corps from 1945 through 1946, and was among the Montford Point Marines awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the United States Senate and House of Representatives.