LOCAL · MI · 1974-1994

Coleman Young

Mayor of Detroit · Democrat · Michigan

NOTABLE

On the record

First African-American Detroit Mayor; 20-year tenure; subject of FBI investigations

SEVERITY · INVESTIGATION

Background

Coleman Alexander Young (1918–1997) was Detroit's first African-American Mayor, serving 5 terms 1974-1994 — 20 years. Tuskegee Airman; testified before HUAC 1952 + refused to name names; later subject of FBI surveillance. As Mayor: presided over the steepest population decline of any major U.S. city (1.5M → 1M); battled Suburban Mayor lockstep blocs over revenue sharing; survived multiple federal investigations into the 1980s casino-licensing aborted bid (no charges).

Curated bio from Officium's editorial pass.