- London Breed Becomes San Francisco’s First Black Female Mayor
The city of San Francisco elected its first Black female mayor, London Breed making history and overcoming adversity. The historic win by Breed also makes her only the second woman in San Francisco’s history to become mayor and the only female mayor in any of the top 15 most populous cities in the United States.
- LaToya Cantrell Becomes The Mayor of New Orleans
The first woman mayor was elected mayor of New Orleans in May of this year. LaToya Cantrell is the first woman to hold the job since the city was founded 300 years ago. In her inaugural speech, she told the crowd, “We broke every kind of glass ceiling. “After 300 years, don’t you think it’s about time a woman was in charge?”
Gloria Gray Becomes First African American Chairwoman of Metropolitan Water District - Gloria Gray became the first African American chairwoman of MWD, the largest urban water supplier in the nation, in October of this year. Gray is the first African American woman in Metropolitan’s 90 -year history to hold the position and the first person of color to become chair. Gray replaces former chairman Randy Record, who held the position since May 2014.
- Leslie Hale Becomes CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust
RLJ Lodging Trust announced Leslie Hale as the company’s CEO. The Compton native is the first African American female of the company.
- Anthony Browder Is the First African American to lead Archeological Project in Egypt
Anthony “Tony” Browder makes history as the first African American to lead and fund an archeological excavation project in Egypt. Browder and his team are continuing the difficult work of bringing to light ancient knowledge that will dramatically change our understanding of Nile Valley history and culture forever.
- Anthony McGill, The First Black Principal Player of New York Philharmonic
Anthony McGill is the first African American Principal Player of the New York Philharmonic. His passion has led him to perform for shows such as Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, NBC Nightly News, and the Steve Harvey Show. McGill also performed at the 2009 inauguration of former President Barack Obama.
- Luwanda Jenkins Named First Black Director of Executive Alliance
Luwanda Jenkins transferred years of civic service for the State of Maryland to a new role in advancing women’s leadership. Jenkins, the first Black Executive Director for the Executive Alliance, comes to her work with years of statewide policy experience, as a former Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate and senior staffer during the Schaffer, Glendening and O’Malley administrations.
- Gerald Freeny, First African American President of the Tournament of Roses
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Board of Directors confirmed Gerald Freeny as President for the 2018-2019 Tournament of Roses year. Freeny is the first African American to serve in the position as President. He will provide leadership for the 130th Rose Parade presented by Honda and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.
- Regina Scott Is LAPD’s First Black Female Deputy Chief
This summer, a woman named Regina Scott made history as Los Angeles Police Department’s first African American Female Deputy Chief. Scott joined the department in 1987. During her time with the department, Scott has held a variety of positions including, police officer, field training officer, senior lead officer and sergeant. She has also held positions in all advance pay grades of the Detective and Lieutenant ranks, according to the LAPD.
- Tony Thurmond Wins Election
East Bay Assemblymember Tony Thurmond defeated charter school advocate Marshall Tuck in the state superintendent of public instruction contest in November. Thurmond’s victory was due in large part to his strong support in the Bay Area. He won all nine counties in the region by substantial margins. He also won handily in the most populous county in the state: Los Angeles. LA County also has the most outstanding votes to count: 422,600, according to the Secretary of State.
- Warren Stanley Announced Commissioner of CHP
Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday February 9, announced the appointment of Warren Stanley, 56, as commissioner of the California Highway Patrol. Stanley, who has climbed the ranks at the state’s law enforcement agency since 1982, most recently served as the department’s acting commissioner following the departure of former Commissioner Joe Farrow. Farrow accepted a position as chief of police at UC Davis last August.
- Dr. C. Freeman, President of LACMA
Dr. C. Freeman created a milestone for the Los Angeles County Medical Association, as its first African American president. As president, Freeman is the face and spokesperson for LACMA, which has been the leading organization for physicians in Los Angeles County since 1871. Along with being a source for physician needs, LACMA also does a great deal of advocating for public healthcare needs. Freeman has worked with the public and medical professionals, but in her new role as president, she also meets with government officials to make healthcare more accessible.
- Richard Robinson , Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court
Richard A. Robinson was appointed the chief justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to fill the seat vacated by the retirement of former Chief Justice Chase Rogers. He was confirmed by the Connecticut General Assembly on April 30, 2018, the first African American. Robinson will serve the remainder of Rogers’ term, which expires in 2023.
Robinson was previously a judge on the Connecticut Appellate Court. He was appointed to the appellate court by Governor Mary Jodi Rell to replace Judge Barry Schaller.He assumed office on December 10, 2007 and began serving on the court in February of 2008. Before his appointment to the appellate court, Robinson served on the Connecticut Superior Court. He was appointed to the superior court in 2000 by Governor John Rowland.
- Ayanna Pressley Is Elected to Congress
Massachusetts Rep.-elect Ayanna Pressley (D), who made history in November as the state’s first Black woman elected to Congress, will soon work from the former office of another political trailblazer: Shirley Chisholm. Pressley announced recently that her new congressional office will be the same one Chisholm, the first Black woman ever elected to Congress, once occupied.
