On April 22, 1981, the Joint Center for Political Studies reported a major milestone in Black political representation: 2,991 Black Americans held elective office across 45 states and the District of Columbia. This was a substantial increase from 2,621 in 1973 and just 1,185 in 1969. Among these officials were 108 Black mayors, reflecting growing civic leadership in urban centers. Notably, Michigan led the nation with 194 Black elected officials, closely followed by Mississippi with 191. This surge in Black political engagement followed the gains of the civil rights era and marked a foundational step in reshaping American governance at local, state, and national levels.
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