On November 12, 1977, Ernest Nathan “Dutch” Morial was elected as the first African-American mayor of New Orleans, marking a significant milestone in the city’s history. Morial’s election was the culmination of a distinguished career dedicated to civil rights and public service.?64 Parishes

Early Life and Education:

• Born on October 9, 1929, in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward, Morial grew up in a French-Creole Catholic family. He attended McDonogh No. 35 Senior High School and earned a degree in business administration from Xavier University of Louisiana in 1951. In 1954, he became the first African American to receive a law degree from Louisiana State University. ?

Career Milestones:

• Civil Rights Advocacy: As president of the local NAACP chapter from 1962 to 1965, Morial fought for the integration of public facilities in New Orleans, including buses and schools. ?

• Political Firsts:

  • In 1967, he became the first African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the Louisiana State Legislature.?Wikipedia
  • He broke further barriers by serving as the first black Juvenile Court judge in Louisiana in 1970 and later as a state appeals court judge in 1974. ?

Mayoral Achievements:

• Diverse Workforce: Morial implemented hiring quotas that increased the percentage of Black workers in the city’s workforce from 40% in 1977 to 53% in 1985. ?

• Economic Initiatives: He promoted tourism and sought to diversify the economy by developing industrial districts, contributing to a building boom in downtown New Orleans. ?Wikipedia

Legacy:

• Morial’s legacy continues through landmarks like the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, named in his honor, and through his son, Marc Morial, who also served as mayor of New Orleans from 1994 to 2002. ?

Ernest “Dutch” Morial’s life and career were characterized by groundbreaking achievements that paved the way for future generations in New Orleans and beyond.