Billy Ray White (June 29, 1936 – January 26, 2018) was an American politician who served as the first African-American mayor of Menlo Park, California.
White was born on June 29, 1936, in Shelby County, Texas, the son of to Amanda (née Mattlock) and Q.W.
[3] In the April 11, 1972, election, he ran for a four-year term[6] on the Menlo Park City Council, losing by 27 votes[1] to incumbent Douglas Dupen.
[11] In April 1980, he was appointed mayor by the City Council, the first African-American to hold the office in Menlo Park[1][12] since its incorporation in 1927,[13] succeeding Douglas Dupen.
During his government service, he was critical in giving the Black community a voice, securing projects to upgrade and maintain street lights, storm drains, and sidewalks in the segregated Belle Haven neighborhood as well as obtaining redevelopment funds for low-income housing.