Irvine I. Turner (1914–1974)[1][2] politician who was the first Black official in Newark, New Jersey elected to the Municipal Council when he took office in 1954.

[5] Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson called him "a man who paved the way for black people to be elected to public office.

[3] Irvine Turner was born in Newark in 1914 and educated in the city,[6] including at Barringer High School.

[8] Turner ran against Roger Yancy a lawyer advanced by the professional African American community and Italian Johnny Savado.

[5][8] Historian Robert Curvin wrote, "With his victory, a common man with intriguing connections and one-time neighborhood hustler was transformed into one of the most important politicians in New Jersey.

[3] He helped appoint African Americans for Newark city positions, using these jobs in exchange for the support of voters which he could then provide to other politicians including Hugh Joseph Addonizio.

[5] In 1967, Amiri Baraka wrote, "Where once [Turner] offered some actual inspiration to Black People in Newark, now he represents the impotence and incompetence of one traditional area of Negro leadership.

[5] He said, "Violence, rash words, or insulting remarks are not going to get my race any further ahead than they have come.”[5] In December 1969, Turner was indicted along with Mayor Hugh Joseph Addonizio.