James E. Simpson Jr.

James Simpson Jr (1928–1999) was the first African American to win a city commission election in the history of Covington, Kentucky.

Simpson was also one of the founders of the Northern Kentucky Community Center in the Eastside Neighborhood of Covington.

He took advantage of GI Bill funds to finance his education at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.

In 1972, the City of Covington acquired the original funeral home site for additional parking.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church on 9th Street in Covington with burial at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.

In 1993, Simpson was one of eight people to receive a Martin Luther King Achievement Award, which were sponsored by the United Community Christian Church Disciples of Christ.

He helped found the community center, now named for a contemporary, William Martin, who died in 1997.