List of first African-American mayors

The first African-American mayors were elected during Reconstruction in the Southern United States beginning about 1867.

After this period ended in 1876, it became increasingly difficult for African Americans to compete in elections due to racial discrimination, such as Jim Crow laws.

Achievements in African Americans' being elected mayor in majority-European American and other municipalities made their political participation one of daily life in many localities.

[1][2] Lelia Foley was the first African American woman elected mayor in the United States.

[3][4] In 1986, the first African-American women mayors were elected to major mid-size cities.