Celebrating Black History Month: Carl B. Stokes
In celebration of Black History month, we'd like to highlight individuals who have worked towards addressing climate and environmental injustices.
We're kicking off this mini-series with a spotlight on Carl B. Stokes, the first African-American to be elected mayor of a major U.S. city.
Carl B. Stokes and his wife Shirley outside a voting booth on election day 1967.
“Despite the litany of the sorrows of the city, we must believe in the ability of man to respond to the problems of his environment.”
Stokes was elected mayor of Cleveland, Ohio in 1967. In the first two years of his tenure, he worked on popularizing urban revitalization projects. When the Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969, he embarked on a “pollution tour” the next day which bolstered him into the national spotlight as he advocated for clean water and protecting the urban environment. In 1970, he testified along with his brother, congressman Louis Stokes, in the US House and secured federal funding to work towards cleaning up the Cuyahoga river.
Stokes speaking with reporters the day after the Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969.
A politician ahead of his time, Stokes worked at the intersection of racial and environmental justice as evidenced by comments he made that same year at the first Earth day celebration. Stokes said, “I am fearful that the priorities on air and water pollution may be at the expense of what the priorities of the country ought to be: proper housing, adequate food and clothing.” Stokes recognized that pollution impacted communities in different ways and for many living within an urban infrastructure, it was just one of many challenges to developing a healthier environment.
If you’re interested in reading more about Carl B. Stokes and the Cuyahoga Fire of 1969, check out the book Where the River Burned: Carl Stokes and the Struggle to Save Cleveland by David and Richard Stradling.