The road to becoming the first Black mayor of New York City wasn't an easy one for David Dinkins. Previously, he had twice been unsuccessful running for Manhattan Borough President, finally winning in his third attempt. That would be a big step towards his mayoral victory, which was an inspiration to many including the Reverend Al Sharpton.
What You Need To Know
- David Dinkins was mentored by his father-in-law, prominent Harlem politician Daniel Burrows
- He was a member of the "Gang of Four" - a group of influential Black politicians that included Charles Rangel, Basil Paterson and Percy Sutton
- The Gang of Four co-founded the annual Harlem Week celebration 46 years ago
- Dinkins spent part of his childhood in Harlem, but mainly grew up in Trenton, New Jersey
"Dave Dinkins was the road that ultimately led to the election of Barack Obama,” said Sharpton. “There was David Dinkins talking about the gorgeous mosaic that made many of us understand when Obama said yes we can, because we had done it in New York under David Dinkins.”
Dinkins began that road in Harlem, mentored by his wife Joyce's father, Daniel Burrows, a democratic district leader and former state assembly member. Later, he would become an influential political figure in his own right, part of the Gang of Four, a group of prominent Black politicians that included Congressman Charles Rangel, Assembly Member and Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton, and New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson, whose son David would become Governor after the resignation of Eliot Spitzer.
"He was such a wonderful friend of so many people and was a very approachable politician you didn't have to go through many layers of people to talk to him," said Paterson, who was among those mentored by Dinkins.
Sharpton said Dinkins raised the bar for the aspirations of young Black men seeking to make a mark for themselves in politics and other fields.
"He mentored many that went on to state and city legislatures, he mentored me as an activist," said Sharpton.
Longtime friend and Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lloyd Williams said even after his time in City Hall, David Dinkins continued to inspire.
“He became the go to politician for people who wanted to enter the political arena and wanted to know how to do it right," said Williams, who credited Dinkins and the rest of the Gang of Four with co-founding the annual Harlem Week celebration 46 years ago.
Even as Dinkins traveled the country and the world through his notoriety as the Mayor of New York, David Dinkins would never forget his political roots in Harlem.