Robert Major Walker
Robert Major Walker | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Vicksburg, Mississippi | |
| In office 1988–2001 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert Major Walker Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Education |
|
| Occupation | Educator, Politician |
Robert Major Walker is a former mayor of Vicksburg, Mississippi. He was the first African American to hold the position and served two terms.
Early life and education
Walker was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi and attended Tougaloo College, where he earned a degree in mathematics and later received a master's degree in political science from Howard University.[1] Before entering politics, he worked as an educator and administrator in the Vicksburg public school system.[2]
Political career
Walker was elected as Vicksburg's mayor in 1988 during a special election, becoming the first African American to hold the office. He was elected to a full term in 1989 and was re-elected in 1992, serving until 2001.[3] During his tenure, Walker advocated for the establishment of a monument honoring African American soldiers who served in the American Civil War, which now stands in the Vicksburg National Military Park.[4]
Legacy
In 2019, the City of Vicksburg renamed its City Hall Annex as the Robert M. Walker Annex to honor his contributions to the city.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b Clark, Patrice (January 22, 2019). "City of Vicksburg renames building to honor first African-American Mayor". www.wlbt.com.
- ^ Phillips, Keith (2021-02-11). "Black Excellence: Robert Walker, Vicksburg's first black mayor". Vicksburg Daily News. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- ^ Surratt, John (2019-01-22). "City Hall Annex now the Robert M. Walker Building". Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- ^ Joyner, Brooklyn (February 15, 2024). "'The truth has to be told:' The story behind monument honoring Black Civil War soldiers" – via www.wapt.com.