Tom Bradley: LA's First and Only Black Mayor (1973–1993)

Yes. Tom Bradley (1917–1998) was elected Mayor of Los Angeles in 1973, becoming the first African American to lead a major U.S. city with a white majority. He served five terms (20 years) until 1993.

Key Achievements

• 1984 Olympics: Brought Summer Games to LA—only privately financed Olympics; $232M surplus.
• Downtown Revitalization: Bunker Hill, Library Tower (now US Bank Tower), Metro Rail (Blue Line 1990, Red Line 1993).
• Port & Airport Expansion: LAX modernization; Port of LA became #1 US container port.
• Diversity & Inclusion: Appointed women, minorities, LGBTQ+ to commissions; civilian police oversight.
• Fiscal Discipline: Balanced budgets; AAA bond rating.

Challenges

• 1992 Rodney King riots (occurred during his 5th term).
• Police reform resistance (LAPD culture).
• Two failed gubernatorial runs (1982, 1986) — "Bradley effect" coined.

Legacy

Bradley broke the color barrier in big-city governance, proved coalition politics could work, and left LA transformed. No Black mayor since—Karen Bass (elected 2022) is the first Black woman mayor.