Leon Young (1924–2001) was an American politician from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He served on the city council of Colorado Springs and was the city's first African-American mayor.
Leon Young | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado | |
| In office 1997–1997 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Isaac |
| Succeeded by | Mary Lou Makepeace |
| Vice Mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado | |
| In office 1981–1997 | |
| City Council of Colorado Springs, Colorado | |
| In office 1973–2001 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1924 West Monroe, Louisiana |
| Died | 2001 (aged 76–77) Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Margaret Lyon |
| Children | 1 |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Biography
editYoung was born in 1924 in West Monroe, Louisiana.[1] He was raised by his grandparents after his father died when he was 5 and his mother when he was 10.[1] Having to work, he did not complete the 10th grade.[1] At the age of 18, he moved to Colorado Springs where his aunt lived.[1] He enrolled at Colorado Springs High School but dropped out to work at a shoe repair store and later as a doorman and bartender at the El Paso Club.[1] In 1943, he enlisted in the US Navy where he served during World War II.[1] In 1945, he returned to Colorado Springs and founded Young Janitorial Services which went on to become one of the most successful Black-owned businesses in Colorado.[1]
In 1973, Young was elected to the Colorado Springs City Council[1][2][3] despite Colorado Springs being 86.6% non-Hispanic white in 1970.[4] In 1981, he was unanimously appointed as Vice Mayor where he served until 1997.[1] In 1997, he was elevated to interim Mayor after the early retirement and resignation of mayor Bob Isaac becoming the first African-American mayor of the city.[1][5] He continued to serve on the City Council until his death in 2001.[1]
Personal life
editIn 1945, he married Margaret; they had a daughter, Denise Young Smith, in 1955.[1][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mannion, Hillary. "Leon Young". Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ Skinner, Renae (February 13, 2020). ""L" is for Leon Young: The story of African Americans who shaped the Pikes Peak Region". KOAA.
- ^ "City Council Candidates in Tuesday Election". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. April 1, 1973 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012.
- ^ Middaugh, Jenna (June 24, 2020). "Community honors Colorado Springs' only black mayor by revamping Leon Young Pavilion". KKTV.
- ^ Kelley, Debbie (April 8, 2018). "Daughter of Colorado Springs' first and only black mayor carrying on his legacy". The Gazette (Colorado Springs).