What is carl stokes baltimore?

Carl Stokes was an African American politician who served as the first black mayor of Baltimore, Maryland from 1967 to 1971. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1927 and grew up in poverty with his brother, Louis Stokes, who later became a congressman. Stokes enlisted in the Army during World War II and later attended law school.

In 1967, Stokes ran for mayor of Baltimore and won, becoming the first African American to lead a major American city. He implemented a number of reforms during his time in office, including desegregating the city government and improving public services like housing, transportation, and education.

Stokes faced opposition from various groups during his mayoralty, including the police department and white residents who opposed his efforts to integrate the city. He also faced criticism for his handling of riots and unrest in the city in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

After leaving office, Stokes served as a television news anchor in New York City and later worked for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Jimmy Carter. He died in 1996 at the age of 68.