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 byBob Isaac
Succeeded byMary Lou Makepeace
Vice Mayor of Colorado Springs, Colorado
In office
1981–1997
City Council of Colorado Springs, Colorado
In office
1973–2001
Personal details
Born1924
West Monroe, Louisiana
Died2001 (aged 76–77)
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMargaret Lyon
Children1
Military service
Branch/service United States Navy
Battles/warsWorld War II

Biography

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Young 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

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In 1945, he married Margaret; they had a daughter, Denise Young Smith, in 1955.[1][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mannion, Hillary. "Leon Young". Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Skinner, Renae (February 13, 2020). ""L" is for Leon Young: The story of African Americans who shaped the Pikes Peak Region". KOAA.
  3. ^ "City Council Candidates in Tuesday Election". Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph. April 1, 1973 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ Middaugh, Jenna (June 24, 2020). "Community honors Colorado Springs' only black mayor by revamping Leon Young Pavilion". KKTV.
  6. ^ Kelley, Debbie (April 8, 2018). "Daughter of Colorado Springs' first and only black mayor carrying on his legacy". The Gazette (Colorado Springs).