African American Leadership Project Commemorates 38th Anniversary of Dutch Morial’s Election as Mayor of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA – May 1st marks the 38th year since the Honorable Ernest N “Dutch” Morial was elected as the 1st Mayor African descent in New Orleans. May 1st, 1978 will always represent a “turning point” in the history of the city……it was the desegregation of the city’s mayoral politics, and the launching of a new era in electoral politics in New Orleans.
Prior to his election as Mayor, “Dutch” was a veritable civil rights icon in the state of Louisiana. In 1954, he was the first African American to graduate from LSU’s Law school, and in 1967, he became the 1sr Black person to serve in the state legislature since Reconstruction. In 1970, he became the 1st Black person to serve as Juvenile Court Judge, and in 1974, he was the first African American elected as a Judge of the 4th Circuit Court of appeals. Earlier, he had served as President of the local branch of the NAACP from 1962-1965.
The Morial election not only desegregated city hall, but it paved the way for the election of African American’s to virtually every office in Orleans Parish, and for dramatic increases in Black elected officials, citizen engagement and public policy development and public benefits.
On Monday, May 2nd, the AALP will recognize Dutch Moral’s contribution to history by placing a wreath and conducting a brief ceremony at the Morial tomb site at St. Louis # 3 Cemetery on Esplanade Avenue (near Bayou St. John). Upon entering, take a right and follow the path toward the end. Immediately following the ceremony, a luncheon and discussion will take place at Neyou’s Restaurant located at So. Jefferson Davis and Bienville. The discussion will focus on challenges moving forward toward 2018, which will be the 40th Anniversary of the historical contribution of Dutch Morial.
According to Gail Glapion and Dr. Mtangulizi Sanyika of the AALP, which organizes this event each year…” it is important that we recognize the contribution of our pioneers in the long march toward justice. If we do not, history will judge us harshly, and we will have no one to blame but ourselves….”
The public is cordially invited to attend.
For more info, call 504-452-4446.
