| 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(s) | Margaret Lyon |
| Children | 1 |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch |  United States Navy
|
| Battles/wars | World War II |
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.
Biography[]
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] despite Colorado Springs being 86.6% White in 1970.[3] 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][4] He continued to serve on the City Council until his death in 2001.[1]
Personal life[]
In 1945, he married Margaret; they had a daughter, Denise Young Smith, in 1955.[1][5]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Mannion, Hillary. "Leon Young". https://www.cspm.org/articles/leon-young/. 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". https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/l-is-for-leon-young-the-story-of-african-americans-who-shaped-pikes-peak.
- ↑ "Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990". U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html.
- ↑ Middaugh, Jenna (June 24, 2020). "Community honors Colorado Springs’ only black mayor by revamping Leon Young Pavilion". https://www.kktv.com/content/news/Community-honors-Colorado-Springs-first-black-mayor-by-revamping-Leon-Young-Pavilion-571472731.html.
- ↑ Kelley, Debbie (April 8, 2018). "Daughter of Colorado Springs' first and only black mayor carrying on his legacy". https://gazette.com/news/daughter-of-colorado-springs-first-and-only-black-mayor-carrying-on-his-legacy/article_f7c48ea2-e99f-557a-9557-ee9ac3daad24.html.
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