Kilpatrick, Kwame 1970–

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Kwame Kilpatrick 1970–

Mayor

Since he began his political career seven years ago, the first thing people reported about Kwame Kilpatrick was his size. It was necessary and relevant when he held the position of captain of the football team during his college days at Florida A&M. But the man with the distinction of being the youngest person to ever be elected mayor of Detroit had already done much to prove that his contributions would be remembered as well as his size before his January 2002 inauguration.

Politics Ran in the Family

Kilpatrick was born in Detroit and raised on the city’s west side. Kilpatrick knew by the fifth grade that he wanted to be the mayor. To some this may have sounded like the dreams of a young mind, but even then his words could be taken seriously because of the excellent role models readily available. At the time, Kwame’s mother, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, had been in office for two years of an 18-year stay as the state representative for Detroit’s 9th District. With his father working for the Wayne county executive, Kilpatrick had politics in his blood. He would have to wait several years to reach what he called his dream job, but Kilpatrick was already well on the way.

Kilpatrick attended Pelham Middle School and Cass Technical High School. He left Detroit for a brief period to attend college at Florida A&M University (FAMU), where he graduated with honors. Kilpatrick was certified as a teacher while at FAMU and received his bachelor of science degree in political science in 1992. While his teaching career began in Florida at Rickards High School, Kilpatrick was anxious to return home to get his political irons in the fire.

Upon returning to Detroit, Kilpatrick accepted a teaching position at Marcus Garvey Academy. At the academy, Kilpatrick was more than a teacher to the students. He took on the role of basketball coach and the more important role of mentor. He remained at the academy for four years but when the opportunity to enter the political arena arose, Kilpatrick was ready.

Like Mother, Like Son

Congresswoman Cheeks Kilpatrick decided to make her transition from state representative to U.S. congresswoman

At a Glance…

Born Kwame Malik Kilpatrick in Detroit, 1970; son of Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, (US representative) and Bernard Kilpatrick; married Carlita; children: Jalil, Jelani, Jonas. Education: Florida A&M University, BS, political science; Detroit College of Law, JD.

Career: Rickards High School, Tallahassee, teacher; Marcus Garvey Academy, Detroit, teacher and basketball coach, 1992; Michigan House of Representatives, state representative, 1996-01; mayor, 2002-.

Memberships: Michigan Bar Association; Wolverine Bar Association; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Mount Pavan Lodge #2; NAACP.

Address: Mayor’ Office, City of Detroit, 1126 City County Bldg, Detroit, Michigan, United States 48226

in 1995. She won the position of U.S. representative leaving the state seat available for the obvious successor, her son. Kilpatrick won the seat vacated by his mother in 1996. This was a time of great change for the future mayor for more reasons than one. He had recently become a husband, marrying Carlita Poles, whom he met while at FAMU. Kilpatrick was also a father to twin sons, Jalil and Jelani.

Kilpatrick maintained a residence on Detroit’s west side and split time between Lansing and home. By 1998 he helped develop the $675 million Clean Michigan Initiative. Kilpatrick was able to designate 60 percent of the funds to Detroit; both Michigan’s largest city and the one most in need. He also helped secure millions of dollars to fight lead poisoning in the city. At the time, more child-related lead poisoning cases were reported in Detroit then throughout the rest of the state combined.

He was still doing great things for the city and proving himself to fellow representatives when the opportunity arose to run for state house minority leader in 2000. Though many thought the representative was too young, he won the position in January of 2001. Kilpatrick set his first precedents by becoming not only the first African American to be chosen as minority leader but also the youngest person to ever hold that position at the age of 30.

Ran for Mayor

Kilpatrick was just getting into the role of minority leader when in April of 2001, Detroit’s mayor, Dennis Archer, announced that he would not be running for re-election. With this news, Kilpatrick saw the opportunity to take on the job he had dreamed of since 1980. Once again the main obstacle Kilpatrick faced on the campaign trail was his age; people thought he was too young. He would be the youngest person ever to be elected to the position of mayor in Detroit’s history. But that didn’t stop Kilpatrick. Not even when doubts came from critics overseas. “At 31, Kwame Kilpatrick may seem to some to be too young to lead a city renowned for it’s decades of decay,” reported the BBC News. The BBC however, also spoke the minds of many of the Detroit voters when they commented, “[h]is presence, however, is commanding, and his call for government reform much welcomed.”

Kilpatrick joined the race, trailing a group of 21 candidates, but by the primary election on September 11, 2001, Kilpatrick walked away with 50.2 percent of the votes compared to 34.4 percent for his closest front runner, Detroit Councilman Gill Hill. Kilpatrick won the election for the office on November 6, 2001 and was sworn in January 4, 2002 as mayor of Detroit. In his inaugural speech he outlined his three point initiative for the term; to improve the police department, to begin Mayor’s Time, a program for the cities youth, and to head a citywide clean up effort.

This again marked a time of personal change for the mayor. His wife had just given birth to his third son, Jonas. Carlita plans to stand by Kilpatrick’s side and be there for their children throughout his term. She says her role is to help Kilpatrick realize his civic dreams. “I want to try to come up with something unique,” she said to the Detroit News. “We’re going to work in partnership.” She also stressed that she not be compared to other political wives who have used their husband’s positions to thrust themselves into the limelight.

And part of Kilpatrick’s dream was to let the people of Detroit know how sincere he was about creating a better city. “My family dwells within the walls of the city of Detroit,”, he said to the Detroit News, ” This position is personal to me. It’s much more than just politics.”