Mervyn Dymally was born in Trinidad in the West Indies, and went on to come one of California's most enduring politicians. In 1962, he became the first foreign-born black person elected to the State Assembly. He served in the State Senate and became Lieutenant Governor, the first black to serve in a statewide elected office. From there, he went on to Congress, and then — at age 76 — went back to the Assembly again, finally losing a State Senate election at the age of 82. Dymally died yesterday at the age of 86.
Meryvn Dymally, Trailblazing Black Politician, Dies at 86
Credits
Guests:
- Raphael Sonenshein - California State University, Los Angeles - @SonensheinPBI
- Earl Ofari Hutchinson - journalist and civil rights activist - @earlhutchinson