Lionel Wilson (politician)

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Lionel J. Wilson (ca. 1915–February 23, 1998) was an African American political figure. He was the first African American mayor of Oakland, California, serving three-terms as mayor of Oakland from 1978 until 1990.

He lost the 1990 mayorial election to Elihu Harris after making an expensive and unsuccessful bid to return the then Los Angeles Raiders to Oakland.

Wilson was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. He, along with Allen Broussard, was also part of the coterie that used to gather at the pharmacy of William Byron Rumford, another important African American in Northern California politics.

In 2002, Aspire Public Schools founded a small 6-12 grade school called Lionel Wilson College Preparatory Academy in Oakland.

Lionel Wilson died on February 23, 1998 of cancer; he was 82.

Preceded by John H. Reading

Mayor of Oakland, California 1978—1990

Succeeded by Elihu Harris