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NEWARK, NJ – Ken Gibson, who became the first black mayor of a large northeastern city when he came to power in riot-ridden Newark almost five decades ago, is dead. He was 86 years old.
NJ.com reports that Gibson, who died on Friday, was mayor of the city from 1970 to 1986, contributing to the establishment of the foundations of black political power.
His wife, Camille Gibson, told NJ Advance Media, "He always thought that if you could help someone, that's what you should do. That's what he thought was the mayor. "
Elected three years after the devastating riots of 1967, Gibson is credited with stabilizing the city's finances and improving the health of citizens.
On the 50th anniversary of the riots, he told NJ Advance Media in 2017 that he was seeing the city's reputation finally recovering.
The Associated Press
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