Clifford DeBaptiste

Early life and education DeBaptiste was born in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania in 1924 and grew up in the Atlantic City, New Jersey area. DeBaptiste earned a Bachelor's degree in Science from West Chester University and a Master's degree in Human Services at Lincoln University. DeBaptiste held positions on many local boards, including the West Chester University Board of Trustees and the board of the First National Bank of West Chester. His opponent in the race was Democratic candidate Wayne Burton, an associate professor at West Chester University. In what was described as a stun to Democrats, DeBaptiste won the election with 56 percent of the vote. DeBaptiste's campaign spent over ten thousand dollars to win the election, a record at the time.

Clifford DeBaptiste became West Chester's first black mayor, a distinction he described as insignificant. The event is now held every year.

During DeBaptiste's term, the commercial exodus from West Chester began to reverse, with businesses that had considered leaving the borough choosing to stay, and others announcing their entry into West Chester.

DeBaptiste ran unopposed in the 1997 Mayor's election.

In 1998, DeBaptiste controversially vetoed a borough ordinance that would have further regulated landlords. The law would have required property owners to discontinue the leases of tenants who were convicted of two or more property violations in a twelve-month period. Some accused DeBaptiste of a conflict of interest, as he was a landlord himself. During the event, the first firework show was held in the borough since the American Revolution. The celebration also raised $400,000. The complaints led DeBaptiste to create a racial sensitivity committee.

DeBaptiste was credited for getting the University, borough government, and West Chester Chamber of Commerce to work together in each other's interests.

DeBaptiste became a Democrat during the Obama administration.

A residential street in West Chester, "Debaptiste Lane", is named after the former mayor.

In 2022, DeBaptiste was given an honorary doctorate by Lincoln University.

DeBaptiste celebrated his one hundredth birthday on 19 May 2024. The party drew nearly one thousand guests, including State Senator Carolyn Comitta and former State Senator Andy Dinniman. DeBaptiste was also gifted the honorary title of "Mayor Emeritus" at the event.

Personal life DeBaptiste was married to Inez E. Manning from 1950 until her death in 1990. DeBaptiste has three daughters, including the 62nd Mayor of West Chester, Lillian L. DeBaptiste. DeBaptiste has been a lifetime member of the NAACP, and is also a Prince Hall Mason. He is a Christian.