James H. McGee

James Howell McGee (November 8, 1918 – March 4, 2006) was an American politician of the Ohio Democratic party. He served as the first black mayor of Dayton, Ohio and was the city’s longest-tenured mayor to date.

Biography McGee was born in Berryberg, West Virginia, and was raised in Steubenville, Ohio. He graduated from Wilberforce University in 1937. After serving in the United States Army, he received a law degree from Ohio State University in 1948.

He moved to Dayton to practice law and worked with the NAACP in civil rights cases. He filed one of the first segregation cases after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. In 1959, he became the 23rd president of the Dayton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP.

McGee entered politics as an assistant to Rep. Rodney M. Love of Ohio working on the War on Poverty.

McGee was re-elected in 1973 and 1977 before stepping down. After leaving politics, he continued with his legal practice.

Personal life He met his wife, Elizabeth while he was in law school. They had two children.

McGee was a Prince Hall Freemason, holding membership in Ancient Square Lodge No. 40 of Dayton, Ohio, and was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

McGee died on March 4, 2006, in Trotwood, Ohio.