DAVID NORMAN DINKINS

David N. Dinkins is Professor in the Practice of Public Affairs at the Columbia University School of International & Public Affairs and Senior Fellow of the Columbia Center for Urban Research & Policy. In 2003, the David N. Dinkins Professorship in the Practice of Urban & Public Affairs was established at Columbia University. A vocal advocate for children, education, compassionate urban policy and tolerance, he also hosts a public affairs radio program, “Dialogue with Dinkins,” on WLIB-AM.

The 106th Mayor of the City of New York, Mr. Dinkins began his career in public service in 1966 in the New York State Assembly. He served as president of the New York City Board of Elections from 1972 through 1973, and was appointed City Clerk in 1975. He was elected President of the Borough of Manhattan in November 1985, and Mayor of the City of New York in November 1989, serving a four-year term.

Mr. Dinkins is a founding member of the Black & Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus of New York State, the Council of Black Elected Democrats of New York State, and One Hundred Black Men (now serves on Honorary Board). He was formerly vice president of the United State Conference of Mayors, and is a Member-at-Large of the Black Leadership Forum, Inc.

He currently serves on the board of several non-profit and charitable organizations, many of which assist children and young people. Among them are the Association to Benefit Children; the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN); the Children’s Health Fund; the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies; Friends of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund; and the Posse Foundation. An ardent tennis player and supporter, Mr. Dinkins serves on the Board of Directors of the United States Tennis Association and the New York City Sports Commission.

He is chairman emeritus of the boards of directors of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and the Constituency for Africa (CFA), and chairs the New York City/Johannesburg Sister City Program. He serves on the steering committee of the Association for a Better New York (ABNY), and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and of the Coalition for the Homeless. He serves on the Board of Directors of Independent News & Media, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and is an Honorary Life Trustee of the Community Service Society of New York; and an Honorary Trustee of the Friends of Harlem Hospital.

Mr. Dinkins graduated with honors from Howard University with a B.S. in mathematics in 1950, and received an LL.B. from Brooklyn Law School in 1956. He holds honorary degrees from several institutions, including a doctor of law from his alma mater Howard University, Hofstra University School of Law, New York Law School and Brooklyn Law School, and serves on the Brooklyn Law School Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Mr. Dinkins maintained a private law practice from 1956 through 1975, and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1945 through 1946, receiving an honorable discharge. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Zeta Boule), the Reveille Club, the Friars Club, and the Montford Point Marine Association.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, on July 10, 1927, Mr. Dinkins resides in New York City with his wife, Joyce Burrows Dinkins. They have two children – David, Jr. and Donna Hoggard, and two grandchildren – Jamal and Kalila Hoggard.