Mel King, civil rights icon and first Black person to run for mayor in Boston, dies at 94

BOSTON — Mel King, a legendary political activist and civil rights icon within Boston for more than 70 years, has died at the age of 94.

King, who was born and raised in Boston’s South End in 1928, transcended politics and worked for decades to set an example for the next generation of organizers and leaders of Boston’s Black community.

King was the first Black person to reach a general election in a Boston mayor’s race. King also led a massive protest over a lack of low-income housing in 1968.

In 1973, King was elected as a State Representative for the 9th Suffolk District, where he served until 1982.

When the incumbent Boston Mayor Kevin White withdrew from contention in 1983, King ran for mayor, becoming the first Black person to enter the race for mayor in the city.

Although Raymond Flynn won that mayoral election, King’s leadership and example encouraged future generations of Black people to pursue higher offices.

Purple Rain grew up in Dorchester and remembers King coming to her niece’s summer camps. “He came there every day and spoke to them about getting involved in politics, doing what you could do in your community and he talked about his history, how he got involved,” Rain said. “How he wanted to become Mayor of Boston because he wanted to change it. And because there was no one representing us in politics.”

Charles Hills is involved in bringing affordable housing to more areas of Boston. He says King created the foundation when he ran for mayor. “It was making a statement that we were going to live together in the city, there had to be a way to bring people together,” said Hills.

King received a Masters in Education from Boston State College and then started teaching math at his Alma Mater, Boston Technical High School.

Local leaders reacted to King’s passing late Tuesday night.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said, “I think of Mel as a trail blazer. He was someone who said and did things at a time when people said it was too soon or not ready for that yet.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued a statement praising King for teaching the world “how to serve, how to build, and how to love.”

Boston City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune tweeted about King’s passing, saying, “His work and legacy endures in every corner of this city. I was so lucky to learn from him and his vision. What a legacy. My love to his family, who shared their father and husband so graciously with all of us.”

Former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh called King a “trailblazing civil rights icon and a blessing to our city.”

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey called King “one of the smartest men I have ever known.”

Funeral arrangements for King haven’t been announced.

To learn more about the legendary Mel King, click here.

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