Thomas Bradley (1917–1998), who preferred “Tom” to the more formal name, was the first (and to date only) African American elected mayor of Los Angeles. He also holds the record for longest service, having been elected five times to the office.

Born in Texas, Bradley came to Los Angeles at age seven, attended local public schools and UCLA, and joined the LAPD in 1941. When he was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1961, he retired from the LAPD with the rank of lieutenant. Bradley unsuccessfully challenged Sam Yorty in 1969, but returned four years later with a coalition of liberals, Jews, blacks, labor unions, and downtown business leaders. He also projected a vision of a Los Angeles with a revitalized center, connections to world trade, and an improved rapid-transit system. He defeated Yorty in 1973 and over the next twenty years did much to accomplish his vision.

Among his triumphs were the city’s hosting the 1984 Olympics, a financial success that set a standard for other cities with Olympic aspirations. He also supported low-income housing projects built by the Community Redevelopment Agency. Under Bradley’s tenure, the complexion of local government changed as minorities and women found employment opportunities and advancement in working for the City of Los Angeles.

Bradley had higher political ambitions, making two unsuccessful tries for the governor’s office and losing in 1982 and 1986 to George Deukmejian. His long tenure as mayor ended with mixed results, as in his last year of office when the Los Angeles Riot of 1992 broke out after the police officers who had beaten Rodney King were acquitted.

Alex Haley contributed to Tom Bradley: The Impossible Dream by writing the foreword.