Lyman Parks

Lyman S. Parks (1917 - November 4, 2009) was the mayor of Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1971 to 1976. He was the first African-American to serve in the position. He was also the first African-American elected to the Grand Rapids City Commission in 1968.
Biography
Early life and education
Parks grew up in southern Indiana. He graduated in 1944 from Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary.
Career as a pastor
He served as pastor to congregations in Marion, Indiana; Richmond, Indiana; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and River Rouge, Michigan. He moved to Grand Rapids in 1966, where he took a position as pastor of First Community AME Church. After retiring from First Community A.M.E Church, he was asked to return as pastor of Greater Institutional AME Church in Chicago where he concluded his pastoral career.
Political career
In 1968 he ran for City Commission representing the city's 3rd ward, and was elected...