Willie Brown — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Served as Mayor of San Francisco from 1996 to 2004
Served as Speaker of the California State Assembly from 1980 to 1995
First African American to hold the office of Mayor of San Francisco
Began his career as an attorney and was involved in the civil rights movement
Authored an autobiography

Biography

Willie Lewis Brown Jr. is an American politician and attorney. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as mayor of San Francisco from 1996 to 2004, becoming the first African American to hold the office.

Prior to his mayoral tenure, Brown was a prominent figure in the California State Assembly, serving as its Speaker from 1980 to 1995. He gained a reputation as one of the country's most powerful state legislators, known for his ability to manage colleagues and maintain party discipline.