Thirman Milner, the trailblazing former mayor of Hartford, Connecticut, and the first popularly elected Black mayor in New England, has passed away at the age of 91, the Connecticut NAACP announced on Friday.
In a statement shared on Instagram, the Connecticut Conference of the NAACP praised Milner’s legacy, highlighting his dedication to equity, justice, and empowerment. “His tenure was marked by significant strides towards equity, justice, and empowerment for all,” the organization stated, adding that details regarding memorial arrangements would be shared soon. The statement did not specify when or where Milner passed away.
Milner served as Hartford’s Democratic mayor from 1981 to 1987, becoming a key figure in New England’s political and civil rights history. His career extended beyond the mayoral office, including terms as a Connecticut state representative and senator. He also held leadership roles within the Greater Hartford NAACP, where he was a former president and lifetime member.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont commended Milner’s lifelong commitment to public service and civil rights, noting his efforts to advance educational equity.
READ ALSO: Alabama A&M football player Medrick Burnett Jr. confirmed dead
“He used his influence to enact positive change in Hartford, particularly focusing many of his efforts on the need to ensure that all children—no matter their family’s income level or the neighborhood where they grew up—have access to a quality education that prepares them for success,” Lamont said in a statement.
A descendant of enslaved Black and Native American ancestors, Milner’s life journey was chronicled in his memoir, Up from Slavery: A History from Slavery to City Hall in New England. Raised by a widowed mother who relied on government assistance, Milner described becoming mayor as a deeply personal achievement.
“The proudest thing in my life was not becoming mayor myself, but the fact that it gave my mother a chance to see her youngest son become mayor of the city where she grew up,” he said in a 2010 interview with the Associated Press.
Milner’s impact extended far beyond Hartford. Throughout his life, he worked alongside global figures such as Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Bishop Desmond Tutu and President Barack Obama, experiences that shaped his vision and advocacy.
READ ALSO: Yvonne L. Mays becomes first Black woman to lead New Jersey National Guard
