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James Baker
James M. Baker took the Oath of Office as Wilmington’s 54th Mayor originally on Tuesday, January 2, 2001, during a Special Meeting of the Wilmington City Council. Mayor Baker had served as President of the Wilmington City Council since 1984, the first African-American elected to that post, after having served as a Council member since 1972.
Born in Fostoria, Ohio in 1942, he completed high school there and enlisted in the Air Force, from which he was honorably discharged in 1966. He immediately joined VISTA, the domestic Peace Corps program, and was assigned to Wilmington to work with youth groups, among them the Wilmington Youth Emergency Action Council (WYEAC). Since then, Mr. Baker has held staff and executive positions with a number of private and governmental agencies, including the Model Cities Program, the Northeast Federal Credit Union, the Governor's Office, and Community Action of Greater Wilmington.
His volunteer activities reflect his commitment to active partnerships between government and the private sector, not only to meet basic needs, but also to improve the environment, preserve heritage, enrich culture, and provide economic opportunity. Those organizations, of which he has been an active participant as board member, officer, or volunteer, include Goldey Beacom College, The Historical Society of Delaware, Sister Cities of Wilmington, Network Delaware Project, and the Wilmington Partnership. Mr. Baker also took part in organizing the Midtown Neighborhood Association, Upper Eastside Neighborhood Association, Quaker Hill Neighborhood Association, West Center City Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee (WCCNPAC), and the Afro-American Arts and Science Society. |
