In celebration of Black History Month, we are highlighting African American figures who were influential in their efforts to further civil rights, education and leadership in the city of Cincinnati and America.

Our first spotlight is Theodore Berry. A native of the area, Berry was born in Maysville, Kentucky in 1905. As a young adult, he attended the University of Cincinnati where he received his BA and Law degree, and later in life, his Doctor of Laws.

After his time at UC, Berry served as president for the Cincinnati Chapter of the NAACP, served as morale officer in the Office of War Information, acted as lead defense attorney for the Tuskegee Airmen and served four terms on Cincinnati’s City Council. After an unsuccessful campaign for a fifth City Council term, Berry became a representative for future president John F. Kennedy. Once Kennedy was in office, Berry continued to pioneer civil rights by bringing the NAACP into the White House and serving on its National Board of Directors.

In 1963 Berry was elected for a fifth term on City Council and ended his time there when President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed him director of Federal Community Action Programs and assistant director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. Nine years later, Berry was sworn in as the first African American Mayor of Cincinnati. Berry retired from political life in 1975 and passed away 25 years later in 2000.

Through his life and work, it’s easy to see that Theodore Berry was a figure who was revered, trusted and that he made a big impact on Cincinnati and beyond. We are proud to honor him this month and always.

His papers, including correspondence, photographs, news clippings, reports, studies and minutes of meetings are located in the Archives and Rare Books Library. To learn more about Theodore Berry, visit the digital exhibit: