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Dr. Rozelle Boyd, the first African American and longtime serving member of the Indianapolis City-County Council, has died.
Boyd was elected in 1965 and served until 2007. In 2004, Boyd served for a time as president, making him the first African American and Democrat to hold this position.
See WTLC’s article: https://wtlcfm.com/3276688/rozelle-boyd-first-black-member-of-indianapo…
Services will be held Monday August 1, 2022 starting at 11:00 am at Witherspoon Presbyterian Church 5136 Michigan Rd.. The Reverend Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones is senior pastor at Witherspoon.
Dr. Boyd is an alumnus of Crispus Attucks High School and former teacher at Crispus Attucks and IPS.
Says The Madam Walker Legacy Center: The board and staff have extended “condolences to the family of Rozelle Boyd, the first African American elected to the Indianapolis City-County Council. A legend whose legacy and impact will live on for years to come.”
Says Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, “Our hearts go out to the friends and family of Rozelle Boyd, a trailblazer in Indianapolis politics and a staple of our community. His decades-long service in the City-County Council inspired generations of leaders, and his legacy lives on in countless ways.”
Background: Rozelle Boyd was born April 24, 1934 in Indianapolis to William Calvin Senior and Ardelia Louise (Leavell) Boyd.
Education: Bachelor, Butler University 1957; Master of Arts, Indiana University, 1965.
Career: City councilman District 11, Indianapolis. Teacher Indianapolis Public Schools, 1957—1968. Councilman Marion County Democratic Communications, Indiana, 1965—1970.
Lecturer Indiana University, since 1967, assistant dean, 1968—1976. Delegate Democratic National Convention, 1972. Secretary Marion County Democratic Central Communications, 1972—1976.
Member Democratic National Communications, 1972—1976. Minority leader Indianapolis, 1971—1975, 1987. Board member Community Action Against Poverty, Indiana Health Careers, Indianapolis Federation Associate Club, Indiana Inter Religious Community Human Equality, Academy Public Service.
Achievements: listed as a noteworthy University administrator, educator by Marquis Who's Who.
Awards: Named Man of Year, Iota Lambda Alpha Phi Alpha, 1966, Educator of Year, ALFE Talent Search Program, 1978. Recipient Teaching award, Freedoms Foundation, Outstanding Contributor Government Service award, Indianapolis Federation Associate Club, Citizen of Year, Zeta Phi Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., 1973, Outstanding Service award, Indiana Chapter Mid-Am Associate Education Opportunity Program Personnel, 1976, Marion County Associate Retarded Citizens, 1977, Outstanding Achievement award., Indiana Christian Leadership Conference, 1979, Outstanding Achievement Education award, Center Leadership Development, 1983.
Membership: Member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Indiana Conference Black Politics, Urban League, Indianapolis Black Caucus (chairman 1971-1973), Indiana State Black Caucus (treasurer 1971-1973).
Additional coverage:
https://www.wrtv.com/news/politics/rozelle-boyd-first-black-member-of-i…
https://chancellor.iupui.edu/campus-leadership/honors-and-awards/chance…
https://honorsandawards.iu.edu/awards/honoree/7959.html
Indianapolis Recorder coverage about Dr. Boyd’s trip to Africa:
