James L. Usry
Encyclopedia
James Leroy Usry was the first African American
Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey
.
and earned a bachelor's degree in 1946 from Lincoln University
. From 1946 to 1951, he was a professional basketball
player with the New York Renaissance
and Dayton Rens
. In 1971, he earned a master's degree from Glassboro State College
.
A Republican
, Usry served as mayor from 1984 to 1990, after defeating Mayor Michael J. Matthews
in a recall election. From 1952 to 1984, Usry was an educator in the Atlantic City School District
, where he served as assistant superintendent from 1977 to 1984.
On March 20, 1987, Usry was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
for a two-year term on the National Advisory Council on Educational Research and Improvement.
On July 28, 1989, Usry was arrested with 13 other political leaders following an investigation into municipal corruption. He was charged with bribery, conspiracy, official misconduct and accepting unlawful gifts.
In 1990, Usry was succeeded as mayor by Jim Whelan
.
All major charges against Usry were dropped when he pled guilty to improper reporting of campaign contributions and agreed to perform 60 hours of community service with the Salvation Army.
The James L. Usry Child Day Care Center in Atlantic City is named for him.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
.
Biography
Usry graduated from Atlantic City High SchoolAtlantic City High School
Atlantic City High School is a four-year public high school located in Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Atlantic City School District. The current school building opened in 1994 and holds approximately 2,500 students...
and earned a bachelor's degree in 1946 from Lincoln University
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Lincoln University is the United States' first degree-granting historically black university. It is located near the town of Oxford in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The university also hosts a Center for Graduate Studies in the City of Philadelphia. Lincoln University provides...
. From 1946 to 1951, he was a professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player with the New York Renaissance
New York Renaissance
The New York Renaissance, also known as the Renaissance Big Five and as the Rens, was an all-black professional basketball team established February 13, 1923, by Robert "Bob" Douglas in agreement with the Renaissance Casino and Ballroom...
and Dayton Rens
Dayton Rens
The Dayton Rens were a member of the USA National Basketball League for the 1948-49 season and were the only all-black team to play in a white league. This milestone came just one year after Jackie Robinson, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball...
. In 1971, he earned a master's degree from Glassboro State College
Rowan University
Rowan University is a public university in Glassboro, New Jersey, USA with a satellite campus in Camden, New Jersey. The school was founded in 1923 as Glassboro Normal School on a twenty-five acre tract of land donated by the town...
.
A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, Usry served as mayor from 1984 to 1990, after defeating Mayor Michael J. Matthews
Michael J. Matthews
Michael J. Matthews was Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey from 1982 to 1984. He was mayor for 21 months before he was recalled and sent to prison for extortion while serving as mayor.-Biography:...
in a recall election. From 1952 to 1984, Usry was an educator in the Atlantic City School District
Atlantic City School District
Atlantic City School District is a comprehensive community public school district in Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States....
, where he served as assistant superintendent from 1977 to 1984.
On March 20, 1987, Usry was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
for a two-year term on the National Advisory Council on Educational Research and Improvement.
On July 28, 1989, Usry was arrested with 13 other political leaders following an investigation into municipal corruption. He was charged with bribery, conspiracy, official misconduct and accepting unlawful gifts.
In 1990, Usry was succeeded as mayor by Jim Whelan
Jim Whelan
Jim Whelan is an American Democratic Party politician, who serves in the New Jersey State Senate where he represents the 2nd legislative district, having taken office on January 8, 2008....
.
All major charges against Usry were dropped when he pled guilty to improper reporting of campaign contributions and agreed to perform 60 hours of community service with the Salvation Army.
The James L. Usry Child Day Care Center in Atlantic City is named for him.