Black History Month: Who Rockford's first Black mayor?

Rockford Register Star staff
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How much do you know about Rockford's Black history? In celebration and recognition of Black History Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room to bring our readers a local Black history fact of the day.

Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day throughout the month of February to read about the people, places and events that played significant roles in shaping the rich fabric of Rockford's Black history.

Charles Box served as Rockford's legal director and city administrator before being elected mayor in 1989. Box is pictured in this photo from Nov. 20, 1992, as he announced his bid for re-election at the Riverfront Museum Park.
Charles Box served as Rockford's legal director and city administrator before being elected mayor in 1989. Box is pictured in this photo from Nov. 20, 1992, as he announced his bid for re-election at the Riverfront Museum Park.

Charles Box served as the 37th mayor of the city of Rockford and was the city’s first Black mayor. He held the position from 1989 to 2001, serving during a time of great change in the city’s business climate as the local manufacturing industry waned.

Want to learn more about Charles Box? Visit the Rockford Public Library's Local History Room at rockfordpubliclibrary.org/local-history or in person at the Hart Interim Library, 214 N. Church St.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Black History Month: Who was Rockford's first Black mayor?