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Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Denver Forum Proudly Presents:
The Honorable Wellington Webb – Former Mayor of Denver
Author of and Speaking on: "Wellington Webb: The Man, the Mayor, and the Making of Modern Denver"
12-Noon Luncheon
Oxford Hotel
Sage Room
1600 17th Street
Members, $30, Non-Members, $45
Phone Reservations: 303-832-9030
Corporate Event Sponsor:
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Wellington Webb – Biographical Brief
Wellington Webb was born in Chicago in 1941. As a child his family relocated to Denver, where he would grow up to become the city`s first African-American mayor.
Growing up Mr. Webb was an all-conference basketball player at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. Four years later he obtained his B.A. in sociology from Colorado State College at Greeley and his M.A. in sociology from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley in 1971.
Mr. Webb was turned down twice for teaching positions in the Denver public schools. He was working as a forklift operator when he sought advice from his grandmother, Helen M. Gamble, who was active in the community affairs in northeast Denver. Following her advice, he went to work at the Denver City Hall.
Through her mentoring with Mr. Webb about political involvement and political clout his political career began. In 1972, Webb was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, five years later; Mr. Webb was selected by President Jimmy Carter to serve as regional director of the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare. In 1981, Colorado Governor Richard Lamm appointed Mr. Webb to his cabinet as executive director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies. In 1987, he was elected Denver city auditor where his track record paved the way for his successful and historic mayoral bid in 1991. Mr. Webb pledged to walk the entire city and the Denver media followed.
In his three terms in office, Mayor Webb focused on four major areas: parks and open space, public safety, economic development and children. During his administration include a record 40 percent decrease in crime and unemployment dipped below 2 percent. Mayor Webb`s development projects include the new Denver International Airport, a new sports stadium, expansion of the Denver Art Museum and a new African American Research Library. He was president of the Democratic Mayors and the past president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and National Conference of Black Mayors.
Mayor Webb lectures often and was a guest lecturer at Harvard University`s Kennedy School of Government. Webb also works together with his wife, former Colorado State Representative Wilma J. Webb. |
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