who was the first black to be elected into public office
Malchester Reeves, first black elected to public office in Syracuse, dies Reeves fit a lot of living into 74 years, his daughter, Tracey Reeves Lumpkin said Thursday of her father, who died Wednesday at his home in Auburn, Ala. Reeves hasnât lived in Syracuse for decades, but will forever be a part of this cityâs history as the first black person elected to public office. Raised in Syracuse, Reeves was a 24-year-old student at Syracuse University when he was elected as 15th Ward supervisor on Nov. 7, 1961.