David Dinkins, who served as New York City’s first and only African American mayor during the 1990s, died on Monday at the age of 93, police said.
His death appeared to be of natural causes, detective Adam Navarro of the city’s police department said.
Born in 1927 in Trenton, New Jersey, Dinkins attended Howard University and Brooklyn Law School.
He eventually came to Harlem, the historically black neighbourhood in upper Manhattan, where he rose in the ranks of local politics.
“For decades, mayor Dinkins lead with compassion and an unparalleled commitment to our communities,” state attorney general Letitia James said in a statement.
“New York will mourn mayor Dinkins and continue to be moved by his towering legacy.”
