The first African American mayor of Kansas City, Missouri was Emanuel Cleaver II, who served as mayor from 1991 to 1999. Cleaver was first elected to the City Council in 1979 and served on the council for twelve years before being elected mayor. He was re-elected for a second term in 1995. During his tenure as mayor, Cleaver worked to revitalize the downtown area, reduce crime, and improve the city’s public transportation system. After leaving office, he went on to serve as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Missouri’s 5th congressional district from 2005 to 2011.