Emanuel Cleaver II was born in Waxahachie, Texas and came to adulthood in the public housing of Wichita Falls, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Prairie View A&M. Following graduation, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri where, among other things, he founded the Kansas City Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Following the path of a long line of Cleaver ministers, Emanuel earned a Master of Divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in 1974. An ordained United Methodist minister, he has served as Senior Pastor of St. James United Methodist Church for the past 25 years, building the congregation from 47 members to more that 2,000. Today there are eight choirs, two dance troupes and two smaller music ministries. There are also five usher groups and ten ongoing bible study assemblies. In 2001, St. James completed an $8 million contemporary sanctuary that connects to the old building and allows for the continued growth of the congregations ministries and it's membership. In 1979, he was elected to the Kansas City, Missouri City Council as the Fifth District representative. During his 12-year, three-term membership on the City Council, Rev. Cleaver served as chairman of the Plans & Zoning Committee and as Mayor Pro Tem. Emanuel Cleaver was elected Mayor of Kansas City in March 1991, the first African American mayor in the city's history. He was re-elected to a second term in March 1995. He was also the host of his own radio talk show on KCUR, 89.3 FM, the Kansas City affiliate of National Public Radio. Recognizing that the principal solution to social problems is a job, he made job-creation one of his top priorities during his two terms as mayor. Transamerica, Gateway 2000, CitiCorp, Sommers-Allibert the Aquilla Division of Utilicorp, and Harley Davidson are all companies wooed - and won, through vigorous lobbying and tough negotiations by the Mayor and the Economic Development Corporation. Frustrated by a dearth of tax-abated development in the central city, Mayor Cleaver is calling for an Empowerment Zone Fund, financed by allocation of up to five percent from tax-abated projects located outside the urban core. As Mayor Cleaver worked to improve the city's landscape and infrastructure, he has championed the massive Brush Creek Flood Control and Beautification project, a new Chouteau Bridge, an expanded Bartle Hall Convention Center, an improved zoo, the Bruce R. Watkins Roadway and the Ilus W. Davis Civic Mall in the downtown area, among others. His leadership resulted in the designation of Kansas City as an Enhanced Enterprise Zone, with a consequent $25 million award for the construction of a new industrial park on the city's Hispanic West Side and economic development in the city's historic 18th and Vine District. His 18th & Vine cultural center highlights the jazz and baseball history of that historic area, revitalizing what was once the center of African American life in Kansas City and serving as the catalyst for economic redevelopment. Social concerns have also received a great deal of Rev. Cleaver's attention. His many youth initiatives, including the national award-winning Mayor's Night Hoops program, worked to provide safe recreational alternatives and to promote the and development of the city's youth. He has tackled the thorny issue of race relations, with the campaign and organization of Harmony in a World of Difference and with the Mayor's Task Force on Race Relations. Responding to President Clinton's welfare reform measure, he implemented a municipal welfare-to-work program that designated 400 jobs for former welfare recipients. Other achievements that have assured Cleaver an undisputed place among the great mayors of the U.S. are:
Ministries
In 1995, his vision of an urban ministry camp became a reality when the St. James congregation acquired, renovated and opened, 40 Acres and A Mule Ministry and Missions Campus in southeast Kansas City, only a few blocks from Swope Park, one of the three largest urban parks in the United States. The campus consists of a competition size swimming pool, a newly rehabilitated softball diamond; a gymnasium complete with men and women's locker rooms, an air-conditioned dining room, a snack bar and football and track fields. In 1999, the Jackson County Prosecutor's office funded 40 Acres to operate a program, The Children's Connection to provide attention, support and direction to children whose mothers are incarcerated due to illegal drug activity. Additionally, the campus is the site for Gospel Under the Stars, a summer series of free gospel concerts performed for the community in an amphitheater setting. Pastor Cleaver was inspired by God to establish many active ministries including a 100 student pre-school, a tutoring program called Children of the Village, a large community food program, and the Vacation Liberation School, an afro-centric version of Vacation Bible School.
Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard
In May of 1999, the Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreations Commissioners honored the former mayor by naming one of the longest streets in Kansas City, "Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard."
In Front of the Nation and the World
ABC News This Week with David Brinkley "Eye on America," The CBS Evening New with Dan Rather PBS's The McNeil/Lehrer Report ABC's Nightline NBC's The Today Show ABC's Good Morning America CBS's Face the Nation USA Today The Christian Science Monitor The New York Times The Economist Newsweek Ebony Magazine "100 Most Influential African Americans" Jet Magazine The Oprah Winfrey Show The Circuit Rider ABC's Prime Time Live Unity, guest writer
Achievements and Awards
What the Media Has to Say
A man of true greatness "Emanuel Cleaver was not my mayor. Nor was he yours. But what he accomplished as mayor of Kansas City has affected all of our lives positively, regardless of where in this metropolitan area we live. History will record this past eight years as among the golden years of his metropolis. The Cleaver era has brought us a new, expanded Bartle Hall, revitalization of 18th and Vine, the beautification of Brush Creek, a world-class zoo and soon, a restored Liberty memorial. He was a pro-growth mayor, bringing major businesses to this area. But he never forgot the neighborhoods, working tirelessly to help the less fortunate and to open up opportunities for minority youth. Emanuel Cleaver was also at the helm when the historic bi-state vote passed, leading to the renovation of Union Station and the creation of Science City. The mayor was at the helm but he kept a low profile, at the request of campaign pollsters. It was determined that the mistrust of Kansas City in Johnson County, Kansas and Eastern Jackson County, Missouri made it counterproductive for Cleaver to actively campaign for the bi-state tax. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow, but he put the good of the cause above his own personal instincts. He deliberately kept silent throughout much of the bi-state campaign. This is part of what makes Emanuel Cleaver unique among political leaders. While he has a grand ego, as most political leaders do, he will put his ego aside for a greater purpose. This is a man who also can speak passionately about his race and about a racist society, yet he was able to reach out to the white community with open arms and an open heart. Emanuel Cleaver is the rare individual who can address the most mundane issues facing a city, and in the next moment offer an uplifting speech, taking his listeners to another level and a better world. He comfortably rubbed elbows with the poorest people in Kansas City, and the richest. He was at home with his fellow ministers and embraced as his closest friend a rabbi. He could not control his fury when others impeded progress. He also could not control his tears when talking about the tragedy of the Kansas City schools. Emanuel Cleaver is a giant of a man. Yes, he has his foibles. Those around him are all too aware of his tardiness to events and his disorganized style. He erred grievously when he was so quick to forgive those wound him who were corrupt, but history will not remember those flaws, because they were pale beside his accomplishments and the personal imprint he made on this metropolitan community. Greatness is word sparingly used when describing a political figure. But the rare description fits this man. I believe Emanuel Cleaver will go down in history as one of Kansas City's great mayors." Steve Rose, Publisher The Johnson County Sun
Cheers and Praise for Emanuel Cleaver's Contributions
It was a celebration and a homecoming for former Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Cleaver. With a day-long event called The Spirit of the Man in the City, members of the St. James United Methodist Church honored their pastor, who they say successfully intertwined politics and religion for twenty years. At morning services, associate pastors and congregants spoke about Cleaver's dedication. Storyteller Tracy Milsap strolled the pews, praising Cleaver's modesty and graciousness. A special "love offering" was presented to the Cleaver family from the congregation. Later at the Gem Theater, dancers, a jazz ensemble, poets and singers performed. The celebration marked the official end to Cleaver's public obligations and the beginning of his reunion with the church he has headed for twenty-five years. "We have not come to mourn, though the city will miss a great leader," said master of ceremonies Donald Gilmore, pastor of Longview United Methodist Church. "We have come to celebrate through the arts and through our love." All day, Cleaver struggled to hold back tears. "Of all the tributes and honors that have been so generously given to me over the last few months," he said, "this is the one that has the greatest emotional pull on my soul." Though his stress level has dropped "to just about zero" in the weeks since his eight-year city reign ended, Cleaver's schedule hasn't eased. Stack of speaking engagement request litter his desk at the church. The stream of congregants filing through his office doors is steady. These days, instead of a throng of reporters or city officials, parishioners come running when he appears. In particular, the ones with bows and ruffles and patent leather shoes. "Hello you little pretty person," he said to one pre-schooler in pink, as he swung her up into his arms. "I didn't see you at church today." These days, Cleaver is in and around his church enough to notice even the tiniest missing church member. And for St. James members, that's enough to celebrate. "We're kind of sad to see him go as mayor," said Varlecia Harris, "but we're glad to have him back." Tanika White The Kansas City Star
Cleaver's Legacy
"Kansas City's former mayor, the Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, will be remembered for a job well done. This is to join with the many in saying thank you. The mayor introduced new ideas and new life that had Kansas City feeling productive and with a spirit of confidence. He presented opportunities for "better days" bringing a new vision. He demonstrated, for all to see, that good living has good results. He helped many to know what it means to be loved, even when we are difficult or when we have failed miserably. Kansas City found itself looking at old problems in new ways. Brush Creek, not any longer a sorry sight with flood concerns but a happy place for relaxation and of beauty. Kansas City, now an attraction for new life and industry and comfort, is appealing. Look at renewed Bartle Hall, new industry and commercial buildings appearing, new jobs and the "old" Union Station now a major museum attraction. One finds a new found sensitivity as people relate to one another; there is a spirit of accomplishment, and "I can hardly wait" attitude for new downtown developments, and, in the new visions, one can imagine a major transportation center. The lives of people are touched joyfully. Yes, Kansas City has changed and will continue to "toot the horn" of accomplishments for all to see and hear, and we, the citizens of the Kansas City area, are thankful, happy and proud." Doug Sutherland The Kansas City Star
"As we approach the hilltop of our world class city, we must add the virtue
of propriety to neutralize the power and poison of incivility;
the virtue of compassion to neutralize the damage and dehumanization
of indifference; the virtue of racial fusion to neutralize
the power and pain of racial enmity; the virtue of vision
over the power and poison of littleness."
Emanuel Cleaver II Final State of the City Address February 8, 1999 |