The late Edward J. Davis was born in Birmingham, Alabama and raised in a coal mining family in Western Pennsylvania. In 1939, at the age of 22, he came to Akron to find a better life. After several years of working in menial jobs, Ed had careers as a machinist, became involved in the union and later served as a UAW local president.

In 1957, after an affiliation with Americans for Democratic Action, Mr. Davis decided to run for public office and was elected Ward 3 councilman. He was voted council president in 1970 and then became council clerk in 1976.

Mr. Davis was considered one of the finest politicians (black or white) in all of the state of Ohio. He was respected by his peers and loved by his community.

Politics was just one of Mr. Davis’ passions. He loved tennis. He taught and encouraged many young people to get involved in the sport.

Ed Davis retired in 1988 and passed away in February of 1995. The Ed Davis Community Center in West Akron was dedicated in his memory. Today, a decade after his death, his name still resonates in the halls of politics in Akron and in Summit County.

EDWARD J. DAVIS, AKRON’S FIRST BLACK CITY COUNCILMAN,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL CLERK