Before Barack Obama, There was Tom Bradley
Thirty-five years before Barack Obama's election as President, the question of race and the possibility of bridging racial and ethnic barriers was put to a test in an overlooked and untold story in American politics: The 1973 election of Tom Bradley, the first African American Mayor of a major city with an ovewhelmingly white majority.
Tom Bradley was an extraordinary politician who redefined and reconfigured Los Angeles. He was Mayor for an unprecedented twenty years, City Councilman for ten years and served as a police officer for twenty-one years. He opened City Hall and commission positions to women and minorities, created the first ever profitable Olympics, brought an historically abusive police department under civilian control, and transformed Los Angeles into one of the most diversified and important cities in the world.
Tom Bradley laid the groundwork for inter-racial coalitions unsurpassed until the election of President Barack Obama. We believe that the story of Tom Bradley's life, incredible achievements and legacy should not be forgotten.
Producers
Academy Award nominated filmmaker Lyn Goldfarb and Emmy Award winner Alison Sotomayor
Sponsors
