Temple University Acquires Collection of Papers From Philadelphia’s First Black Mayor

The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection at Temple University in Philadelphia recently acquired the papers of W. Wilson Goode, Sr. – the city’s first Black mayor.

Dr. Goode was elected to his post in 1984 and served two terms from 1984 to 1992. During this time, he led several economic development initiatives, such as reshaping the Philadelphia skyline. He also championed social programs, including the country’s first city program for the homeless and the first city HIV/AIDS program.

Before serving as mayor, Dr. Goode was the first Black member and later chair of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and the first Black managing director for the City of Philadelphia. He is the founder of Amachi Inc, a national initiative providing mentoring and support for children with incarcerated parents, and continues to serve as a minister with the First Baptist Church of Paschall.

A graduate of historically Black Morgan State University in Baltimore, Dr. Goode holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctor of ministry degree from what is now the Palmer Theological Seminary. He has received fourteen honorary doctorates throughout his lifetime.

“The donation of the Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode Sr. papers extends back to the time when Charles L. Blockson was among us,” said Diane Turner, curator of the Blockson Afro-American Collection. “He had great respect for Goode and was very pleased when the Blockson staff started negotiations to have his papers join our collection. We are honored to make the announcement that Goode’s papers will be housed in the Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection and be accessible for generations to come.”