In 1988, Vicksburg elected its first Black mayor: Robert M. Walker. His victory was the result of more than a century of struggle — from Reconstruction through Jim Crow to the boycotts of the 1970s.

A Teacher and Servant Leader
Walker was a lifelong educator, teaching at Rosa A. Temple High School and mentoring countless young people. He believed leadership meant service, not status.

Making History
When Walker was elected mayor, it marked a milestone: Vicksburg, a city once marred by massacres and segregation, now had a Black leader representing all its citizens.

His Legacy
Walker served until 2001, leaving behind a record of public works projects, inclusive hiring, and efforts to preserve Vicksburg’s cultural history. The City Hall Annex now bears his name in honor of his leadership.

Robert Walker’s journey showed that change is possible when communities persist across generations.