Howard Nathaniel Lee was the first African American mayor of a predominantly white Southern town since Reconstruction. He later became the first African American to serve in the NC Governor's cabinet since Reconstruction and later became a member of the NC Senate. His wife Lillian was a full partner in his accomplishments and had her own as well.
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- Up one level
- Awards and recognitions
- PBS video: Biographical conversations with Howard Lee
- Video
- 1-Celebration of Mrs. Lillian Lee
May 20, 2023 fundraiser for the P.E.A.C.H. Apartments being built by EMPOWERment, Inc. Mrs. Lee was given the POWER award.
- 1-Lillian Lee at the UNC Hospital School
"Nathalie Harrison, one of the former principals [of the UNC Hospital School], explained that she and Lillian Lee provided school services to children who were in Chapel Hill for the Cleft Palate Program - a joint program between Oral Surgery in the Dental School and NC Memorial surgery/speech therapy. Children came for weeks or months at a time and were taught by them. Eventually, Ms. Harrison and Ms. Lee became the first public school teachers paid by the state at the Hospital School."
- 1-Lillian Lee at the UNC Hospital School - with photo
Lillian Lee (see photo on the target page) was one of the first two teachers at the UNC Hospital School when it began in 1965; now more than 2,700 children benefit from the UNC Hospital School at UNC Children’s each year.
- 225 years of Tar Heels: Howard Lee
Carolina alumnus Howard Lee paved the way for future black leaders when, against all odds, he became the first African-American mayor of a majority-white town in the South.
By University Communications, Monday, March 18th, 2019
- Chapel Hill Magazine - 'a shining light on the hill'
By Marshele Carter; photography by Beth Mann. Chapel Hill Magazine, November 2019:84-87.
Howard Lee celebrates 50 years since his historic mayoral win.
- Chapel Hill Marks Historic Anniversary of Mayor Howard Lee
Town of Chapel Hill, May 1, 2019. On the 50th anniversary of his election to the position of mayor, the Town Council proclaimed May 1 as Howard Lee Day in Chapel Hill, recognizing his decades of public service, leadership and meaningful work.
- Chapel Hill Marks Historic Anniversary of Mayor Howard Lee - official video recording (25 min)
Town of Chapel Hill, May 1, 2019. On the 50th anniversary of his election to the position of mayor, the Town Council proclaimed May 1 as Howard Lee Day in Chapel Hill, recognizing his decades of public service, leadership and meaningful work. The recording begins at timepoint 5 minutes.
- Howard Lee: A Historical Mayoral Election
On May 6, 1969, Howard N. Lee (b.1934) was elected mayor of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In doing so, he became the first African American elected mayor in a predominantly white southern town since Reconstruction. Thirty-nine years later, Documenting the American South is pleased to highlight materials in its collections that recall Lee's historic election.
- Howard Lee Keynote at Town of Chapel Hill 2015 Special Observance for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Employees have held a special observance of Dr. King’s legacy for 17 years and counting at the Town of Chapel Hill.
You can view the event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nthf2TkmavI
(time points 13:00-38:00)
Usually held the Friday before the Monday holiday, the celebration has been nurtured by a dedicated group of Public Works employees led by Public Works Director Lance Norris. At the urging of Town Manager Roger Stancil, the celebration has grown to include employees of all departments.
This year’s employee celebration featured a keynote speech by Howard Lee at Hargraves Community Center. Forty-six years ago, Lee was elected Mayor of Chapel Hill, becoming the first African American elected to that office in a predominately white Southern town post-Reconstruction.
- Howard Lee reflects on tenure as first Black mayor
Walker Livingston, Daily Tar Heel, February 22, 2023; 131(1):1,5
- Howard N. Lee Institute for Equity and Opportunity in Education
The Howard Lee Institute is committed to providing the tools and resources for our children, communities and educators to succeed. Our Mission: To partner with parents, schools and communities to ensure at-risk middle and high schools students have equitable access to high quality educational experiences and graduate from high school prepared to succeed in college, career, and life.
- Memoir: The Courage to Lead: One Man's Journey in Public Service
- The State of Things: Reflections From Former Chapel Hill Mayor Howard Lee
June 27, 2014.
Laura Lee & Frank Stasio
When Howard Lee was elected as mayor of Chapel Hill in 1969, he made history. Lee was the first African American elected to run a majority white city in the south since Reconstruction. The post marked the beginning of Lee’s long career in public service. Host Frank Stasio talks with Howard Lee and political junkie Ken Rudin. A timeline from UNC-TV traces Lee's long career in North Carolina politics and policymaking.