Blind mayor of new york
You're likely referring to David Dinkins, the 106th Mayor of New York City, who served from 1990 to 1993. Dinkins was the first African American to hold the office and the first blind person to be elected mayor of a major city in the United States.
Dinkins was born on October 15, 1927, in Trenton, New Jersey. He lost his sight at the age of 7 due to glaucoma, but he did not let his disability hold him back. He attended the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind and later graduated from Howard University.
Dinkins began his political career in the 1960s, serving as a member of the New York State Assembly and later as Manhattan Borough President. In 1989, he ran for mayor and won the Democratic primary, defeating incumbent Mayor Ed Koch. He went on to defeat Republican candidate Rudy Giuliani in the general election, becoming the first African American to be elected mayor of New York City.
During his tenure as mayor, Dinkins focused on issues such as affordable housing, education, and healthcare. He also worked to improve relations between the city's police department and the African American community, which had been strained in the years leading up to his election.
Despite his many accomplishments, Dinkins' time in office was marked by controversy and challenges. He faced criticism for his handling of the 1991 Crown Heights riots, which broke out in Brooklyn after a car accident involving a Jewish driver struck and killed a black child. He also struggled to balance the city's budget, which was facing significant deficits.
Dinkins lost his bid for re-election in 1993 to Rudy Giuliani, who went on to serve three terms as mayor. After leaving office, Dinkins continued to be involved in politics and public service, serving as a professor at Columbia University and as a member of the New York City Board of Education. He passed away on November 23, 2020, at the age of 93.