Dr. Lawrence C. Perry was the first African-American dentist to open a practice in Ypsilanti and was elected the first African-American school board member in Ypsilanti in June 1942, serving four consecutive terms.

The Ypsilanti Community Schools' Perry Early Learning Center is named in his honor.

His son Lowell Perry (Dec. 5, 1931-Jan. 7, 2001) played football at Michigan, became the first African-American assistant coach in the NFL, and was appointed by President Ford as the Commissioner of the EEOC from 1975-76.

Sources:

• http://annarborobserver.com/articles/which_perry__full_article.html
• Planning the Home Front, pg. 244: "Perry also served on the board of directors of the Ypsilanti Community Fund and participated in committees of the Council of Social Agencies."
• Ypsilanti in the 20th Centure, pg. 112