press handout, via SFGateCarter Gilmore (May 30, 1926 - December 23, 2006) was the first Black person elected outright to the Oakland city council in 1977 and served until 1990. (Josh Rose was appointed to council in 1964 and elected in 1965.)
Gilmore was born and raised in Texas. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1947, he married Liz Hampton (Gilmore) of Crockett, and in 1951 they moved to Oakland. They had six children: Carl, Clifford, Donald, Carol, Rodney and Janet.
He worked as a plant manager for Granny Goose, and served as president of the Alameda County chapter of the NAACP, and later of the northern California division. 1
He was known as the "Quiet Storm"—he had a gentle way of talking, but got things done. 2
Death and Legacy
Shortly before his death, on December 9th, Greenman Field on 66th Avenue was renamed in his honor.
After his death, Barbara Lee said, "His legacy will live forever -- he was a great man. He was like a true pillar, a solid rock, in our community." 1
Links and References
- Carter Gilmore -- Oakland councilman SFGate.com December 28, 2006
- Legendary Locals of Oakland by Gene Anderson Arcadia Publishing, 2015
