Congressman Louis Stokes 100th Birthday Anniversary Western Reserve Historical Center February 23, 2025
A celebration was held on the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Honorable Louis Stokes (1925-2015), who became the first Black congressman to be elected from the state of Ohio in 1968 and served in this capacity for 30 years.
Louis Stokes and his brother Carl B. Stokes were born in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Louise and Charles Stokes. They lived in one of the first federally funded housing projects, the Outhwaite Homes.
Carl and Louis Stokes exhibit at WRHS
He attended Central High School and later served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. After attending Western Reserve University and the Cleveland State University College of Law on the G.I. Bill, Stokes began practicing law in Cleveland in 1953. He argued the "stop and frisk" case of Terry v. Ohio before the United States Supreme Court in 1968.
Later in 1968, he was elected to the House, representing the 21st District of Ohio on Cleveland's East Side. He shifted to the newly created 11th District, covering much of the same area following a 1992 redistricting. Stokes served 30 years in total, retiring in 1999. Stokes' tenure in the House of Representatives included service on the House Appropriations Committee, where he was influential in bringing revenue to Cleveland. He was particularly interested in veterans' issues and secured funds for health-care facilities for veterans in Cleveland.
Louis Stokes exhibit at WRHS
Congressman Louis Stokes' desk
The celebration included members of Congressman Stokes' family and his faith community, Cleveland's St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. It began with a verse of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by James Weldon Johnson. Project Director Regennia N. Williams served as MC and spoke about the occasion and gave acknowledgments and remarks.
Regennia N. Williams
Kelly Falcone-Hall, President and CEO of Western Reserve Historical Society, then gave her remarks.
Kelly Falcone-Hall
Ward 9 Cleveland City Councilman Kevin Conwell gave his remarks.
Kevin Conwell
Clips from a video interview with the Congressman were shown.
People browsed the exhibit, shared stories and celebrated the Congressman's life.
Some of the family members and friends
My sister Debbie Hanson and I were fortunate to have met and spoken with Congressman Stokes over the years. He graciously inducted the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. into the Cleveland International Hall of Fame in 2011. Here are some pictures and a video of his speech.
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. with Hall of Fame Award with Congressman Louis Stokes
Congressman Louis Stokes
Our 2007 interview was prefaced with the following: "They say you should play the hand you are dealt. What if you were dealt a hand that included being born in the Projects of Cleveland? Your father dies when you are only 3 and your mother has to work feverishly to support and raise you and your little brother.
When you are drafted into the Army during World War II, you are treated like a second class citizen because of the color of your skin - even as you wore the uniform of the United States.
This hand would lead you to be bitter or at least give up, right? For Louis Stokes and his brother Carl, these circumstances helped mold them into the successful men they became.
Louis Stokes argued the landmark Supreme Court Terry vs. State of Ohio case and won it, assuring his place in every law textbook. But as barriers were broken down, Carl and Louis Stokes went beyond their law practice into politics.
Carl Stokes became the first black mayor of a major US city and Louis Stokes became a prestigious Congressman for 30 years.
How did they do it? In this interview, Louis Stokes tells about Terry v Ohio, family life with brother Carl and his experiences with racism in the Army.
He also offers advice for young people and predicts how Cleveland and other cities will turn out."
Congressman Louis Stokes First official photograph as a Congressman - 1969
Louis Stokes was a pioneer and a great public servant for his beloved Cleveland and beyond. The Stokes exhibit at WRHS is on permanent display and well worth a visit.
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Listen to this interview
