When Richard Gordon Hatcher was elected mayor of Gary, Indiana, in 1967, he made history—not just for his city, but for the nation. As one of the first two Black mayors of a major American city (alongside Carl Stokes of Cleveland), Hatcher’s victory was more than political—it was personal, cultural, and generational. His election marked a turning point in the civil rights era, proving that political power could—and should—belong to the people it had long excluded.

Born in Michigan City in 1933 and raised in Gary, Hatcher graduated from Indiana University and received his law degree from Valparaiso University. Before stepping into politics, he worked as a deputy prosecutor and served as a civil rights attorney, building a reputation for fearlessness and fairness.

The Fire of Leadership

In the face of entrenched segregation and political resistance, Hatcher’s campaign was nothing short of revolutionary. He fought against the city’s entrenched political machine and won—despite losing the support of his own Democratic Party after his primary victory. His success was fueled by an unprecedented grassroots movement of Black voters and working-class residents who believed Gary’s future could look different.

Once in office, Hatcher transformed the city’s political landscape. He championed fair housing, police reform, and economic development while advocating for African Americans nationwide. His administration was marked by programs that increased minority hiring, improved city services, and expanded civic participation.

From City Hall to the Global Stage

Beyond Gary, Hatcher was a national figure. He worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr., chaired the National Conference of Black Mayors, and helped organize the 1972 National Black Political Convention—hosted, fittingly, in Gary. That gathering of more than 8,000 delegates, activists, and artists represented a bold statement: Black America would define its own political destiny.

His leadership during that moment cemented Gary’s place as the epicenter of Black political thought. Hatcher’s vision extended far beyond the city limits—he saw Gary as a model for equity and empowerment in every American community.

A Legacy Cast in Steel

Though his tenure spanned 20 years, Hatcher’s influence continues to reverberate. After leaving office in 1987, he remained a fierce advocate for justice, education, and community development. When he passed in 2019, tributes poured in from across the nation, recognizing not only a trailblazer but a teacher—a man who never stopped believing in his city’s potential.

In 2023, Gary officially replaced Columbus Day with a day in his honor—ensuring that his story, like the steel that built the city, endures through generations.

The Measure of Greatness

Richard G. Hatcher’s life was a study in courage under pressure. He faced hostility, racism, and economic decline, yet remained steadfast in his belief that Gary’s people were its greatest resource. His example reminds the world that leadership isn’t about position—it’s about purpose.

As he once declared, his mission was not simply to make history, but to make progress. And that is the true greatness of Gary.