Born: January 17, 1931, Richmond, VA

Education: Virginia Union University, B.A., 1951; Howard University Law School, J.D., 1959

Core values of education, justice, and service were foundational to Wilder's political career. A Richmond native from a striving family, he finished Virginia Union University, went to the army, and earned a Bronze Star for valor in the Korean War. Finishing Howard Law School, he served a growing African American clientele, including veterans. Inspired by the civil rights movement, he organized a successful campaign (1969) for the Virginia State Senate, where he led Democrats’ efforts to prohibit racial discrimination in employment and housing, earning statewide recognition and respect. He won election to lieutenant governor (1985).

Wilder became the first African American elected governor of any state in America (1990). His victory was particularly historic for the Old Dominion, once the center of “massive resistance” to Brown v. Board of Education. Indeed, several districts closed schools (1959–63) to thwart desegregation. Many black and white liberals and progressives criticized Wilder's policies, including budget cuts on social programs and support for capital punishment, which hurt Democratic turnout, causing losses, in midterm elections for the General Assembly. Even so, he entered the 1991 Democratic presidential primaries. Weakened politically, he withdrew but had enhanced his reputation. He delivered the vice presidential nominating speech at the Democratic National Convention (1992).