Rice, Norman B. (Norman Blann), 1943-

Norman Blann Rice (born May 4, 1943) is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably served as the 49th Mayor of Seattle, Washington, the first African American to hold the office, from 1990 to 1998.

Born in Denver, Colorado, he graduated from Manual High School there before attending the University of Colorado at Boulder for two years, dropping out and working as a hospital orderly, a meter reader and an engineer’s assistant. Rice moved to Seattle in 1969 and restarted his education at Highline Community College, receiving his A.A. degree in 1970. Then, he attended the University of Washington through the Economic Opportunity Program (EOP). By 1972, Rice had earned his B.A. degree in communications and, in 1974, his M.A. degree in public administration at the University of Washington. After graduating, Rice worked as a reporter at KOMO-TV News and KIXI Radio, served as Assistant Director of the Seattle Urban League, was Executive Assistant and Director of Government Services for the Puget Sound Council of Governments and was employed as the Manager of Corporate Contributions and Social Policy at Rainier National Bank.

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