Kilpatrick, Kwame M. (Kwame Malik), 1970-

<p>Kwame Kilpatrick is a former American politician who served as a Democratic Michigan state representative and Mayor of Detroit from 2002 to 2008.</p>

<p>Kilpatrick was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 6, 1970, to Carolyn and Bernard Kilpatrick. He attended Cass Technical High School and received a scholarship to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) University. During his time Kilpatrick was the captain of the football team (Rattlers) and became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1992, returned to Detroit, and taught at the Marcus Garvey Academy. Kilpatrick married his college sweetheart, Carlita, on September 9, 1995. The couple have three children. He then attended the Detroit College of Law (now the Michigan State University College of Law), receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1999.</p>

<p>Kilpatrick’s political career began in 1996 when he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives to fill the seat vacated by his mother. In 2001, Kilpatrick at age 31 became the youngest person to be elected Mayor of Detroit. While in office, however, Kilpatrick misused city funds and subsequent lawsuits inspired by Kilpatrick’s actions cost the city of Detroit $14 million. At a time when the city faced huge deficits and had an unemployment rate of 14%, he was ordered to pay back $9,000.</p>

<p>Detroit’s 60th mayor, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick, was born on June 8, 1970 in Detroit, Michigan. His mother, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, was a U. S. Representative until 2010, and his father Bernard, worked in Wayne County government until opening a private consulting firm. Kilpatrick graduated from Cass Technical High School and went to Florida A&M University where he was captain of the football team, graduating with honors with a degree in political science and a teaching certification. He earned his law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law in 1998.</p>

<p>Returning to Detroit, Kilpatrick taught middle school at Marcus Garvey Academy before he was elected state representative in 1996. When he was elected to head the House Democratic Caucus he became the youngest person, and first African American, to lead a party in the Michigan legislature. </p>

<p>In 2001, Kwame Kilpatrick was elected mayor of the City of Detroit, the youngest person ever to hold that post. Christened the “Hip-Hop Mayor” there were high expectations for what this politically skilled, bright, ambitious young man might bring to the city, but his first term was dogged by scandal and charges of poor administration. However, following a bruising campaign he was re-elected in 2005 after narrowly defeating Detroiter Freeman Hendrix.</p>

<p><b>RACES</b>
<ul>
<li> 11/08/2005 Detroit Mayor Won 53.14% (+6.27%)</li>
<li> 08/02/2005 Detroit Mayor - Primary Won 33.73% (+0.00%)</li>
<li> 11/06/2001 Detroit Mayor Won 54.18% (+8.36%)</li>
<li> 09/11/2001 Detroit Mayor - Primary Won 51.40% (+17.72%)</li>
<li> 11/07/2000 MI State House 009 Won 96.98% (+93.96%)</li>
<li> 11/03/1998 MI State House 009 Won 95.40% (+90.79%)</li>
</ul>
</p>

<p>Kwame Malik Kilpatrick (born June 8, 1970) is an American former politician who served as a Democratic Michigan state representative from 1997 to 2002 and mayor of Detroit from 2002 to 2008. Kilpatrick resigned as mayor in September 2008 after being convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to four months in jail and was released on probation after serving 99 days.</p>

<p>In May 2010, Kilpatrick was sentenced to eighteen months to five years in state prison for violating his probation, and served time at the Oaks Correctional Facility in northwest Michigan. In March 2013, he was convicted on 24 federal felony counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and racketeering. In October 2013, Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison, and was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Oakdale, Louisiana. In January 2021, President Donald Trump commuted his sentence.</p>

<p>Kwame Malik Kilpatrick was born June 8, 1970, to Bernard Kilpatrick and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. His parents divorced in 1981. Kilpatrick attended Detroit's Cass Technical High School and graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in 1992. He played football under Ken Riley. On September 9, 1995, he married Carlita in Detroit. They have 3 children together, Jalil, Jonas, and Jelani. In 1999 he received a Juris Doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law (now the Michigan State University College of Law). He has a sister Ayanna and a half-sister, Diarra.</p>