About the Author

Richard Arrington Jr. holds a Ph.D. in zoology and biochemistry and did postdoctoral work in higher education administration at Harvard University and the University of Michigan. During his two decades as Birmingham's mayor, he served on dozens of community service boards and the Executive Committee of the Alabama Democratic Party and chair of the National Democratic Party's Platform Committee for the 1980 Convention. He was selected as one of the Top 20 City Officials in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.