LEXINGTON, Miss. (AP) — Robert G. Clark, who made history as Mississippi’s first Black lawmaker of the 20th century in 1967 and later became the state House of Representatives’ second-highest leader, passed away at the age of 96, according to his son.
Representative Bryant Clark, who followed in his father’s footsteps, confirmed that Robert Clark died of natural causes at his home in Holmes County, located north of Jackson. Clark, a former teacher and descendant of slaves, faced discrimination during his early years at the state Capitol. Despite being isolated and ignored by white colleagues, Clark persevered and rose through the ranks, eventually chairing both the House Ethics Committee and the influential Education Committee during his 36-year tenure.
Witnessing a shift in the political landscape, Clark played a role in increasing Black representation in Mississippi, as more Black candidates secured seats due to voting rights enforcement and the redrawing of majority-Black districts. His dedication and leadership earned him the respect of colleagues from all backgrounds, culminating in his election as House speaker pro tempore in 1992, a position he held until retiring in 2004.
In 2018, Clark was honored alongside other activists and officials at the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, a stark contrast to his humble beginnings in a family that worked in cotton fields. Reflecting on his grandfather’s experiences as a slave, Clark attributed his sense of self and leadership qualities to the lessons passed down through generations.
After pursuing higher education in Michigan, Clark returned to Mississippi and advocated for adult education programs to uplift the community. Despite facing obstacles such as the rejection of his initiatives by the all-white school board, Clark persevered and eventually made history by winning a seat on the board through a historic election.
Robert Clark’s legacy as a pioneer and advocate for equality and education continues to inspire generations, leaving a lasting impact on Mississippi’s history.
In Mississippi, the Democratic Party was in control during Clark’s upbringing, though his family were part of the “Black and Tan” faction of the Republican Party. This changed in the late 1960s, prompting Clark to run as an independent in his first legislative race. It wasn’t until later that he would run and succeed as a Democrat.
On his inauguration day in January 1968, Clark faced uncertainty about whether he would be permitted to take his oath. The white candidate he had defeated had lodged a complaint alleging that Clark did not reside in Holmes County, where his family had deep roots. Accompanied by his lawyer, Marian Wright, who would go on to establish the Children’s Defense Fund, Clark stood near a statue of the notorious segregationist Theodore Bilbo at the Capitol. Just 10 minutes before the ceremony, they received word that Clark would indeed be sworn in.
The House chamber, adorned with marble walls and stained-glass windows, was a space where legislators sat at two-person oak desks, forging friendships and exchanging gossip. However, in the deeply segregated Mississippi of 1968, the senior member of Clark’s local legislative delegation decreed that Clark must sit alone.
This isolation extended to group meals for legislators, with nobody willing to sit with Clark. Dining alone at tables set for larger groups presented a challenge, as Clark humorously noted, “I very shortly went up to 240 pounds. I didn’t intend to gain weight. I just wasn’t going to leave all that food on the table.”
Clark and his first wife, Essie, had two sons — Robert G. Clark III and Wandrick Bryant Clark. Following her passing from cancer in 1977, Clark raised their sons as a widower, homeschooling them and bringing them along to the state Capitol during legislative sessions.
Nearly two decades after his first wife’s death, Clark married Jo Ann Ross. Opting not to seek re-election in 2003, Clark’s seat was won by his second son. Meanwhile, Bryant Clark pursued a legal career, and Robert G. Clark III served as a chancery judge across four counties.
