Simpson, James E., Jr.

James Simpson, Jr. was elected to the Covington, KY City Commission in 1971, becoming the first African American member. Born in Somerset, KY, he was an active community member in Covington.

Simpson owned the Simpson & Jones Funeral Home in Covington, where James Simpson Jr. Way was named in his honor.

James Simpson was the son of Zettie West and James Simpson, Sr. He was the father of Arnold R. Simpson.

For more see J. Reis, "Winning the Right to Vote," Kentucky Post, 1/15/2001, Editorialextra section, p.  4K; "36 city officials include mayor, police court judge," in Kentucky Directory of Black Elected Officials [1972], by the Commission on Human Rights, p. 11; and "Simpson, James Jr." at the Kenton County Public Library website.