The City of Malden will hold a rededication event formally naming the City Council Chambers at 215 Pleasant Street in honor of Herbert L. Jackson. The public is invited to celebrate the event on Tuesday, August 24th from 5-6:30 PM.
Herbert L. “Herbie” Jackson was the first African American to be elected to the Malden City Council and enjoyed a distinguished 30-year career in public service. He was first elected Councillor of Ward 7 from 1945 to 1947; Councillor of Ward 5 from 1947 to 1951; and Council-at-Large from 1965 to 1975. Herbie served as president of the Malden City Council four (4) terms during his political career. Furthermore, he was the first African American elected as State Representative from Malden, serving from 1950 to 1954. The City of Malden achieved national prominence with the election of Herbie as a Massachusetts District Governor of the Lions Club, the first African American elected to this post in the United States.
Herbie passed away September 6, 1978. The former City Hall Council Chambers at 200 Pleasant Street was named in his honor on December 16, 1978. City Council President Neal Anderson, and the Municipal Building Committee responsible for the new Malden City Hall project at 215 Pleasant Street have ensured that the new Malden City Council Chambers will continue to be named the Herbert L. Jackson Council Chambers.