Princeton Township's First African-American Mayor Honored By County Freeholders

Princeton, NJ -- Longtime Princeton activist James Floyd was recently honored by the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, officials said on Monday.

The freeholders recognized Floyd during their meeting at the Princeton Municipal Building on Sept. 22.
Floyd became the first African-American mayor of Princeton Township in 1971. He served a total of four years on the township’s committee, from 1969-1972.

After that, he continued to serve on boards and committees throughout both the township and the borough, and was a dedicated advocate for affordable housing and civil rights.

All told, he has been viewed as an historic figure in Princeton for more than 40 years, the freeholders said.

“James Floyd is often referred to as the conscience of Princeton. After meeting James and spending time with him, I can’t think of a more fitting moniker,” Mercer County Freeholder and Princeton resident Andrew Koontz said. “It is a great honor to honor a man who has spent his entire life working to better his community.”

Floyd’s brother Sam and son Michael joined members of the Kappa Alpha PSI Fraternity in accepting a sealed resolution celebrating James Floyd’s lifetime of community activism and extraordinary volunteer work during the meeting.

The attached image was provided by the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders.