Kenneth Cockrel, Jr.

Kenneth Vern Cockrel Jr. is an American politician and journalist from the state of Michigan who served as the 73rd mayor of Detroit. He was president of the Detroit City Council from 2005 until September 17, 2008, when he was sworn in as the interim mayor, with his term in office beginning September 19. The previous mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick had announced on September 4, 2008 that he would resign after pleading guilty to state charges about his conduct in office. This resulted in Cockrel succeeding him as Mayor of Detroit.