Mayor's Biography

Mayor Roosevelt Dorn was elected as Mayor of the City of Inglewood with over a 60 percent margin in April, 1997, serving the remainder of the previous Mayor’s term. He was re-elected for a full term on November 3, 1998 with a commanding 64.4 percent of the vote.

Mayor Dorn has opened up Inglewood City government. He has maintained an “Open Door” policy for residents and business leaders. He established nine citizens advisory committees; welcomed developers, entrepreneurs, and business owners; maintained a cooperative relationship with the Inglewood Unified School District and helped lead efforts to pass a $131 million bond initiative for our children. He also successfully worked with a host of congressional representatives to obtain millions of dollars in federal assistance for Inglewood.

Mayor Dorn is on a mission to return Inglewood to its glory days as the “Crown Jewel of the South Bay” and he is committed to developing teams of residents, businesses, elected officials, and friends of Inglewood to make it happen. He is convinced that with God’s help, Inglewood will become a model city for the entire nation in the 21st century.

Mayor Dorn’s reputation for defeating challenging odds preceded him. For 18 years, he served as a Superior Court Judge. During his tenure in the Juvenile court, he had a 95 percent success rate in putting young people on the right track. As Judge, Dorn received numerous awards for outstanding achievements as a jurist and has been recognized by countless organizations for his innovative programs and sincere commitment to help young people. He was featured in Los Angeles Magazine; was recognized by KNBC TV, Channel 4 for Innovative Programs that Contribute to the Education of our Youth; by KCET TV, Channel 28 for Outstanding Contributions to Juvenile Delinquents; and has received numerous other awards and honors.

EDUCATION

  • Completed California Judicial College, University of California School of Law, Berkeley, Earl Warren Legal Institute 1979 and 1982.
  • Admitted to California Bar on January 15, 1970.
  • Juris Doctorate, 1969, Whittier College School of Law
  • Doctor of Divinity, Southern California School of Ministry, 1998

CAREER

  • Retired from the Superior Court, December, 1997
  • Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, July 1980 and elected in 1982, 1988 and 1994.
  • Judge, Municipal Court, Inglewood Judicial District, Los Angeles County, appointed by Governor Jerry Brown, 1979.
  • Served as Assistant City Attorney, Los Angeles, California 1970 until 1979.
  • Deputy Sheriff, Los Angeles County, 1961-1969, Superior Court Bailiff.
  • Served in the U.S. Air Force, 1954-1958.

Judge Dorn was instrumental in securing the initiation of "Project Hope" (Helping Others Pursue Education) in Inglewood in September 1983 as an aid to eliminating truancy and the high dropout rate in the schools.

Through this program and other innovative approches to juvenile law, Judge Dorn was able to rehabilitate and turn around the lives of thousands of young people. Many of the young people that came under the jurisdiction of Judge Dorn were not attending school. Of those same young people, 95% graduated from high school and many even graduated from colleges and universities.

FAMILY

Born in Checotah, Oklahoma. Married Joyce Evelyn Glosson 1965. Three children Bryan Keith, Renee Felicia, and Rochelle Francine.

AWARDS

1998

  • Outstanding Community Leader Award – June 1998. Prison Fellowship Los Angeles.
  • Training & Research Foundation Community Service Award – June 1998. TRF Head Start Program.
  • Sincere Commitment to Education Award – Warren Lane School Class of 1998.
  • Citizen of the Year Award – March 1998. First Steps in Learning Christian Academy.
  • Reclaiming Our Cities Award: “Keeping It Good In the Hood” – January 1998. The Southern Area Clergy Council.

1997

  • Certificate of Recognition: Families within the Community, December 13, 1997. Teresa Hughes.
  • Distinguished Service and Leadership Award – 1997. National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa
  • Appreciation Award – North Inglewood Little League 1997
  • The Black Agenda, Thomas Kilgore Junior Service Award - Outstanding Service to the Greater Los Angeles Community. December 13, 1997 Rev Dr. Roy S.
  • Community Leader of the Year – November 1997. Men of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church.
  • Commendation, Superintendent of Schools Reuben Zacarias: Color Me Bright Freedom Award. November 2, 1997.
  • Commendation: Mark Ridley Thomas. Congratulations Color Me Bright Freedom Award, November 2, 1997.
  • Third Annual Family Conference Award – For Turning A Generation Around! October 1997, Greater Bethany Community Church.
  • Certificate of Appreciation – October 1997. Volunteer In Parole, Inc.
  • Appreciation Award – For Excellent Service to Korean-American Community, September 1997. Seoul Broadcasting System.
  • Inglewood Today -- Presented Award for Courage - Friendship and Wisdom. June 18, 1997.
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Involvement in Take Our Daughter to Work Day. YMCA of Greater Los Angeles. The Coalition of 100 Black Women. April 24, 1997.
  • First A.M.E Church, Father of the Year Man of Valor Award.
  • DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FBI, Guest Speaker - Black History Program FBI, L.A. February 28, 1997.
  • West Angeles Church Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Tribute. The Peacemaker Award. Outstanding Community Service. February 09, 1997.
  • Certificate of Participation. Participated in the Youth Health Conference, Sponsored by Top Teen of America, in collaboration with March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, January 18, 1997.
  • Arizona Boys Ranch, April 1997 Award for Outstanding Service to the Boys Ranch.
  • What's Right with Southern California, The Honorable Roosevelt F. Dorn. 1997 C B S Channel 2 News Community Service Award.

1996

  • Featured in Los Angeles Magazine, January 1996 issue - "You belong to Dorn Now."
  • Featured in Reader's Digest, July 1996 issue - "A Judge Bad Kids Dread and Parents Applaud."
  • Featured on Real Life - KNBC Channel 4 - "Juvenile Delinquency Programs."
  • Featured on Court TV - "Juvenile Delinquency Programs."
  • Featured on several State and National Radio Talk Shows.
  • Featured on Bob Navarro's Journal-KCBS Channel 2, Los Angeles.
  • Sarah Allen Trailblazer Award- For Outstanding Mission Outreach, and African American Heritage Enrichment, for being a Positive Role Model for African-American and Other Minority Youths, and for Service To All Humanity.
  • Certificate of Appreciation - Thomas A. Edison Middle School.
  • Community Service Award - EKO - Multi-Purpose Center, Inc.
  • Community Service Award - Special Love & Tender Care Infant Center.
  • NAACP Service Award - Inglewood Chapter.

1995

  • Distinguished Service Award from The Renraw Commanders of the Rite (Prince Hall Affiliation - 33rd Degree Masons), for leadership, contributions and dedicated service to the community.
  • NAACP 1995 Legacy Award, in recognition for a lifetime of commitment to equality and justice for all mankind.
  • Humanitarian Award , from Laymen Westminister Presbyterian Church.
  • Father of the Year Award, from the African- American Humor Awards Society.
  • Achievers in Action Award, from the National Forum for Black Public Administrators-Southern California Chapter, for Outstanding Achievement in Public Administration.
  • Humanitarian Award, from the Inglewood Democratic Club.
  • Humanitarian Award, from the LA Deliverance Choir of Watts.
  • Certificate of Recognition from State Senator Teresa P. Hughes for years of Outstanding and Devoted Public Service.
  • Outstanding Service Award, from AMARCH, LA County Chapter.
  • Commendation for Dedicated Service to the Affairs of the Community, demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of LA County Citizens, L. A. County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.
  • Certificate of Special Recognition, Outstanding Leadership and Commitment to the Community, Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
  • Certificate of Appreciation, Outstanding Participation on Career Day, La Salle Avenue Elementary School.
  • Sons of Thunder Award, for Outstanding Dedicated Service to the Community and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, presented by Vinton R. Anderson, Presiding Bishop 5th Episcopal District AME Church and President World Council of Churches.
  • Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service Keynote Speaker, LA County Black Peace Officers Association.
  • Certificate of Recognition, Outstanding African American Leader, Assemblyman Curtis R. Tucker.
  • Certificate of Appreciation, for Outstanding Service to the Community and for the participation in the annual conference, LA County Black Probation Officers.
  • Commendation for Outstanding Service to the Youth and Community of Inglewood, City of Inglewood.
  • Award for Outstanding and Dedicated Service as a planning team member to develop The Disciplines of Strategic Planning for the Inglewood Unified School District.

1994

  • Most Valuable Judge Certificate 1991, 1992, and 1993, Central District, Los Angeles, California.
  • Most Valuable Judge Hall of Fame Award 1991, 1992, and 1993, Central District, Los Angeles County, for Outstanding Performance as a Superior Court Judge.
  • The F.A.M.E. Award, from the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles for Enlarging Vision and Outreach to Church and Community.
  • Quality of Life Award, from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. for Outstanding Concerted Efforts and Commitment in the Improvement of the Quality of Life for Others.
  • Certificate of Appreciation, from the Black Education Commission for Outstanding Service to the Community in the Field of Education.
  • Certificate of Appreciation, from the Inglewood Youth S.E.L.F. Program and Chief of Police Oliver M. Thompson for service to the Inglewood Community and the S.E.L.F. Program and its graduates.

1993

  • The Distinguished Service Award, from the National Bar Association Judicial Council in recognition of leadership as a member, and personal sacrifices of time and energy to promote the progress and destiny of black judges and lawyers in America.
  • Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of Outstanding Contribution, Support, and Dedication to: "Strategies for the Development of the African-American Man-child II," from Los Angeles Southwest College, The 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, and the Coalition of 100 Black Women, Los Angeles.
  • National Honoree - Los Angeles Sentinel's Highest Award, for Outstanding Service to the National Bar Association and to the Youth of America.
  • MAN OF THE YEAR Award, from "Because I Love You" (Parent Support Group.)
  • Who's Who in the World, Tenth Edition, 1991 - 1994.
  • Who's Who in American Law 1989 through 1995.
  • Resolution for Outstanding Commitment to the Community, from the California Assembly.
  • Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, from Congresswoman Julian Dixon.
  • Good Scout Award, from the Los Angeles Area Council Boys Scout of America.
  • Outstanding Service to Education and Welfare of Youth Award, from Prairie View A&M University Alumni Association.
  • Christ's Caring Presence Award, from the Los Angeles Baptist and Mission Society.
  • Who's Who in the State of California.
  • Who's Who Among Black Americans.
  • Recognized for Innovative Programs that Contribute to the Education of Youth by KNBC TV Channel 4 - The Today Show, KCET Channel 28, and KNBC Radio.
  • Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to Juvenile Delinquents by KCET TV Channel 28.
  • Honored for Outstanding Accomplishments, Commitment, Innovative Leadership and Contributions to Education and the Community in the Field of Juvenile Justice by the California State Assembly; Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; City of Inglewood; National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.; Delta Kappa Chapter; John M. Langston Bar Association; California State Senate; Los Angeles County Constitutional Rights Foundation; Los Angeles County Bar Association.
  • Received hundreds of awards from community - based organizations for outstanding service to the youth and the community.

Organizations:

  • California Judges' Association.
  • California Black Lawyers and Judges Association.
  • John M. Langston Bar Association.
  • John M. Langston Bar Association Judges' Division.
  • National Bar Association.
  • American Bar Association.
  • Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association.

Other Civic, State and National Organizations

  • Ordained Minister, First AME Church, Los Angeles, California.
  • Member: Man-child Mentoring Program for Male Youth at risk, First AME Church.
  • Vice President: 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
  • Past President and Member of the Board of Directors: 100 Black Men of Los Angeles Inc.
  • Board of Directors: Young Black Scholars (founded by 100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc.
  • Past Chairman of the Board: Los Angeles Community Sports and Arts Foundation for At Risk Youth.
  • NAACP