Leo Jackson the first Black mayor of a New England city, has died. He was 83.

Jackson shocked the nation three decades ago when his fellow city councilors in New London, Conn., selected him to lead the city. One of those giving him a shout out was then-President Jimmy Carter, whom Jackson supported in Carter’s 1980 primary battle with fellow New Englander, Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Although Jackson was only mayor for one, one-year term, he would remain on the New London City Council for the next 13 years. Jackson died at his home in New London on Sunday night.