Sherry Suttles

Sherry Suttles is a pioneering public administrator best known as the first African American woman city manager in the United States, serving as city manager of Oberlin, Ohio, in 1979. Her career helped break racial and gender barriers in local government while demonstrating the important role city managers play in addressing community needs, urban development, and public service delivery. During her tenure in Oberlin, she advanced initiatives such as downtown development planning, housing improvements through federal grants, and youth engagement programs. Beyond municipal leadership, Suttles has served as a management consultant, government relations professional, and advocate for preserving African American history and culture.