Dr. Chuck Radis discusses “John Jenkins: Mayor of Maine”

John Jenkins grew up in Newark, New Jersey, only 6 miles from Chuck Radis, during a time of racial turmoil and unrest. The two became friends at Bates College and were not only team mates on the track team, but co-developed a children’s puppet play which they performed for pre-school children in Lewiston. Jenkins went on to become Maine’s first Black state senator, mayor of both Lewiston and Auburn, and a 5-time World Champion in karate.

 “What I remember most about John Jenkins are not the titles he held, but the way he held them. John never forgot the inherent, intangible power of the office and the ability to make people feel good just by showing up.”  Governor Janet T. Mills