John Mitchell Jr. | |
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| Born | July 11, 1863 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | December 3, 1929 (aged 66) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | journalist, politician |
| Political party | Republican |
John Mitchell Jr. (July 11, 1863 – December 3, 1929) was an American businessman, newspaper editor, African American civil rights activist, and politician in Richmond, Virginia, particularly in Richmond's Jackson Ward, which became known as the "Black Wall Street of America." As editor of the Richmond Planet, he frequently published articles in favor of racial equality. In 1904, he organized a black boycott of the city's segregated trolley system.
He founded and served as president of Mechanics Savings Bank. An impressive building was constructed for the Bank on Clay Street and newspaper ads featured Mitchell Jr.[1] He also served as a city alderman for two terms, and was active in fraternal and professional organizations. He ran unsuccessfully as a Republican Party candidate for governor in 1921.