Leslie Nelson Shaw | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 2, 1922 |
| Died | March 7, 1985 (aged 62) Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Postmaster, Savings and loans, civic leader |
| Known for | First African American Postmaster of a major U.S. city, advocate for African American civil rights and affordable housing, leader in the Democratic Party |
Leslie N. Shaw Sr. (August 2, 1922 – March 10, 1985) was the first African American to serve as Postmaster of Los Angeles, and of any major city in the United States. Shaw achieved success in the Savings and Loan Industry in Los Angeles and was a well-respected fundraiser for the Democratic Party, serving as a member of the Finance Committee for the Kennedy-Johnson campaign leading to the 1960 United States presidential election and as the Treasurer of the President Kennedy Dinner Committee in 1961. Shaw was a civic leader who led a job-training program as the appointed President of the Private Industry Council and served on the boards of the Braille Institute of America, the Los Angeles National Urban League, public television station KCET, Lockheed Corporation, and United Way.