Sections of US 422 would be named for Pinkney

COLUMBUS

Sections of US Route 422 would be named in honor of a Cleveland civil rights activist and longtime political consultant, under legislation pending in the Ohio Senate.

SB 77 proposes designating stretches of 422 in Cleveland and Youngstown as the Arnold R. Pinkney Memorial Way. In Youngstown, the naming would cover 422 from North Lane Avenue to state Route 616.

Pinkney was born in Youngstown, graduating from the city’s school system. In addition to his professional career in insurance and as restaurant franchisor, Pinkney served on the Cleveland school board and was active in numerous community groups. He also was the strategist behind the election of Cleveland’s first black mayor and Ohio’s first black congressman and headed the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign. Pinkney died last year at 83.