First African American elected as City of Sarasota CommissionerIn 1985, Fredd Atkins was elected the first African American to serve as a City of Sarasota Commissioner. African American
First African-American to serve as a City of Sarasota Commissioner In 1985, Fredd Atkins was elected the first African-American to serve as a City of Sarasota Commissioner. He served as mayor from 2006 to 2007.