Appointed by Richard F. Celeste Nationality American Name Harold Stubbs | Citizenship American Spouse(s) Sandra Stubbs Died 1989 | |
Full Name Harold K. Stubbs Children Michele Stubbs-Thompson
Lisa Stubbs-Anderson
Malaika Stubbs-Wilson
Nouvelle L. Gonzalo Alma mater Howard University School of Law
Kent State University Education Howard University School of Law, Kent State University | ||
Harold K. Stubbs (1941–1989) was a municipal court judge and politician in Akron, Ohio. He was known as the city’s first black law director, a municipal court judge and for his many civic activities.
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Early life and education
Harold Stubbs was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His family moved to Ohio when he was three.
Stubbs earned his bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in 1963 and his law degree from the Howard University School of Law in 1966.
Early career
After graduating from Howard University, Stubbs worked as a youth employment counselor for Community Action Council (1966 – 1968).
He was in private practice as a partner at the law firm of Parms, Purnell, Stubbs & Gilbert. Stubbs was also a three-time 4th Ward Councilman for Akron from 1979 to 1984. For four years, Stubbs served as Akron’s assistant city prosecutor.
Stubbs was also Summit County prosecutor for three years. He rose to the position of chief assistant criminal prosecutor before he resigned in 1975.
In 1983, mayor-elect Thomas C. Sawyer tapped Stubbs as Akron’s first black law director. He held that position until he was appointed to the municipal court bench.
Stubbs was also admitted to practice in state and federal court.
Judgeship
Then-governor Richard F. Celeste appointed Stubbs to the Akron Municipal Court in 1987. He served as a municipal court judge until he died in 1989 from pancreatic cancer.
Awards & recognition
The St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church recognized Stubbs’ legacy by creating The Judge Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Awards and Scholarship Dinner to recognize outstanding high school seniors and individuals who excel in community service in the areas of social action, government, business, medicine and law.
To honor Stubbs, Mayor Don Plusquellic stated that the city of Akron would rename its Municipal Court building and police headquarters as the Judge Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center in 1991.
Several organizations and companies award scholarships and corporate donations to the scholarship fund in the name of Stubbs. One such group is The Ellet High School Parent Teachers and Students Association which awards the Judge Harold K. Stubbs Memorial Scholarship annually for an undisclosed amount.
Robinson School, where Stubbs attended elementary school, inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1988.
Affiliations
Stubbs was an active member in several organizations, including the fraternity of Kappa Alpha Psi and an involved member of the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, serving on its board of trustees.
Personal life
Stubbs and his wife Sandra (deceased, 2008), an author, philanthropist, and retired executive administrator under the Superintendent of the Akron Public schools, had four daughters: Michele Stubbs-Thompson, Lisa Stubbs-Anderson, Malaika Stubbs-Wilson and Nouvelle. Daughter, Nouvelle L. Gonzalo, Esq. followed her father into law and practices U.S. and international business law in Cleveland, Ohio. Her firm, Gonzalo Law LLC, is said to be expanding both nationally and overseas to continue the Stubbs legacy of legal excellence and community service.