Emanuel Cleaver II (born October 26, 1944, in Waxahachie, Texas) is an American politician, United Methodist pastor, radio personality, and the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 5th congressional district since 2005. He grew up in a public housing project in Wichita Falls, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Prairie View A&M University in 1968. Before entering politics, he served as a pastor and was active in civil rights and community development. Cleaver's political career began when he was elected as the 51st Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, serving from 1991 to 1999, becoming the first African American to hold that office. As mayor, he focused on economic development, attracting major corporations to the city, and advocating for urban redevelopment and social justice. Since 2005, he has represented a predominantly urban district including Kansas City in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat, serving on committees such as Financial Services and Homeland Security, with a policy focus on housing, economic inequality, and racial justice. He also serves as pastor at St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, integrating his faith into his public service. His career has established him as a prominent figure in Democratic politics and African American leadership in the Midwest.