Van B. Robinson, Trailblazing Syracuse Leader and Civil Rights Advocate, Dies at 87

Van B. Robinson, the first Black president of the Syracuse Common Council and a lifelong champion for civil rights and community development, has died at the age of 87.

Former Syracuse Common Council President, Van Robinson

After a long illness, Robinson passed away on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at his home in Syracuse, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his wife, Linda Brown-Robinson.

Born in the Bronx in 1938, Robinson moved to Syracuse in 1968, where he quickly became involved in community activism. He began his political career with an appointment to the city's Board of Zoning Appeals and was later appointed to the Common Council in 1999. He served on the council for 18 years, including two terms as president, before retiring in 2017.

Robinson was a vocal advocate for the removal of the Interstate 81 viaduct through downtown Syracuse, promoting its replacement with a community grid to reconnect neighborhoods divided by the highway. His early support for the project helped lay the groundwork for its eventual approval and implementation.

In addition to his political work, Robinson was deeply involved with the NAACP, serving as president of the Syracuse chapter and chairing its economic development committee. He was instrumental in establishing the Pan-African Village at the New York State Fair, creating a space to celebrate African American culture and entrepreneurship.

Robinson's contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the NAACP Freedom Award, the Herman Edge Award, and the InterFaith Leadership Award. In 2023, the Syracuse Common Council honored him by naming its chambers after him.

“A soft voice and patient way belied Van Robinson’s immense strength and steely determination," Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said in a statement. "He demonstrated those traits in his service to our nation in the U.S. Navy, his leadership of the NAACP, and his tenure as a Common Councilor and Council President. His determined vision was a critical factor in the decision to take down the Interstate 81 viaduct. In recent years as his health declined, when his presence was needed at pivotal occasions for Syracuse, Van summoned his strength to be there. Syracuse is a better city because of Van’s service and sacrifice. I send my sympathies to Linda, the Robinson family and all those who loved Van.“

“My heartfelt condolences to Linda Brown Robinson and all the members of Van’s family," Onondaga County Controller Marty Masterpole said in a statement. "Van was a legend in Syracuse, I had the honor to work alongside him on the Syracuse Common Council and he has been a role model to every elected official in Syracuse. Van was a true gentleman, I always enjoyed his company and will miss him dearly."

"Van Robinson was a giant in Syracuse—more than a trailblazer, he was a unifier, a mentor, and a fierce advocate for justice," Legislator Charles E. Garland said in a statement. "I’ll never forget him showing up at my door in a snowstorm, oxygen tank in hand, urging me to run for office. He believed in me before I believed in myself. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched. My heart is with Linda Brown-Robinson and their family. Syracuse has lost one of its finest."

Van Robinson was a trailblazer who dedicated himself to improving Syracuse and all of New York for his community, and his work will live on. I’m thinking of his family and loved ones. May he rest in peace,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said on X.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Brown-Robinson; two children, Donetta and Van E.; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

A public memorial service is planned for later this month.