1st Black Elected To Office In Russia

KRISTINA NARIZHNAYA People in this Russian town used to stare at Jean Gregoire Sagbo because they had never seen a black man. Now they say they see in him something equally rare -- an honest politician.

In a country where racism is entrenched and often violent, Sagbo's election as one of Novozavidovo's 10 municipal councilors is a milestone. But among the town's 10,000 people, the 48-year-old from the West African country of Benin is viewed simply a Russian who cares about his hometown. He promises to revive the impoverished, garbage-strewn town where he has lived for 21 years Read more... View more pictures