James C. Hayes

James C. Hayes (May 25, 1946 – June 9, 2022) was an American politician and convicted felon who served as the mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska, the first African-American mayor in the state of Alaska.

Biography
Hayes was born in Sacramento, California, the son of Juanita (née Metoyer) and Caustella Hayes. In 1955, his family moved to Fairbanks and in 1965, he graduated from Lathrop High School in Fairbanks. In 1970, he earned a B.A. in education with minors in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Alaska.

In 2008, Hayes was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for illegal diversion of funds and money laundering.

Personal life
In 1974, he married Chris Parham; they had two children, LaNene Hayes-Scott and James Hayes Jr. He was a member of the Church of God in Christ.

Hayes died on June 9, 2022, at the age of 76.