Life (David Dinkins) by Columbia Current published on 2017-04-27T22:52:45Z Episode 1: Life (David Dinkins) On the inaugural episode of self-evident?, the first and, to date, only African-American Mayor of New York City David Dinkins reflects on what it means to live a life of service, the importance of listening to others and valuing every human life, and whether he still has hope for American politics today. David Dinkins served as the 106th Mayor of New York City and is currently a Professor in the Practice of Public Affairs at the Columbia University School of International & Public Affairs.