Editor's note: With the nation's first African-American president poised to preside over the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this fall, the Observer will look back each Sunday this month (Black History Month) at trailblazing black political figures of the region's past.

Rowe "Jack" Motley made local history in the mid-1970s by becoming Mecklenburg's first black county commissioner, but elected office wasn't always in the plan for him.

A former Army lieutenant and businessman, Motley was born in Alabama but came to North Carolina to attend N.C. A&T University in Greensboro. In college, he met the former Alma Moreland, whom he'd marry.

Going along with his father-in-law during get-out-the-vote efforts helped spark his interest in politics, Alma Motley said of her husband, who died in late 2010.

By the time he ran for the commissioners' seat, Motley already had established himself as a leader in his community, said Bob Davis, former head of the Black Political Caucus. And with his gray hair and sharp outfits, he looked like a politician, some said.

Motley first ran for office in 1972 when he unsuccessfully sought to replace James B. Vogler in the state House of Representatives.

In his run for Mecklenburg commissioner two years later, Motley supported having the city or county take over ambulance service and advocated for more uniform growth in the community, according to news reports from the time. One of his campaign's slogans: "Concerned enough to be involved. Involved enough to be concerned."

Motley won a seat on the county board in November 1974.

Motley's victory excited many in the community, Davis said. "As a black person we felt that we were on our way up."

In an interview with the Charlotte News after his election, Motley said becoming the county's first black commissioner wasn't his goal. He said he ran as a representative of all in the county, not as a black man, according to a Nov. 6, 1974, article. Early on as commissioner, he pushed for developing a county emergency medical system and also lent his support to housing for low-income families and mass transit facilities.

Alma Motley said while her husband's win was exciting, she also was nervous about how he'd be received in a community that was still integrating. But she said they never ran into any problems.

Jack Motley only served one term as commissioner, deciding not to seek re-election after financial troubles at his real estate business ultimately led him to file for bankruptcy. That and other legal issues also became a factor in 1980 when Motley was appointed to fill the state Senate seat held by the late Fred Alexander. Some black leaders unsuccessfully tried to block his nomination.

Motley didn't let the controversy stop him. "He didn't let anything deter him if it was something he wanted to do," his wife said.

During his stint in politics, Motley also would chair the National Democratic Black Caucus and was a member of the Democratic National Committee. He helped with President Jimmy Carter's re-election campaign and frequently wore a pin with the president's signature.

Still, for all his work in politics, some say they knew Motley best as a businessman. In addition to the real estate business, Motley also did insurance work and later ran a neighborhood store and coin laundry.

Motley also would serve on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg planning and zoning boards. He was a founding member of the C.W. Williams Community Health Center, according to his obituary.

Said Jim Ross, who also ran for the state House in 1972: "To me, the politics with Rowe was a sideline, rather than one of his main interests."