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.
Hayes was born in Sacramento, California, the son of Juanita (née Metoyer)[1][2] and Caustella Hayes.[3] In 1955, his family moved to Fairbanks[1] and in 1965, he graduated from Lathrop High School in Fairbanks.[2] In 1970, he earned a B.A. in education with minors in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Alaska.[2]
In 2008, Hayes was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for illegal diversion of funds and money laundering.[4]
In 1974, he married Chris Parham; they had two children, LaNene Hayes-Scott and James Hayes Jr.[1] He was a member of the Church of God in Christ.[1]
Hayes died on June 9, 2022, at the age of 76.[3]