Career
In November 2003, he was elected the first African-American mayor of Palm Springs, California, after serving eight years on the city council. Oden was born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in Los Angeles, California. In 2007, he was honored with a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars.
He is the father of two daughters, Brooke and Brittany.
In June 2006, he lost in the Democratic primary for a seat in the California State Assembly by less than 100 votes.
