Tributes have flooded in for the co-founder of the Notting Hill Carnival after his death at the weekend.
Sam King died on Saturday aged 90, his family said.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was among those to pay tribute, describing Mr King as a "legend" who had changed London "for the better".
The Jamaican immigrant launched the Caribbean street festival which grew into the Notting Hill Carnival - Europe's biggest street party - in 1964.
He had sailed to Britain on the Empire Windrush and became the first black mayor of Southwark in 1983.
Mr Corbyn said: "He was man who arrived on the Windrush and started working like many Jamaicans did in the area and then decided something had to be done good for the community in terms of carnival.
"What a legend, what a loss.
"He educated Londoners with Caribbean food, Caribbean culture, Caribbean music.
"London is a better place, Britain is a better place thanks to him and his family."
Southwark councillor Michael Situ posted on Twitter that the Second World War veteran was "principled, inspiring and always willing to serve".
Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, told the BBC: "Someone like myself who was fortunate to become an MP stands on the shoulders of people like Sam King."
Harriet Harman, Labour MP for Camberwell and Peckham, tweeted: "RIP Sam King MBE. Wonderful man. Today Southwark mourns - but Southwark is proud."
