Famous African American Politicians Who Changed the Game
African American politicians who've made history and have used their power to incredible effect.
African American politicians have a long and storied history of shaking things up. Overcoming the disadvantages imparted by slavery and oppression, many famous African American politicians have made waves in the larger political sphere. Highly educated, inspiring, and charismatic by nature, prominent African American politicians have used their leadership positions to upend traditional American politics in critical ways.
While most African American politicians have made incredible strides to change the narrative of American politics, just a few have risen high enough in influence to garner national headlines or have gained enough power to change the course of significant social, cultural, economic policies.
Being the first to reach their respective positions is a key component of their fame. But in most cases, African American politicians who’ve made history have used their power to incredible effect.
1. Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall is not just a household name, but he is also one of the most famous Black politicians in American history. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson made the unprecedented move to select an African American civil rights leader to fill an empty seat in the US Supreme Court. Upon selection, Marshall was a clear favorite during the confirmation process.
Previously having been confirmed by the Senate for two other federal positions (federal judge under President John F. Kennedy and Solicitor General under Johnson), there was very little contention to his filling the vacant seat on the Supreme Court. He passed Senate confirmation with a 69-11 margin in favor.
Before becoming a Supreme Court judge, Marshall had successfully argued several landmark cases before the court. That includes the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case, which dismantled the “separate by equal” doctrine and led to school integration nationwide.
2. Shirley Chisholm
After voting rights slowly opened up for Blacks across the country in the 1960s, a wave of Black politicians began vying for office. Few famous African American politicians from that era (or ever since) are as well-known or respected as Shirley Chisholm. In 1968, Chisholm made history when she became the first African American woman to win a seat in Congress.
Chisholm did not take her position for granted. During her 14 years in office, Chisholm sponsored 64 bills and co-sponsored 1,783 bills. Of her 54 sponsored bills, one became law, while 54 of her co-sponsored bills became law. This famous African American politician had a heart for children and education. Her success helped inspire women of all stripes and African Americans widely around the idea that it’s possible to overcome racial and gender barriers in politics.
3. Douglass Wilder
For Douglass Wilder, fame as a politician came at the state level. In 1990, Wilder became the first African American politician to be elected as governor of a US state, Virginia. Notably, Wilder was not the first African American politician to serve as governor of a US state. That honor goes to P.B.S. Pinchback, who became Louisiana’s acting governor in 1872 by circumstance instead of a by-election.
Wilder defeated his Republican opponent, Marshall Coleman, with a razor-thin 50.2% of the vote. However, that was enough to cement his victory into the history books and land him a spot in national newspapers. Wilder only served one term as governor, but during his term, he helped Virginia became the first Southern state to divest all financial interest from South Africa in protest to apartheid.
4. Barack Obama
America’s 44th president, Barack Obama, is perhaps the most famous African American politician in American history. Ascending to the United States’ presidency was a historic action that signified, in some ways, breaking the last major barrier to Black participation in American society.
Obama’s victory and the subsequent presidency are not just notable for the history they made. He was able to sign into law significant pieces of legislation, including the Affordable Care Act, which for the first time allowed Americans with pre-existing conditions to purchase healthcare insurance.
5. Kamala Harris
Even after an African American woman makes it to the top spot on the presidential ticket, Kamala Harris will maintain her position as a famous African American politician. She is now the first Black woman to serve as Vice President of the United States, putting both women and women of color just one step closer to the Resolute Desk.
Harris had already made history as a famous African American politician thanks to her US Senate position. She was the first woman of African American descent to be elected to serve in the US Senate. She was also one of few African American women to make a notable run for the presidency of the United States and one of a small handful of Black women to serve as a state’s Attorney General.
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