United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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Black Americans in Congress

Since 1870, when Senator Hiram Revels of Mississippi and Representative Joseph Rainey of South Carolina became the first African Americans to serve in Congress, a total of 198 African Americans have served as U.S. Representatives, Delegates, or Senators. This website, based on the publication Black Americans in Congress, contains biographical profiles of former African-American Members of Congress, links to information about current Black Members, essays on institutional and national events that shaped successive generations of African Americans in Congress, and images of each individual Member, supplemented by other historical photos.

Black Americans in Congress: An Introduction

Black Americans in Congress: An Introduction

For more than 150 years, Black men and women have won election to Congress despite having to overcome formidable, ever-changing barriers to Black political participation. The story of Black Americans in Congress is not confined to Capitol Hill. It is a national story of electoral triumphs and discouraging setbacks, hard-won victories and long periods of political exclusion.

“The Fifteenth Amendment in Flesh and Blood:” 1870–1901

“The Fifteenth Amendment in Flesh and Blood:” 1870–1901

Twenty Black Representatives and two Black Senators served in Congress between 1870 and 1901. Each displayed a formidable array of skills as a lawmaker, orator, and activist. They pursued ambitious reforms while diligently working to protect the interests of their constituents.

Exile, Migration, and the Struggle for Representation: 1901–1965

Exile, Migration, and the Struggle for Representation: 1901–1965

Explore the many contradictory experiences of Black Americans on and off Capitol Hill during the first six decades of the twentieth century, a period marked by migration and the struggle to overcome political exclusion.

Permanent Interests: 1965–1990

Permanent Interests: 1965–1990

From 1965 to 1990, the number and influence of African Americans in Congress increased significantly. Black Representatives worked to win seats on powerful committees, and some attained roles in Democratic leadership.

Power and Diversity: 1990–2022

Power and Diversity: 1990–2022

As more Black Members won election to Congress, often from safe districts, they composed an ever-greater proportion of the membership of the Democratic Caucus. This afforded Black Members the chance to rise in party leadership in committees and within the caucus.

Member Profiles

Member Profiles

Read biographical profiles of former African-American Representatives, Delegates, and Senators that focus on their congressional careers. These profiles also contain suggestions for further reading and references to Members’ manuscript collections.

<i>"We Are In Earnest For Our Rights": Representative Joseph H. Rainey and the Struggle for Reconstruction</i> [PDF]

"We Are In Earnest For Our Rights": Representative Joseph H. Rainey and the Struggle for Reconstruction [PDF]

Joseph Rainey, who became the first African-American Representative in December 1870, navigated a unique path from slave to citizen to Representative. An ardent defender of Black civil and political rights, Rainey directly challenged the calcified traditions of American politics and society.

Featured

<em>Hispanic Americans in Congress</em>

Hispanic Americans in Congress

<em>Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress</em>

Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress

<em>Women in Congress</em>

Women in Congress

Get a PDF of this Publication

Black Americans in Congress, 1870–2022, is available as a PDF from the Government Publishing Office.

Historical Data

In this section, users can find tables and appendices of historical data about Black Americans in Congress, including: African Americans in Congress by Congress; committee and subcommittee leaders; party leadership positions; chairmen and chairwomen of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Educational Resources

This page features materials designed to help teachers and students use the information presented in Black Americans in Congress in their classrooms. It includes lesson plans as well as activities on photographs, objects, and memorable quotations.

Artifacts

View artifacts from the House Collection related to the history of Black Americans in Congress, from portraits to political campaign buttons.

Map

Use the interactive map to compile information on the representation of Black Americans in Congress, such as the number of Members who served from a particular state or region and when they served.

Glossary

What is the difference between apportionment and realignment? What is a discharge petition? What does the word quorum mean and how does it relate to the House of Representatives? These and other relevant congressional terms are defined in this glossary.

About

The Office of the Historian maintains this series dating back to 1976.

Office of the Historian: [email protected]
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: [email protected], [email protected]