Black Presidential Pioneers Before Obama and Harris
Decades before Barack Obama and Kamala Harris reshaped American political history, Black Americans were already running for president, often against overwhelming odds. From symbolic nominations to organized national campaigns, early Black presidential candidates challenged racism, voter suppression, and political exclusion while laying the groundwork for future generations. Their stories reveal how representation, political courage, and persistence have long shaped the struggle for an inclusive democracy.
Long before Barack Obama and Kamala Harris, Black Americans were running for president, often overlooked yet blazing trails for future generations. These early campaigns challenged racism, sexism, and systemic barriers long before the 21st century, proving that Black voices could participate in the nation’s highest political arenas, even against steep odds.
Fredrick Douglass, one of the 19th century’s most prominent abolitionists, became the first African American ever nominated for president in 1888. Douglass never actively campaigned or sought the office, but an influential state representative cast a vote in his favor, marking a historic first.
Though he received only a single vote, the nomination was symbolic, demonstrating that Black Americans could not be ignored in the political conversation. Douglass’ legacy as a writer, orator and activist underscores the long-standing fight for political inclusion that would continue well into the next century.
As he said in a speech to the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in 1857, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will,” reminding us that even symbolic acts of recognition are part of a broader struggle for equality.
George Edwin Taylor
The 20th century brought new challenges and opportunities. In 1904, George Edwin Taylor became the first African American to run a presidential campaign with serious organization behind it. Nominated by the National Negro Liberty Party (NNLP), Taylor faced immense systemic barriers. Despite the constitutional right to vote, Jim Crow laws and voter suppression effectively silenced Black voices in many states.
A former member of both the Republican and Democratic parties, Taylor had grown disillusioned with how both major parties ignored Black voters. His campaign emphasized pro-Black policies, economic equity, and civil rights, messages that resonated with marginalized communities. Yet with his name barred from most ballots, Taylor’s campaign ended by default, demonstrating how systemic racism limited political opportunity long before the civil rights era.
Channing E. Phillips
It wasn’t until 1968 that an African American candidate again made national headlines. Channing E. Phillips, a minister, civil rights leader and activist, received a nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, earning 68 votes. His nomination came in the aftermath of Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination and amid a turbulent era of civil rights activism.
Reflecting on his campaign, Phillips said, “The Negro vote must not be taken for granted.” Though he did not win the nomination, Phillips’s candidacy was a historic first for a major political party and highlighted the growing visibility of Black leadership on the national stage.
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm, elected to the House of Representatives in 1968, became the first Black woman to run for president in 1972. Her campaign was revolutionary, emphasizing women’s rights, racial equality, and social justice. Chisholm repeatedly declared herself the “candidate of the people,” resisting the idea that she was merely a token representative of her race or gender.
As she famously said, “I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of women’s liberation, although I am a woman. I am the candidate of the people of America.”
Her platform addressed issues often dismissed by mainstream media and politicians, including poverty, education, and equal opportunity. Many saw her positions as “too radical” at the time, yet her campaign sent a powerful message: Representation matters, but ideas matter just as much, and the two should not be separated.
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson carried this legacy into the 1980s, running two nationwide campaigns under the “Rainbow Coalition” banner. A minister from Alabama, Jackson advocated for civil rights, economic equity, and the rights of marginalized communities, including racial minorities, lower-income individuals, and LGBTQ+ populations.
During his 1984 campaign he said, “We must develop a Rainbow Coalition that embraces all who are oppressed and exploited in America,” reflecting his vision for a broad, inclusive movement. Jackson’s platform included ambitious proposals such as passing the Equal Rights Amendment, expanding access to free community college, and implementing universal health care. Though many Democrats viewed his positions as too progressive, Jackson energized voters and broadened national conversations on civil rights and social equity.
Alan Keyes
By the late 20th century, Black candidates were appearing across the political spectrum. Alan Keyes became the first Black Republican to run for president in 1996. A diplomat and policy advisor during the Reagan administration, Keyes ran on a platform emphasizing conservative social values and traditional family structures.
He also ran campaigns in 2000 and 2008. Though he did not secure the nomination, Keyes’s campaigns highlighted that African Americans could participate across party lines, challenging assumptions that Black candidates belonged only in one political party or ideology.
These early campaigns offer more than historical footnotes; they provide crucial lessons about inclusion, representation, and political courage. Across decades, Black candidates faced systemic barriers, racial prejudice, and public skepticism. Yet they persevered, showing that diverse perspectives are essential to shaping a political landscape that reflects all of American society.
Shirley Chisholm’s campaign remains a touchstone for understanding the double barriers faced by Black women in politics. She spoke openly about “double discrimination” and resisted narrow expectations placed on her by voters and the media.
Fifty years later, her warnings remain relevant. Voters still struggle to fully evaluate candidates of color, particularly women, beyond the lens of identity. Recognizing these early pioneers honors their courage and highlights the work that remains to create a truly inclusive political system.
As Black History Month prompts reflection on the past, it is important to remember these overlooked trailblazers. Frederick Douglass, George Edwin Taylor, Channing Phillips, Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, and Alan Keyes all contributed to a legacy that paved the way for Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and future generations of Black leaders. Their stories remind us that progress is rarely linear, and that representation, both symbolic and substantive, remains essential for a truly equitable democracy.
Alex Nellis is a recent communications graduate who grew up in Saint Cloud, Minnesota.