Famous African-American Political Figures

• Annan, Kofi

  The 7th U.N. Secretary-General, 1997-2006

• Chisholm, Shirley

  The first African-American woman to run for U.S. president

• Jackson, Jesse

  Aide to Martin Luther King and candidate for U.S. president

• Maathai, Wangari

  The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize

• Newton, Huey

  Co-founder of the Black Panthers

• Sharpton, Al

  New York's African-American preacher, activist and presidential candidate 

• Young, Coleman

  Mayor of Detroit, 1974-1993

See: Biographies for Black History Month