A History of African-American POTUS Candidates

From Frederick Douglass to Barack Obama and Ben Carson.

How'd The New Black Guy Do? - This week's Republican debate was the most watched cable program ever with more than 24 million viewers. Everyone was tuned in to see who else Donald Trump would insult (everybody), how Jeb Bush would defend his family's legacy, and the rare sighting of a Black Republican, Ben Carson. Though, Carson isn't the first Black Republican to run, he is one of the few Black people who've even set out for the most powerful seat in the world. Look back. (Photo from left: Mark Wilson/Getty Images, Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Ben Carson Party: Republican - Polls say they want a "rock star" like Obama, Reagan, and Clinton. Carson is more of a nerd, though. The retired pediatrics neurosurgeon has 67 honorary degrees, authored five books, and in 2008 was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush. Reports claim, however, that he's bleeding out staffers and competing with his own super-PACs to raise money. Even more troubling is Carson's "Prescription for America," a platform that embraces far-right values on everything from gay marriage to mandatory minimums.   (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Jesse Jackson Party: Democratic - The liberal thought leader staged two bids for his party's nomination, in 1984 and 1988, and while he didn't succeed in either, his campaigns were definitely game changers. His Rainbow Coalition embraced all of America's sub-communities, and his drive to register African American voters quite likely paved the way for Obama's win two decades later.  (Photo: AP Photo/Ben Margot)Dick Gregory Party: Peace & Freedom - This St. Louis native and army veteran, who ran for president in 1968, first attempted to unite America through comedy and became one of the first Black comedians to become popular with white audiences. His autobiography, provocatively titled N****r, sold over 7 million copies. He entered politics at the height of the Vietnam era, and ran as an anti-war candidate, encouraging voters to look beyond the two party system and seek out a candidate who "is sensitive to human need."  (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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How'd The New Black Guy Do? - This week's Republican debate was the most watched cable program ever with more than 24 million viewers. Everyone was tuned in to see who else Donald Trump would insult (everybody), how Jeb Bush would defend his family's legacy, and the rare sighting of a Black Republican, Ben Carson. Though, Carson isn't the first Black Republican to run, he is one of the few Black people who've even set out for the most powerful seat in the world. Look back. (Photo from left: Mark Wilson/Getty Images, Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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