African American Senators List (Black Politicians in U.S. Senate)

Explore the best African American Senators List right here. This compilation includes the names of black senators currently serving in the U.S. Senate, encompassing black female senators and black Republican senators. The list features 11 African Americans who have held positions in the United States Senate up to FY 2023.

The trailblazing journey began in 1870 when Hiram Revels of Mississippi became the first African American senator. Carol Moseley Braun made history as the first African American woman to serve as a U.S. senator in 1993. In 2005, Barack Obama of Illinois achieved the distinction of being the fifth African American to serve and the third to be popularly elected. Tim Scott of South Carolina, appointed in 2013, became the first African American since Reconstruction to represent a southern state in the Senate. The appointment of Massachusetts senator William “Mo” Cowan on February 1, 2013, marked the first time that two African Americans served simultaneously in the United States Senate.

On January 3, 2017, Kamala Harris became California’s first African American senator, bringing the total number of African Americans serving simultaneously to three. In January 2021, Raphael Warnock of Georgia's runoff election victory increased the count to 11 African American senators. Notably, Kamala Harris made history as the first woman and the first African American elected as Vice President of the United States in November 2020, leading her to resign her Senate seat on January 18, 2021.

List of African American Senators

Hiram Revels of Mississippi – Hiram Revels of Mississippi achieved the historic feat of becoming the first African American senator in 1870.
Blanche K. Bruce – Blanche K. Bruce, elected by the Mississippi state legislature in 1874, served from 1875 to 1881 and notably presided over the Senate in 1879, marking the first time an African American held this role.
Edward Brooke of Massachusetts – Edward Brooke of Massachusetts secured another milestone as the first African American elected to the Senate through popular vote, serving two full terms from 1967 to 1979.
Carol Moseley Braun – Carol Moseley Braun, a Democrat from Illinois, made history as the first female senator from Illinois and the initial African American woman to serve in the Senate during her tenure from 1993 to 1999.
Barack Obama – Barack Obama, who served in the Illinois state senate from 1997 to 2004, was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2004. He took the oath of office on January 3, 2005, becoming the fifth African American to serve in the Senate. On November 4, 2008, Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States and was reelected in 2012.
Roland W. Burris – Roland W. Burris filled the Senate vacancy left by Barack Obama, appointed on December 31, 2008, and serving until November 29, 2010.
Tim Scott – Tim Scott, appointed on January 2, 2013, made history as the first African American to represent a southern state in the Senate since Reconstruction.
William “Mo” Cowan – William “Mo” Cowan's appointment on February 1, 2013, marked the first instance of two African Americans serving simultaneously in the United States Senate.
Cory A. Booker – Cory A. Booker became the first African American to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate on October 31, 2013.
Kamala D. Harris – Kamala D. Harris, representing California, entered the Senate on January 3, 2017, and later made history on November 3, 2020, as the first woman, African American, and Asian American elected Vice President of the United States alongside former senator and Vice President Joe Biden.
Raphael G. Warnock – Raphael G. Warnock achieved the distinction of becoming the first African American senator from Georgia on January 20, 2021.