Within the Black community, the age-old saying that “we have to work twice as hard to be half as good” is not just mere rhetoric - it is a powerful truth for a people whose journeys have been marked by systemic barriers and challenges. This means that access to political positions often demands unparalleled brilliance, unwavering dedication and strategic excellence. This is a sentiment that has once again been brought to the fore following the results of the 2024 U.S. elections, which unfolded amidst emotions that were almost palpable. It reminds us that representation and inclusion transcend numbers and verbiage; they are forces that shape our future - each appointment and policy directly informs the political and social fabric of society.
When leaders reflect the communities they serve, their first-hand perspectives and experiences become vital lenses through which policies are crafted to be both relevant and inclusive. This ensures that realities, challenges, and aspirations of people can be understood and prioritized in the policy making process.
"It’s not just about having a seat at the table — it’s about who is shaping policy, who is writing legislation, and who is deciding what issues are even considered." — Congresswoman Maxine Waters
Although there is still more work to do ahead, The Official Black Wall Street is rounding up some of the recently elected Black officials, many of whom are making history.
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Just 8 years ago, Lisa Blunt Rochester made history as the first Black person and first woman to be elected to represent Delaware in Congress. She’s done it once again as the first Black woman to represent the State in the Senate. A former congresswoman and experienced legislator, she raised approximately $8 million for her campaign. According to the Congressional Record, during her House tenure, Rochester sponsored 90 bills and seven resolutions, which were aimed primarily at improving access to healthcare, particularly for women and minorities.
Angela Alsobrooks
Officially the first Black woman to represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate, Angela Alsobrooks has joined the ranks of only four Black women to ever be elected to the Senate. With a focus on immigration, foreign policy, health care and reproductive rights, Alsobrooks will join Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester, marking the first time in history that two Black women will serve simultaneously in the Senate. Prior to this dual election, only three women served in the U.S. Senate – Carol Moseley Braun in 1992, Vice President Kamala Harris in 2016, both of whom were elected, and Laphonza Butler, who was appointed in 2023 to fill a vacancy.
Monroe Nichols
Tulsa, Oklahoma has just celebrated a full circle moment with the election of its first Black mayor, Monroe Nichols, 103 years after the tragic Tulsa Race Massacre. This signals a powerful chapter in a city whose history has been marked by both racial trauma and resilience, representing a landmark milestone. Nichols delivered his acceptance speech in front of images of the Black Wall Street before the massacre, expressing that “we may not always agree on a pathway to greatness, but we will always be united in our commitment to get there…”
Shomari Figures
With 54.8% of the vote, and in a rare flip of the congressional seat, Shomari Figures won the newly redrawn Alabama congressional district. The Supreme Court ordered the District to be redrawn, ruling that the previous configuration violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act by undermining the rights to Black voters. Figures, an attorney who previously served as an aide to former President Barack Obama, will join U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who was re-elected in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. This marks the first time that Alabama will have two Black U.S. House members serving at the same time.
Maxwell Frost
The First Gen-Z member of Congress, Maxwell Frost, won his re-election in Florida’s 10th District, claiming 61.8% of the votes. A gun reform and social justice activist, Frost became the youngest member of the House in 2022 when he won his seat at the age of 25.
Cleo Fields
By winning the Louisiana congressional race in a recently redrawn majority-Black District, which includes Baton Rouge, Cleo Fields has flipped a once-reliably Republican seat blue. Having previously served two terms in Congress, Fields’ win represents the second time in nearly 50 years that this District has been won by a Democrat.
Jasmine Crockett
With 85% of the votes, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crocket, has secured her re-election in Texas’ 30th Congressional District. With a focus on expanding healthcare access, boosting the economy and supporting small businesses, Crocket is a self-declared “pragmatic progressive“, well-known for being vocal.
