PHOTOS: The Top African American Democrats
BET.com recognizes some of the countries top black democratic policy makers, movers and shakers in the United States.
1 / 21
President Barack Obama - Of course we had to include our Commander-in-Chief! Despite pundits predictions in 2010 that President Obama would fall to the whim of the new GOP dominated House; he showed the country in the eleventh hour who's boss! The world will be watching for the moves he makes in the year before he starts his re-election campaign.
2 / 21
First Lady Michelle Obama - First lady Michelle Obama isn't only one of the most fashional first ladies that the world has ever seen, but she more importantly passionate about her cause. Mrs. O fought hard for legislation that would improve the quality of school lunches for kids, and she got it in the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act. We can't wait to see what mountains she moves in 2011.
3 / 21
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver - The newly appointed chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus in the 112th Congress is already making national headlines with his championing of the health care bill, and his mission to get tax cuts for the poor. His position in the powerful Congressional Black Caucus makes him a top dem.
4 / 21
Kamala Harris - Kamala Harris was elected as the first black Attorney General of California last year. Even before she assumed her position she was hailed by the New York Times as being among the 17 women most likely to become the first female President of the United States. We think it’s obvious why she’s a top black Democrat.
5 / 21
Rep. John Conyers - A member of the United States House of Representatives representing Michigan's 14th congressional district, which includes most of northwestern Detroit, as well as Highland Park, Hamtramck and part of Dearborn. In January 2007, Conyers became chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the 110th United States Congress; he had been the committee's ranking Democrat since 1997.
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 21
Ambassador Susan Rice - Obama’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Rice has eight years of experience working in both the White House and the State Department under President Clinton and specializes in issues like international poverty and world security threats. A native of Washington, DC, the former Clintonite proved her dedication to Obama’s ideals but joining his campaign at a time when Hilary Clinton was the frontrunner.
7 / 21
Eric Holder - Attorney General Eric Holder has shown bold, muscular leadership on a number of issues. Since assuming office, the nation’s top cop has taken on Mexican drug gangs, spoken out fearlessly about the history of racism and the law, supported the overturning of wrongful convictions, reined in enhanced interrogation techniques of terror suspects and has stood firm in his decision to try terror suspects in New York.
8 / 21
Melody Barnes - Melody Barnes serves as the President's Domestic Policy Adviser and the Director of the Domestic Policy Council for the White House. Even before she was appointed to the position, Barnes career was a testament to her passions for domestic policy, progress, and the plight of lower-income Americans.
9 / 21
Rep. Cedric Richmond - Rep. Cedric Richmond represents Louisiana's 2nd congressional district. Richmond is the youngest member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is laser-focused on the continual social and economic recovery from the damage that his district suffered from Hurricane Katrina. His leadership in his district and in the country makes him one of the top black Dems.
10 / 21
Valerie Jarrett - The Chicago lawyer, businesswoman, and civic leader. She is best known for her role as an advisor to President Barack Obama. Jarrett is a senior advisor for the Obama administration. Prior to that she served as a co-chairperson of the Obama-Biden Transition Project. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
ADVERTISEMENT
11 / 21
Rep. Jim Clyburn - Rep. James "Jim" Clyburn represents the 6th district of South Carolina and is one of the most respected congressmen in the House. He is the third ranking Democrat, and serves as the Assistant Democratic Leader.
12 / 21
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee - Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has always been a vocal and outspoken representative, pushing the causes of her constituents in the eighteenth district of Texas to the forefront. She also was a leader in securing food and supplies for Haiti even before the earthquake struck.
13 / 21
Rep. Bakari Sellers - Although Bakari Sellers makes history as the youngest black lawmaker in the United States, his fervor for truth, and passion to change the plight of his constituents makes him one of the country’s top Dems. In 2010 he spearheaded legislation in line with our first lady’s, to create healthier lunch options for kids during an obesity crisis. We can’t wait to see what cause he throws his wait behind in 2011.
14 / 21
Rep. Maxine Waters - She has served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing California's 35th congressional district.
15 / 21
Rep. Charlie Rangel - He has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1971, representing the Fifteenth Congressional District of New York. In January 2007, he became chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. He is the first African-American to chair the committee. Rangel earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the Korean War. Despite his recent censure, Rangel still remains one of the most powerful black dems.
ADVERTISEMENT
16 / 21
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake - Stephanie Rawlings Blake took the position as Mayor of Baltimore amid scandal, and low moral in the city left in the wake of the former mayor. She had a tough first test of bringing her constituents back to status quo and we must say she passed with flying colors. She’s the second female mayor in Baltimore’s history.
17 / 21
Mayor Cory Booker - After securing a $100 million donation from Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg solely for Newark’s education system, Mayor Cory Booker showed that there’s more than one way to get education funding during hard economic times. His innovative way of conversing with constituents via Twitter made national headlines. His trend-setting political tactics and personal concern with his constituency makes him a top dem.
18 / 21
Gov. Deval Patrick - He is the current Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the first African American to hold that office. Prior to being Governor, Patrick was a United States Assistant Attorney General under President Bill Clinton, and before that he worked as an attorney and businessman.
19 / 21
Charles Bolden - Charles Bolden made history as the first black Administrator of NASA to hold the position permanently. He’s a retired United States Marine Corps major general, and former NASA astronaut. He’s a trailblazer in his field and inspiration to many.
20 / 21
Mayor Kasim Reed - Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed came blazing onto the political scene with the support of celebrities and his constituents in 2010. In 2011, he plans to put the Recovery Act's funds into play by having summer public works jobs created for youth in the city. We look forward to watching him move.