Who was the first black person to run for president

Shirley Chisholm: The first black woman to run for US president

Close

Shirley Chisholm announced her intention to run for the US presidency on 25 January 1972 . She became the first major-party black candidate to run for America's highest office.

Witness History spoke to Congresswoman Barbara Lee, who was inspired to enter politics after working on Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's 1972 campaign.

Witness History: The stories of our times told by the people who were there.

Show more

  • Published

    23 January

  • Section

    BBC News

  • Subsection

    Stories

Share

close

Copy link

About sharing

Explore more

  • Up Next. My mother, the world’s first woman prime minister. Video, 00:04:15

    • Published

      21 November 2020

    • Subsection

      Stories

  • Nasa's pioneering black women. Video, 00:03:21

    • Published

      13 February 2021

    • Subsection

      Stories

  • The racist church bombing that shocked the world. Video, 00:02:29

    • Published

      19 September 2020

    • Subsection

      Stories

  • The African-American high fashion pioneer. Video, 00:02:11

    • Published

      29 May 2020

    • Subsection

      Stories

  • The black ballet pioneers. Video, 00:04:09

    • Published

      11 September 2019

    • Subsection

      Stories

  • 'I just wanted to be white' Video, 00:04:51

    • Published

      31 October 2020

    • Subsection

      Stories

Editor's recommendations

  • New tool helping people with prosthetic arms surf. Video, 00:01:14

    • Published

      14 hours ago

    • Subsection

      Bristol

  • ‘We demand wages for housework’ Video, 00:03:17

    • Published

      14 hours ago

    • Subsection

      Stories

  • Award for Elton John after White House performance. Video, 00:01:05

    • Published

      1 day ago

    • Subsection

      Entertainment & Arts

  • Who benefits from the mini-budget? Video, 00:00:44

    • Published

      1 day ago

    • Subsection

      UK

  • Hollywood sign gets birthday facelift. Video, 00:01:15

    • Published

      2 days ago

    • Subsection

      US & Canada

  • First words from Kwarteng as he sets out mini-budget. Video, 00:00:40

    • Published

      2 days ago

    • Subsection

      UK Politics

  • Labour thank Kwarteng for 'demolition' of Tory record. Video, 00:02:12

    • Published

      2 days ago

    • Subsection

      UK Politics

  • Released Briton felt 'moral obligation to help' Ukraine. Video, 00:01:37

    • Published

      2 days ago

    • Subsection

      UK

  • One-minute World News. Video, 00:01:05

    • Published

      5 hours ago

    • Section

      BBC News

  • Speaker not happy press got energy statement first. Video, 00:02:12

    • Published

      3 days ago

    • Subsection

      UK Politics