Ebenezer D. Bassett (1833-1908)

Ebenezer D. Bassett was appointed U.S. Minister Resident to Haiti in 1869, making him the first African American diplomat.  For eight years, the educator, abolitionist, and black rights activist oversaw bilateral relations through bloody civil warfare and coups d’état on the island of Hispaniola.  Bassett … Read MoreEbenezer D. Bassett (1833-1908)

Congressional Black Caucus (1971- )

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) was established in 1971, although its roots go back to the Democratic Select Committee (DSC).  The DSC was started in 1969 by Representative Charles Diggs of Michigan, who was looking for a way the nine black members of the House … Read MoreCongressional Black Caucus (1971- )