The 2024 presidential election resulted in an unprecedented outcome. A Wednesday morning that should have been filled with celebration was instead marked by anguish and grief as news of Donald Trump’s second victory as president-elect settled in. The decision remains especially troubling for Black Americans, women, and LGBTQ individuals, as Trump’s reelection plan includes Project 2025—a federal policy that opposes reproductive rights, immigrant rights, and racial equity. While these proposals are concerning, their success depends on support from Congress and the executive branch. Fortunately, several Black politicians made history with Election Night victories, including two women: Angela Alsobrooks, Maryland’s first Black senator, and Shomari Figures, elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama, becoming the first Black man to hold the position since 1832. While these wins don’t guarantee a halt to Trump’s plans, the presence of minorities in leadership offers a glimmer of hope. Here are the changemakers who could lead the charge for progress.
Lisa Blunt Rochester
Lisa Blunt Rochester’s election as Delaware’s senator comes eight years after she became the state’s first Black female congressperson. She currently sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, overseeing healthcare, the environment, and trade. She has been a strong advocate for reducing healthcare costs for middle-class families and addressing the opioid crisis. Rochester also champions legislation to support startups and remove barriers for people re-entering society after incarceration.
Angela Alsobrooks
Like Rochester, Alsobrooks is the first Black senator from Maryland. A native of the state, she developed a passion for public service early, becoming president of her high school student government. Inspired by a 2009 profile of Vice President Kamala Harris, Alsobrooks ran for Prince George’s state’s attorney. In her victory speech, she assured voters, “To each and every Marylander, I say this: I will make your care my concern. Your hope, my focus. And your dreams, my work in the days and years to come.”
Shomari Figures
Shomari Figures, a former White House staffer during Barack Obama’s presidency, brings a wealth of experience to Alabama’s newly redrawn second congressional district, which is predominantly Black. Both of his parents were deeply involved in politics: his father, a state senator, fought for Black rights in Alabama, and his mother, a city council member, is now a state senator. Figures plans to focus on Medicaid expansion and health care access to prevent closures of essential health facilities in his district.
Melesa Johnson
Melesa Johnson made history as the first Black woman elected as Jackson County prosecutor in Kansas City, defeating Republican Tracey Chappell. Raised on the city’s East Side, she is committed to addressing issues like homicides, property crime, and wrongful convictions. As prosecutor, Johnson pledges to “lead with integrity, transparency, and dedication.”
Monroe Nichols IV
Monroe Nichols, a former college football wide receiver and state representative from Waco, Texas, will become Tulsa’s first Black mayor. Nichols served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2016 to 2024, making history as the first African American to represent the 72nd district. As mayor, he plans to tackle homelessness, improve educational outcomes, and ensure Tulsa remains a safe, thriving city.