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African American House Members Through Time

The following is a comprehensive record of African American House Members along with those of multiple ethnicities who have who have represented districts or localities throughout Virginia *.

This timeline represents a new evolution of racial diversity in the representation of Virginia citizens.

1865 - 1871

In this era, 40 African Americans were House Members.

At the end of the Civil War, during the era of Reconstruction (between 1865 and 1877), as a condition of readmission into the Union, former slave states were required by Congress to create reconstructed governments, hold state conventions, and establish new constitutions.

In Virginia, African American men were given the right to vote and be elected delegates to the Convention, and 24 African American men were elected to the 1867-1868 Virginia Constitutional Convention, which created the Virginia Constitution of 1869.

In addition to the end of slavery, the end of the Civil War also extended the right to vote and to hold office to African American men.

During this era, 40 African American men held seats in the Virginia House of Delegates. Several men in this era and the next identified themselves as African American/Native American as well as Caucasian/African American.

1872 - 1890

In this era, 50 African Americans were House Members.

During this era, 50 African American men served in the Virginia House of Delegates. As a result of the resurgence of virulent racial discrimination that followed Reconstruction, Southern state governments enacted a system of laws known as "Jim Crow" laws, which established a rigidly segregated and legally sanctioned social system that subjugated and disenfranchised African Americans, again relegating them to second-class citizenship.

It would be 78 years before the next African American was elected to the body.

1960 - 1980

In this era, 5 African Americans were House Members.

During the era of Jim Crow, very few African Americans dared to brave the political and social realities of the time to run for public office or were able to register and vote under state constitutions and laws; from 1890 to 1968, African Americans were not members in the Virginia General Assembly, the oldest continuous legislative body in the Western Hemisphere; in 1967, William Ferguson Reid, a Richmond doctor and community leader, became the first African American in the 20th Century elected to the Virginia House of Delegates.

Five more men would follow him over the next 20 years, one of whom, Bobby Scott, went on to serve his constituents in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1981 - 1990

In this era, 8 African Americans were House Members.

Eight African American men were elected during this era.

In 1984, The Honorable Yvonne B. Miller was the first African American woman to serve in the House of Delegates. She was also elected to the Senate of Virginia, making her the first African American woman elected to both bodies. In the House of Delegates, two more African American women joined her during this era, Mary Christian and Jean Cunningham.

1991 - 2000

In this era, 8 African Americans were House Members.

This era also saw more African American members of the House holding power in committees, chairing and co-chairing Chesapeake and its Tributaries, Militia, Police and Public Safety, and Privileges and Elections.

The racial and ethnic demographics in the Virginia House continued to expand, preparing for a new era in the 21st century.

Of note, Donald McEachin, a Richmond attorney, served in the Virginia House of Delegates during this time and went on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2001 - 2010

In this era, 14 African Americans were House Members.

Nine African American delegates were elected during this era, four men and five women.

This era would also see the election of Jeffrey Frederick from Fairfax, the first Latino member of the House as well as the first Asian American member, Thomas Bolvin from Northern Virginia.

2011 - 2024

In this era, 33 African Americans were House Members.

This era has shown the largest increase in ethnic diversity in the House of Delegates to date. More men and women than ever before of African American, Latin American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander descent have served or are currently serving.

In 2024, Don Scott of Portsmouth was elected Speaker, making him the first African American to hold that position in Virginia.

Also, considering the huge increase in women serving during this time, the Virginia House of Delegates is more diverse than it ever has been in its 400+ year history.

*The information within this interactive and searchable application has been researched extensively by the House Clerk’s Office. As with any historical records of this age and breadth, there may be discrepancies and/or inconsistencies within records obtained from a variety of credible sources. Any feedback is encouraged at history@house.virginia.gov.

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