The FBI played a significant role in Black history, both positively and negatively. In the early to mid-20th century, the FBI, under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, engaged in surveillance, harassment, and infiltration of civil rights organizations and Black activists. This included targeting leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Panther Party, among others.

One of the most infamous examples of the FBI's targeting of Black leaders was its campaign to discredit and undermine Martin Luther King Jr. through the COINTELPRO program. This covert operation sought to undermine King's credibility and disrupt the civil rights movement.

Despite this troubling history, the FBI has also played a role in advancing civil rights and equality. In 1964, the FBI provided key support in the search for three civil rights activists - James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner - who were murdered in Mississippi. The investigation led to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators.

In more recent years, the FBI has sought to address its historical role in targeting Black leaders and organizations. The agency has made efforts to improve its relationships with communities of color and to increase diversity within its ranks.

Overall, the FBI's role in Black history is complex, reflecting both its history of suppressing civil rights activists and its efforts to advance justice and equality for all.