Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, played a significant role in Black history through his policies and actions during the Great Depression and World War II. One of his most notable contributions was signing Executive Order 8802 in 1941, which prohibited racial discrimination in the defense industry and established the Fair Employment Practices Committee. This was a major step towards ensuring equal employment opportunities for African Americans in the defense industry during World War II.

Roosevelt also appointed several prominent Black Americans to positions within his administration, such as Mary McLeod Bethune and William H. Hastie. Additionally, his New Deal programs, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), provided jobs and economic relief to many African Americans who were disproportionately affected by the Great Depression.

While Roosevelt's presidency marked progress in terms of civil rights and economic opportunities for Black Americans, it is important to note that he faced criticism for not doing enough to address racial inequality and segregation in the United States. Despite these shortcomings, Roosevelt's legacy in Black history is a complex one that reflects both progress and limitations in his approach to racial equality.